There are quite a lot of stunning locations to go to in Arizona. Arizona presents a novel mixture of hanging landscapes, bustling cities, hidden ghost cities, and distinctive formations, making it an important vacation spot any time of 12 months. This information will enable you to plan your Arizona getaway now and uncover what this numerous state has to provide. Whether planning an Arizona highway journey or popping over from Vegas, you’ll certainly discover one thing to fit your wants.
Best Places to Visit in Arizona
This information is cut up into particular sections, as Arizona has many several types of locations to go to. The greatest approach to get round Arizona is by automotive. Compare costs from the airport you’re flying into right here at RentalCars.com (This 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 engaging. It’s is a bit like strolling by way of a maze of pure skatepark ramps.
The Buttes are positioned in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. A bit of like Antelope Canyon, the panorama options wave-like rock patterns. But as a substitute of being in a canyon, you may expertise the waves out in the open, amongst towering buttes.
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is among 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 have 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 flooring.
If you need to go to Antelope Canyon, you’ll have a alternative of which half to go to – Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon, or possibly each as you may e-book excursions and see each.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the simplest to hike however is darker, whereas Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower however a lot lighter. You can e-book on-line or pay a go to to Antelope Canyon Visitor Center. Antelope Canyon is well among the best pure vacationer sights in Arizona. This canyon is a must-visit if you’d like to go to bucket checklist outside sights. Check out Antelope Canyon Photo Tours – How to Make essentially the most of it
3. Monument Valley
Monument Valley is positioned alongside the Arizona-Utah border. If you need to go to simply, it’s essential to base your self in a northern metropolis like Flagstaff. The valley is among the most well-known landscapes in the US and simply among the best locations to go to in Arizona.
The valley is over 90,000 acres and stuffed with climbing trails and spectacular rock formations. It is most recognized for its towering sandstone buttes, which you’ll expertise on scenic drives or on climbing trails. Don’t miss Forest Gump Point, the long-lasting viewpoint used in well-known motion pictures and is a vital filming location in cinematic historical past.
The valley is a good place to reduce by way of if you’re planning an Arizona highway journey. There are many issues to see whereas driving by way of the valley, and the surroundings is ideal for memorable highway tripping.
4. Montezuma Castle National Monument
Fascinated by historic tradition and archaeological websites of inhabitation? Montezuma Castle National Monument is the place to go to. The website is residence to a number of cliffside dwellings, constructed and lived in by Indigenous People round 1100 to 1425 AD.
Sadly, entry contained in the dwellings has now been prohibited in an comprehensible try to shield the positioning from extreme harm. However, guests can take a digital tour inside the homes. They look unimaginable from the surface, and you’ll get pleasure from quite a few climbing trails for various views.
5. Saguaro National Park
We’ve briefly talked about Saguaro National Park already. The park is positioned simply exterior Tucson. It is a good place to go to for beautiful surroundings and climbing trails whereas visiting Southern Arizona.
The park is most recognized for its cacti. Indeed, in this nationwide park, you’ll discover among the largest saguaro cacti in the US. Some of the cacti stay up to 200 years outdated and develop at a really gradual price. The nationwide park appears like an outdated American West film scene and has over 90,000 acres for you to discover.
Whether you select a scenic drive or hike, reserving a rental automotive to go to Saguaro National Park is the simplest possibility. Valley View Overlook Trail is a pleasant brief stroll that ought to take you round 20 minutes to full, whereas climbing to Signal Hill Petroglyphs is a should for anybody in historic artwork and civilizations.
6. Petrified Forest National Park
If the Petrified Forest National Park sounds implausible, it’s as a result of it’s. However, if you happen to arrive anticipating a lush forest full of lovely, attention-grabbing 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 not to miss locations embrace Rainbow Forest Museum, the Crystal Forest hike, and the Blue Mesa hike.
Wondering 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 reproduction of the unique type, simply in a distinct materials.
For a novel pure expertise, Petrified Forest National Park is among 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 National Park
What can we are saying? The park is one among the perfect locations to go to in 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 trip, this vacation spot is among 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 facet of the Grand Canyon and is greatest for many who need a quieter place to expertise.
