One of the things about Arizona is that it never ceases to amaze people. Just when you think you’ve seen it all in The Copper State, it will surprise you with its quirkiness.
Copper Courier, a Courier Newsroom publication, recently published an article on their website that lists 7 places in Arizona that are as amazing as they are quirky. Continue reading to find out about some of Arizona’s weirdest destinations.
Nellie E. Saloon or The Desert Bar
Cienega Springs Road in Parker
This interesting bar is open from noon to 6 pm, only on weekends between October and April. The most interesting aspect about this bar is not that it is open seasonally but its remote location. Accessible only with a high-clearance vehicle, this is a bar like no other. On-site, you have a full-service bar and restaurant, a church that is made out of steel, a dance floor, a cooking area, and on most weekends, live music.
Dateland Date Gardens
1737 S. Avenue 64 E in Dateland
This place, as its name suggests, is dedicated to dates. What makes the place even more special is that a very specific kind of date is grown here, one that was historically grown for Moroccan royalty – the Medjool dates. You can also find lots of other date-based products, from jams to butter and even barbeque sauces. According to a legend, this place is the birthplace of date shakes, reported the Courier Newsroom publication.
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin
12781 N. Sabino Canyon Park in Mt. Lemmon
This place is a must-visit for anyone wanting to live out their wildest Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fantasy. At the top of Mt. Lemmon, just outside Tucson, there is a Cookie Cabin selling oversized sweets. This is a family-run business that has been selling cookies the size of small plates since 1990. The place also serves pizza and ice cream.
Lowell
Erie Street in Bisbee
Probably the most strange place on this list because Lowell, a former mining town, is largely abandoned. You can find loads of places here, from a karate studio to a Harley Davidson store. All abandoned. It all makes for a very eerie experience, which isn’t surprising because it is located on Erie street. However, there is one business that is still operational in this desolate place, the Bisbee Breakfast Club, which is famous for its huevos rancheros.
Casa Grande Neon Sign Park
408 N. Sacaton St. in Casa Grande
If you’re driving down Interstate 10, consider stopping over at Casa Grande Neon Sign Park. The park pays homage to the history of the place through its neon signs. For instance, you can find the neon sign of the Horse Shoe Motel, the first air-conditioned hotel in town. The park also makes for a good photo-op with its endless displays of neons.
Mystery Castle
800 E. Mineral Road in Phoenix
This place was built by Boyce Luther Gully, in the 1930s, for his daughter, Mary Lou. The two were found building castles in the sand, and Lou insisted her father build her something permanent because the sea would wash away their sandcastles. The result was a massive mansion with 18 rooms, decorated with Southwestern antiques. Mary Lou resided here until she died in 2010. Visitors can now visit this mansion for $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Biosphere 2
32540 S. Biosphere Road in Oracle
This site is a laboratory now owned by the University of Arizona. Its spread over 3.14 acres and is used by the university to study the effect of climate change. These biospheres have been created to recreate Earth’s ecosystems in an enclosed space. The seven biomes recreate various habitats including, an ocean with a coral reef, a fog desert, agricultural systems, savannah grasslands, and mangrove wetlands. This place is also famous for conducting experiments to assess whether life could be supported in outer space.
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