Patagonia is an artist's hamlet and international birding destination. Charming downtown shops and galleries feature the work of local and regional artists. The Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve and Patagonia Lake State Park are known worldwide for the 300 species of birds that migrate through or nest along their creeks and waterways. The Paton's house is well known for its hospitality to hummingbirds and the people who like to watch them. Patagonia also offers access to numerous hiking trails, including the historic Arizona Trail, and is just 19 miles from Sonora, Mexico.

To find out what's going on around town, all you need to do is hang around the post office all morning and you'll see everyone in town. You can also get lots of local important information from the Post Office bulletin boards. The town boasts a Creative Arts Association, theatre, and several excellent restaurants, along with a number of unique galleries and shops. Visitors come for the spectacular scenery of the valley in which Patagonia is nestled, and the clean air that beckons hikers into the surrounding canyons.

The Patagonia area also boasts two very interesting cemeteries. The Patagonia Cemetery is located at the top of a steep hill at the southwest end of town. Look for the American Flag flying at the top of the hill and a very steep climb up a road on the left. The Harshaw Cemetery is located in the ghost town of Harshaw, located about 15 minutes east of town (visit www.ghosttowns.com for a map). Once you get there, look for a small iron gate on the side of the ridge on the west side of the road. A good landmark is the very large sycamore tree just south of the cemetery on the west side of the road.

The San Rafael Valley is located east of Patagonia. It is pristine high desert grassland with very low population and grand vistas. A loop drive can be made from Patagonia to the valley and back by taking Harshaw Creek Road to FR 58. Follow FR 58 to San Rafael Road and head south to the charming old border town of Lochiel. Take Duquesne Road (FR 61) west from Lochiel. Be sure to keep an eye open for the monument to Fray Marcos de Niza, the first European to enter in to what is now the US from Mexico. The monument is located on the south side of Duquesne Road as you are leaving Lochiel. Moving along on Duquesne Road you will pass the ghost towns of Duquesne and Washington Camp. The roads are all gravel and very well maintained. The trip can take a couple hours or all day, depending on stops. Be sure to take plenty of food and water since the valley has no services.