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So, you鈥檙e driving around town, then one day on a side of a building or a wall that you have passed many time something catches your eye. A mural has appeared. Artists are now displaying their talent at a larger scale. Here are a few that can be found around Southern Arizona.

Benson Clean and Beautiful听 started the mural initiative. With their sponsorship as well as many other local business and organizations, local artist Doug Quarles was brought into the picture. Quarles is the artist for all the murals you will see in Benson.

He brings history to life in his beautiful paintings. Quarles likes to put a little something hidden in each painting, its fun to look and see what might not fit like a penguin in the desert, a pic pocket or a spaceship?

Check out our gallery but go see it in person; plan a day trip to benson or stay overnight, they are even more beautiful in their original form! You can stop in Quarles Art Gallery to pick up a $5 map of where the murals are and see all of his other amazing works.听听234 E. Fourth St.听

Updated Nov. 11, 2021

If you didn鈥檛 know it was there, you would likely drive right past Mi Casa, one of Benson鈥檚 hidden culinary gems.

The quaint little restaurant is located in a small, non-descript building that was once an herb shop.

Inside the small kitchen, Santa Sutton keeps busy whipping up local favorites such as enchiladas banderas with red, green and house-made sauces and filled with cheese, chicken and steak, while her husband, Andy, greets the regulars.

You might never guess by looking at it, but Mi Casa has earned five out of five stars on Trip Advisor and Yelp and is the first place that residents guide out-of-town visitors.

Its all about 鈥減reserving the art of old-school Mexican recipes鈥� says Santa. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about the love,鈥� says Andy.

It is one of the reasons you might want to sneak out of Tucson and head to the small city, about 30 minutes from Vail east on Interstate 10.

To make it extra special, take Amtrak. Heres鈥檚 the 411 on a quick Benson escape.

Get your tickets!

Tucson to Benson: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The train leaves the historic Tucson train depot, 400 N. Toole Ave. downtown, at 9:15 a.m. and arrives in Benson, at 105 E. Fourth St., at 10:15 a.m.

Tucson Amtrak: 400 N. Toole Ave, Tucson. 623-4442.

Benson to Tucson: Sunday, Tuesdays and Thursdays leaving at 6:15 p.m. and arriving at 7:45 p.m.

Cost: $13-$24; children age 2 and under on your lap are free, half-price if sitting in a seat.

Learn more: Visit

Where to Stay

Down By the River B&B

2255 S. Efken Place in St. David, a little town just south of Benson.

Down by the River is owned by Darryn Cray, 520-720-9441. Visit

It鈥檚 situated on 16 acres by the San Pedro River with an abundance of wildlife, birding and stargazing. Breakfast is included in your stay, and there are guest facilities to cook inside or grill outside. You鈥檙e sure to find some relaxation and refreshment and get in touch with nature, but still have all the modern conveniences. Make arrangements with the owner for a ride from town. Room prices range from $125-$170.

Quarter Horse Motel and RV Park

800 W. Fourth St. Benson 520-586-3371;

Dan and Pat Barrera have owned and operated the motel since 1969; it鈥檚 been open since 1948. On arriving, the neon sign out front greets you. Although they only have four rooms, they offer great service and will pick you up at the train station. $44-$54.

What to do?

You might not think of going to Benson to find great art, but you鈥檇 be missing out if you didn鈥檛 check out these four places:

Endeavor Gallery

298 E. Fourth St., with the entrance on San Pedro Street, just off Fourth Street;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The San Pedro River Arts Council is a nonprofit, with all fees from sales and donations supporting services offered by the arts council. The gallery is all about encouraging art in the community and is full of works by artists in Southern Arizona and Benson.

The gallery was approved for a grant by the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise and was able to offer art classes to 10 local homeschoolers ages 7-17. Two hours every other week, Shryl Miles teaches the homeschoolers art skills. The classes run from September through June with most supplies provided, and end in an art show to exhibit the work to the community. The class is progressive, so check with them to see if your kids can be a part of this next year.