A preferred climbing route in the Grand Canyon is the Bright Angel Trail. The path is well-maintained and comparatively straightforward. But there are many different climbing trails in the Grand Canyon you could discover. Read The Absolute Best Things to do in The Grand Canyon for extra data.
Of course, you may at all times splurge on a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon. Many vacationers decide to view the canyon from above, which is among the most exhilarating issues to do in Arizona. Whichever approach you resolve to see the Grand Canyon, it can depart you breathless. It really lives up to the hype. Read extra: Where to Stay At The Grand Canyon: Best Hotels And Areas For Every Budget
8. Havasu Falls
While visiting the Grand Canyon, it’s essential to plan a hike to Havasu Falls. This trek wants to be deliberate in advance, as permits to the falls are onerous to get, however it’s well worth the time..
Havasu Falls is among the prettiest waterfalls in 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.
Getting to the falls is an journey in itself, one you may learn extra about right here. It is really helpful that you just keep in a single day on the Lodge or campground. But for all the trouble of getting there, the turquoise water of the Havasu Falls will soothe your weary physique, offering one more dream-like expertise.
Better but, you may swim – uncommon amongst the prettiest waterfalls since tourism normally 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 revel in.
9. Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Canyon de Chelly National Monument covers over 80,000 acres and is residence 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 specialists consider it was as soon as related to a ridge. Nowadays, it makes an uncommon pure attraction and an important {photograph}.
You can drop by the Canyon de Chelly Visitor Center for knowledgeable native steerage on issues to see and do. However, you need to undoubtedly be certain to attempt a climbing path or scenic drive. You may also discover the canyon on horseback if you’d like a extra thrilling expertise.
After exploring the perfect nationwide parks and cities, let’s take a look at Arizona’s largest class – its outside sights.
Arizona is ideal if you happen to love being outdoor and experiencing pure sights. The state is stuffed with issues to see and do outdoor, together with visiting the National Monument, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. Ready to be impressed? Let’s have a look.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a nationwide park in Northeastern Arizona. It is positioned in the Navajo Nation and is exceptionally shut to the Arizona-New Mexico border. For those that need to expertise nature, it’s simply among the best locations to go to in Arizona.
10. Lake Powell
If you’re heading up to the Arizona-Utah border, it’s effectively value detouring to Lake Powell. The lake is a surprising synthetic physique of water located between Monument Valley and Grand Canyon National Park. It is a stupendous 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 National Monument is a major vacationer attraction on the lake, and the huge stone arc is the most important pure bridge in the world. 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 need to go to as a day journey or search for a cabin, resort, or campsite to be able 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. If you like water actions and lakeside residing, Lake Mead is among the greatest locations to go to in Arizona to unwind and chill out.
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. You may also fish and boat on the lake. The desert mountains are the proper locations for scenic drives and biking; nevertheless, it will likely be onerous to draw your self away from the refreshing lake that surrounds them.
If you’re planning a highway journey, Lake Mead is ideally positioned en route to Las Vegas. It is value a detour to benefit from the lake and you might have considered trying to think about combining it with a go to to the close by Hoover Dam.
12. Horseshoe Bend
You can’t go to Arizona with out visiting the Colorado River. Of course, 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 is unquestionably among the best locations to go to in Arizona. As you might have guessed, the curve is formed like a horseshoe, and also you’ll discover a implausible viewpoint the place you may recognize the distinctive surroundings up shut. Make positive to pack a digital camera if you happen to’ve bought one, as Horseshoe Bend is among the hottest sights in 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 sizzling in summer time.
13. Hoover Dam
Once the tallest dam in the world, the Hoover Dam has a nostalgic sort of energy. While it now not holds that grand title, it’s nonetheless one among Arizona’s greatest locations to go to. It is alleged that the dam may stand up to the power of Niagara Falls – which provides you a wonderful perspective on how robust it’s.
