Interactive Map Hotels Conference Locations Points Of Interest
This is an interactive map of conference locations and places of interest, focused on lodging as well as hunting and gathering resources available close to the conference venue. Detailed descriptions of locations are embedded in the map and, for selected venues and locations, below.
See full screen
HOTELS
Special conference rates have been arranged at three hotels near (within 1/2 mill, 2640 ft, 0.804672 km) the conference location:
- Graduate by Hilton 0.5m miles west of conference venue. $189/night. Starbucks and hotel coffee and a veiw of the stately Old Main building on your morning walk to the conference venue.
- Tucson Marriot University Park 0.5 miles west of conference venue. $199/night. Book by October 11th for conference rate. Starbucks and hotel coffee and a veiw of the stately Old Main building on your morning walk to the conference venue.
- Aloft Hotel by Marriot 0.8 miles east of conference venue. $167/night, book by October 10th for conference rate. Enjoy coffee at Bruegers Bagels and marvel at stunning views of NOIR Lab and Steward Observatory on your leisurely stroll to the Student Union.
A robust short term rental market - e.g. AirBnB - exists in Tucson and you can of course make your own arrangements. In addition, there are many hotels available in the area. We have indicated them on the map below with RED lodging symbols. Note that many of these alternatives are located in the bustling metropolis that is downtown Tucson. As such, there is the potential for some noisiness associated with lodging downtown as there is, so I've been told no personal knowledge, a thriving night life in the downtown area. If you are young or at least young of heart and with to partake of said nightlife and proximity to varied dining and drinking options with the attendant potential for disrupted sleep, this may be an option for you.
The entire downtown is connected to the University campus via a 'modern street car' (see map for route and stops) so making your way back and forth to the conference venue will not be a problem if you choose this option. Just make sure you refer to it as the modern street car; TPTB seem to get upset if you refer to it as a trolley or some other pedestrian name. Riding the trolley is free - well not really, but you don't have to pay.
CONFERENCE LOCATIONS
- The conference proper will be held in the Unviversity of Arizona Student Union Grand Ballroom (level 3). The Student Union is centrally located on the University campus (see interactive map below) and within easy walking distance of the three conference hotels and there is a streetcar stop just outside the Union if you choose different accommodations.
- We are planning a Sunday evening reception starting at 17:00 on the upper deck patio of Gentle Ben's, a local brewery just off the western edge of the campus. There will be catered snacks and an open cash bar - might I suggest the Rae's Ruby IPA or a Barrio Rojo?
- The conference dinner will be held in the main hanger of the Pima Air & Space Museum. The dinner is not included in the conference registration but is available as an optional extra cost during registration. Transportation from Steward Observatory to the dinner is available for an additional charge. The dinner includes a tour of the SOFIA observatory which is housed on the grounds of the museum.
- Tours of the University of Arizona Mirror Lab have also been reserved for conference attendees as an additional purchase at registration. The Mirror Lab is located beneath the footbal stadium and within easy walking distance of the conference venue and Steward Observatory.
- Conference attendees can also register for tours of Kitt Peak National Observatory as part of conference registration for an addional cost. The observatory is located roughly 60 miles west of campus and transportation will be provided as part of the tour.
POINTS OF INTEREST
A list selected museums, galleries, outdoorsy stuff in the area. For food options and selected points of interest, see interactive map. As this will be early to mid November, weather should be ideal for hiking without being required to retreat to higher elevations (e.g. Mt. Lemmon), but be cautious regarding ambient temperatures and hydration. And maybe rattlesnakes.
- There are several museums, galleries, and educational attractions on the University of Arizona proper.
- Flandrau Science Center and Plane-arium - On campus. Astro shows, laser shows, gift shop.
- Tucson Botanical Gardens - Currated nature some are.
- Mt. Lemmon Sky Center
- Catalina State Park - Really just trail heads/hikes, gateway to the NW Catalinas.
- Saguaro National Park - East and West. Plenty of short trails through forrests of Saguaro cacti.
- Mt. Lemmon - Beautiful drive - ~25 miles - from the north east side of Tucson up to the top of the Catalinas (mountains above Tucson). Many trailheads for both short and long hikes all along the road, most with some parking available. Severly nice scenic overlooks. Can drive all the way to the top at the small village of Winterhaven and the Ski Valley Ski Resort (No, REALLY!).
- Arizona-Sonra Desert Museum - Curated nature, Short walks on maintained paths, some guided tours, desert wildlife, gift shops. A nice drive to the west side of the Tucson Mountains, especially thorugh Gates Pass
- Old Tucson - On the way out to the Desert Museum, you can stop at Old Tucson along the way. Site where many old westerns were filmed back in the day.
- Sabino Canyon - Easy short trails, gateway to longer hikes. Visitor center and gift shop.
- Pima Air and Space Museum - Site of the conference dinner, but you may want extra time to walk the grounds and see the wide selection of historical airplanes.
- Reid Park Zoo - If you're into zoos. Rather small zoos.
- Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens - Gardens, galleries, bistro. Currated nature.
- DeGrazia Gallery - It's a southwestern art gallery. I think.
- Tucson Museum of Art - It's an art gallery. I think.
- Collosal Cave Mountain Park - Visit a cave system (tours) just southeast of Tucson
- Titan Missile Silo - The desert surrounding Tucson was home to ICBM missile instalations during the cold war. Visit one of the decommisioned silos for a guided tour.
