There are numerous lovely locations to go to in Arizona. Arizona gives a novel mixture of hanging landscapes, bustling cities, hidden ghost cities, and distinctive formations, making it a terrific vacation spot any time of yr. This information will aid you plan your Arizona getaway now and uncover what this various state has to supply. Whether or not planning an Arizona street journey or popping over from Vegas, you’ll certainly discover one thing to fit your wants.
Greatest Locations to Go to in Arizona
This information is cut up into particular sections, as Arizona has many various kinds of locations to go to. The easiest way to get round Arizona is by automobile. Evaluate costs from the airport you’re flying into right here at RentalCars.com (That is what we use). So, let’s get began.
1. Coyote Buttes
Do you like distinctive landscapes? The panorama of Coyote Buttes is gorgeous and interesting. It’s is a bit like strolling by means of a maze of pure skatepark ramps.
The Buttes are positioned in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. A bit like Antelope Canyon, the panorama options wave-like rock patterns. However as a substitute of being in a canyon, you may expertise the waves out within the open, amongst towering buttes.
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Arizona in its personal proper. Paria has over 100,000 acres of protected lands, however add Coyote Buttes and it’s out of this world.
2. Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a nationwide treasure. The wave-like sandstone partitions of the slot canyon had been made well-known on social media, however to see it in particular person is magical. Photographers flock to Antelope Canyon to seize the dramatic surroundings and stroll alongside the canyon ground.
If you wish to go to Antelope Canyon, you’ll have a selection of which half to go to – Decrease Antelope Canyon, Higher Antelope Canyon, or perhaps each as you may e book excursions and see each.
Higher Antelope Canyon is the simplest to hike however is darker, whereas Decrease Antelope Canyon is narrower however a lot lighter. You may e book on-line or pay a go to to Antelope Canyon Customer Heart. Antelope Canyon is definitely probably the greatest pure vacationer sights in Arizona. This canyon is a must-visit if you wish to go to bucket checklist out of doors sights. Take a look at Antelope Canyon Photograph Excursions – Methods to Benefit from it
3. Monument Valley
Monument Valley is positioned alongside the Arizona-Utah border. If you wish to go to simply, you have to base your self in a northern metropolis like Flagstaff. The valley is without doubt one of the most well-known landscapes within the US and simply probably the greatest locations to go to in Arizona.
The valley is over 90,000 acres and stuffed with climbing trails and spectacular rock formations. It’s most identified for its towering sandstone buttes, which you’ll be able to expertise on scenic drives or on climbing trails. Don’t miss Forest Gump Level, the long-lasting viewpoint utilized in well-known motion pictures and is a crucial filming location in cinematic historical past.
The valley is a good place to chop by means of in case you are planning an Arizona street journey. There are numerous issues to see whereas driving by means of the valley, and the surroundings is ideal for memorable street tripping.
4. Montezuma Citadel Nationwide Monument
Fascinated by historic tradition and archaeological websites of inhabitation? Montezuma Citadel Nationwide Monument is the place to go to. The location is house to a number of cliffside dwellings, constructed and lived in by Indigenous Folks round 1100 to 1425 AD.
Sadly, entry contained in the dwellings has now been prohibited in an comprehensible try to guard the location from extreme injury. Nevertheless, guests can take a digital tour inside the homes. They appear unbelievable from the surface, and you’ll get pleasure from quite a few climbing trails for various views.
5. Saguaro Nationwide Park
We’ve briefly talked about Saguaro Nationwide Park already. The park is positioned simply exterior Tucson. It’s a good spot to go to for gorgeous surroundings and climbing trails whereas visiting Southern Arizona.
The park is most identified for its cacti. Certainly, on this nationwide park, you’ll discover a number of the largest saguaro cacti within the US. A number of the cacti stay as much as 200 years previous and develop at a really gradual price. The nationwide park appears like an previous American West film scene and has over 90,000 acres so that you can discover.
Whether or not you select a scenic drive or hike, reserving a rental automobile to go to Saguaro Nationwide Park is the simplest choice. Valley View Overlook Path is a pleasant quick stroll that ought to take you round 20 minutes to finish, whereas climbing to Sign Hill Petroglyphs is a should for anybody thinking about historic artwork and civilizations.