You can view the Hoover Dam from afar or drop by the Hoover Dam Visitors Center to e-book a guided tour. Tours usually embrace entry to the Hoover Dam tunnels, an elevator trip to the highest, and particular entry to practical rooms all through the constructing.
If you have an interest in structure or simply need to see a nationwide historic landmark up shut, the dam is superb to go to. It can 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 National 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 National Recreation Park, a one million-acre reserve encompassing biking trails, climbing trails, and Lake Powell. The dam is a hydroelectric energy plant and has change into an iconic attraction alongside the Colorado River.
Visitors 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 unimaginable from a distance and much more spectacular up shut. Of course, to save 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.
Visitors can wander by way of two flooring of informative displays plus outside gardens. The museum balances basic mining tales and the native city’s historical past. You can find out about region-specific minerals and mining processes by way of varied mediums, together with cinematic movies.
The park will be mixed with a go to to Montezuma Castle or it’s a nice day journey if you’re staying in close by Flagstaff. It is undoubtedly an exercise to notice down in your Arizona itinerary.
16. the Superstition Mountains
The Superstition Mountains cowl 160,000 and are stuffed with beautiful 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 corporations and unbiased hunters looking the mountains for years. Many hunters have hit the jackpot and located a lot of riches. You can be part of the crowds or discover your individual non-gold-related leisure in the mountains.
You can go to the Superstition Mountains Museum, discover the encircling Tonto National Forest, or hike alongside one of many varied trails. These mountains are among the best locations to go to in Arizona for journey.
You can discover the climbing trails, biking trails, take off-roading excursions, or e-book a scenic helicopter flight – it’s up to you. These are the perfect nationwide parks to go to in Arizona.
17. Phoenix
Phoenix is the sunny state capital of Arizona. Located in central Arizona, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes. Its location appears unlikely for a metropolis, with skyscrapers and luxurious inns taking pictures up from what (earlier than 1881) was as soon as sand and dirt.
Phoenix is the perfect place to go to in Arizona for a big-city expertise. The metropolis is bursting with artwork, nightlife and sights, together with extra artwork galleries than you might see in an entire week.
Phoenix is residence to the Musical Instrument Museum, Natural History Museum, Phoenix Bat Cave, and Desert Botanical Garden. Read extra: 34 Best Things To Do In Phoenix (By A Local)
18. Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is positioned in Papago Park, in the middle of Arizona’s capital metropolis. However, the Desert Botanical Garden is worthy of a spot on our checklist in its personal proper. We extremely advocate visiting even if you happen to fly into Phoenix and head straight out of town after (however significantly, no less than give town a day or two).
Why is the Desert Botanical Garden 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 simple and enjoyable different for many who don’t have time to go to main desert areas like Saguaro National Park.
Phoenix’s botanical backyard is a implausible place to go to in Arizona. The backyard is a good compromise possibility if you happen to nonetheless need to expertise the desert panorama and attribute cacti and flora.
19. Lake Havasu City
If Phoenix is greatest for a big-city really feel, Lake Havasu City is greatest for the other. The tiny metropolis sits subsequent to Lake Havasu, which is fed by the Colorado River and is a sizzling spot for watersports and leisure. But it was the Little London Village that made us take a detour to go to Lake Havasu.
Nature lovers and people on the lookout for a quiet base in Arizona will love Lake Havasu. The metropolis has a gradual tempo, and its lakeside location is a pleasing change from Arizona’s dry desert panorama. There are loads of outside actions and sights together with Lake Havasu State Park and London Bridge. London Bridge is an architectural marvel transported from London in the Seventies and there’s a distinct English really feel in the London Village.
You can spend your days fishing, having fun with the footpaths and inexperienced house across the metropolis, or swimming and boating on the lake. Don’t neglect to try the Lake Havasu Lighthouses that span the shoreline..
20. Tucson
Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest metropolis and is stuffed with cultural range and issues to do. If you need a completely different Arizona expertise, we advocate visiting Tucson.
Tucson sits simply above the US-Mexican border in Southern Arizona. Thanks to its location, town has quite a lot of Mexican affect. One of the highest 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 12 months. The church is taken into account the best Spanish Colonial structure in the United States.
