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Native American
BESH BA GOWAH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK AND MUSEUM
THINGS TO KNOW: Eight hundred years ago, this village southwest of Globe (its name translates to “place of metal”) was occupied by the Salado people. Now, the ruins stand as a testament to the ancient civilization and how its people lived. Visitors can explore the fascinating ruins and learn more about the culture and people. Also on the grounds is a museum that carries Salado pottery and artifacts, botanical gardens and a gift shop. The site is available for student field trips.
DON’T MISS: As you enter the museum, you’ll be treated to a brief film that showcases the history of Besh Ba Gowah. You’ll see first-hand how well-restored the archaeological site is — a point of pride for all who are interested in preserving and maintaining Native American ruins. If you pass by Besh Ba Gowah in December, you can’t miss the annual “noche las luminarias,” or festival of lights. The walls of the ruins are painstakingly covered in thousands of luminaries to celebrate the season’s magic. Cultural entertainment by the famed Yellow Bird Dance Group also is provided.
INFORMATION: globeaz.gov/besh-ba-gowah-archaeological-park-and-museum American Gold Prospecting Adventures Casa Malpaís Archaeological Park & Museum
You will learn the techniques you need Located near Springerville, Casa Malpaís is a late to prospect for gold in the deserts and Mogollon site that dates back to about 1260 and mountains of Arizona. features an astronomical calendar, a great kiva, americangoldprospectingadventures.comancient stairways and rock art.
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Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center the Arboretum was founded in the 1920s. See examples of traditional clothing, such as btarboretum.org bark skirts and leather sandals, modern-day beadwork, pottery, tattoo designs and musical Fort McDowell Adventures instruments, as well as the Cocopah warriors display. Choose from adventures including a City Slicker Cattle Drive, Segway tours in the cocopah.com/museum desert, kayaking or riding the trail.
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Try horseback riding through the Old West Town of Coldwater or venture into the River Trading Post foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains on Located in Old Town Scottsdale, this gallery their Jeep Excursion. offers Navajo textiles, Hopi Kachinas, baskets, westerndestinations.com pottery, jewelry, sculpture and artifacts.
