Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), part of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the Sun. Sharing the mountaintop site with the National Solar Observatory, KPNO, founded in 1958, operates three major nighttime telescopes and hosts the facilities of consortia which operate 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes. (See the Tenant Observatories list.) Kitt Peak is located 56 miles southwest of Tucson, AZ, in the Schuk Toak District on the Tohono O’odham Nation and has a Visitor Center open daily to the public however it is temporarily closed.

 

Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge in the northern Catalina Mountains. The park offers day-use picnic areas and over 15 miles of trails for use by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. A section of the Arizona Trail crosses through the park.  And it is a designated International Darek Sky Park.

Oracle State Park also serves as a Center for Environmental Education and provides programming for all ages. Interactive programs for school groups are offered by reservation. These programs are conducted along trails, so students learn about habitat ands interrelationships between plants, animals, and people.

The Kannally Ranch was donated to The Defenders of Wildlife (DOW), a non-profit organization, in 1976. The will of Lucille Kannally gave the 4000-acre ranch to DOW with the stipulation that the property be perpetually used as a wildlife reserve. The DOW held this property (called the Oracle Wildlife Refuge) for ten years. For most of the time, the Oracle Education Project, under the leadership of Bob Hernbrode, utilized the Kannally Ranch House as its base of operation for a variety of environmental education programs.

Neil Kannally left his home in Illinois in 1902, seeking sunshine at a tuberculosis health resort in the hills of Oracle, 38 miles north of downtown Tucson.

As he grew stronger, Kannally, 23, hatched a plan to bring out his brother, Lee. In 1903, the two purchased the 1880s McCarius homestead on 160 acres of pristine land once inhabited by Hohokam and Apaches, a perfect spot for cattle ranching.

Three other siblings — 30-year-old matriarch Molly, brother Vincent and 7-year-old Lucile — soon followed, and the thriving cattle ranch grew to nearly 50,000 acres.

The old adobe homestead was surely cramped, so the brothers added on to the original house, and later built cottages for Molly and Lucy.

It was not until 1929 that this second-generation Irish Catholic family built an architectural jewel of a ranch house in the heart of what is now Oracle State Park, a dramatic, four-level Mediterranean-Revival style home with Moorish influences, patterned after Italianate villas of the 1920s.

By the 1950s, the family sold off much of the land — including what would become the town of San Manuel — to Magma Copper Co.

The Kannallys, who lived in the home the remainder of their days and never married or had children, are long gone, buried at Holy Hope Cemetery. Gone, too, are family historical records, destroyed at the request of the family upon the death of the last surviving Kannally, Lucy (Lucille), who died in 1976 at age 78.

 

 

 

Tombstone is a historic city in Cochise County, Arizona founded in 1877 by a prospector in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It became one of the last boomtowns in the American frontier. The town grew significantly into the mid-1880s as the local mines produced $40 to $85 million in silver bullion, the largest productive silver district in Arizona. Its population grew from 100 to around 14,000 in less than seven years. It is best known as the site of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and presently draws most of its revenue from tourism.

Under the surface in the mining town were tensions that grew into deadly conflict. The mining capitalists and the townspeople were largely Republicans from the Northern states. Many of the ranchers (some of whom were also rustlers or other criminal varieties) were Confederate sympathizers and Democrats. The booming city was only 30 miles (48 km) from the U.S.–Mexico border and was an open market for cattle stolen from ranches in Sonora, Mexico, by a loosely organized band of outlaws known as The Cowboys. The Earp brothers as well as Doc Holliday, arrived in December 1879 and mid-1880. The Earps had ongoing conflicts with the Cowboys. The Cowboys repeatedly threatened the Earps over many months until the conflict escalated into a shootout on October 26, 1881, the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. In 1994, Saguaro National Park was designated to help protect this species and its habitat.  Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.  The saguaro is a tree-like cactus species that can grow to be over 12 meters tall.  It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California.  The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona.  The cactus proliferates over 4000 feet in elevation.

Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding 150 years.  They may grow their first side arm around 75-100 years of age, but some never grow any arms.  Arms are developed to increase the plant’s reproductive capacity.

A saguaro can absorb and store considerable amounts of rain water, visibly expanding in the process, while slowly using the stored as needed during times of drought.

A visit to Saguaro National Park is well worth the time to see these iconic plants of the West

The active adult lifestyle at SaddleBrooke Ranch just keeps getting better with new amenities! Ed’s Dogs is now open. This casual dining spot is sure to become a favorite for a quick bite to eat and reflects a piece of Robson Communities Founder’s, Ed Robson, childhood memories.