You’ll discover many new experiences and immersion alternatives, from town’s delicacies to its cultures. You should attempt some Mexican delicacies whereas visiting.
Tucson can be residence to the University of Arizona. As a college metropolis, guests can get pleasure from an additional sociable, pleasant environment – particularly in town heart.
While simply exterior town heart, you’ll discover sights like Saguaro National Park and Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (extra on them later). Tucson is a enjoyable, recent 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. However, the museum deserves a spot on this checklist in its personal proper.
The museum is a little bit of the whole lot – from pure historical past museum to a botanical backyard. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum covers 98 acres. There can be an artwork gallery for guests to get pleasure from.
You may simply spend an entire day on the museum. The museum is an opportunity to expertise a number of vacationer sights directly. It is ideal for a household day trip.
22. Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a small metropolis in Northern Arizona generally known as the gateway to the San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is among the greatest locations to go to in Arizona if you’d like to be centrally positioned amongst a lot of the state’s pure sights.
You can spend your days excitedly exploring all of the close by sights. Make positive to keep in Flagstaff for the day and head to town’s historic downtown. You’ll discover a brewery path, glorious eating places, and the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Remember to carry a digital camera, as you’ll stumble throughout loads of road artwork and nice picture spots.
Both desert and forest encompass Flagstaff. Coconino National Forest envelops town and is the most important Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world. 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. Check out our information on the perfect cabins in Flagstaff for lodging inspiration.
23. Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park
If you’re driving from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, or Monument Valley, be certain to cease at Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park. The gorge outlook is completely positioned to slot into even the busiest day journeys.
Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is one other of the perfect locations to go to in Arizona to add to your checklist. The park is positioned simply north of Flagstaff. If you’re on the lookout for 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 different to busier canyons – just like the Grand and Antelope Canyons.
24. Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is among the most unusual 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 among the most unusual buildings in Arizona. So it’s value 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 isn’t your typical church.
You can enter the church to go searching or be 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 Town
Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town are by far the quirkiest place on our checklist. The property is about up as an Old West mining camp and is designed to offer you an perception into what the lifetime of a miner was like.
You’ll be totally immersed with outdated classic automobiles and mining gear on show. Car fans will particularly love this museum, and we advocate visiting if you’re in outdated vehicles and automobiles. The selection is spectacular, even when nothing about vehicles.
It isn’t simply all outdated relics, although; there are working areas like a sawmill and blacksmith’s store to go to as effectively. Gold King is designed to be a step again in time – totally immersing guests in the outdated mining way of life.
You can count on to spend no less than a few hours studying, laughing, and admiring your approach across the museum and ghost city. It is like its personal little world and a enjoyable but traditionally informative factor to do in Arizona.
26. Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
Are you on the lookout for a scenic drive? Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway is an unimaginable, comparatively brief scenic drive from Tucson you could get pleasure from. Short sufficient to comfortably squeeze right into a day but lengthy sufficient to present numerous scenes and sights, this scenic byway is a good place to drive.
You received’t discover the byway marked on a map. However, it’s the solely paved highway main to Mount Lemmon’s high. The highway known as Mt Lemmon Highway and begins from the outskirts of Tucson. Altogether, the route is roughly 60 miles lengthy and takes three to 4 hours to full – plus additional time to permit for stops.
Speaking of stops, we advocate stopping at Babad Do’ag Scenic Overlook, Molino Canyon Vista, Thimble Peak Vista, Windy Point Vista, and Geology Vista Point. There are fairly actually dozens of climbing trails and trailheads alongside the freeway as effectively. You can simply park up and take a detour on foot.
Allow additional time once more when you attain Mount Lemmon’s peak. There is Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, Mt Lemmon Sky Observatory, and a Fire Lookout Station to go to. Mount Lemmon has a small city on the mountain high too, the place you may seize refreshments and do some gentle 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 provide, whether or not you need a typical desert expertise, a unusual vacationer attraction, or a cultural immersion.
Photo Credit: Chapel of the Holy Cross