Tourism

Whether you want to see a piece of history, enjoy the outdoors or take in culture, Yuma and the surrounding areas have something to offer longtime and new residents alike.

Some of the attractions are:

Out in the desert...

* Imperial Sand Dunes
Description: Called Southern California's "Little Sahara," the Imperial Sand Dunes rise up out of the desert west of Yuma in the form of mighty mountains of sand. This area is a hot spot for off-roading enthusiasts, campers and movie makers. Several films, including "Return of the Jedi" and "Spaceballs," were made there.
To visit: Just take Interstate 8 about 20 miles west of Yuma. The dunes are impossible to miss.

* Picacho Peak
Description: Look for the reddish peak sticking out of the horizon north of Yuma and that's Picacho Peak, one this area's best-known natural landmarks. A great area for hiking with a camping area not far away, this is also one of the area's most beautiful pieces of desert.
To visit: There's a few twists and turns, so ask a local for directions.

* Castle Dome Museum
Description: A local couple is restoring an old mining town and they invite the public to come and enjoy their collection of exhibit buildings, which range from a church and a hotel to a dentist's office and saloon. The museum is northeast of Yuma, near this area's well-known Castle Dome Mountain.
To visit: Call 920-3062 for directions.

* Dobson Museum
Description: A massive collection of antiques turned into this quaint re-creation of a Wild West town, complete with a working blacksmith shop.
To visit: The museum is in rural Tacna (east of Yuma), and the owner prefers to give directions herself over the phone. Her number is 785-4013.

* Gold Rock Ranch Museum
Description: This little museum run by Gold Rock Ranch RV Resort offers a little bit of everything.
To visit: Head west on Interstate 8 and turn right onto Ogilby Road. Proceed for about nine miles. Call 919-6220 or 920-0603 for more information or go to http://goldrockranch.tripod.com.

Around the area...

* Yuma's rivers
Description: With the Colorado and Gila rivers converging near Yuma, there's sure no lack of water-related fun - even in the desert.
To visit: Recreation sites along the Colorado River range from right inside town to locations far upstream. One of the best spots to visit inside town is the newly created Gateway Park. Look for the entrance off 1st Street, just east of Main Street.

* Area lakes
Description: Mittry Lake and Lake Martinez offer a stunning and beautiful contrast to the seemingly harsh and dry desert. Both lakes offer opportunities to fish, camp and enjoy wildlife. The latter also boasts cabins for rent, bait shops and a couple restaurants.
To visit: Get to Mittry Lake by heading east out of town on 16th Street (which is Highway 95). Hang a left at the Circle K convenience store at Avenue 7E and follow the paved road to the north. Get to Lake Martinez by taking Highway 95 east out of town and continue as it turns and heads north. Watch for a lefthand turn not far after the turnoff for Yuma Proving Ground.

* Center of the World
Description: The pyramid west of Yuma along Interstate 8 is pretty hard to miss. Former Marine and children's author Jacques Istel is the creative force behind this tourist stop, which he claims to be the center of the world "in fairy tale law." Istel has also created an impressive array of memorial walls commemorating everything from mankind's history of flight to a wall attempting to record history of humanity itself.
To visit: Go to http://felicityusa.com for information on hours and tour admission.

* Gadsden Museum
Description: A local man loves the town of Gadsden so much that he's turned his home into a popular museum.
To visit: The museum is at 18765 Highway 95 in Gadsden. If driving from Yuma, just look for the signs on the left. For more information, call 627-2159. The museum is open in the late afternoons and evenings, usually after Luis Gradias comes home from work. Calling ahead of time isn't required, just appreciated.

Right in town...

* Territorial prison
Description: Here's where the worst of the West got locked up from 1876 to 1909. Yuma's infamous prison has transformed into Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. Visit actual adobe and stone jail cells that were made by the prisoners own hands.
To visit: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Christmas Day. To get there from 4th Avenue go east on Giss Parkway and take a left on Prison Hill Road. Call 783-4771 for current fee information.

* Yuma West Wetlands Park
Description: One of Yuma's newest parks
To visit: From 4th Avenue head west on First Street and watch for signs on the right.

* Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground
Description: This playground, billed as one of the biggest in Arizona, was built by thousands of volunteers over just a handful of days earlier this year.
To visit: The playground is at the West Wetlands Park off of 1st Street.

* Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
Description: Learn Yuma's history in one stop at this park, which until just recently was known as the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park.
To visit: The park is located along the Colorado River at 201 N. 4th Ave. Call 329-0471 for current fees. The hours are seven days a week 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through April and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May through October.

* Sanguinetti House Museum
Description: Step into the past visit visiting the Sanguinetti House Museum, where antiques, photographs and historic relics tell their stories through interesting and detailed exhibits and recreations of rooms from old-time houses. Once the home of pioneer merchant E.F. Sanguinetti.
To visit: The museum is located at 240 S. Madison Ave. and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 782-1841.

* Yuma Art Center
Description: Art from around Yuma - and all over the world - comes to the walls of the Yuma Art Center, which opened three years ago. Visitors to its art museum often remark that the high, white walls look like something out of an artist's loft in New York. The center also boasts the newly renovated Historic Yuma Theatre, where local and national acts perform.
To visit: The art museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more info., call 329-6607. Admission is $3 general admission or $2.50 for seniors and children.