Back in 1942, Ed Robson was a 12-year-old boy growing up in Arlington, Massachusetts. Like most kids, he spent his days rooting for Ted Williams, riding a Schwinn, and drinking 5-cent cokes.

As an aficionado of hot dogs, young Ed would sneak under the subway turnstiles, saving his dime, to buy a Howard Johnson’s style hot dog in Harvard Square after working up an appetite practicing in the choir at Emanuel Episcopal Church on Newberry Street in downtown Boston.

Now, these weren’t just any dogs, they were very tasty! Those skinny and delicious franks were delivered grilled on a toasted bun which left just enough room for extra relish, chopped onions, and a little special mustard.

Times may have changed, but these enjoyable hot dogs haven’t.

Ed’s Dogs features delicious hot dogs with special names. Many of the hot dogs on the menu are named after one of Mr. Robson’s treasured canines he has had through the years.

This new casual dining option, Ed’s Dogs, serves a variety of gourmet hot dogs like the “Mickey” with a special blend of pork with roasted green chilies, pepper jack cheese, special sauce and a toasted classic bun in addition to mouthwatering hamburgers such as the “Duke” with two quarter pound patties with your choice of cheese and all the fixings. Ed’s Dogs also offers a variety of beverages including popular brews from the Ranch House Brewery. See what else Ed’s Dogs has on the menu

Ed’s Dogs is conveniently located with incredible views across the lake and golf course. This new amenity is part of an amenity expansion that is currently underway. Once completed, this expansion will include two additional tennis courts bringing the community total to six, four bocce ball courts and a new ramada near the west end of the bocce ball courts that includes storage for bocce and tennis equipment and supplies.

After challenging a neighbor to a friendly tennis match or hosting out of town visitors, Ed’s Dogs is a great new amenity that you are sure to enjoy!

 

The combination of climate, a preserved natural environment, and one-of-a-kind desert vistas invite you to enjoy a full, active lifestyle 365 days a year. Walking and jogging paths connect your home to neighbors, parks, and some of the best golf courses in Arizona. Hiking and biking trails provide everything from a casual ride to a challenging and exhilarating trek along with equestrian tracts that have been traveled for decades.

More than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails wind through Dove Mountain and the surrounding Preserve ranging in elevation from 2,800 feet all the way up to 4,300 feet. While you could spend weeks discovering the wonders of the Sonoran Desert and never cover the same ground twice, returning to an old favorite never loses its thrill. And it’s all right outside your door

For a map of the hiking trails in Dove Mountain – click below:

349707 TOM Trails Map v1e

 

 

 

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is Tucson’s best stargazing destination and home to the largest dedicated public telescopes in the United States. Stargazing programs are offered nightly, year round. Come stand with us on the shores of the cosmic ocean and stare into the vastness of space. Most of humanity never have the opportunity to see the Universe as clearly as visitors do through our Schulman and Phillips telescopes. The rings of Saturn, nebulae and spiral galaxies are all encountered as part of the tour. Guests also enjoy a light dinner, a beautiful sunset from 9,157 ft, and the use of binoculars throughout the evening. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased at SkyCenter.arizona.edu. This five hour experience is typically appropriate for participants older than 7 years of age. $75 for adults and $50 for youths younger than 18 years old. For many this is a life-transformative experience.

The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre (9.7 ha) city-owned and operated non-profit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the parks and recreation director at the time.

Reid Park Zoo consists of four zones that are organized by the types of habitats and animals they house. The Adaptation Zone houses animals such as the grizzly bear and Aldabra giant tortoise, the South America zone houses animals such as the jaguar and spectacled bear, the Asian zone features the tiger, and the African Animals zone features animals such as the lion and giraffe. The African Animals zone also houses a 7-acre expansion (Expedition Tanzania) which was opened to the public in 2012. Expedition Tanzania is home to a herd of 5 African elephants, including a female calf born at the zoo on August 20, 2014, the first ever elephant born in the State of Arizona. A large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species.

Physical Address for Reid Park Zoo 
3400 E. Zoo Court
Tucson, AZ 85716

General information: 520.881.4753

 

Sabino Canyon, one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona, is located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ 85750.

Come to Sabino to see water in the desert. Between steep rock cliffs and unique desert vegetation you will find riparian corridors. You may even get lucky and view a Gila Monster, Bobcat, or other animals that are adapt to our 100 + degree summers and mild winters. The Sonoran desert has two rainy seasons: gentle winter rains and a dramatic summer monsoon. Due to winter snow melt and summer electrifying lightning storms Sabino Creek flows almost year around.

