Arizona’s first congresswoman and longtime friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, Isabella Greenway, first opened the Arizona Inn as a philanthropic act to help World War I veterans gain employment. Since 1930, the Inn has remained a family-operated property in Tucson and continues to host families visiting the nearby area and university.

The terra cotta exterior of the Inn stands out against the monochromatic desert surroundings and the expertly tended gardens look like a tropical mirage set into the dry landscape. The view of Mount Lemmon will stop you in your tracks and a 90-minute drive will take you there for skiing in the winter months.

The property offers several places, both indoor and out, to say your destination “I do’s.” From gardens and spacious ballrooms to fountain backdrops and private patios, the Arizona Inn caters to couples wanting a little sunshine and a relaxed vibe.

The rooms are spacious and adorned with classic furniture with a bed and breakfast feel. The property also offers fun little perks like DVD deliveries for the kiddos, sundae happy hour by the pool in the summer and afternoon tea in the winter. 

If sunshine, warmth and history are what you’re looking for, the Arizona Inn delivers a pretty satisfying trifecta. 

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2016 issue. You can order a copy here.