Things to do in Arizona

Things to do in  Arizona

The desert is calling

Arizona—also known as the Grand Canyon State, thanks to its best-known natural wonder: Grand Canyon National Park—combines a desert- and mountain-dotted landscape with increasingly cosmopolitan cities to form one of the United States' best places for exploring the outdoors mere minutes from bustling downtowns. In Phoenix, Arizona's modern capital, enjoy baseball's sping training in March; hot air balloon rides over the city; tours of the city's burgeoning craft cocktail and farm-to-table dining scene; and helicopter flights. Meanwhile, nearby Scottsdale entices with its 200 golf courses and major tournaments. To the north, Sedona's red rocks are best enjoyed on Jeep tours of the open desert, while the Montezuma Castle National Monument offers an impressive display of Pre-Columbian cliff dwellings. To the south, Tucson serves as a melting pot of European, Mexican, and Native American cultures, all of which inform its architecture and gastronomy. If you really want to travel back into Arizonan history, take a custom tour of the original Apache Trail. And, of course, it's impossible to overlook the importance of the Grand Canyon National Park, home to some of the most awe-inspiring views in the world which can be marveled over on a helicopter tour from most Arizona cities.

Top 15 attractions in Arizona

Grand Canyon West Rim

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The Grand Canyon’s West Rim, located just outside Grand Canyon National Park, is home to the vast Hualapai Indian Reservation and includes 108 miles (173 kilometers) of picturesque canyon views. The closest section of the canyon to Las Vegas, the West Rim is famous for the lofty Grand Canyon Skywalk, Guano Point, and Eagle Point.More

Oak Creek Canyon

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The road that winds 16 miles (26 kilometers) through leafy Oak Creek Canyon is the most scenic route between Sedona and Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon. With dramatic red rock formations to either side, the gorge is an outdoor playground for camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming.More

Camelback Mountain

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Visible throughout most of Phoenix, Camelback Mountain rises 2,704 feet (824 meters) above the Sonoran Desert. The red sandstone formation gets its name from its resemblance to a resting camel, and it’s one of the metro area’s most popular spots for hiking, rock climbing, and other outdoor adventures.More

Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

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Get a feel for the art scene of Sedona and pick up unique gifts at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Located along the banks of Oak Creek, this picturesque outdoor shopping complex and artist community is home to more than 45 art galleries, boutiques, and specialty shops selling hand-made crafts and one-of-a-kind artistic creations.More

Chapel of the Holy Cross

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Built directly into the side of a red-rock hill not far from downtown Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a modern architectural marvel as well as a religious place for reflection. Visitors flock to the Roman Catholic chapel primarily to take in the outstanding views of Sedona’s awe-inspiring desert scenery.More

Old Town Scottsdale

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Old Town Scottsdale ranks among the Southwest’s top retail destinations, particularly for shoppers looking for Southwestern and Native American art and jewelry. The area is also home to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of the West, and the Scottsdale Historical Museum.More

Colorado River

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The Colorado River is a spectacular sight to see, meandering for 1,447 miles (2,330 kilometers) with red rocks and canyons framing it on both sides, leading up to the Hoover Dam. The Colorado River is one of the major water sources for California and Nevada, and, not surprisingly, it's a major recreational destination—activities on the river include hiking, biking, rafting, and boating.More

Grand Canyon Skywalk

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The Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped, glass-bottomed bridge that juts out 70 feet (20 meters) above one of America’s most scenic sites—is not for the faint-hearted. Situated 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) above the Grand Canyon, the panoramic West Rim and Colorado River views are undeniably fantastic though.More

Wupatki National Monument

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Walk in the footsteps of the Native American tribes who built their pueblos in the deserts of the American Southwest at Wupatki National Monument. For thousands of years, tribes like the Anasazi and Sinagua lived in these rugged deserts, and among the myriad pueblos left behind is Wupatki Ruin, one of the largest and most elaborate in the region. It was three stories tall and had almost 100 rooms when the Sinagua people built it about 800 years ago. Along with exploring the ruins of a dozen pueblo villages, visitors can also hike the easy Doney Mountain Trail to the top of a volcanic cinder cone, and the visitor center has exhibits describing the culture and history of the people that lived here.More

Grand Canyon Visitor Center

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The National Geographic Visitor Center is both a gateway to the Grand Canyon and a destination in its own right. Conveniently located near the South Rim entrance, the center makes a logical first stop at Arizona’s iconic landmark. Visit the center for guidance on your trip, and to experience its IMAX Theater, cafe, and exhibits.More

Grand Canyon South Rim

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The South Rim is the most popular area of Grand Canyon National Park, boasting easy access to the canyon, the bulk of available amenities and services, and the panoramic vistas for which the natural wonder is famous. One of the most famous attractions in the American Southwest, the area offers breathtaking views over the Colorado River and the chance to immerse yourself in Native American culture.More

