Arizona is a wonderful state to visit. It’s full of some of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. Arizona is also rich in Native American culture and history. You can learn about the indigenous population and visit ancient ruins and dwellings. If you enjoy outdoor activities, Arizona is for you! There’s seemingly unlimited opportunities to go hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, biking, etc. In fact, fitting in all the wonderful things to do in Arizona into a trip itinerary can be challenging. So here are our recommended 7 sensational sites to see!
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The Grand Canyon
No trip to Arizona can be complete without a visit to the state’s most remarkable natural wonder, the Grand Canyon. Even if you can just spend one day there, it’s definitely worth stopping to admire it’s beautiful vistas. Created by erosion due to the Colorado River, the canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. You can visit both the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, and the truly hearty can hike from rim to rim over two days.
You can spend many days in the Grand Canyon enjoying views from multiple lookout points and taking scenic drives. It’s tempting to hike down into the canyon as well, and it’s worth the effort for the varied views. However, remember it’s twice as hard to go back up! Other options for exploring the canyon from within are taking a mule ride or rafting trip down the Colorado River. Make sure to check out the park’s calendar of events so you can take advantage of a wide variety of free Park Ranger programs!
The park has camping and lodging options available, or you can stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon located in northern Arizona on Navaho land. Formed by flash flooding, the sandstone rocks have eroded and appear as smooth flowing walls lining the canyon. The Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular and best visited around noon when the sun creates brilliant light shafts through the rocks. It is all above ground and more accessible than the Lower Antelope Canyon. The lower canyon is located below ground and visitors must navigate ladders and boulders to climb in and tackle steep inclines to climb out. No matter which one you visit, you will be amazed at this otherworldly natural wonder.
Visits to Antelope Canyon must be booked through a Navaho-owned tour company. You can book tours of the Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon, and both Upper and Lower Canyon. Even better, you can book tours that also include Horseshoe Bend, another not to miss site in Arizona!
There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument is a terrific place to see cliff dwellings created by the Sinagua people in the 12th and 13th centuries. Visitors can take a mile-long trail that descends into the canyon to see 25 remarkably intact rooms. There’s also a .7 mile trail along the rim of the canyon that passes a partially restored pueblo and pit house and gives visitors a sense of the flora and fauna of the area.
There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Sedona
There are many wonderful cities in Arizona, but Sedona is truly not to be missed. Stunning beautiful red rock formations, canyons and forests surround the city. Active travelers will enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding while all travelers will enjoy scenic drives through this remarkable area. The more adventurous can take advantage of jeep tours, helicopter rides, and even hot air ballooning over the remarkable red rocks.
Sedona is known for its spiritual energy and is considered a sacred site by Native American tribes. Expect to find many opportunities to embrace this energy through activities like yoga, meditation, and a variety of healing therapies. Those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation have many opportunities to indulge in massages, facials, and other offerings at the numerous spas in the city. Art lovers will flock to the numerous galleries, studios and museums as well as art festivals held throughout the year.
There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel and is considered one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Visitors can learn all about the history of the dam, including how and why it was constructed. You also learn about how the dam provides hydroelectric power, controls flooding, and provides water for agricultural and domestic use.
Three types of tickets are available. The most basic ticket grants you entry to the Visitor’s Center where you can see exhibits on the history and construction of the dam, visit the observation deck, and see a 3D model of the regions dams and power systems. The Guided Power Plant Tour includes a guided walk through the original construction tunnels and eight commercial generators as well as access to the Visitor’s Center. The most comprehensive is the extended package which offers a tour of the historic and inspection tunnels, a ride on the original elevator to the top of the dam, views of the Colorado River through the inspection ventilation shaft, as well as the Guided Power Plant Tour and access to the Visitor’s Center.
There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Route 66
Route 66 is a historic highway that played a pivotal role in the development of the American West. As one of the original highways in the US, it allowed for the transport of people and goods throughout the country. Today, travelers nostalgically drive down Route 66 to rediscover a bygone era.
Route 66 bisects Arizona just north of the center part of the state and is the longest remaining stretch of the highway. The drive takes you by natural and manmade wonders:
- Petrified Forest National Park & Painted Desert – featuring large deposits of petrified wood from ancient trees as well as colorful pigmented hills, mesas, and buttes.
- Wigwam Motel – stay in your own concrete wigwam!
- Jack Rabbit Trading Post – follow the signs to this historical trading post that will make you feel like you stepped back in time.
- Standing on a Corner Park – Eagles fans rejoice! You can sing along to the 1972 hit “Take It Easy” as you are standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and posing with a statue of Glenn Frey.
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark – this impressive site was created by a massive meteor hitting this spot more than 50,000 years ago.
- Seligman – this is the town that inspired the town of Radiator Springs in the Disney Pixar’s Cars movie.
There are several great places to stay along Route 66: Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Seligman, and Kingman. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area: Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Seligman, and Kingman.
Ghost Towns
I don’t know about you, but I’m fascinated by the idea of a ghost town. The thought of a lively town suddenly being deserted captures my imagination! Arizona is a wonderful place to visit if you like ghost towns – there are close to 300 that remain there. While most have little or no remaining infrastructure, several are restored and are great places to visit:
- Tombstone – infamous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, visitors today enjoy original and restored buildings and a simulated O.K. Corral gunfight.
- Jerome – originally one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. due to its copper mines, it’s now the largest ghost town in America featuring both thriving businesses and historic buildings preserved in their state of ruin.
- Goldfield – there’s gold in them der hills . . . until there wasn’t, only five years after gold was first discovered in the area. No original structures remain, but the re-created buildings are authentic to the time period and a good illustration of life during the Gold Rush.
- Oatman – what sets this historical mining town apart is the burros (small donkeys) descended from the original inhabitants’ beasts of burden who wander around town.
There are several great places to stay near these ghost towns: Tombstone, Jerome, Goldfield, and Oatman, There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area: Tombstone, Jerome, Goldfield, and Oatman.
What’s on your Arizona trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Arizona. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
We hope you have enjoyed this installment on our 7 Sensational Sites in Each State of the USA series. Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post.