Included social events and excursions are in white. Optional Excursions are show in grey. Email manager@amspc.org to add a tour to your existing registration. |
Pre/Post-Meeting Optional Activities & Day Trips
Arriving early? Tucson's high desert setting puts an incredible range of day trips within reach:
- Biosphere 2 — Tour the famous 3-acre sealed research campus north of Tucson, where scientists once studied Earth's ecosystems in miniature. ~45 min from the resort.
- Tombstone — Step into the Old West at the site of the O.K. Corral, about 1.5 hours southeast of Tucson. Can be paired with a stop at Kartchner Caverns or the wine country around Sonoita.
- Kartchner Caverns State Park — One of the most pristine "live" caves in the world, with guided tours through spectacular limestone formations. ~1 hour from the resort.
- Mission San Xavier del Bac — A stunning 18th-century Spanish colonial mission just south of Tucson, known for its white adobe façade and ornate interior. ~30 min.
- Saguaro National Park — Hike among the largest cacti in the U.S. across two districts flanking the city. ~30–40 min.
- Titan Missile Museum — Tour a decommissioned Cold War-era ICBM launch site, the only one of its kind open to the public. ~45 min.
- Pima Air & Space Museum — One of the largest privately owned aerospace museums in the world, with nearly 400 aircraft on display. ~30 min.
- Colossal Cave Mountain Park — A dry cave with guided tours plus a historic ranch and trails. ~30 min.
- Kitt Peak National Observatory — A daytime tour of one of the world's premier astronomical research sites, about an hour southwest of Tucson.
AMSPC Welcome Reception
SUNDAY EVENING Included for Attendees & Social Guests
Kick off the week with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres under the stars in the resort's Historic Courtyard, framed by original 1929 adobe architecture and blooming desert gardens. A relaxed, welcoming start to reconnect with old friends and meet new colleagues.
Social Guest Activity: Art & History Tour
MONDAY MORNING Registered Social Guests Only
Discover the story behind Hacienda del Sol on a guided walk through the property — from its origins as a 1929 girls' boarding school to its guest ranch heyday hosting the likes of Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne. See original architectural details, curated local artwork, and the botanical gardens along the way.
Group Tour: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
MONDAY 1:30 - 5:30 PM Included for Attendees & Social Guests
Board the bus for a short scenic drive through the Saguaro National Park to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, part zoo, part botanical garden, part art gallery — widely considered one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world. Explore at your own pace among native wildlife, desert plant life, and walking trails before returning to the resort by bus.
Social Guest Activity: Falconry Experience
TUESday MORNING Registered Social Guests
Meet trained birds of prey up close and learn the ancient art of falconry from an expert handler, set against the Sonoran Desert backdrop.
Optional Excursion: Sabino Canyon Hike / Shuttle
TUESDAY AFTERNOON TBD $pp Min. 15ppl
One of Tucson's most beloved natural areas, Sabino Canyon offers shaded trails, seasonal streams, and dramatic desert scenery at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. We'll provide coach transportation to the canyon; from there, hikers can set out on their own trails while non-hikers can ride the canyon's narrated tram.
Estimated cost: ~$75 per person (box lunch, canyon admission & RT transportation — final pricing to follow once confirmed with our local transportation provider.
Sound Bath Experience
EVENING Optional
Unwind with a guided sound bath healing session at the resort — a deeply relaxing close to a full day of activity.
See resort spa/wellness offerings for details.
Social Guest Activity: Morning Yoga
WEDNESDAY MORNING Registered Social Guests Only
Start the morning with a gentle desert-view yoga session — no experience necessary. All levels welcome; mats provided.
Farewell Group Dinner: "Under Sonoran Skies"
WEDNESDAY EVENING 5:30 - 9:30 PM Included for Attendees & Social Guests