Apache Trail & Superstition Mountains 65 miles round trip Directions: From Mesa take U.S. 60 east, exit at Idaho Road and travel north to connect with Highway 88. The Apache Trail is one of the most popular day trips from the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Visitors can follow the footsteps that Native Americans and hopeful prospectors took over 100 years ago. The trail features miles of spectacular desert wilderness and scenic beauty. The road winds through the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, and continues past mountain lakes. The paved road ends several miles beyond the Old West trading post and stagecoach stop of Tortilla Flat. For guided tours of the Apache Trail, contact Apache Trail Tours at 480-982-7661 or www.apachetrailtours.com. Biosphere 2 Center 200 miles round trip Directions: From Mesa, take U.S. 60 east to Florence Junction; south on Hwy. 79 through Florence to Oracle Junction. Turn left onto Hwy. 77 to Oracle. This beautiful Visitor Center blends science exhibits, college campus, research center, hotel, restaurant and conference center to offer a unique, one-of-a-kind experience in learning about our planet. Knowledgeable tour guides will guide you through the campus, explaining the renowned Biosphere 2 project, pointing out features of the exquisite landscape and escorting you through the "Climate Change and Life on Earth Exhibition." 800-828-2462 Open daily 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 800-828-2462 Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon North of the Phoenix-Mesa metro area is the town of Sedona, nestled in beautiful Red Rock country. The area is one of Arizona's most scenic destinations. Monoliths of vivid red sandstone surround Sedona from all directions for great photo opportunities. Sedona is also well known for its great shopping and world-class resorts. Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock State Park are located only a few miles from Sedona and are a great place to cool off in the summer or to enjoy the bright colors of autumn leaves in the fall. 928-282-7722 800-288-7336 Tucson 235 miles round trip Directions: From Mesa, take U.S. 60 west to I-10 (east). Visitors to Tucson will find a unique blend of Western atmosphere and cosmopolitan style. Located just east of Tucson is Old Tucson Studios where visitors can get a taste of the Old West. "The New York Times" called the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum "the most distinctive zoo in the United States," and the British Broadcasting Corporation chose it as one of the world's seven best zoos. An innovative, exciting mix of zoo, botanical garden and aquarium, its mission is to tell the story of the Sonoran Desert. Museum volunteers greet you, lead tours, and give live demonstrations. Although it's called a museum, you will find this place is really a naturalist's dream -- a Mecca for the curious. The famous mission of San Xavier del Bac has twin white towers rising from the green desert that gave it its name of the "White Dove of the Desert." Acclaimed the best example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States, one tower remains incomplete. A taped lecture explains the architecture and other aspects of the mission. A gift shop sells Papago Indian crafts and religious articles. The Saguaro National Monument has two separate areas, located on the east and west sides of Tucson. See these elegant trees of the Sonoran Desert up close. The east side park has an 8-mile drive that winds through this extensive saguaro forest. The west side park has a nine-mile loop that begins at the Red Hills Visitors Center. Horseback riding is permitted in this park. In some areas the cacti are so thick that it is difficult to walk between them. Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau 520-624-1817 Tucson Chamber of Commerce 520-792-2250 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 520-883-1380 San Xavier del Bac 520-294-2624 Saguaro National Monument 520-733-5158 Verde Canyon Railroad Directions: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy. 260. Turn left onto Hwy. 260 to Clarkdale, AZ. There's a very special part of Arizona wilderness you can only see from our train . . . the North Verde River Canyon and Sycamore Wilderness Area. See eagles, blue heron, deer and other wildlife from open-air gondola cars, or look out panoramic windows at red cliff canyons and Sinagua Native Americans ruins. History surrounds the 40-mile wilderness ride. See the land where the Apache Chief Mangas Colorados ruled, where General Crook settled the territory, and where the Arizona Rangers captured outlaws to tame the west. Train departs year round. Call for latest updates and departure times. 800-293-7245 Information courtesy of www.visitmesa.com