26 Prime Locations to Go to in Arizona

There are numerous locations to go to in Arizona – from admiring the Grand Canyon to experiencing cultural vacationer sights all through its desert panorama.

We’ll have a look at the perfect cities, nationwide parks, and outside sights, after which end with a particular extras part leaving you with loads of inspiration to your upcoming journey to Arizona.

Prime locations to go to in Arizona

This information is break up into particular sections, as there are various several types of locations to go to in Arizona. so let’s get began.

Greatest cities to go to in Arizona

Arizona isn’t all desert and canyons; the state has a lot of cities that deserve visiting. The next cities are a number of the finest locations to go to in Arizona.

1. Phoenix

Phoenix is the sunny state capital of Arizona. Situated in central Arizona, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes. Its location appears unlikely for a metropolis, with skyscrapers and luxurious lodges capturing up from what (earlier than 1881) was as soon as sand and mud. Nonetheless, its incongruous attract is all a part of Phoenix’s allure.

Phoenix is the perfect place to go to in Arizona for a big-city expertise. The town is bursting with creativity and sights, together with extra artwork galleries than you may see in a complete week.

Phoenix can also be house to the Musical Instrument Museum, Pure Historical past Museum, Phoenix Bat Cave, and Desert Botanical Backyard.

2. Lake Havasu Metropolis

If Phoenix is finest for a big-city-feel, Lake Havasu Metropolis is finest 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 leisure.

Nature lovers and people in search of a quiet base in Arizona will love Lake Havasu. The town has a gradual tempo, and its lakeside location is a nice change from Arizona’s dry desert panorama. There are many outside actions and sights, together with Lake Havasu State Park and London Bridge. London Bridge is an architectural surprise transported from London within the Nineteen Seventies and there’s a distinct English really feel within the London Village.

You possibly 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 overlook to take a look at the Lake Havasu Lighthouses that span the shoreline..

3. Tucson

Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest metropolis and is stuffed 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 12 months. The church is taken into account the best Spanish Colonial structure in the US.

You’ll discover many new experiences and immersion alternatives, from the town’s delicacies to its cultures. You will need to attempt some Mexican delicacies whereas visiting.

Tucson can also 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 middle. Whereas, simply exterior the town middle, you’ll discover sights like Saguaro Nationwide 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.

4. Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a small metropolis in Northern Arizona and is also called the gateway to the San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is among the finest locations to go to in Arizona if you wish to be centrally situated amongst a lot of the state’s pure sights.

You possibly can spend your days excitedly exploring all of the close by sights. Alternatively, keep in Flagstaff for the day and head to the town’s historic downtown. You’ll discover a brewery path, wonderful eating places, and the Flagstaff Customer Heart. Keep in mind to carry a digital camera as properly, as you’ll stumble throughout loads of avenue artwork and nice photograph spots.

Flagstaff is surrounded by each desert and forest. Coconino Nationwide Forest envelops the town and is the biggest Ponderosa Pine Forest on the planet. For a metropolis the place you’ll be able to 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 the perfect cabins in Flagstaff for lodging inspiration.

Greatest Nationwide Parks to Go to in Arizona

What would a visit to Arizona be with out visiting a nationwide park? Arizona’s nationwide parks are famend for his or her unimaginable sights, together with the well-known Grand Canyon.

You possibly can discover the climbing trails, biking trails, take off-roading excursions, or ebook a scenic helicopter flight – it’s as much as you. These are the perfect nationwide parks to go to in Arizona.

5. Saguaro Nationwide Park

We’ve briefly talked about Saguaro Nationwide Park already. The park is situated simply exterior Tucson. It’s a great spot to go to for gorgeous surroundings and climbing trails whereas visiting Southern Arizona.

The park is most recognized for its cacti. Certainly, on this nationwide park, you’ll discover a number of the largest saguaro cacti within the US. Among the cacti dwell as much as 200 years previous and develop at a really gradual charge. The nationwide park looks 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 automotive to go to Saguaro Nationwide Park is the simplest possibility. 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 considering historical artwork and civilizations.

