26 High Locations to Go to in Arizona

There are lots of 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 most effective cities, nationwide parks, and out of doors sights, after which end with a particular extras part leaving you with loads of inspiration on your upcoming journey to Arizona.

High locations to go to in Arizona

This information is break up into particular sections, as there are lots of various kinds 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 plenty of cities that deserve visiting. The next cities are among 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 motels taking pictures up from what (earlier than 1881) was as soon as sand and mud. Nonetheless, its incongruous attract is all a part of Phoenix’s appeal.

Phoenix is the most effective 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 possibly can see in a complete week.

Phoenix can 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 alternative. The tiny metropolis sits subsequent to Lake Havasu, which is fed by the Colorado River and is a sizzling spot for watersports and rest.

Nature lovers and people in search of a quiet base in Arizona will love Lake Havasu. The town has a sluggish 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 possibly can spend your days fishing, having fun with the footpaths and inexperienced area across the metropolis, or swimming and boating on the lake. Don’t neglect 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 would like a totally different Arizona expertise, we advocate visiting Tucson.

Tucson sits simply above the US-Mexican border in Southern Arizona. Because of its location, town has lots of Mexican affect. One of many high 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 town’s delicacies to its cultures. You need to strive some Mexican delicacies whereas visiting.

Tucson can be house to the College of Arizona. As a college metropolis, guests can take pleasure in an additional sociable, pleasant ambiance – particularly within the metropolis heart. Whereas, simply outdoors town heart, 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 referred to as the gateway to the San Francisco Peaks and the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is likely one of 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 town’s historic downtown. You’ll discover a brewery path, glorious eating places, and the Flagstaff Customer Middle. Bear in mind to carry a digital camera as nicely, as you’ll stumble throughout loads of road artwork and nice picture spots.

Flagstaff is surrounded by each desert and forest. Coconino Nationwide Forest envelops town and is the most important Ponderosa Pine Forest on the earth. 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. Try our information on the most effective 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 unbelievable sights, together with the well-known Grand Canyon.

You possibly can discover the mountain climbing trails, biking trails, take off-roading excursions, or guide a scenic helicopter flight – it’s as much as you. These are the most effective 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 outdoors Tucson. It’s a excellent place to go to for beautiful surroundings and mountain climbing trails whereas visiting Southern Arizona.

The park is most identified for its cacti. Certainly, on this nationwide park, you’ll discover among the largest saguaro cacti within the US. A number of the cacti dwell as much as 200 years outdated and develop at a really sluggish fee. The nationwide park looks like an outdated 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 possibility. Valley View Overlook Path is a pleasant brief stroll that ought to take you round 20 minutes to finish, whereas mountain climbing to Sign Hill Petroglyphs is a should for anybody inquisitive about historical artwork and civilizations.

6. Petrified Forest Nationwide Park

If the Petrified Forest Nationwide Park sounds improbable, it’s as a result of it’s. Nonetheless, in case you arrive anticipating a lush forest full of gorgeous, fascinating timber, 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 embody 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 singular pure expertise, Petrified Forest Nationwide Park is likely one of 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 considered 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 most well-liked 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 full of totally different mountain climbing trails.

A preferred mountain climbing route is the Vibrant Angel Path. The path is well-maintained and comparatively simple. It follows a aspect canyon, previous cliff faces, and varied switchbacks, earlier than ending at Plateau Level. Plateau Level has beautiful 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 likely one of 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 individuals who wish to expertise nature within the north, it’s simply among the best 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 consultants imagine it was as soon as linked to a ridge. These days, it makes an uncommon pure attraction and an important {photograph}.

You possibly can drop by the Canyon de Chelly Customer Middle for professional native steerage on issues to see and do. Nonetheless, you need to undoubtedly make certain to strive a mountain climbing path or scenic drive. You too can discover the canyon on horseback in order for you a extra thrilling expertise.

Greatest Outside Points of interest

After exploring the most effective nationwide parks and cities, let’s have a look at Arizona’s largest class – its out of doors sights.

Arizona is ideal in case you love being open air and experiencing pure sights. The state is stuffed with issues to see and do open air, 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 a listing 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 ground.

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 guide 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 accurately fits you, after which both guide on-line or pay a go to to Antelope Canyon Customer Middle.

Antelope Canyon is definitely among the best locations. This canyon is a must-visit if you wish to go to bucket checklist out of doors sights.

10. Monument Valley

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

The valley is over 90,000 acres and stuffed with mountain climbing trails and spectacular rock formations. It’s most identified for its towering sandstone buttes, which you’ll expertise on scenic drives or on mountain climbing trails. Don’t miss Forest Gump Level, the enduring viewpoint utilized in well-known films and is a vital filming location in cinematic historical past.

