Unassuming and often overlooked in Arizona’s lower right corner, Cochise County is the place for real adventure. From Kartchner Caverns just south of the Interstate 10—on your way to the international cuisine, birding and biking of Sierra Vista to art, antiques and mining history in Bisbee and the historic buildings and rich Mexican heritage of Douglas, to wine country and cattle ranches of Willcox… get real in Cochise County!
While “traveling south” is often associated with rising temperatures, the County’s higher elevation enjoys a real comfortable climate all year long. And the interplay of geography and altitude make for unbelievable sunsets—with blasts of orange, pink, and purple covering the mountains. Walk, hike, bike, bird, or climb the Instagrammable landscape.
Head underground at Kartchner Cavern’s State Park, just 30 minutes outside of Cochise County’s largest community, Sierra Vista. This real living cave, voted the Best Cave in the U.S. by USA Today readers, is a wondrous trip into the cool earth where soda straw formations and the massive “Kublah Kahn” column have been forming for millions of years. Drive to Sierra Vista and hike The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve, where Mexican Jays play in the trees, up to 14 species of hummingbirds stop by for a meal, where you just might see a real “life list” bird: the Elegant Trogon. Or you can mountain bike the nearby 5-mile Brown Canyon Ranch loop and glimpse beautiful wildflowers as you roll by. Share your adventures while enjoying some of the international cuisine found throughout town, from Vietnamese to German, Mexican to Japanese.
In Douglas, the Mexican cuisine is just the beginning of your adventure. This sister town to Agua Prieta, Sonora shares the beauty and heritage of Northern Mexico. Discover the finest curios, handmade jewelry, pottery, woven blankets, home furnishings, and more. Then don a hard hat and turn on your real mining headlamp as you head underground and back in time in Bisbee. The Queen Mine Tour and its tour guides (who actually worked the mine) provide a glimpse into the community’s 1800s hey-day. A visit to the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum—a Smithsonian affiliate—completes the adventure. Sip a real cool beer at one of the local breweries and wander the many galleries and stores. Be sure to pick up everything for an elegant charcuterie at the cheese shop or a yummy delicacy at the patisserie – or both!
Visit Chiricahua National Monument, a “wonderland of rocks” that was named an International Dark Skies Park. In addition to its real extraordinary hoodoos and standing rocks, the area has comfortable temperatures and clear skies, making it ideal for stargazing. Plan your visit around a stargazing event or take your telescope off-the-beaten path and soak up real star-studded skies. Next, visit the real cowboy town of Willcox with its mom-and-pop shops, local eateries, and loads of historic, small-town charm. There is a museum dedicated to the town hero, Rex Allen—known as “Arizona’s Cowboy;” delicious u-pick produce and fruit opportunities; plus, a country store with incredible apple pies, apple butter, and more. Willcox also grows more than 75 percent of Arizona’s wine grapes! Capture those real amazing sunsets as you kick back with an award-winning wine at a local winery or tasting room.
Begin your real adventure at ExploreCochise.com!
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