Top 10 Attractive Places to Visit in Arizona

Last Updated: Aug 12 , 2024 | Travelmoo Diary

In the heart of the southwestern United States, Arizona is rich with natural wonders, vibrant cities, and charming small towns. The Grand Canyon is one of the nation’s premier attractions and definitely worth a visit. However, those who venture further into the state will discover unique places and interesting sights.

While cities and suburbs like Phoenix and Sedona make excellent vacation spots, you can go beyond the urban centers to explore Native American rock dwellings and remnants of ancient cultures, as well as the old, ghost towns from mining days.

Arizona also offers a stunning natural landscape for outdoor adventures. The state features deserts, lakes, mountains, slot canyons, saguaro cacti, buttes, waterfalls, and even a volcano where downhill skiing is possible—all presenting a world of possibilities for travelers.

1. Phoenix

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Phoenix is an excellent base for exploring Arizona, but it is also a major destination in winter for golfers and sun-seekers who enjoy staying at a resort or spa and spending some time in the desert heat.

In the Phoenix metropolitan area, which includes Scottsdale and Mesa, you’ll find great shopping, dining, golf courses, desert parks, walking trails, cycling paths, campgrounds, and some outstanding attractions. Top sights around Phoenix include the Heard Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.

If you spend some time in the area, there are also some fantastic day trips from Phoenix that will take you to cliff dwellings, historic mountain towns, ghost towns, and even the Grand Canyon.

2. Catch an Arizona Cardinals football game

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Head to State Farm Stadium in Glendale and support the NFL team of the Grand Canyon State: the Cardinals. The stadium is known for its innovative architectural design, including modern exterior metal panels and North America’s first retractable natural grass sports field. It also hosts the Fiesta Bowl each year. If you visit during the offseason, you might even have the opportunity to book a behind-the-scenes tour.

Several hotels are located next to the stadium, including Aloft Glendale at Westgate, Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, and Tru by Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate.

3. Lake Havasu State Park

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Take some time to explore Arizona’s top lakes. Near the California border, Lake Havasu State Park features a slender lake encircled by the arid beauty of Arizona’s desert landscape. The park offers a range of activities, including swimming, boating, and fishing, with well-maintained campgrounds, sandy beaches, and scenic walking trails. The lake’s clear blue waters are perfect for a refreshing dip or a leisurely boat ride.

Nearby, don’t miss other state parks such as Cattail Cove State Park and Buckskin Mountain State Park, each providing unique opportunities for outdoor adventures and stunning views. While you’re in Lake Havasu City, make sure to visit the historic London Bridge, which was relocated from England and now stands as a charming landmark. Also, the Lake Havasu Museum of History offers fascinating insights into the region’s past.

4. Heard Museum, Phoenix

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A place rich in both living and preserved Native American history, the Heard Museum is a must-mention. Located in Phoenix, this museum has been around for nearly 100 years, presenting the stories of Native American communities from a first-person perspective.

The exhibits take you on a vivid journey from recent times back through the centuries. Here, you’ll not only explore history but also delve into the evolution of culture and art. The museum highlights the complexities and unique characteristics of various tribes, making their diverse traditions even more compelling.

Overall, it ranks among the top Native American museums in the U.S. and offers far more educational insight than you might expect upon first entry.

5. Tucson

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Tucson is a charming city located in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by mountain ranges. As Arizona’s second-largest city, it boasts numerous cultural attractions, historical sites, and natural areas worth exploring nearby.

Key attractions include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park, the El Presidio Historic District, and Old Tucson Studios.

Nature lovers will find great hiking trails and camping opportunities in the city and the surrounding mountains and canyons. The Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, just outside Tucson, is a popular driving route offering stunning views. You can also take day trips to nearby destinations like Tombstone or Bisbee.

While the weather is warm and dry, Tucson is slightly higher in elevation than Phoenix and generally a bit cooler, with an elevation of around 2,400 feet.

6. Horseshoe Bend

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When scrolling through places to visit in Arizona, you can’t miss the stunning image of Horseshoe Bend. This breathtaking view, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn around a sandstone escarpment, is a popular spot for photographers traveling in Arizona. The contrast between the river’s green waters and the brown sandstone formations is truly mesmerizing.

Until recent years, Horseshoe Bend wasn’t widely known to the public, but its popularity has surged with the rise of Instagram and other photo-sharing platforms. Now, it’s a must-see destination for anyone traveling in Arizona, attracting over two million visitors annually.

To take in the view, you’ll need to hike a 1.5-mile trail. While there isn’t much in the way of safety features, there is a lookout area with a railing. If you choose to go right to the edge, it’s at your own risk.

7. The Wave

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The main attraction of any visit to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is “The Wave.” Much like the mysterious and enchanting colors of Antelope Canyon, The Wave offers an otherworldly vista.

Access to this site is somewhat challenging. Visitors must enter a lottery that limits the number of permits available. The lucky ones then need to hike 7 miles to reach this famous location. Those who make the trek will encounter an unforgettable experience where your camera becomes your best friend.

Surrounding the red rocks are thousands of smooth, swirling lines that create the sensation of water frozen in time, crashing onto the shore. Combined with the stunning desert colors, you’ll capture a picture-perfect scene.

8. Ski in Flagstaff

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Many of Arizona’s main attractions showcase the beauty of its desert climate. However, as you explore, you’ll also discover towering peaks reaching skyward. Here, you’ll find some snow-capped mountains, with opportunities for skiing.

Near Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl welcomes skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. With an average of 260 inches of snow and 2,300 feet of vertical drop each year, this mountain is a major ski resort in Arizona. Importantly, it caters to both beginners and experts.

Although the season typically starts in November and December, the best conditions often come in late winter and early spring. You can also enjoy the beautiful blue skies that highlight Arizona’s endless beauty.

As an alternative, there’s the smaller Elk Ridge Ski Area, about 45 minutes from Flagstaff. It’s a good budget-friendly option that also includes tubing.

9. Havasu Falls

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Near Supai, within the Havasupai Indian Reservation, you’ll find the stunning Havasu Falls, which drops 100 feet. The pools beneath the falls are a striking turquoise color, and when the flow is heavy, the falls appear as if they are split into two.

In the canyon of Havasu Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River, about 450 members of the Havasupai tribe (known as the “People of the Blue-Green Water”) live a secluded life, relying traditionally on their modest agricultural practices but now primarily depending on tourism for their livelihood.

In this heavenly valley, the Havasupai have created several waterfalls and built beautiful bathing pools in the travertine rock.

Day hiking is not allowed here. You must make a reservation, obtain a permit, and pay a fee. Access requires a long hike, or you can use a horse or mule, or even a helicopter.

10. Flagstaff

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As one of the key stops on the historic Route 66, Flagstaff is a gem filled with preserved buildings and charming streets. Take some time to explore the restored downtown area, and if you’re in town overnight, be sure to check out the iconic neon signs that light up the night.

But Flagstaff, or “Flag” as the locals call it, is not just about its history. Today, it’s a vibrant mountain town with a youthful energy, thanks in large part to the large student population from Northern Arizona University (NAU). This active group ensures that you’ll find plenty of dining and entertainment options throughout the city.

At nearly 7,000 feet elevation, Flagstaff enjoys a cooler climate compared to Phoenix, which is just a few hours away. This means winters here can be quite cold, with snowfall not only in the city but also at nearby Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort.