Summary
Travelers are enticed by Arizona due to its radiant desert sunshine, yet the Grand Canyon state presents a wealth of additional attractions. Underneath these pristine blue skies, an array of experiences aimed to enchant, entertain, and fascinate awaits discovery.
The state offers both exhilarating outdoor activities and relaxing indoor experiences, as well as rich historical encounters alongside dynamic modern amenities. Arizona’s diverse landscape encompasses everything from bustling urban centers to tranquil spots perfect for reflection.
Alongside desert cities resonating with echoes of the Old West, Arizona features evocative ghost towns and numerous natural wonders, including the Grand Canyon and the largest pine forest globally (which is also home to ski resorts). Below, we highlight ten premier destinations to explore in Arizona.
1. The Grand Canyon
Premier location for awe-inspiring views
The Grand Canyon is undoubtedly Arizona’s most iconic feature. This immense and breathtaking site attracts significant crowds during summer, which might deter new visitors or those inclined toward a serene retreat. Nevertheless, its grandeur truly justifies the acclaim it receives. Although many envision this expansive canyon system shaped by the Colorado River as a singular park, it in fact comprises four distinct regions accessible to visitors.
Grand Canyon National Park is distinguished by its South Rim (open year-round) and the North Rim (closed from mid-October to mid-May), both separated by 210 miles. In addition to breathtaking vistas and hiking routes, the busier South Rim provides a complimentary shuttle service, a geology museum, and quality accommodations. Ascending to an elevation of 8000ft, the North Rim affords expansive views and features milder weather with fewer visitors on the trails, fostering a more tranquil atmosphere.
The Grand Canyon’s Western and Eastern rims also merit exploration, albeit they are situated outside the national park’s boundaries. The Grand Canyon West tourism area, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, is acclaimed for its glass-bottomed Skywalk, which extends 70ft beyond the canyon rim, while the East Rim offers a quieter environment conducive to peaceful hiking.
Planning tip: To experience the best of the East Rim, visit the Little Colorado River Gorge in Navajo Tribal Park, approximately 11 miles from Cameron. A $5 fee grants access to two stunning overlooks, and a $12 backcountry permit is required for trail hiking, ensuring solitude is nearly assured.
2. Verde Valley
Ideal location for wine trails and historic towns
Central Arizona’s Verde Valley is an often-overlooked gem, defined by prehistoric ruins, frontier towns, diverse wildlife, and a wine trail that meanders around rivers and mountains. To appreciate its rugged beauty, traverse the 30-mile route that flows through the valley, beginning in the atmospheric Jerome, historically dubbed the “wickedest town in the West.” Initially constructed by a mining magnate in the 19th century, this once-infamous outpost now functions as a ghost town, yet it still hosts approximately 500 residents.
Jerome’s Cleopatra Hill once yielded significant quantities of gold, silver, and copper for eager miners; however, the town today showcases a blend of eclectic dining options, art studios, and unconventional shops, all housed within Victorian architecture seemingly poised to cascade into the valley beneath. Nestled in the fertile lands below Jerome resides the equally historic towns of Clarkdale, Cornville, and Cottonwood – home to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, a tranquil destination for outdoor recreation.
Planning tip: During your tour of Verde Valley, consider visiting Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument, where you can observe remnants of the Sinagua people’s pueblos (villages) dating back to circa 1050 CE.
3. Horseshoe Bend
Optimal site for photography
What distinguishes this 270-degree bend in the Colorado River from other twists along this powerful waterway? Perhaps it is the manner in which the deep blue waters of Horseshoe Bend mirror the towering sandstone cliffs that enclose it, leaving one awestruck by the immense natural forces that sculpted this region near Page, Arizona.
The overlook within Glen Canyon Recreation Area serves as the ideal site to capture the quintessential Horseshoe Bend photograph. However, a more enriching method of experiencing the canyon’s vastness is through rafting. Organized rafting excursions navigate downstream to Horseshoe Bend and pause at a swimming beach adorned with ancient Puebloan petroglyphs.
4. Monument Valley
Best place to appreciate Indigenous culture
To immerse yourself in Arizona’s Indigenous culture amidst towering sandstone spires, direct your journey toward Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The iconic landscape of monoliths will be immediately recognizable, as these formations have appeared in films and television Westerns since the 1930s.
The formations are referred to as se’Bii’Ndzisgaii in the Navajo language, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of this sacred terrain necessitates traveling with a local guide who can provide context as you traverse the shadows of landmarks such as East Mitten and West Mitten.
Planning tip: Sunrise and sunset provide the prime times for capturing exceptional photographs of Monument Valley’s soaring buttes. For magnificent sunset shots, secure a vantage point near the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park visitor center or the View Hotel.
5. Phoenix
Prime destination for art and architecture
As the state capital, Phoenix presents itself as a premier site to satisfy your artistic and architectural curiosities in Arizona. Frank Lloyd Wright, a seminal figure in modern American architecture, left his mark throughout the city. Commence your exploration at Taliesin West, which serves as Wright’s desert laboratory and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. In 2019, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside seven of his other acclaimed creations due to its cultural significance. To delve further into Wright’s contributions, consider visiting the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, a design by Albert Chase McArthur with Wright’s consultancy for four months in 1928.
