Casa Grande, Arizona—literally, “Grand House”—opens its doors to travelers from all over the world. The city of about 60,000 residents embodies a generous and gracious spirit, waiting to welcome you into its community, as it has for hundreds of years. Only an hour from both Phoenix and Tucson, the centrally located destination draws visitors in with its storied history, mix of cultures, and easy access to adventure.
This story has been created in partnership with the Experience Casa Grande, Arizona.
Your Home Away from Home
The Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort truly feels like an oasis in the desert.
Finding a place to sleep won’t be difficult. The easy-to-access community offers an assortment of familiar points-earning properties. But if you are looking for more than a bed to collapse into after a day of exploring, make sure to check availability at the historic Francisco Grande Hotel & Resort which John Wayne frequented. If you seek a more “Southwestern” experience, Saguaro Whispers offers home-like hospitality in their inn and casitas.
Day 1: Catch Some Retro Vibes
Nope, you didn’t stumble into Radiator Springs—this is the real deal! Casa Grande’s Neon Sign Park downtown is a sight to behold.
Stretch your legs on a stroll through Historic Downtown Casa Grande. A self-guided walking tour pulls art and history together, forming a narrative with great visuals while you explore the shops and museums. The tour highlights the Museum of Casa Grande (in a beautiful 1920s Mission Revival church building) to BeDillon’s Restaurant and Cactus Garden to the Casa Grande Art Museum, featuring architecture spanning decades, interspersed with art installations along the way.
The real magic of Old Town Casa Grande, though, comes alive at night. Every evening the Neon Sign Park lights up with the city’s collection of vintage signs. Pedestrians’ faces glow with colors, posing for social media selfies before heading off to a late dinner or a glass of wine at A Latte Vino. (Pro tip: If you are in Casa Grande on a Thursday evening, you can “paint and sip” to create a truly unique souvenir.)
Day 2: Get Your Nerd On
The walls of this building have nearly 800 years’ worth of stories to tell! Go hear a few of them at the Casa Grande National Monument. Photo courtesy of Casa Grande National Monument
After a hearty breakfast at the local’s favorite, Cook E Jar (and snagging some baked goods for the road), a trip to Caywood Farms is in order. While “agriculture” isn’t naturally associated with “Arizona,” this fifth-generation cotton ginning operation may change your mind. Allot about 2.5 hours for your visit; weather permitting, your group will take a hayride (pulled by an antique tractor) out to the fields to handpick some cotton to take home with you!
Next up? The city’s namesake: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. This 800-year-old archeological treasure trove includes an impressive four-story structure built by the ancestral Sonoran Desert peoples around 1350 CE. In 1892, President Harrison approved it as the first federally-protected prehistoric and cultural reserve in the United States. Today, ranger-guided tours are available through the desert’s cooler months (October–April).
Heading back into town for dinner, your hungry crew has plenty of options. Definitely check out the Casa Grande Southwest Taco Trail or hunt for a Sonoran hot dog (a bacon-wrapped hot dog served on a bolillo-style bun with Southwestern toppings).
Day 3: Go All-in Outdoors
Breathtaking vistas await you just outside Casa Grande’s city limits – get out and explore! Photo courtesy of Arizona State Parks and Trails.
Start early for your final day—beating the heat for physical activities is paramount. Stop in at L’Grande Cafe, the local coffee haven. Their array of beverages will give you the caffeine jumpstart you crave for your drive to Picacho Peak State Park. Seventy miles of trails await you, ranging from the 0.2 mile “Children’s Cave Trail” to the difficult and technical “Hunter Trail” that traverses its way to the top of the peak itself. Regardless of what you opt to tackle on foot or mountain bike, make sure to pack plenty of water (at least 8 liters per person). Stay hydrated, folks!
As the heat peaks for the day, Rob’s Red Jeep Rambles will take you into the Sonoran Desert National Monument, along the edges of Tabletop Mountains Wilderness. A four-hour adventure with a knowledgeable driver means access to hard-to-reach locations. Keen-eyed observers will spy wildlife among the abundant saguaro cacti and other-worldly landscapes.
Whether you are traveling through or using Casa Grande as a hub to explore Phoenix and Tucson, the desert welcomes and leaves an impression on every visitor. As the locals like to say, “Mi Casa Grande es su Casa Grande!” Come, make yourself at home, and immerse yourself in the land, cultures, and experiences of central Arizona.
