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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
...MoreThe 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.
...MoreFor 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.
...MoreArizona 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.
...MoreMost 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.
...MoreThe 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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