At the University of Arizona, Tucson

Not only did my long-term girlfriend do her bachelors, masters and Ph. D. degrees all at the University of Arizona, but I worked here two years in, of all places, the parking department. While working there, I looked at a lot of maps. Seriously, more maps than you can imagine. Maps for lot closure notices, maps for tailgate parking, maps for shuttle routes, maps for shuttle service areas, layout maps for parking garages... Lots and lots of maps. As a result of this map overload, I have a rare knowledge of the external (i.e. - not inside the buildings) layout of the university campus area.
For parking tips, check my "UA Parking" transportation tip.
There are five museums on the University of Arizona campus, two of which are completely free and four of which are strangely right next to each other:
1. University of Arizona Art Museum (free): Downstairs is usually a more modern and more temporary exhibit, utilizing various media and often reflecting school projects. The upstairs is almost solely classical art displaying a rather impressive collection. Just north of 2nd Street east of Park Ave. Park on 2nd Street (meters) or at the Park Avenue garage.

2. Center for Creative Photography (free): Exhibits rotate about every 2-3 months. This is one of the better photography museums I've seen. Just north of 2nd Street east of Park Ave (across from the UA Art Museum).

3. Arizona State Museum: Attempts to cover the vastness of Arizona culture and history. Many Native American artifacts and artwork and, to me, that's the main attraction here. On University Blvd. east of Park Avenue. Park on University or 2nd (meters), or at the Main Gate garage.

4. Arizona History Museum: Much more focused on more contemporary history (19th and 20th centuries) than on the ancient and pre-colonial, although they do have some exhibits of the latter. At the northwest corner of 2nd Street (the west side of it) and Park Avenue.

5. Flandrau Science Center: Includes a planetarium, science and space exhibits, as well as a mineral museum (formerly its own entity). Periodic stargazing and other astronomy education events occur throughout the year. At the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue and University Blvd.

Additional activities:
- The Main Library: The library is open to all although only those affiliated with the university can check out books. Plenty of places to sit in the cavernous maze of shelves on various floors typical of large university libraries. Impressive collection of rare University of Arizona Press books, which mostly cover the subjects related to the Southwest.
- Lectures and Events: Check UA's calendar site (http://calendar.arizona.edu/) as many on-campus lectures and events are open to the public.
- There is a small, shaded pond with turtles and coy just above Park Avenue between James E. Rogers Way (North Campus Way) and Second Street. It's a great place to sit.
- There is a relatively famous orange grove on the south side of Second Street between Gila and Maricopa Halls.
- "Old Main" is the iconic, original building on campus. There are a number of labeled, local plant species on its perimeter as well as a fountain on its west side. It's located just southwest of the Student Union where University Blvd. separates and vehicle traffic stops.
- There is a rose garden on the east side of the Nugent Building, south of the Student Union. March and April would be the best time to visit this.

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These displays show some of the handicrafts associated with the area Native American tribes. Photo 1 shows some of the area mines where they find the turquoise for their art. Photo 2 shows some of the jewelry. Silver has long been a revered metal by the Navajo for use in jewelry making. Atsidi Chon is believed to be the first silversmith to combine the use of silver and turquoise. Photo 3 shows some Navajo Concha Belts. Photo 4 shows a mural depicting the Hopi emerging into the 4th World. Photo 5 shows a violin made from an Agave stalk.

One of the displays at the museum, along with being the symbol for the exhibit is the Native American Wheel of Life. symbol of life as a wheel, found in many faiths. In some religions the wheel stands for the whole cycle, beginning with birth, the rise to the height of a person's power, and the decline again until death is reached. In other faiths the wheel can also stand for the rise and fall of fortunes at different times in life.

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The Arizona State Museum is home to one of the best collections of artifacts from the indigenous cultures in the Southwest US and Northern Mexico. It is also the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the region. In addition to the interesting exhibits, the museum has a renowned library for those wishing to do more thorough research. The Arizona State Museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate. Stop here and at least see the world's largest collection of Southwest Indian Pottery. Admission is free; but there is a recommended donation of $3. Hours are 10AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday and 12PM to 5PM Sunday. The museum is closed on State and National holidays. Located on University Boulevard just inside the campus.

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Here are a few of the hands-on displays. The first one is a camera that displays the infrared spectrum. If you look carefully you can see me on the screen. The next photo shows two of the hands-on displays teaching about linear motion or how your positioning affects the motion. Think of an ice skater. When her legs are extended she spins more slowly; but when she draws her legs and arms in she spins much faster.

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Here you see some of the displays of space science. Photo 1 shows some of the types of meteorites showing the composition of asteroids. Photo 2 is another illustration of the composition of an asteroid. Photo 3 is a bronze replica of a ring shaped meteor that was found in Arizona in the 1840s. The original meteor is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

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The Center for Creative Photography is a gallery on the University of Arizona Campus. It has shows highlighting the photography of old masters, contemporary photographers, and students. It also has archives, a museum and a research center dedicated to photography as an art form and cultural record. It is open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, and Noon to 5PM on weekends. Admission is free. It was closed when I was there so they could set up the showing of Lee Friedlander's work.

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Right across from the main museum is the Joseph Gross Gallery. This gallery shows art from some of the emerging artists and U of A students. I don't know if the depiction on Photo 2 is the artist implying the Democrats are on drugs or not (I am not implying that either). I am also not sure the graffiti on the outside of the building is supposed to be part of the art display.