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4 January 2022
Located in Southwest Arizona, Yuma is a county that highlights rich history in culture, heritage, arts, and architecture. Additionally, it is a sunny place, which makes it perfect for travel, exploration, and outdoor activities.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Yuma, here are 5 interesting ideas you ought to consider.
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1. Discover Yuma’s history at Historic Downtown.
Learn more about Yuma’s origin and discover what it has to offer to tourists and locals alike through its historic county tours, funfairs, and events. Enjoy dining, shopping, and entertainment activities in the area, too.
2. Relax and enjoy nature at Gateway Park.
Offering a family-friendly ambiance and nature’s beauty, Yuma’s Gateway Park features the historic Ocean To Ocean Bridge and a little beach next to the Colorado River. It is also an ideal setting for picnics, games, and other outdoor activities.
3. Enjoy a vast number of activities at the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.
Situated in the Sonoran desert, this protected area is a refuge for wildlife so it’s ideal for meeting and greeting animals and observing nature. You can also enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and strolling along the painted desert.
4. Cooldown and refresh at Waylon’s Water Park.
Featuring more than 15 slides and fun attractions, Waylon’s Water Park is a perfect destination for family and social groups. Aside from water fun, visitors can also enjoy the entertainment in the place, play at the mini-golf course, and eat delicious meals in the on-site restaurant.
5. Visit the Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens.
Surrounded by attractive gardens, you will find the simple yet sophisticated house of merchant E.F. Sanguinetti in downtown Yuma. It now serves as a museum showcasing his life and story. It is a great place to learn more about his family and their history, along with his story on how he became an influential businessman who contributed significantly to his beloved community.
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6. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historical Park
Now that it is no longer in use, Yuma Territorial Prison has earned quite a reputation as a state historical park. Rather than risk common jailbreaks during that time, it was strategically built (by prisoners) on the banks of the Colorado River. It was open for 33 years and held 3,069 prisoners, 111 of whom died while serving their sentences. Prison cemeteries serve as chilling reminders of life in the Old South West. Before you leave, remember to take your own mugshot using the original mirror, which created a simultaneous front and side profile in one shot.
7. Colorado River State Historic Park/strong>
This park has a mix of old US Army Quartermaster Depots, exhibitions for children, and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. It also contains some of Arizona’s oldest buildings, where you can learn about the history of the Colorado River and its crucial crossing in Yuma during the Old West. The Yuma project irrigated a vast area of land in Yuma County by using dams, canals, siphons, power plants, and drains, in order to enable year-round farming. Visit the Yuma Crossing area to learn about the railroad, see the original pivot point, and board the steam train on display.
Planning to visit the fascinating county of Yuma in Arizona? These five activities will definitely make your travel more memorable.
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