Hotel at a Glance: Gadsden Hotel

The Gadsden Hotel’s massive, 42-foot-long stained-glass mural brings the beauty of the desert indoors. An authentic Tiffany & Co. installation, it depicts the beautiful Arizona landscape in the elegant lobby, which also features a Tiffany stained-glass skylight and Italian marble columns. Built in 1901, the hotel is “a destination for the history of the town,” according to USA Today. But recent renovations—thanks in part to the team from Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible—have brought the property into the 21st century.

• Relax with a pint of locally-brewed craft beer or try a local liquor at the Saddle and Spur Tavern; select options include a $20 bar credit.
• Grab a bite at Casa Segovia, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Famous guests: Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, and John Dillinger
• Ghostly guests: The hotel is said to be haunted, with patrons reporting eerie apparitions.

Douglas, Arizona: Southwestern Town near Mexican Border

Just across the border from the state of Sonora in Mexico, the town of Douglas embraces its rich, centuries-long history. Originally a presidio founded by the Spanish conquistadors, it became a full-fledged American settlement in 1901. Head downtown to stroll past iconic landmarks such as the Gadsden Hotel (opened the same year the town was incorporated) and the Grand Theatre, a beaux-arts stage that once hosted the likes of Ginger Rogers and Al Jolson.

Just 19 miles east, you can escape into nature at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge. The 2,000-acre expanse is home to over 300 bird species, including the black-chinned hummingbird, as well as 75 different kinds of butterflies.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.