The Phoenix Art Museum represents another prominent venue showcasing works from both renowned and emerging artists. Included in its permanent collection is one of Yayoi Kusama’s immensely popular infinity mirror rooms, titled, You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies. A mere three blocks away is Roosevelt Row, where the city’s celebrated murals can be admired, contributing to Phoenix’s street art reputation.
6. Tucson
Optimal destination for historic landmarks and contemporary ambiance
Home to half a million residents, Tucson ranks as Arizona’s second-largest city, blending urban amenities with natural activities seamlessly. Positioned centrally within the Sonoran Desert – neighboring Saguaro National Park famed for its ancient cacti – Tucson defies conventional desert city imagery. A brief drive from downtown, along the Sky Island Scenic Byway, Mount Lemmon rises to 9000ft, marking the highest elevation in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the southernmost area in the continental U.S. designated for skiing.
Downtown Tucson merges historic attractions with a vibrant, youthful spirit. The Turquoise Trail offers a self-guided walk linking 22 historical landmarks. Additionally, Fourth Avenue showcases Tucson’s cultural essence, merging youthful energy with murals, tattoo shops, and vintage boutiques frequented by students from The University of Arizona.
Planning tip: Tucson is noteworthy for its commitment to sustainability, featuring the Sun Link Streetcar and The Loop, a 131-mile car-free route for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians. Bicycles can be rented from Tucson Bike Rentals along The Loop.
7. Sedona
Ideal location for spirituality and wellness
While categorized as a city, Sedona resembles a charming village surrounded by natural beauty. Wherever you roam, the striking red-rock formations and 5000ft monoliths like Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock beckon visitors, reputedly serving as focal points for natural energy fields known as vortexes.
Today, Sedona has transformed from its origins as a ranching and apple-farming community into a significant hub for spirituality, wellness, and – allegedly – UFO sightings, and it holds sacred significance for several Indigenous groups. It also serves as a splendid location for art aficionados and outdoor lovers, featuring over 80 galleries and a network of more than 400 miles of trails weaving through Oak Creek, set against a backdrop of prickly pear cacti and ponderosa pines.
8. Flagstaff
Prime location for stargazing
Situated at an elevation of 7000ft, Flagstaff combines urban experiences with mountainous adventures. Nestled within the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest, “Flag” is home to Northern Arizona University, contributing to a vibrant, youthful atmosphere. The city’s streets are filled with coffee shops and craft breweries, best explored via the Flagstaff Brewery Trail.
For those eager to engage with the outdoors, a visit to the Arizona Snowbowl is advisable, as it stands as a year-round destination with 40 ski runs and three terrain parks. The chairlifts ascend to 11,500ft, presenting exhilarating views of Sedona’s red rocks, the Grand Canyon’s rim, and fields of cinder cones while traversing the western slope of 12,637ft Mount Humphreys.
Flagstaff also ranks high as a premier site for astrotourism. In 1930, astronomers at Lowell Observatory discovered Pluto, and American astronauts who set foot on the moon received their training in Flagstaff. Recently, Flagstaff became the world’s first international dark sky city, attracting many for its exceptional stargazing potentials.
Planning tip: Flagstaff serves as an excellent base for exploring Arizona. Meteor Crater is located a mere 42 miles away, and you can conveniently access Grand Canyon National Park, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Volcano National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument by vehicle.
9. Meteor Crater
Exceptional location for ancient history
Arizona boasts an abundance of remarkable sites, and Meteor Crater, located near Winslow, is a true marvel. This vast depression, nearly a mile wide and 550ft deep, is regarded as the best-preserved meteorite impact site on the planet. Its history is captivating; it was formed approximately 50,000 years ago when a gigantic iron-nickel meteorite collided with the earth at an impressive 26,000 mph, resulting in a near-perfect impact crater. Information about the site is available at the visitor center and the engaging 4D theater.
10. Grand Canyon Caverns
Unique destination along Route 66
Among the many passages of Route 66 that travelers may explore in Arizona, a stop at the distinctive and sometimes eccentric Grand Canyon Caverns is particularly recommended. Positioned in Peach Springs, this remarkable site features an inn, a quaint restaurant, and the largest dry cavern in the United States, situated 210ft beneath the surface of the Grand Canyon.
Consistent with the unique history of this site, local woodcutter Walter Peck inadvertently discovered the caverns in 1927 after falling off his horse while en route to a poker game. Visitors today have the opportunity to explore these caves through various tours, including a ghost walk.
Planning tip: Arizona is home to 401 miles of Route 66, making it an excellent starting point for short road trips along this historic highway. Noteworthy stops include Holbrook (featuring the Wigwam Motel), Winslow (immortalized by The Eagles in the song Take it Easy), and Williams, the launch point for the Grand Canyon Railway.
This article was initially published on Sep 14, 2021, with updates on Sep 12, 2023.
