If you’re already exhausted from your strenuous three-day week of classes, then you’re in luck, because our first and only long weekend of the semester is upon us. Thankfully, for those of us who actually made it out of winter hibernation and into a classroom, we can all take a deep breath and destress before getting back in the academic swing of things. If you forgot that school was back in session, good news — you’ve just gotten an extension on your winter break. If you’ve used up all your fun and adventurous ideas of things to do from the break, here are a few things to liven up your long weekend and banish the boredom.
Hit the road
Southern Arizona has no shortage of picturesque places to visit, and all you need is some friends, a vehicle and a destination and you’re ready for an adventure. Stay on track with that New Year’s resolution and stay closer to home and take a hike in Sabino Canyon or on Mount Lemmon. A bit of a longer drive down to Kartchner Caverns State Park and you can experience one of the stunning natural landscapes that’s practically right in our backyard. Drive north to Picacho Peak and you’ll get to feed some ostriches, deer and adorable lorikeets while getting a breath of fresh air.
Binge watch in bed
The new year means brand new TV shows on Netflix, and hours of potential time-wasting to be had. Since you probably don’t have much (if any) homework to do this weekend, take some time for yourself and just veg. Order in your favorite food, hit that play button and next thing you know you’ll be seeing the sunrise on Tuesday morning. Most notable of the new lineup is the ever popular ’90s sitcom “Friends,” which has 10 seasons, enough to safely get you through the long weekend.
Get jazzy with it
Amongst other events, 2015 marks the inaugural Tucson Jazz Festival. The festival hosts more than a dozen artists over the next two weeks beginning today. Pick your favorite downtown venue — from The Rialto Theatre to Hotel Congress to the Screening Room — and there will be a jazz performance there for you to enjoy. If you’re cold for cash, all day Monday the Downtown Jazz Fiesta will be putting on shows on several stages for free.
_______________
Follow Mia Moran on Twitter.