6. Petrified Forest Nationwide Park

If the Petrified Forest Nationwide Park sounds implausible, it’s as a result of it’s. Nonetheless, in the event you arrive anticipating a lush forest full of lovely, fascinating timber, you’ll be shocked. The nationwide park is a barren panorama, filled with fossils and petrified, sliced tree trunks.

The petrified wooden is scattered throughout the nationwide park, and you may 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 timber takes place when timber 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 an actual reproduction of the unique type, simply in a distinct materials.

For a novel pure expertise, Petrified Forest Nationwide Park is among the finest 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

The Grand Canyon. What can we are saying? The park is certainly one of the finest 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.

South Rim and North Rim are the preferred areas to discover the Grand Canyon on foot. The North Rim is the lesser seen aspect of the Grand Canyon and is finest for individuals who need a quieter place to expertise it. South Rim is way busier and is filled with totally different climbing trails.

A preferred climbing route is the Shiny Angel Path. The path is well-maintained and comparatively straightforward. It follows a aspect canyon, previous cliff faces, and numerous switchbacks, earlier than ending at Plateau Level. Plateau Level has gorgeous views of the canyon and the park’s surroundings.

After all, you’ll be able to all the time splurge on a helicopter journey as an alternative. Many vacationers choose to view the canyon from above, which is among the most exhilarating issues to do in Arizona.

8. Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument

Canyon de Chelly Nationwide Monument is a nationwide park in Northeastern Arizona. It’s situated in Navajo Nation and is exceptionally near the Arizona-New Mexico border. For many who wish to expertise nature within the north, it’s simply top-of-the-line locations to go to in Arizona.

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 specialists consider it was as soon as related to a ridge. These days, it makes an uncommon pure attraction and an awesome {photograph}.

You possibly can drop by the Canyon de Chelly Customer Heart for professional native steerage on issues to see and do. Nonetheless, you must positively be sure to attempt a climbing path or scenic drive. You can even discover the canyon on horseback if you would like a extra thrilling expertise.

Greatest Outside Points of interest

After exploring the perfect nationwide parks and cities, let’s have a look at Arizona’s largest class – its outside sights.

Arizona is ideal in the event you love being outdoor and experiencing pure sights. The state is stuffed with issues to see and do outdoor, together with visiting the Nationwide Monument, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. Able to be impressed? Let’s have a look.

9. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a nationwide treasure, not simply an merchandise on an inventory of the state’s finest locations to go to. The wave-like sandstone partitions of the slot canyon are well-known on social media and in journey magazines. Photographers and common vacationers alike flock to the canyon to seize the magical surroundings and stroll alongside the canyon flooring.

If you wish to go to Antelope Canyon, you’ll have to decide on which half to go to – Decrease Antelope Canyon, Higher Antelope Canyon, or possibly each as you’ll be able to ebook 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. Determine which possibility most closely fits you, after which both ebook on-line or pay a go to to Antelope Canyon Customer Heart.

Antelope Canyon is well top-of-the-line locations. This canyon is a must-visit if you wish to go to bucket checklist outside sights.

10. Monument Valley

Monument Valley is definitely situated alongside the Arizona-Utah border. If you wish to go to simply, you’ll need to base your self in a northern metropolis like Flagstaff. The valley is among the most well-known landscapes within the US and simply top-of-the-line locations to go to in Arizona.

The valley is over 90,000 acres and filled with climbing trails and spectacular rock formations. It’s most recognized 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 enduring viewpoint utilized in well-known films and is a crucial filming location in cinematic historical past.

The valley is a good place to chop by way of in case you are planning an Arizona street journey. There are numerous issues to see whereas driving by way of the valley, and the surroundings is ideal for memorable street tripping.

11. Lake Powell

If you’re heading as much as the Arizona-Utah border, it’s properly value detouring to Lake Powell. The lake is a surprising 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 shiny 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 biggest 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 could want to go to as a day journey or search for a cabin, lodge, or campsite so as to keep in a single day.

12. Montezuma Citadel Nationwide Monument

Fascinated by historical tradition and archaeological websites of inhabitation? Montezuma Citadel Nationwide Monument is the place to go to. The positioning 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 positioning from extreme injury. Nonetheless, guests can take a digital tour inside the homes. They give the impression of being unimaginable from the surface, and you may get pleasure from quite a few climbing trails for various views.

13. Horseshoe Bend

You possibly can’t go to Arizona with out visiting the Colorado River. After all, there are various sections of the river which you can select to see. Nonetheless, we extremely advocate visiting Horseshoe Bend.

Horseshoe Bend is the postcard picture of the Colorado River. It’s positively top-of-the-line locations to go to in Arizona. As you’ll have guessed, the curve is formed like a horseshoe, and also you’ll discover a implausible viewpoint the place you’ll be able to recognize the distinctive surroundings up shut. Make certain to pack a digital camera in the event you’ve bought one, as Horseshoe Bend is among the hottest sights within the US.

Reaching the point of view is comparatively straightforward and is only a 1.3-mile spherical hike. Horseshoe Bend is finest visited in the course of the early morning or late afternoon although, as there may be little or no shade and Arizona will get dangerously scorching in summer season.

14. Desert Botanical Backyard

We spoke concerning the Desert Botanical Backyard when discussing Phoenix. The backyard is situated in Papago Park, within the middle of Arizona’s capital metropolis. Nonetheless, 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 simply fly into Phoenix and head straight out of the town after (however significantly, at the very least 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 simple 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 possibility in the event you nonetheless wish to expertise the desert panorama and attribute cacti and flora.

15. 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.

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. The dam is a hydroelectric energy plant and has turn into 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 unimaginable from a distance and much more spectacular up shut. After all, to save lots of a bit of cash, you’ll be able to all the time stroll throughout Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, the place you’ll nonetheless have nice views over the dam.

16. Lake Mead

Lake Mead is one other spectacular synthetic attraction. The lake has the 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 among the finest 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 putting and finest skilled from the water itself. You can even fish, and boat on the lake. The desert mountains are the proper locations for scenic drives and biking; nevertheless, will probably be laborious to attract your self away from the refreshing lake that they encompass.

If you’re planning a street journey, Lake Mead is ideally situated en path to Las Vegas. It’s value detouring to benefit from the lake and contemplate combining it with a go to to the close by Hoover Dam.

17. Coyote Buttes

Do you like distinctive and thrilling landscapes? If that’s the case, Coyote Buttes are top-of-the-line locations to go to in Arizona.

The Buttes are situated in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. A bit of like Antelope Canyon, the panorama options wave-like rock patterns. However as an alternative of being in a canyon, you’ll be able to expertise the waves out within the open, amongst towering buttes. The panorama is fascinating and is a bit like strolling by way of a maze of pure skatepark ramps.

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is a good spot to go to in Arizona. However, in case you are visiting, prioritize a go to to the Buttes. Paria has over 100,000 acres of protected lands, however the Coyote Buttes are essentially the most thrilling half to see.

18. Hoover Dam

As soon as the tallest dam on the planet, the Hoover Dam has a nostalgic sort of energy. Whereas it now not holds that grand title, it’s nonetheless certainly one of Arizona’s finest locations to go to. Guests shortly recognize its energy and power. It’s mentioned that the dam might stand up to the pressure of Niagara Falls – which supplies you a superb perspective on how sturdy it’s.

You possibly can view the Hoover Dam from afar or drop by the Hoover Dam Guests Heart to ebook a guided tour. Excursions sometimes embrace entry to the Hoover Dam tunnels, an elevator journey to the highest, and particular entry to purposeful rooms all through the constructing.

If you’re considering structure or simply wish to see a nationwide historic landmark up shut, the dam is nice to go to. It is usually mixed with a visit to Las Vegas, because the dam sits on the Nevada-Arizona border.

19. 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 reworked into a unusual mining museum.

Guests can wander by way of two flooring of informative reveals plus outside gardens. The museum balances common mining tales and the native city’s historical past. You possibly can find out about region-specific minerals and mining processes by way of numerous mediums, together with cinematic movies.

The park is properly mixed with a go to to Montezuma Citadel or an awesome day journey in case you are staying in close by Flagstaff. It’s undoubtedly an exercise to notice down to your Arizona itinerary.

20. the Superstition Mountains

The Superstition Mountains cowl 160,000 and are filled 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 corporations and unbiased hunters looking the mountains for years. Many hunters have hit the jackpot and located a lot of riches. You possibly can be part of the crowds or, alternatively, discover non-gold-related leisure within the mountains.

You possibly can go to the Superstition Mountains Museum, discover the encompassing Tonto Nationwide Forest, or hike alongside one of many numerous trails. These mountains are top-of-the-line locations to go to in Arizona for journey.

Extra Locations to Go to in Arizona

These locations are particular additions to our information on the perfect locations to go to in Arizona. Whether or not they’re a museum or sacred tribal lands, they don’t match into the outside vacationer attraction class. So, here’s a class of their very own.

Right here is our remaining subsection, our particular checklist of extra locations to go to in Arizona.

22. 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 method we couldn’t add this distinctive Catholic church to our checklist.

Whereas we aren’t putting the church in our outside attraction class, its exterior is a lovely sight. The church is wedged between two sandstone buttes and has massive, plain glass home windows that give it a contemporary, stylish design. The Chapel of the Holy Cross just isn’t your typical church.

You possibly can enter the church to go searching or be part of a service if you want. The church is close to Sedona and loads of different sights, so it isn’t an excessive amount of of a detour to make.

23. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is located on the outskirts of Tucson. Nonetheless, 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 zoo and a botanical backyard. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum covers 98 acres and consists of an aquarium part, dwell animal reveals, plus flora shows within the botanical backyard part. There’s additionally an artwork gallery for guests to get pleasure from.

You would simply spend a complete day on the museum. The museum is an opportunity to expertise a number of vacationer sights directly. It’s excellent for a household time out.

24. Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park

Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park is one other of the perfect locations to go to in Arizona so as to add to your checklist. The park is situated simply north of Flagstaff. It’s simply mixed with a go to to Lake Powell or Monument Valley.

The park’s primary spotlight is the gorge overlook, the place you’ll get the possibility to admire the sheer drop of a lesser visited canyon. Be cautious of the place you might be stepping as there may be 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.

If you’re driving from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, or Monument Valley, be sure to cease at Little Colorado River Navajo Tribal Park. The gorge outlook is completely positioned to fit into even the busiest day journeys.

25. Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost City

Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost City is by far the quirkiest place on our checklist. The property is about up as an Outdated 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 previous classic autos and mining gear on show. Automobile fanatics will particularly love this museum, and we advocate visiting in case you are considering previous automobiles and autos. The range is spectacular even when you already know nothing about automobiles.

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 way of life.

You possibly can count on to spend at the very least a few hours studying, laughing, and admiring your method 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

On the lookout for a scenic drive? Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway is an unimaginable, comparatively quick scenic drive which you can get pleasure from from Tucson. Quick sufficient to comfortably squeeze right into a day but lengthy sufficient to supply numerous scenes and sights, this scenic byway is a good place to drive.

You gained’t discover the byway marked on a map. Nonetheless, it’s the solely paved street resulting in Mount Lemmon’s prime. The street 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 possibly can simply park up and take a detour on foot.

Permit further time once more when you attain Mount Lemmon’s peak. There’s Mt Lemmon Ski Valley, Mt Lemmon Sky Observatory, and a Fireplace Lookout Station to go to. Mount Lemmon has a small city on the mountain prime too, the place you’ll be able to seize refreshments and do some gentle purchasing.

The ‘Grand Canyon State’ is filled with fantastic actions and vacationer locations. Visiting Arizona is assured to be memorable, and also you’ll keep properly entertained 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.

Have a implausible journey. We hope you handle to expertise at the very least a few these finest locations to go to in Arizona.

Picture Credit score: Chapel of the Holy Cross