Tucked into the southwest corner of the United States, Arizona offers something for all types of travelers. Visit highlights like the Grand Canyon, the Wild West town of Tombstone or the red rocks of Sedona, or head to cities like Phoenix or Tucson for professional sports, museums, observatories and science centers. Read on to discover which of the state’s endless iconic sights, stunning landscapes and gorgeous natural formations you should add to your Arizona bucket list. (Note: Some of the following activities and locations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)
Antelope Canyon
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Prepare to be wowed by Antelope Canyon, a jaw-dropping slot canyon in Northern Arizona. Swirling, orange sandstone and ethereal light beams (which typically appear in the summer months) make for a magical, otherworldly destination. Travelers must sign up for a guided tour to access this area, which is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. If you’d like to stay in the area overnight, you’ll find accommodation options like the Best Western Plus at Lake Powell and the Comfort Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell in the nearby town of Page, Arizona. Past visitors say Antelope Canyon is a must-see and remark that tour guides can often provide expert advice on how to take the best photos while there.
Saguaro National Park
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If you’d like to check another national park off your bucket list, visit Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. Located about 14 miles northwest of Tucson, the park features a giant forest of saguaro cacti, some of which stand up to 50 feet tall and date back more than 200 years. But the park boasts more than plant life; be sure to look out for animals like coyote and desert tortoises during your visit. Stay overnight at upscale properties like the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort or the Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa. Or, for a more rugged experience, go camping in the Rincon Mountain District.
Step into the Wild West in Tombstone
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About 75 miles southeast of Tucson, travelers will find the infamous Wild West town of Tombstone. A National Historic Landmark, the district is “one of the best-preserved specimens of the rugged frontier of the 1870s and ’80s,” according to the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Tombstone was the site of the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral in October 1881, known by many as the most famous shootout of the Wild West era. The town was also portrayed in the 1993 movie “Tombstone,” starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer. Today, travelers can visit to explore historic saloons and shops, take a visitor-approved trolley tour and watch a reenactment of a shootout.
Drive Route 66
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Get a taste of nostalgia as you travel down iconic Route 66. The longest, best-preserved stretch of the highway snakes through Arizona, from the town of Topock on the west side of the state to Lupton in the east. It runs through the cities of Winslow and Flagstaff, as well as Petrified Forest National Park. Travelers can stop for staged gunfights at former gold-mining camp Oatman, lunch at one of many diners and historic hotels like the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff. For a kitschy overnight stay, book lodging at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, which is made up of tents fitted with full bathrooms, cable TV and air conditioning. Visitors recommend checking out the many vintage vehicles parked outside.
Taliesin West
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Architecture lovers won’t want to miss this Frank Lloyd Wright gem in Scottsdale. Considered a must-see for Wright fans according to past visitors, this National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site served as Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory. He once described it as “a look over the rim of the world.” Taliesin West offers a variety of tours year-round, and you must purchase tickets in advance. Be sure to spend some time enjoying the grounds outdoors and stop into the on-site store, which sells Wright-inspired art, books and home decor.
Address: 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
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Located on the border of Utah and Arizona, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is known for its 1,000-foot-tall sandstone monoliths – which are tall, narrow stones – as well as abundant mesas (geologic features with flat tops) and buttes (steep, stand-alone features with flat summits). As such, Monument Valley is one of the most photographed places in the world, and it has been featured in multiple Western films. View some of the formations from the park’s visitor center or book a guided tour to travel into the valley itself. Nearby lodging includes the Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa and the Desert Rose Inn & Cabins. Past visitors have described Monument Valley as one of the most beautiful, majestic and mystical places they’ve ever visited, noting its likeness to Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Parks.
Meet the Flintstones at Bedrock City
Fans of “The Flintstones” should pay a visit to Bedrock City, a recreation of the fictional town where Fred Flintstone and his family lived in the classic cartoon. Located at Raptor Ranch in Williams (about 25 miles south of the Grand Canyon), Bedrock City is open throughout the week and features sights like Fred’s house, the post office and statues of Pebbles Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Admission is free if you’re staying at the Raptor Ranch campground, while a fee applies for those just visiting for the day. Reviewers say this hidden gem is great for young kids and only takes about 30 minutes to see.
Address: 332 AZ-64, Williams, AZ 86001
Lowell Observatory
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Outer space enthusiasts should consider a stop at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. Founded in 1894, the observatory was the site of major discoveries like Pluto, the rings of Uranus and the expanding nature of the universe. While here, travelers can gaze through a telescope, take a constellation tour and enjoy science demonstrations. Visitors love seeing the original 1896 telescope and recommend taking a guided tour at the observatory.
Address: 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Explore Mission San Xavier del Bac
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On a getaway to Tucson, pay a visit to Mission San Xavier del Bac, a former Catholic mission constructed in the late 1700s. The Baroque-style building is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Today, it remains a Catholic church with original sculptures and murals, as well as and imagery of shells – a symbol of pilgrimage – throughout. Visitors say Mission San Xavier del Bac is worth a visit for both its rich history and exquisite architecture.
Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson, AZ 85746
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift
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