6. Petrified Forest Nationwide Park
If the Petrified Forest Nationwide Park sounds implausible, it’s as a result of it’s. Nevertheless, in the event you arrive anticipating a lush forest full of lovely, fascinating bushes, you’ll be shocked. The nationwide park is a barren panorama, stuffed with fossils and petrified, sliced tree trunks.
The petrified wooden is scattered throughout the nationwide park, and you’ll drive the size of the park in round an hour – stopping at no matter spot catches your eye. Some to not miss locations embrace Rainbow Forest Museum, the Crystal Forest hike, and the Blue Mesa hike.
Questioning how this pure phenomenon happens? Petrification of bushes takes place when bushes have been buried underground with out oxygen for hundreds of years. Over time, the decaying wooden turns into mineralized and turns into fossilized stone, creating a precise duplicate of the unique kind, simply in a special materials.
For a novel pure expertise, Petrified Forest Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Arizona. We advocate selecting this nationwide park for anybody intrigued by pure ‘mysteries’ and wanting a memorable expertise in Arizona.
7. Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
What can we are saying? The park is one in every of the greatest locations to go to within the US, by no means thoughts Arizona. Visiting the Grand Canyon is up there on most individuals’s US bucket lists. From climbing to whitewater rafting, and tenting to taking a path experience, this vacation spot is without doubt one of the hottest vacationer locations in your entire world.
South Rim and North Rim are the most well-liked areas to discover whereas the North Rim is the lesser seen aspect of the Grand Canyon and is greatest for individuals who need a quieter place to expertise.
A preferred climbing route within the Grand Canyon is the Vivid Angel Path. The path is well-maintained and comparatively straightforward. However there are many different climbing trails within the Grand Canyon that you could discover. Learn The Absolute Greatest Issues to do in The Grand Canyon for extra data.
After all, you may at all times splurge on a helicopter experience over the Grand Canyon. Many vacationers decide to view the canyon from above, which is without doubt one of the most exhilarating issues to do in Arizona. Whichever approach you determine to see the Grand Canyon, it can depart you breathless. It actually lives as much as the hype. Learn extra: The place to Keep At The Grand Canyon: Greatest Accommodations And Areas For Each Funds
8. Havasu Falls
Whereas visiting the Grand Canyon, you have to plan a hike to Havasu Falls. This trek must be deliberate upfront, as permits to the falls are onerous to get, however it’s definitely worth the time..
Havasu Falls is without doubt one of the prettiest waterfalls within the U.S. The water is a hanging pastel blue from the excessive calcium carbonate and magnesium ranges. The falls drop over 100 toes in a single drop to fill a substantial plunge pool on the backside.
Attending to the falls is an journey in itself, one you may learn extra about right here. It is suggested that you simply keep in a single day on the Lodge or campground. However for all the trouble of getting there, the turquoise water of the Havasu Falls will soothe your weary physique, offering yet one more dream-like expertise.
Higher but, you may swim – uncommon amongst the prettiest waterfalls since tourism often damages their pure magnificence. Havasu Falls remains to be sufficient underneath the radar to keep away from this strict rule introduced on by over-tourism. So seize a bikini and towel and luxuriate in.
9. Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument
Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument covers over 80,000 acres and is house to the Spider Rock spire. The spire is a 700-foot-high sandstone rock. Spider Rock spire gained its form by gradual erosion over time, and consultants imagine it was as soon as linked to a ridge. These days, it makes an uncommon pure attraction and a terrific {photograph}.
You may drop by the Canyon de Chelly Customer Heart for knowledgeable native steerage on issues to see and do. Nevertheless, you need to undoubtedly be sure that to strive a climbing path or scenic drive. It’s also possible to discover the canyon on horseback if you would like a extra thrilling expertise.
After exploring one of the best nationwide parks and cities, let’s have a look at Arizona’s largest class – its out of doors sights.
Arizona is ideal in the event you love being outside and experiencing pure sights. The state is filled with issues to see and do outside, together with visiting the Nationwide Monument, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. Able to be impressed? Let’s have a look.
Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument is a nationwide park in Northeastern Arizona. It’s positioned within the Navajo Nation and is exceptionally near the Arizona-New Mexico border. For individuals who need to expertise nature, it’s simply probably the greatest locations to go to in Arizona.
10. Lake Powell
In case you are heading as much as the Arizona-Utah border, it’s properly price detouring to Lake Powell. The lake is a shocking synthetic physique of water located between Monument Valley and Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. It’s a lovely place to go to in Arizona. The lake’s brilliant blue water and orange sandstone environment reduce a picture-perfect scene.
