INCREDIBLE HISTORY! Casa Grande is a testament to the resilience and strength of the native people…read moreof Arizona! The inhabitants of Casa Grande thought about everything when they made this structure to preserve their farming operation. I'm so happy the structure is protected and the national monument is well-maintained. My family and I spent a while exploring and reading about the architectural/agricultural genius of this location. I enjoyed going in December, it was cool and I got really appreciate the views. I got to peak inside the monument through a small opening and it's pretty big! Be careful not to touch it! There's pits, native shade coverings, and plenty of signs to enjoy during your tour of the monument. The visitor center/gift shop next to Casa Grande has a brief video presentation (also on YouTube) surrounding the monument and a mini-museum with local artifacts. Everything is completely free! The staff were friendly and they had a national park stamp for park passport holders.

I try to do as many things as possible in Arizona before taking my tourist dollars out of state…read more It's also nice to learn about your own state, its history and people. I know people who have lived in Arizona for twenty years and still haven't visited the Grand Canyon. That's just crazy in my mind. So I checked out the Casa Grande Ruins. The main attraction here is the visitor center. The 'ruins' are a couple of structures which are u treating, but the visitor center tells the real store of how the natives irrigated the land and farmed it back in the day. That's the real story. If you want to visit with kids be sure to point out all the owls which inhabit the rafters Over the ruins. They are really neat, and will probably be what the little ones remember most. There isn't much of a wow factor here, but historically it is an interesting story and if you live anywhere near Coolidge it's one worth checking out.

Such a cool place to stop by when you're in Casa Grande! It's free to walk around and its just a…read moresmall park in the middle of some businesses but it's nice to go walk around the area right around sun down. It's right in the Middle of historic Casa grande so there are some other small sights to see around. Plaques were a little hard to read at night but it was interesting learning about local history! This is a nice local gem

Decided to take a day trip and discovered this quirky park in Casa Grande…read more The Casa Grande Neon Sign Park consists of vintage signs saved and collected from the surrounding area over the years, resulting in a collection that reflects local history. The exception is the Dairy Queen "lips" sign, which was relocated from its home on Route 66 in Holbrook, but is the same style as local DQ signage of the period. Several of the signs required extensive restoration, including the Arizona Edison sign, which was missing the neon, and the Goddard Shoe Store sign, whose goose was missing its head. Paul the Waver, standing by the sign for the Horse Shoe Motel, is a reproduction based on a mid-century photograph. The light behind his waving arm indicated when the motel had vacancies. Accompanying the signs are bronze story plaques in the shape of the State of Arizona with a green patina background representing the city's copper mining heritage. There are also custom pedestals incorporating "Pueblo Deco" symbols, a hybrid architectural style popular in the Southwest. The park is accented with vintage license plates and benches made out of tailgates.

"Tombs echo stories of the past, where silence speaks and memories rest in stone."…read more Poston Butte, once called Primrose Hill or Mountain F, stands out as a unique landmark near the historic downtown of Florence, Arizona. This natural formation has a rich past, notably marked by the pyramid tomb of Charles Debille Butte, renamed in honor of the man regarded as the "Father of Arizona." What makes Poston Butte stand apart is its solitary topography--it's the sole high point for miles along the drive on West Hunt Road. The climb to the summit and back is 1.2 miles, offering a moderately testing hike that suits various skill levels. Our hike was a spur-of-the-moment decision. As I am not a seasoned hiker, I found the trail to be moderately challenging, providing a satisfying mix of effort and enjoyment. We came across a few people hiking down. Upon reaching the top, you will have seamless panoramic 360-degree views of the valley making the trek worthwhile. The location is highly accessible. You can park at the dirt road on the shoulder of Hunt Highway. If you seek a rewarding experience paired with a touch of history, Poston Butte is certainly worth exploring.

Came to Florence for a wedding and this is the o ly hike close enough for some quick exploring…read more This hike is straight uphill. If you're not used to a high incline, you'll have to stop and catch your breath. The hike itself is pretty easy and short. Once you get to the top, you have great views. We went during the middle of the day and but I bet it would be super cool to watch the sunrise or sunset form here. I'd recommend if you were looking for a quick hike to get the blood pumping.

This roadside memorial has grown to 2 covered picnic areas in the last few years…read more Tom Mix was a very famous movie cowboy In the era of Roy Rogers. The story I remember is he was driving his convertible with his feet and went off the road right here. Another 100 yards is Tim Mix wash. Still a clean spot to pay your respects.

I was too young to have seen any of Tom Mix's 300 or so movies, but he was an icon of the old west…read moreto my father. His plaque at the memorial reads "In memory of Tom Mix whose spirit left his body on this spot. And whose characterization and portrayals in life served to better fix memories of the old West in the minds of living men."

