Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Polaroids on Post
This Polaroid on Post feature about Fort Huachuca is from my Instagram friend, Ashley! She is an artist that does such beautiful work. I love her paintings of people’s homes. If you are looking for some custom painting work from a military spouse small business, check her out on Instagram! Ashley is a brand new milspo. She and her husband have been together for four years now, they met in college back in North Carolina. He’s an Officer in the Army and this is their first PCS together! They’ve been in Arizona for a couple months now and love it. Hopefully this will bring you some helpful insight into Fort Huachuca. If you have any questions or need a friend in this area, message Ashley anytime on Instagram @ashleynicoleart_
Is there anything you wish you knew before heading to Fort Huachuca?
There really isn’t much that I felt unprepared for. I suppose the only thing that shocked me a little is how cold it got at night during the winter months and I was expecting it to be blistering hot every day and it’s really quite pleasant. It’s also very dry, bring lotion and a humidifier.
What is your favorite & least favorite thing about Fort Huachuca?
My least favorite thing is people are only here for a short period of time (it’s mostly used for CCC or BOLC) so it’s hard to meet people who are interested in “short term” friends, but that certainly hasn’t stopped me from making lifelong friends. My favorite thing is the scenery. I'm from the South East and this area couldn’t be more different. It took a little getting use to not seeing any rain for weeks on end but the monsoon season made up for it (yes, lightning and flash floods happen almost every other day during the end of summer)
What is the weather like in Fort Huachuca?
Sierra Vista is at a much higher elevation, 5000ft, so it doesn’t get as hot as other parts of AZ. The highs stay around 95 with it being quite cooler at night. In the winter months it does get quite chilly at night and some mornings we woke to ice on the truck. If you venture to Tucson or Phoenix, you can bet it’s always going to be 20 degrees hotter than SV. It’s a dry heat so it’s a little harder to tell when you're getting too hot. Bring water with you always!
Did you live on or off post?
We live on post, towards the very back of the base on Grierson. It is historic homes so many families shy away from them but if you get offered housing here absolutely take it! They are bigger than most other “newer” housing here complete with updated kitchens. We see all the wildlife here, close to reservoir hill, next to Brown parade field where they host all the fun things, etc. There really isn’t any bad housing here, they are all just different but never bad.
Off post housing isn’t bad here, there are plenty of apartment buildings that look nice as well as funky adobo homes in nice neighborhoods.
If you’re headed to Fort Huachuca, there’s no need to stress the housing situation here.
Saguaro National Park
What should a newcomer know about the installation itself?
If you’ve never been out west, (we hadn’t!) the water is hard. You’ll need extra lotion and a water softener shower head (or system) for your shower along with a humidifier! It’s essential.
Sierra Vista doesn’t promote this, but SV is known as the hummingbird capital. There are over 13 species of hummers here. I recommend getting a feeder or two, they really are quite incredible to watch.
What bloggers or Facebook pages should people follow?
Search Fort Huachuca and Sierra Vista on Facebook and you’ll find several pages! Join them all.
Food & Drinks
Do you have any date night recommendations for other milsos?
Best weekend getaway is Tucson, we went for a nice dinner and ended up watching a Kevin Hart show! So much to do whether you plan something or not.
•Date night for Sushi/Hibachi is Tanuki. (It means little raccoon) The outside looks questionable but you travel to Japan when you step inside. Great sushi. And the owners are the nicest people ever.
•Copper Brothel Brewery- Just 30 min from Sierra Vista is the town of Sonoita. This is wine country, although we have not ventured into the vineyards, they come highly recommended. If beer is more your style, Copper Brothel has the best food that changes weekly and even better beer. This is a must try.
•Julie & Sammy’s for dessert- this place is amazing! And locally owned. They have so many flavors of ice cream, coffee, candy, etc.
•Catch a play- the local theater is located in the mall. They always have shoes going on and they are very inexpensive. Great deal on concessions, too!
•Katchner caves- about 30 min out. Great day time date, you travel inside caves with a tour guide. Wear comfy shoes!
Where should someone go for a great coffee?
Joe2go- It’s a tiny little “food” truck with tons of options. Best vanilla iced latte i’ve had in a while! There isn’t any outdoor seating but there is a park nearby if you’re looking to sit and enjoy your coffee
Wanderlust- great local coffee shop that gives a percentage of their proceeds to a women’s shelter. Not only are they a great place to support but their coffee and pastries are good.
Best Mexican food around that area?
Rodolfo’s- The Carne Asada burrito, ask for their house made green sauce on the side. It’s a drive thru but you can choose to dine in
Guadalajara street hot dogs & tacos- If you want real deal mexican food it’s here. The birria taco and biria taco pizza (if you have a crowd) is to die for.
La Casita- If you are missing your local mexican restaurant from back home, this is the spot. The only place in SV and surrounding area that has queso dip.
While you're in the area, you must try a Sonoran Hot dog, It is truly one of a kind and you can’t find it anywhere else. Most mexican restaurants will have one, the best one we had was in Tucson at a horse race.
Where is your go-to spot for brunch?
The Landmark Cafe. They have a coffee shop just inside and the food is pretty good. They have live music on the weekends. It has a homey vibe and honestly we think it’s the best breakfast in Sierra Vista. They also have a brunch flight for those Sunday Fundays
Add it to the Bucket List
What should a milso add to their Fort Huachuca? bucket list?
Go to Tombstone- watch the movie first, bring cash and go see the live shows
Visit Tucson- Saguaro National Park (there is an East and a West, both are good but East is our favorite), see a live concert or comedy show here.. there’s always one going on. Eat at El Charro, they invented the chimichanga.
On Base-
There’s hiking trails all over, they have bears so be careful (we have yet to see one) they also have a cave with hieroglyphs
Reservoir hill is a great picnic spot, you can see all of Sierra Vista and other surrounding cities.
The Arts and Crafts center here is AMAZING! They have classes you can pay for but they also have tons of free things like the Art through Resiliency program. It's a whole room with tons of different crafts if you need some quiet craft time. I met so many other wives this way.
The only bowling alley in town is on base, weekends get pretty crowded with AD and locals trying to bowl strikes so go early
The MWR offers horseback riding, usually sunset trail rides last an hour or two
The museum on base is informational (so much history on this base) and has the cutest gift shop with local artists’ creations
See the Grand Canyon
This one is pretty obvious. You are so close to one of the coolest sights. It’s great to go in the summer because it’s such a high elevation that it makes it pretty cool. It’s also wild to go from sandy, cactus Arizona to Pine trees, grass and Elk.
Visit Sedona/Flagstaff
When you visit the Grand Canyon, the cheapest (and coolest) place to stay is Flagstaff. It’s a cute little hippy town with a good size downtown area full on shops and breweries.
Are there any surrounding big cities you took weekend trips to?
YES! Several. Sierra Vista is actually situated perfectly between several visit-worthy cities; Phoenix, Sedona, Tombstone, Bisbee, Tucson and San Diego to name a few. There truly is never enough time to see everything this area has to offer.
What are some ideas for people with kiddos or families?
The pool on base always has a good group of kids playing. Tombstone would be so much to bring kids to. We currently don’t have any children but there are plenty on base playing outside with their neighbors. There’s probably a whole lot more to do that I’m unaware of!
If you have questions about this duty station after reading through, feel free to message Ashley on Instagram! @ashleynicoleart_
Here is some of Ashley’s amazing artwork! She is open for commissions.