The lake is fed by the Colorado River and covers over 2,000 miles of shoreline. The Rainbow Bridge Nationwide Monument is a big vacationer attraction on the lake, and the huge stone arc is the most important pure bridge on the planet. It is a superb attraction to mix with having fun with the lake itself.
Many individuals spend a day or two staying alongside the shores of the lake. You might want to go to as a day journey or search for a cabin, resort, or campsite in an effort to keep in a single day.
11. Lake Mead
Lake Mead is one other spectacular synthetic attraction. The lake has the very best water capability of any US reservoir and sits on the Nevada-Arizona border. When you love water actions and lakeside dwelling, Lake Mead is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Arizona to unwind and calm down.
We advocate permitting time to take a Lake Mead cruise, because the distinction between desert and an oasis-like physique of water is hanging and greatest skilled from the water itself. It’s also possible to fish and boat on the lake. The desert mountains are the proper locations for scenic drives and biking; nevertheless, will probably be onerous to attract your self away from the refreshing lake that surrounds them.
In case you are planning a street journey, Lake Mead is ideally positioned en path to Las Vegas. It’s price a detour to benefit from the lake and you might need to take into account combining it with a go to to the close by Hoover Dam.
12. Horseshoe Bend
You may’t go to Arizona with out visiting the Colorado River. After all, you may select to see many sections of the river, nevertheless, we extremely advocate visiting Horseshoe Bend.
Horseshoe Bend is the postcard picture of the Colorado River. It’s undoubtedly probably the greatest locations to go to in Arizona. As you could have guessed, the curve is formed like a horseshoe, and also you’ll discover a implausible viewpoint the place you may respect the distinctive surroundings up shut. Ensure to pack a digicam in the event you’ve acquired one, as Horseshoe Bend is without doubt one of the hottest sights within the US.
Reaching the perspective is comparatively straightforward and is only a 1.3-mile spherical hike. Horseshoe Bend is greatest visited throughout the early morning or late afternoon, although, as there’s little or no shade and Arizona will get dangerously scorching in summer season.
13. Hoover Dam
As soon as the tallest dam on the planet, the Hoover Dam has a nostalgic type of energy. Whereas it now not holds that grand title, it’s nonetheless one in every of Arizona’s greatest locations to go to. It’s mentioned that the dam might stand up to the power of Niagara Falls – which supplies you a superb perspective on how robust it’s.
You may view the Hoover Dam from afar or drop by the Hoover Dam Guests Heart to e book a guided tour. Excursions usually embrace entry to the Hoover Dam tunnels, an elevator experience to the highest, and particular entry to useful rooms all through the constructing.
In case you are thinking about structure or simply need to see a nationwide historic landmark up shut, the dam is superb to go to. It may also be mixed with a visit to Las Vegas, because the dam sits on the Nevada-Arizona border.
14. Glen Canyon Dam
Planning a visit to Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Park to go to Lake Powell? We advocate taking a detour to go to the Glen Canyon Dam.
Glen Canyon Dam is located in Glen Canyon Nationwide Recreation Park, a one million-acre reserve encompassing biking trails, climbing trails, and Lake Powell. The dam is a hydroelectric energy plant and has grow to be an iconic attraction alongside the Colorado River.
Guests can take boat excursions to view Glen Canyon Dam up shut and even fly over the dam with a flight expertise. The 710-foot infrastructure is unbelievable from a distance and much more spectacular up shut. After all, to save lots of a bit of cash, you may at all times stroll throughout Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, the place you’ll nonetheless have nice views over the dam.
15. Jerome State Historic Park
Fancy indulging in a little bit of historical past? Jerome State Historic Park is a implausible place to go to in Arizona. The state park has a few acres surrounding Douglas Mansion, which has been remodeled into a unusual mining museum.
Guests can wander by means of two flooring of informative reveals plus out of doors gardens. The museum balances basic mining tales and the native city’s historical past. You may find out about region-specific minerals and mining processes by means of varied mediums, together with cinematic movies.
The park will be mixed with a go to to Montezuma Citadel or it’s a nice day journey in case you are staying in close by Flagstaff. It’s undoubtedly an exercise to notice down in your Arizona itinerary.
16. the Superstition Mountains
The Superstition Mountains cowl 160,000 and are stuffed with attractive mountainous and desert scenes. That isn’t what makes this place well-known, although; it’s the misplaced gold mines.
