Yuma — Territorial Prison, the Colorado River & Date-Farm Shakes

Three hours southwest, where the Colorado River bends against the California and Mexico borders, Yuma is one of Arizona's oldest and sunniest towns — a river crossing that funneled steamboats, Forty-Niners, and the U.S. Cavalry through the desert long before there were roads. This relaxed two-day trip leans into that layered history and the surprising green of the river valley: day one climbs the adobe walls of the notorious Yuma Territorial Prison and walks the riverside of Colorado River State Historic Park, once the Army's quartermaster supply depot for the entire Southwest; day two tours the restored depot buildings, sips a legendary date shake at a working date farm in the palm groves south of town, and strolls the shaded East Wetlands river walk before the drive home. Winter and spring are the season here — the desert light is spectacular and the history runs deep.