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 have lived in AZ for many many years now, so how I have not stopped in to visit and see this gem…read moreof history is beyond me. We had decided to take the scenic route (Pinal Pioneer Parkway) home from a day trip to Phoenix, and am so glad we did. Casa Grande Ruins was right on the way and was an easy stop that you MUST carve out at least 30-45 minutes for. Of course you can spend way more time than that here doing the movie and perusing all of the inside exhibit/information areas but can definitely do this in about half an hours time if you focus on the outside/ruins themselves. I found the ruins, along with the information fascinating. The monument/area is as well preserved as possible, although I will say I was sad to see that there were current day people who had etched things in the adobe. The inside area has lots of great information, National Park employees that are well versed in the history and a little gift shop. Pets are welcome in outside areas, including a short cut through the building to the ruins themselves. Clean bathrooms and a picnic area across the parking lot.

Fascinating! We especially appreciated the historian who gave such an informative tour of the…read moremuseum. Do not miss this attraction in Florence Arizona!

Very well curated museum. Small, but very engaging. Covered several important points in the…read moretown/building's history. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We even got to attend a speaker series that happened that morning. Also got some great recommendations for lunch nearby.

It was a chilly yet romantic evening at the Casa Grande Neon Sign Park...5:45 PM and everything in…read moredowntown Casa Grande was closed with not another living soul in sight! The website states that the neon signs are lit from dusk until 11 PM. What did dusk mean? My husband and I were sitting on a bench anticipating the moment when the signs would light up. At 6 PM we heard a click as the neon sign elves hit the switch and all the signs lit up. It was magical! We are both history buffs and we just love unusual and historic neon signs, especially after checking out the Neon Sign Graveyard in Las Vegas! We walked around the park using our cell phone light to read the history plaque for each sign. Our favorite was the Horse Shoe Motel sign with the waver bellhop next to it. The bellhop is a replica, but what a wonderful addition to transport us to the early 1950s! The park is small but it is a work in progress as it just opened in April of this year. Additional signs are being restored and will be displayed. The park is a 501(c)(3) so check out their website to see how you can make a donation. We made one and look forward to seeing our paver on display the next time we are able to swing by the park. The next time you are traveling on I-10, even if Casa Grande is not your destination, take a side tour to a time where Google maps was not in existence and you would rely on these signs to find your destination!

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

"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.

What a lovely Western Town which transports one back to a different time…read more We visited Tourist Information which is housed in an 1800's adobe building with the most exquisite furniture. Our Tour Guide (I believe his name is Mr. Stoll or Stall - forgive the spelling mistake) was pleasantly engaging, highly informative and an absolute pleasure to be around! We really lucked out. The history of the Town is fascinating and a true Southwestern experience. Hope I've captured it in the pictures.

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!

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.

Had a day off from work and decided to visit this hidden gem. It's a small, intimate botanical…read moregarden that is absolutely beautiful. My only negative is that I wish there were more areas to sit down and take in the scenery.. I was happy to discover a shaded area with a table and some chairs near a chicken coop where I was able to enjoy Mother Nature. There also are stations to get food to feed the animals like the chicken, duck and fish. Also, when you enter the botanical garden, they give you a wristband that allows you to leave and re-enter for the day which is great especially because there are a couple of fun places with activities and restaurants right in the same area as the garden!!

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

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.