The southern parcel of Arizona featuring the meetings-friendly destinations of Tucson, Yuma, Sierra Vista and Tubac enjoys a unique setting marked by desert, saguaro cactus and surrounding mountains.
Groups that convene here can spend time in the great outdoors, where most days are blessed with blue skies and punctuated by starry nights.
From bird-watching and glorious sunsets to various outdoor pursuits, including group tours and alfresco dining, there is much to see and explore beyond the meeting room in Southern Arizona.
Tucson
One of the best reasons to get out and about in Tucson is to get better acquainted with all the city has to offer.
Groups will likely be tempted along the way by Tucson’s delicious array of Mexican cuisine, but with all the calorie-burning endeavors they have to choose from here, attendees need not fret if they overindulge.
To that end, Dan Gibson, director of communications for Visit Tucson, recommended an active outing via Tucson Bike Tours, which offers sunrise, daytime and evening tours.
“Get a glimpse into Tucson’s history behind a set of handlebars,” he said. “There’s no easier way to see the sights of downtown Tucson than on a trip led by a local expert while riding in comfort on two wheels.”
Depending on the tour chosen, stops include the Presidio, University of Arizona and various noteworthy streets and neighborhoods, such as 4th Avenue and Armory Park.
Southwest Adventure Yoga is an active option that combines hiking, yoga and outdoor beauty.
“Build a customized hike with an expert guide tailored to your group’s experience level, then enjoy a relaxing and invigorating yoga experience in a perfect spot deep in the arms of Mother Nature,” Gibson said.
Or groups can float above Tucson’s natural surroundings at Arizona Zipline Adventures, which is located just north of Tucson on the side of Mt. Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
“Latched onto a line above the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, groups will step beyond their boundaries, scream with glee and have memories to share for years,” Gibson said.
They can start sharing those memories directly afterward over a meal at one of Tucson’s group-friendly eateries, many of which have outdoor seating, including Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress.
“The views from Cup Cafe patio are hard to beat—the sights and sounds of Tucson’s vibrant downtown, passing trains and views of the Tucson and Catalina Mountains all come in to play,” Gibson said. “Even better, catch one of Tucson’s magnificent sunsets with a drink in hand.”
Yuma
In Yuma, where the weather is pretty perfect most of the year, there is a wide range of outdoor dining experiences that hit all price points, according to Leslie McClendon, group sales manager at Visit Yuma.
Two local favorites are Julieanna’s Patio Cafe, an upscale yet casual option where groups of up to 100 can order prime rib, pepper-seared tuna steak and other dishes on the patio surrounded by tropical plants, and the Garden Cafe, where popular menu items include tortilla soup and homemade cakes for dessert.
Another culinary option in Yuma is its Field to Feast farm tours, during which attendees pick their own veggies and enjoy a “feast” using the chosen produce.
“Most people are surprised to learn that the Yuma area is the winter vegetable capital of North America, supplying more than 90 percent of the leafy greens consumed across the continent from November through March,” McClendon said. “This healthy only-in-Yuma experience will leave attendees full of knowledge and a healthy lunch.”
After lunch, groups can check out Yuma’s new outdoor sports offering, FootGolf, which doubles as a teambuilding activity.
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Located at Desert Hills Par 3 Golf Course, this variation on the traditional sport of golf has players using their feet to get a soccer ball into giant, 21-inch diameter cups.
“Groups could tailor the competition to reward individuals or teams, or do variations like ‘best ball’ play,” McClendon said.
Perhaps a more scenic active group endeavor is to float or paddle on Yuma’s delightfully mellow portion of the Colorado River.
“Though much of the flow of the mighty river has been diverted by the time it reaches Yuma, getting out on the water is a great way to experience nature in the world’s sunniest destination,” McClendon said. “That can include a lazy float on an inner tube during warmer months or a paddle in a canoe or kayak any time of year.”
McClendon noted that one of the put-in/take-out points is just a five-minute stroll from the Pivot Point Conference Center.
Tubac
Southern Arizona, including Tubac, is one of the premier birding regions in the Southwest, according to Angela Kirkner, executive director at the Tubac COC.
Groups can head out on either a walk in Tumacacori National Historical Park or along the Anza National Historic Trail, where they may see flycatchers, hummingbirds, hawks and many other birds.
Also recommended in Tubac is the tried-and-true teambonding activity of golf.
Among the options for a group-friendly round are the three nine-hole courses located at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa: Otero, Anza and Rancho. A fun fact for players at Rancho is that several scenes from the 1996 movie Tin Cup, starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo, were filmed there.
After a golf tournament, planners can either arrange a group meal function or reception at the resort, which has covered outdoor spaces, including a patio and deck, or find a nearby restaurant with outdoor seating.
“There are beautiful views from the outdoor patio at Shelby’s Bistro,” Kirkner said. “Alternately, the patio at Wisdom’s Dos serves amazing, authentic Mexican street fare and has an array of unique craft beers.”
Sierra Vista
Renting a bike from a local outfitter and hopping on Sierra Vista’s nearly 30 miles of multiuse paths is a great way to explore the city.
“These dedicated trails parallel roads and cut through washes, parks and natural areas, while offering paved pathways for safe and easy cycling,” said Judy Hector, marketing, tourism and public affairs manager/PIO for the city of Sierra Vista.
At The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve, which has a diverse habitat for plant and animal life, groups will find a more challenging active pursuit.
“The trail up Ramsey Canyon provides access to the Hamburg Trail, a 2.8-mile trail that passes through pine, manzanita and oak forests while gaining 2,300 feet,” Hector said.
The views at 8,075 feet are worth the trek.”
Groups interested in learning about protecting a local hummingbird habitat can watch a hummingbird-banding session at San Pedro House, during which attendees will see how researchers capture, band, measure and release these birds. Sessions run from late May to early October.
Among Sierra Vista’s group-friendly options to grab a bite is Pizzeria Mimosa Authentic Neapolitan Pizza, where Italian specialties include handmade meatballs, eggplant parmesan and various pasta dishes.
“Enjoy a glass of wine or one of the specialty cocktails, such as the house Sicilian blood orange mimosa, while dining on the patio,” Hector said. “Panoramic views of the Huachuca Mountains, open grasslands and the valley floor stretch to the Dragoon and Chiricahua mountains.”