If you鈥檙e looking for a unique gift or something cute for yourself, check out the gift shop with cards featuring local animals and historic landmarks, copper jewelry and more. Artwork ranges from $90-$900 and items in the gift shop from $2-$80.

The Cowboy Way

160 W. Fourth St., Benson, 520-586-7700;

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

Owned by Larry and Carol Dempster, longtime Benson residents who graduated from Benson High School.

After being greeted by manager Vicky Williamson, who can create a beautiful bouquet in the attached Blossom Shop and also create a custom frame, make sure you check out the unique selection of more then 12 local vendors鈥� wares including, jewelry, cutting boards, salsa, lotions and more. You can even get your Baxter Black (the cowboy poet-philosopher) fix, as his books are sold there. Larry Dempster is also an author of four books sold in the store: 鈥淭he Shootout at Miracle Valley,鈥� 鈥淭he Shootout at Miracle Valley: Search for Justice,鈥� 鈥淥ne If By Land,鈥� and 鈥淒ever: The Life and Death of America鈥檚 Sheriff.鈥�

Quarles Art Gallery & Studio

1020B W. Fourth St., Benson, 520-686-2752;

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturdays; Sundays by appointment.

Owned by Doug and Sharon Quarles, who have both been artists since a young age. Doug and Sharon have been busy painting Benson beautiful. Murals are all over town sponsored by various business and organized by Benson Clean and Beautiful. Doug and Sharon have lived in Benson for about four years. Doug says, 鈥淏enson is a great area, beautiful, a small town we prefer to live in.鈥� Doug and Sharon鈥檚 work is photo realistic. Artwork ranges from $20-$8,000.

Benson Historical Museum

180 S. San Pedro St., Benson, 520-586-3134;

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Saturdays.

$5, $8 for a couple; free for children 12 and under.

View many exhibits and talk to an educated staff about the history of Benson and Cochise County. There鈥檚 a lot to see here, including cameras and clothing.

Where to eat

Horseshoe Cafe

154 E. Fourth St, Benson, 520-586-2872.

The Horseshoe Caf茅 has been around for 81 years. It鈥檚 known for breakfast, burgers and the fish fry on Friday nights.

Old Benson Ice Cream Stop

102 W. Fourth St., 520-586-2050.

Larry Dempster鈥檚 sixth-grade teacher opened the shop in 1953. Dempster worked as the cleanup boy all through junior high and high school. Dempster and his wife moved away for college, worked for 35 years at Chevron and then returned home to Benson. The couple bought the Ice Cream Stop and restored it to its original glory. The ice cream is sooo yum, featuring over 50 flavors. They have employed over 300 local students through the years. They also brew some great coffee, with beans roasted by Lynx Coffee Roasters, .

Mi Casa

723 W. Fourth St., Benson. 520-245-0343.

Mondays-Fridays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Baja-style Mexican mom and pop restaurant. Make sure and leave room for carrot cake with warm butter rum sauce .

G&F Pizza Palace

114 E. Fifth St., Benson, 520-586-9449.

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sundays.

G&F has been a staple in Benson for 43 years. This is a go-to for many locals. Try one of the pizza combos .

While you鈥檙e in the area, drop in at ...

Kartchner Caverns

2980 S. Highway 90, Benson, 520-586-4100.

Visit

Reservations are always recommended, but you can take your chances and try to get tickets the day of by calling 877-MY-PARKS. There are two rooms to view and tours are led by trained guides. Make sure to arrive at least an hour ahead of time to check out the discovery center and watch a short film about the caves and how they were discovered. $23, $13 ages 7-13, $5 for ages 7 and under. Children ages 7 and under are not allowed on the Big Room Tour.

One more thing ...

Visit the Benson Visitors Center.

249 E. Fourth St., Benson 520-586-4293.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.

Ever wanted to drive a train? Well, you can鈥檛 do that here, almost. Using a replica AAR control stand, you get to operate the 鈥淕鈥� scale train around 96 feet of track inside the visitor center.

The camera mounted on the front feels lets you feel like you鈥檙e really operating a locomotive. You even get a souvenir Benson Train Engineer Certificate.