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

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The red rim and colorful slopes of the Sunset Crater set it apart amongst the surrounding pine forests of Northern Arizona. The Sunset Crater erupted less than 1000 years ago, making it the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau. You can learn about the eruption’s effects on the landscape and historic populations on a visit to the park.More

Antelope Canyon

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Situated on Navajo land in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most-photographed slot canyons in the United States. Formed by water rushing through the rock over the course of millions of years, this natural wonder has two separate sections—the deep-but-narrow Upper Antelope Canyon (also known as Spiral Rock Arches) and the Lower Antelope Canyon (Hasdeztwazi).More

Desert View Watchtower

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Enjoy a sweeping panoramic view of the Grand Canyon from the historic Desert View Watchtower. Architect Mary Colter created the tower, built in the early 1930s, as an homage to the watchtowers built by the Ancestral Puebloan people who once inhabited the Four Corners area. The murals inside were painted by a local Hopi artist.More

Glen Canyon Dam

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In 1964, the Colorado River’s roaring waters needed to be harnessed, so the towering 710-foot-tall (216 meter) Glen Canyon Dam was built. The resulting 186-mile-long (299 kilometer) Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the US, took 17 years to fill to capacity. Today, the dam provides hydroelectric power to the American West.More

Top activities in Arizona

Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package

Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure Package

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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup
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Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket

Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket

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US$139.00
Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket
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Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket

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US$139.00
Lower Antelope Canyon Tour Ticket

Lower Antelope Canyon Tour Ticket

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US$96.00
Lower Antelope Canyon Ticket
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Lower Antelope Canyon Ticket

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US$89.00
Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Phoenix
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45-minute Helicopter Flight Over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan, Arizona
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Centipede Tour - Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Flagstaff
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Helicopter Tour of the North Canyon with Optional Hummer Excursion
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Sedona Outback Trail Jeep Adventure
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Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views
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Private Colorado Plateau Jeep Tour from Sedona
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All about Arizona

When to visit

In a state that gets more than 300 days of sunshine—and four distinct seasons—any time of year is peak season at some destination in Arizona. Visitors flock to the state for its temperate climate in spring and fall, especially for spring training in Phoenix. Higher elevation spots, such as Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, enjoy snow in winter and somewhat cooler temperatures in summer.

Getting around

With Route 66, iconic roadway stops, and endless highways that head into the horizon, Arizona is the quintessential roadtrip state, making a car, RV, or motorcycle the best way to travel. For certain destinations, including Verde Canyon and Grand Canyon, transport on vintage railcars offer a throwback experience. For those without a vehicle, city-to-city transport is best done by long-distance bus, but once in Tucson or Phoenix, walking, biking, light rail, and street car options abound.

Traveler tips

Arizona truly has it all. Active adventure, resorts, leisure, road trips, and cultural experiences are plentiful. However, Arizona's unique food scene—a mix of indigenous, Mexican, and Sonoran influences going back 4,000 years—is often overlooked. Sonoran dogs, Navajo tacos, and Mexican raspados are just a sampling of its culinary treats. The state's farmers markets, indigenous dining options, craft cocktail scenes, unique ingredients, and the UNESCO-designated City of Gastronomy of Tucson are ripe for exploring.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
MST (UTC -7)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
96
Tours
832
Reviews
70,987

People Also Ask

What is the number 1 attraction in Arizona?

Arizona’s Grand Canyon, a US National Park, is the state’s most iconic tourist attraction and one of the most important natural wonders in the world. The massive gorge features red rocks that tower above the Colorado River, with various viewpoints along the South and North rims of the canyon.

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What is the funnest thing to do in Arizona?

The most fun thing to do in Arizona is enjoy the great outdoors. The state sees beautiful weather and lots of sunshine year-round, making it easy to explore the state’s national and state parks under sunny skies. Top attractions include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Lake Havasu, and Saguaro National Park.

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When should I go to Arizona?

For the best weather, visit most of Arizona in the spring, winter, or autumn. The summer months of June, July, and August are extremely hot and occasionally see monsoon storms. However, northern Arizona isn’t too hot in the summer and sometimes sees snow in winter.

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What are 3 things Arizona is famous for?

Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, a US National Park whose massive gorge features red rocks that tower above the Colorado River. The state is also home to an estimated 1.9 million saguaro cacti. It’s known for its Mexican food, thanks to its proximity to the Mexican-American border.

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What do people do on vacation in Arizona?

Most people like to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or walking when vacationing in Arizona. Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park is a popular trip activity, and Lake Havasu State Park is also a busy destination. Arizona visitors also like to explore cities including Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff.

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What’s the most popular thing in Arizona?

The most popular thing to do in Arizona is to enjoy the vast and beautiful natural wonders the state offers, such as the Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona, Monument Valley, and the Hoover Dam. Because Arizona is sunny and warm almost year-round, walking, hiking, biking, and golfing are everyday activities.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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