Legends of gold have stored mining firms and unbiased hunters looking the mountains for years. Many hunters have hit the jackpot and located plenty of riches. You may be a part of the crowds or discover your individual non-gold-related leisure within the mountains.
You may go to the Superstition Mountains Museum, discover the encircling Tonto Nationwide Forest, or hike alongside one of many varied trails. These mountains are probably the greatest locations to go to in Arizona for journey.
You may discover the climbing trails, biking trails, take off-roading excursions, or e book a scenic helicopter flight – it’s as much as you. These are one of the best nationwide parks to go to in Arizona.
17. Phoenix
Phoenix is the sunny state capital of Arizona. Positioned in central Arizona, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes. Its location appears unlikely for a metropolis, with skyscrapers and luxurious inns capturing up from what (earlier than 1881) was as soon as sand and mud.
Phoenix is one of the best place to go to in Arizona for a big-city expertise. Town is bursting with artwork, nightlife and sights, together with extra artwork galleries than you would see in an entire week.
Phoenix is house to the Musical Instrument Museum, Pure Historical past Museum, Phoenix Bat Cave, and Desert Botanical Backyard. Learn extra: 34 Greatest Issues To Do In Phoenix (By A Native)
18. Desert Botanical Backyard
The Desert Botanical Backyard is positioned in Papago Park, within the heart of Arizona’s capital metropolis. Nevertheless, the Desert Botanical Backyard is worthy of a spot on our checklist in its personal proper. We extremely advocate visiting even in the event you fly into Phoenix and head straight out of the town after (however critically, no less than give the town a day or two).
Why is the Desert Botanical Backyard so spectacular? The 150-acre backyard has over 50,000 desert vegetation and is the perfect place to go to for a handy desert expertise. The botanical backyard is a straightforward and enjoyable various for individuals who don’t have time to go to main desert places like Saguaro Nationwide Park.
Phoenix’s botanical backyard is a implausible place to go to in Arizona. The backyard is a good compromise choice in the event you nonetheless need to expertise the desert panorama and attribute cacti and flora.
19. Lake Havasu Metropolis
If Phoenix is greatest for a big-city really feel, Lake Havasu Metropolis is greatest for the other. The tiny metropolis sits subsequent to Lake Havasu, which is fed by the Colorado River and is a scorching spot for watersports and rest. But it surely was the Little London Village that made us take a detour to go to Lake Havasu.
Nature lovers and people in search of a quiet base in Arizona will love Lake Havasu. Town has a gradual tempo, and its lakeside location is a nice change from Arizona’s dry desert panorama. There are many out of doors actions and sights together with Lake Havasu State Park and London Bridge. London Bridge is an architectural marvel transported from London within the Nineteen Seventies and there’s a distinct English really feel within the London Village.
You may spend your days fishing, having fun with the footpaths and inexperienced area across the metropolis, or swimming and boating on the lake. Don’t overlook to take a look at the Lake Havasu Lighthouses that span the shoreline..
20. Tucson
Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest metropolis and is filled with cultural range and issues to do. If you’d like a totally different Arizona expertise, we advocate visiting Tucson.
Tucson sits simply above the US-Mexican border in Southern Arizona. Due to its location, the town has numerous Mexican affect. One of many prime locations to go to San Xavier del Bac is a Spanish Catholic Mission. This nationwide historic landmark was based in 1692 and welcomes greater than 200,000 guests per yr. The church is taken into account the best Spanish Colonial structure within the United States.
You’ll discover many new experiences and immersion alternatives, from the town’s delicacies to its cultures. You could strive some Mexican delicacies whereas visiting.
Tucson can be house to the College of Arizona. As a college metropolis, guests can get pleasure from an additional sociable, pleasant ambiance – particularly within the metropolis heart.
Whereas simply exterior the town heart, you’ll discover sights like Saguaro Nationwide Park and Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (extra on them later). Tucson is a enjoyable, contemporary metropolis to go to in Arizona. For an introduction to Southern Arizona, don’t look no additional.
21. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is positioned simply on the outskirts of Tucson. Nevertheless, the museum deserves a spot on this checklist in its personal proper.
The museum is a little bit of every little thing – from pure historical past museum to a botanical backyard. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum covers 98 acres. There may be additionally an artwork gallery for guests to get pleasure from.
You possibly can simply spend an entire day on the museum. The museum is an opportunity to expertise a number of vacationer sights directly. It’s good for a household day trip.
22. Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a small metropolis in Northern Arizona referred to as the gateway to the San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Arizona if you wish to be centrally positioned amongst a lot of the state’s pure sights.
You may spend your days excitedly exploring all of the close by sights. Ensure to remain in Flagstaff for the day and head to the town’s historic downtown. You’ll discover a brewery path, glorious eating places, and the Flagstaff Customer Heart. Keep in mind to carry a digicam, as you’ll stumble throughout loads of road artwork and nice picture spots.
Each desert and forest encompass Flagstaff. Coconino Nationwide Forest envelops the town and is the most important Ponderosa Pine Forest on the planet. For a metropolis the place you may simply take a day journey into nature, Flagstaff is a perfect place to go to in Northern Arizona. Take a look at our information on one of the best cabins in Flagstaff for lodging inspiration.
23. Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park
In case you are driving from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, or Monument Valley, be sure that to cease at Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park. The gorge outlook is completely positioned to fit into even the busiest day journeys.
Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is one other of one of the best locations to go to in Arizona so as to add to your checklist. The park is positioned simply north of Flagstaff. In case you are in search of to make a day trip of it, mix this with a visit to Lake Powell or Monument Valley.
The park’s most important spotlight is the gorge overlook, the place you’ll get to admire the sheer drop of a lesser-visited canyon. Be cautious of the place you’re stepping as there’s little to no barrier safety, and the park isn’t as commercialized as others in Arizona. Many discover it a peaceable various to busier canyons – just like the Grand and Antelope Canyons.
24. Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is without doubt one of the most original locations to go to in Arizona, and there’s no approach we couldn’t add this distinctive Catholic church to our checklist. We’re not non secular individuals, however this is without doubt one of the most original buildings in Arizona. So it’s price seeing.
The church is wedged between two sandstone buttes and has giant, plain glass home windows that give it a contemporary, stylish design. The Chapel of the Holy Cross shouldn’t be your typical church.
You may enter the church to go searching or be a part of a service if that’s your factor. The church is close to Sedona and loads of different sights, so it isn’t an excessive amount of of a detour to make.
25. Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost City
Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost City are by far the quirkiest place on our checklist. The property is about up as an Outdated West mining camp and is designed to provide you an perception into what the lifetime of a miner was like.
You’ll be totally immersed with previous classic automobiles and mining gear on show. Automobile fans will particularly love this museum, and we advocate visiting in case you are thinking about previous vehicles and automobiles. The variability is spectacular, even when nothing about vehicles.
It isn’t simply all previous relics, although; there are working areas like a sawmill and blacksmith’s store to go to as properly. Gold King is designed to be a step again in time – totally immersing guests within the previous mining life-style.
You may count on to spend no less than a few hours studying, laughing, and admiring your approach across the museum and ghost city. It’s like its personal little world and a enjoyable but traditionally informative factor to do in Arizona.
26. Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
Are you in search of a scenic drive? Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway is an unbelievable, comparatively quick scenic drive from Tucson that you could get pleasure from. Quick sufficient to comfortably squeeze right into a day but lengthy sufficient to offer various scenes and sights, this scenic byway is a good place to drive.
You received’t discover the byway marked on a map. Nevertheless, it’s the solely paved street resulting in Mount Lemmon’s prime. The street is known as Mt Lemmon Freeway and begins from the outskirts of Tucson. Altogether, the route is roughly 60 miles lengthy and takes three to 4 hours to finish – plus further time to permit for stops.
Talking of stops, we advocate stopping at Babad Do’ag Scenic Overlook, Molino Canyon Vista, Thimble Peak Vista, Windy Level Vista, and Geology Vista Level. There are fairly actually dozens of climbing trails and trailheads alongside the freeway as properly. You may simply park up and take a detour on foot.
Enable further time once more when you attain Mount Lemmon’s peak. There may be Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, Mt Lemmon Sky Observatory, and a Hearth Lookout Station to go to. Mount Lemmon has a small city on the mountain prime too, the place you may seize refreshments and do some mild purchasing.
The ‘Grand Canyon State’ is filled with great actions and vacationer locations. Visiting Arizona is assured to be memorable with breathtaking sights that may make your jaw drop all through your keep. The state has a lot to supply, whether or not you need a typical desert expertise, a unusual vacationer attraction, or a cultural immersion.
Photograph Credit score: Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Plan extra of your Arizona Travels