Many local people call Sabino Canyon their second home. Visitors walk, jog, hike, wildlife viewing, photography and so much more. If you want to bicycle in the Canyon times are limited to after 5pm

The canyon itself has been closed to private vehicles since 1978. However you can still visit Sabino Canyon in an emission-free, open-air Sabino Canyon Crawler or Bear Canyon shuttle. Along the 1-hour round trip route for Sabino Canyon enjoy an audio tour or get off at one of the nine shuttle stops. The Bear Canyon route is 30-minutes round trip and has three stops. Times, pricing, and tickets are available online.

The Recreation Area itself has over 30 miles of trails. Come to the Visitor Center to talk with one of our amazing volunteers or employees. Visit our bookstore for maps, gifts, and souvenirs.

1. On Top of the World – Ocala, FL

Below $100k – Low $400s

If you’ve been following along with past awards by 55places, this should be no surprise. Over the last several years, On Top of the World has been consistently considered the best 55+ community in the world. It topped out at No. 1 on last year’s 55 Best 55+ Communities list, sold the most homes for 2019’s best-selling list, and claimed our Community of the Year award in 2019.

There are several reasons for On Top of the World’s continued success, including a wide variety of home styles, affordable home prices, a low cost of living in Ocala, a varied selection of amenities, and the constant attempts to improve. The last few years have seen major renovations to the community’s golf facilities and the Arbor Fitness Club.

2. The Villages– The Villages, FL

High 100s – High $1Ms

The Villages is one of, if not the most, golf-cart friendly towns in the country.

Even if you’re not familiar with 55+ communities, you’ve likely heard of The Villages. While not everything you hear about The Villages is good, there are plenty of myths and rumors that can be busted about the popular community. As the largest 55+ community in the country, The Villages operates more like its own large town than a traditional community.

Also, there’s no need to drive a car to visit the hundreds of restaurants, shops, and other entertainment options. The Villages is one of, if not the most, golf-cart friendly towns in the country. Your only issue here is deciding each day how you want to spend it.

3. Solivita– Kissimmee, FL

Mid $100s – Mid $500s

Solivita is surrounded by protected natural areas, parks, and lakes.

Solivita is a perennial top 10 finisher among 55places awards, but this year, it’s really making waves. Nestled on the outskirts of Kissimmee, Solivita is surrounded by protected natural areas, parks, and lakes, but it’s still just a short drive away from downtown Orlando, making it a great option for those who have grandkids visiting frequently or who just enjoy a night out.

It’s distinctly the largest 55+ community in the Orlando area, with several amenity complexes and plans for 5,900 attached and single-family homes upon completion. In a single day, Solivita homeowners can get in a game of pickleball, relax by one of the many pools, enjoy a cooking demonstration, then grab a meal at The Grille at Stonegate in the Stonegate Golf Club. Even with Orlando’s many great 55+ communities, Solivita remains the premier community in the area.

4. Latitude Margaritaville– Daytona Beach, FL

Low $200s – Low $500s

Inspired by Jimmy Buffett, this community offers a lifestyle like none other.

Rounding out the Florida communities in the top five is none other than Latitude Margaritaville. Since it was first announced in 2017, Latitude Margaritaville has changed what we know about 55+ communities. Inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, the community doesn’t just offer residents a new home, it offers a lifestyle like none other.

Three years on from the announcement, the community has seen its first amenities open up in the last 12 months, including the Town Square which features a restaurant, bar, fitness center, resort-style pool, bandshell, and more. The community is also making headway on its private beach house, which will soon allow for homeowners to be shuttled to their own private section of the Atlantic Ocean shore.

5. Sun City Texas– Georgetown TX

Low $200s – Low $1Ms

Sun City Texas offers a prime location and resort-style amenities.

The first non-Floridian community to make this year’s list is Sun City Texas. Why wouldn’t the largest 55+ community in a state where everything is bigger be the best? Located between Austin and San Antonio, Sun City Texas offers a prime location and resort-style amenities. The community has several dozen attached and single-family floor plans as well as a wide price range, making it easy for buyers to find their ideal place.

There are two large amenity complexes in the community, both of them offering almost endless activities. This includes three 18-hole golf courses, four outdoor pools, nine miles of trails, six pickleball courts, gardening plots, a dog park, and so much more. That’s not to mention two of Texas’ most popular cities are just a drive away. What more could you need?