I don't know much about the Town of Florence, but as an out-of-towner, I do know that it's…read morein-between the 2 major cities of Phoenix and Tucson. It's a secluded area that is definitely up and coming. New homes are popping up everywhere, and Florence has a bunch being built right now by numerous home builders. There isn't much out this way that I know of except a few restaurants, some gas stations and car washes. I hear the prisons in the area once used to be in full swing, but now they are supposedly closing down. Not 100% sure on that, but I'd imagine if they are doing it, they'll be building new homes on that land. There's so much flat land out here, it's really peaceful compared to the busier surrounding cities. You'll need to hit up the Queen Creek area which is a half hour north. That's a bustling area with shops and restaurants, and Costco with a gas station. I think it'll take a few years before this town gets to that level. They don't even have a Target or Walmart here! The closest Walmart I know of is in Coolidge about15-20 minutes away. I guess I'll see what the future has in store for Florence. Right now, it's a quiet area that many young families and professionals are settling into. You might want to check it out if you're interested in buying a home. There's so many popping up, and the newer neighborhoods look really nice!

I live in Florence, but not in the old town. I'm out in Anthem a few miles west of downtown. So…read morewhat's it like in Florence? Well the primary industry are the prisons. There are 11 jails and prisons in Florence, including the Arizona Department of Corrections in addition to multiple privately run prisons. So sightseeing isn't really a big draw here. There are a handful of restaurants, including a Sonic, Burger King, Taco Bell and McDonald's as well as a few non-chain Mexican and Chinese places. Old town Florence has been trying to revive and reimagine itself for the last few decades but nothing much has really taken hold. There is a bit of surrounding farmland, and Country Thunder lands here every February which is really the biggest attraction going in these parts. There are a few wineries and a Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox monastery you can tour. It is really beautiful out here though, and the pace is slower than in Tucson or Phoenix, so there are a lot of retirees out here. Personally I like it, but I'm not much of a nightlife person. It's also a lot more affordable out here, but still close enough to Mesa or Queen Creek to get into the Big City if that's something you need to do.

We had an absolutely wonderful day on our private Grand Canyon tour from Phoenix. To be honest, we…read morehad two hesitations when we booked: (1) It sounded like a LONG day (with a really early start), and (2) It seemed a little pricey. At the end of the day, though, everyone in our group agreed that it was well worth the price (and, particularly if you're coming from the East Coast, you're going to be awake early anyway!). Our guide, Jon, made sure that everything ran as efficiently as it possibly could have. Not only did he ensure that we hit all of the Park highlights, but he took us away from the biggest crowds to show us views that were true " hidden gems." Jon was so knowledgable on the history, the environment, and other facts related to the area that we could not have enjoyed it more. Truly an experience of a lifetime! If, like us, you are making your first trip to the Grand Canyon, this is THE way to see it! Thank you, Jon - and Arizona Scenic Tours - for a very memorable trip.

Wonderful trip. Steve was extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend this company.read more

This is a wonderful park to bring your children-- or yourself, with playgrounds, a big field, and…read moremany, many hills. The photos below show that there are various police officers in training, while we witness their nice uniforms. Nothing much to say here, but I enjoyed our time in Coolidge, AZ. Lots of love, Denver.

Beautiful, relaxing, and peaceful. After the garden, we went to eat at the BBQ restaurant and it…read morewas DELICIOUS! Loved it!

I was looking for something to do with my parents and family the day after New Year's Day. None of…read moreus had been to Queen Creek Botanical Gardens before so we decided to check it out. We had two seniors (my parents), and three adults. It's $11.57 for adults, $8.41 for seniors, and $5.73 for children under 15. The Queen Creek Botanical Garden is a fully functional, edible landscape, a sacred garden, and an event venue. Guests can explore the hidden alcoves, English Gardens, grassy meadows, Japanese terraced gardens, legend falls, a turn-of-the-century water wheel, hillside gardens, scavenger hunt for kids, and so much more. However, the garden is very small. We were probably there for 30-45 minutes, but we played the lawn games, sat down, and took lots of photos. You can easily explore the whole garden in 15 minutes or less. Guests can rent a canoe for an additional charge but I believe you can fish for no additional charge. The garden is beautiful, serene, and well maintained. It's worth visiting at least once.

I live nearby, and have seen this everyday for 50+ years. One day I was driving by and they were…read moreactually putting rock on the walls to make it a little taller. It is now not authentic. They put rock that looked like the originally building on it, is that pathetic or what. It has always been different heights. The old rock that fell (knocked off) was laying on the ground, I hope that is what they used. But by what I saw on the road was rock outside of the fence. Also I do not know if the Historic Society knows this, but there is a Well hole somewhere 20 feet radius of the building that is covered up by a think a piece of metal or 2x4s with a lot of dirt on top of it. The hole was filled in by dirt but I am sure it has settled in the past 50 years, Ernie Hawes onced owned that land that was part of his farm.