The valley is a superb place to chop by way of in case you are planning an Arizona street journey. There are lots of 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 nicely 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 vivid blue water and orange sandstone environment lower 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 major vacationer attraction on the lake, and the huge stone arc is the most important pure bridge on the earth. 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. Chances are you’ll want to go to as a day journey or search for a cabin, resort, or campsite with the intention to keep in a single day.

12. Montezuma Fort Nationwide Monument

Fascinated by historical tradition and archaeological websites of inhabitation? Montezuma Fort Nationwide Monument is the place to go to. The location is house to a number of cliffside dwellings, constructed and lived in by Indigenous Individuals 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 harm. Nonetheless, guests can take a digital tour inside the homes. They give the impression of being unbelievable from the skin, and you’ll take pleasure in quite a few mountain 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 lots of sections of the river you can select to see. Nonetheless, we extremely advocate visiting Horseshoe Bend.

Horseshoe Bend is the postcard picture of the Colorado River. It’s undoubtedly 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 improbable viewpoint the place you’ll be able to respect the distinctive surroundings up shut. Ensure that to pack a digital camera in case you’ve bought one, as Horseshoe Bend is likely one of the hottest sights within the US.

Reaching the point of view is comparatively simple 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’s little or no shade and Arizona will get dangerously sizzling in summer time.

14. Desert Botanical Backyard

We spoke concerning the Desert Botanical Backyard when discussing Phoenix. The backyard is situated in Papago Park, within the heart 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 case you simply fly into Phoenix and head straight out of town after (however significantly, at the very least give 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 best place to go to for a handy desert expertise. The botanical backyard is a straightforward and enjoyable different for individuals who don’t have time to go to main desert areas like Saguaro Nationwide Park.

Phoenix’s botanical backyard is a improbable place to go to in Arizona. The backyard is a superb compromise possibility in case 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, mountain 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 develop 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 unbelievable 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. In case you love water actions and lakeside residing, Lake Mead is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Arizona to unwind and loosen up.

We advocate permitting time to take a Lake Mead cruise, because the distinction between desert and an oasis-like physique of water is placing and finest skilled from the water itself. You too can fish, and boat on the lake. The desert mountains are the right locations for scenic drives and biking; nevertheless, it will likely be arduous 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’re keen on distinctive and thrilling landscapes? If that’s the case, Coyote Buttes are among the best locations to go to in Arizona.

The Buttes are situated in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. A little bit 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 superb 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 earth, the Hoover Dam has a nostalgic form of energy. Whereas it not holds that grand title, it’s nonetheless considered one of Arizona’s finest locations to go to. Guests rapidly respect its energy and power. It’s stated that the dam might stand up to the power of Niagara Falls – which provides you a wonderful perspective on how robust it’s.

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

If you’re inquisitive about structure or simply wish to see a nationwide historic landmark up shut, the dam is nice to go to. Additionally it is 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 improbable 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 out of doors 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 varied mediums, together with cinematic movies.

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

20. the Superstition Mountains

The Superstition Mountains cowl 160,000 and are stuffed with beautiful mountainous and desert scenes. That’s not what makes this place well-known, although; it’s the misplaced gold mines.

Legends of gold have stored mining corporations and unbiased hunters looking out the mountains for years. Many hunters have hit the jackpot and located plenty 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 varied trails. These mountains are among the best 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 most effective locations to go to in Arizona. Whether or not they’re a museum or sacred tribal lands, they don’t match into the out of doors vacationer attraction class. So, here’s a class of their very own.

Right here is our ultimate 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 likely one of the most original 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 out of doors attraction class, its exterior is an exquisite 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 is just not 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 every thing – from pure historical past museum to a zoo and a botanical backyard. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum covers 98 acres and contains an aquarium part, dwell animal reveals, plus flora shows within the botanical backyard part. There’s additionally an artwork gallery for guests to take pleasure in.

You can 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 most effective 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 essential 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’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.

If you’re driving from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, or Monument Valley, make certain 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 ready 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 absolutely immersed with outdated classic automobiles and mining tools on show. Automobile lovers will particularly love this museum, and we advocate visiting in case you are inquisitive about outdated automobiles and automobiles. The variability is spectacular even when you realize nothing about automobiles.

It isn’t simply all outdated relics, although; there are working areas like a sawmill and blacksmith’s store to go to as nicely. Gold King is designed to be a step again in time – absolutely immersing guests within the outdated 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 unbelievable, comparatively brief scenic drive you can take pleasure in from Tucson. Quick sufficient to comfortably squeeze right into a day but lengthy sufficient to supply various scenes and sights, this scenic byway is a superb 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 high. The street is named 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 mountain climbing trails and trailheads alongside the freeway as nicely. 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 high too, the place you’ll be able to seize refreshments and do some mild procuring.

The ‘Grand Canyon State’ is full of great actions and vacationer locations. Visiting Arizona is assured to be memorable, and also you’ll keep nicely 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 improbable journey. We hope you handle to expertise at the very least a few these finest locations to go to in Arizona.

Photograph Credit score: Chapel of the Holy Cross