Location: Benson
Top Things to do in Benson
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What to do and see in Benson, Arizona (AZ): The Best Museums
Benson is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, 45 miles (72 km) east-southeast of Tucson. It was founded as a rail terminal for the area, and still serves as such. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 5,105.
Restaurants in Benson
1. Endeavor Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Fine Arts in many media and genres; painting, sculpture, photography and a great gift shop!
Reviewed By RCHarris1949 - Sierra Vista, United States
This little gallery has much to offer. In addition to pieces from numerous local artists they have a great gift shop. This gallery also offers classes to all levels of talent.
2. Butterfield RV Resort Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By NECornhusker_D - Potomac Falls, United States
Very clean park. workers daily remove any loose gravel from black top. 2 dog parks are raked and sanitized with pet friendly bleach 3x a week. People bring their dogs to dog park strictly to do their business - although very clean I felt like I was in a litter box. Its not an area to play ball with your pets. Avg sized RV lot and very nice people including staff & full timers. Pool and jacuzzi are being replaced and have been large holes during our visit. On site observatory with a nightly program that is free. Benson has a lot to offer. Many beautiful murals with hidden objects to keep one busy. Small town restaurants and a good location to visit other sites. As others have mentioned the trains are a nuisance. 60+ trains (east & west bound) go through Benson a day. 20% of all US international trade passes through Benson. Yep, had to google stats because the trains are SO loud you can barely talk. Also, learned quickly on our first day that our dog who squatted near the street sign was against the rules and the work camper told me he now had to sanitize the lot. He wasn't on a lot but rules are rules. He told me he can do his business in the middle of the road (which he would never do) and to pick up. We are in the middle of the park so now we run him to the dog park to ensure he doesn't pee elsewhere. As senior citizens this isn't easy to do. Everything about this park is 100% professional, friendly and borders on sterile it is so clean. After 3mo we are finding that we don't notice the trains as much.
3. Quarles Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
4. San Pedro Valley Arts & Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
Benson Museum & Quilt Gallery shares it's local history with visitors near and far with a colorful past. Benson area iis known for its connection to the railroads and to mining. Located in a historic 1920's building that used to house the W.D. Martinez General Merchandise Store. The quilt gallery behind the museum is a must for all those interested in the hand-made pieces from local artisans.
5. Benson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 17 reviews
A stroll through any museum is a walk back in time. What separates Benson Area Museum from many others is the rich history it chronicles here in southeastern Arizona. Everyone knows the story of Tombstone, "the town too tough to die." What many don't know is that Benson, Arizona, just a little more than twenty miles north of Tombstone, was the railroad hub for this part of the state.
Reviewed By billandgretchens - Tucson, United States
We had a wonderful visit to this small, but truly well done museum. The museum has a neat little Gift Shop, and numerous artifacts, displays, pictures and documents. Everything has been categorized into about a dozen different exhibit areas. Outside are numerous individual artifacts including the original horse-drawn school “bus”. All of the exhibits depict the life and history of the San Pedro Valley in the St. David/Benson area. There is a communications exhibit containing and extensive collection of all forms of media including recording, print, photographic, and radio equipment; an exhibit of early Hohokam Native American artifacts as well as prehistoric Mastodon tusks and bones, and the rare Glypyodont skeleton found in the area along the San Pedro River; an exhibit on the tragic/inspirational life of local physician Doctor Matt Hesser who opened Benson's first hospital in the 1940's, and who while driving an ambulance to an accident near Davidson Canyon, was involved in an accident himself, breaking his back, but continued to practice paralyzed in a wheelchair, as Benson’s sole doctor along with his mother Lucy, an RN, until his death; an exhibit on Sid Wilson, local rancher and cowboy, former Buffalo Bill wild west show participant, former mayor of Tombsone, and movie stuntman, who lived to 102 years; an exhibit of Cochise County treasurer, Andrew Jackson Ritter's parlor from the 1850's, with period furnishings and décor; an exhibit on Benson's postmaster from 1896-1940, Leonard Redington, and an extensive exhibit of the Apache Powder Train that transported dynamite from the Apache Powder plant. This little museum is well worth the visit. Curator Judy Lee is often on the premises, and is a wealth of information.
6. The Thing
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 214 reviews
What is The Thing? Come and see for yourself. Our new museum is now open and better than ever! Look around the spacious gift shop and purchase a few gifts, a couple of pieces of Indian Handmade or jewelry, pottery, year round fireworks or one of the many other items available at this location. Grab an Ultimate Burger or a cold DQ BLIZZARD at the Dairy Queen located right next door. This location also offers self-serve Shell fuel with 24 hr. pay at the pump service. Are you in the need of Diesel? Get it here!
Reviewed By DDBork - Nixa, United States
A favorite place to stop on our way to Yuma. Beautiful gift shop and our favorite - DQ! We always stop there on our way through for our favorite DQ treat. On our way back home 2 weeks ago, we accidentally threw away a coffee cup holder that our extra key fob had fell into without us knowing it. When we got to Las Cruces, 230 miles away, we realized the key fob was missing. We backtracked and realized it may have fallen into the coffee cup holder and was thrown away at the Thing. We called and they said they were closed but would check first thing in the morning. They called us first thing Sunday morning and they had found it!! They were so nice and were willing to send it to us right away. We received it last week and are ever thankful for the kindness they showed us. Plus saving us nearly $500 for a new key fob! God Bless them and it's nice to know there are good people in this world!
7. Vega-Bray Observatory
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 4 reviews
A sliding-roof observatory where telescopes and sessions with an astronomer are given by appointment.
