Day Trip 3 itinerary
Day Trip Adventures in Casa Grande
Discover the captivating blend of history and nature on Day 3 of your Casa Grande visit, as you explore the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, delve into the Pinal County Historical Museum, and wander through the stunning Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
From Casa Grande, take Highway 287, east. At Highway 87, turn north and travel to Coolidge, Arizona and the home of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, approximately 20 miles from Casa Grande. The Casa Grande Ruins were created as the nation’s first archaeological reserve in 1892, and the site was declared a National Monument in 1918. For additional information, contact the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, (520) 723-3172 or visit www.nps.gov/cagr.
Leaving the Ruins, turn north on Highway 87 then turn east on Highway 287. Continue your drive north on Pinal Pioneer Parkway (Hwy 79) to the Pinal County seat: Florence, AZ. Historic Florence is the town in which the movie Murphy’s Romance was filmed on Main Street. On Main Street the American flag proudly waves at the entrance to the Pinal County Historical Museum. The museum has fascinating displays and tells many stories of the “old west” and the Florence Territorial Prison.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
After visiting Florence, travel north on Highway 79 then east on US Highway 60 to Superior. Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located on US Highway 60, at milepost 223. The arboretum is Arizona’s oldest botanical garden which boasts more than 1,500 types of desert plants on 1,200 acres. On your walk through the gardens, you can view plants from the world’s deserts, panoramic vistas, and many natural habitats with varied wildlife, a hidden canyon, specialty gardens and more. Call for admission prices and hours open to the public, (520) 689-2723.
