Planning an Arizona highway journey or a metropolis break within the desert state? Visiting Arizona is ideal for the outdoorsy and adventurous type, with a powerful array of otherworldly nationwide parks.
It could nearly be overwhelming for those who don’t know the place to start out. Do you head straight to the Grand Canyon or linger on the mystical vortexes in Sedona? (We’ll get into that in a minute.)
Use this information to plan your Arizona journey from begin to end, together with prioritize what to see in Arizona.
What number of days ought to I spend in Arizona?
When you solely have a number of days, two to a few days is sufficient to go to Sedona, Flagstaff, or a mix of Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Per week offers you sufficient time for an Arizona highway journey that may hit the pure highlights. That features the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon — each Decrease Antelope Canyon and the Higher Canyon are price your time — and the crimson rocks of Sedona.
Horseshoe Bend (Web page, AZ)
With extra time, you may add extra of the state’s distinctive landscapes, just like the astounding Monument Valley of northern Arizona, Petrified Forest Nationwide Park, and Lake Powell.
What’s the prettiest place in Arizona?
Sedona all the time involves thoughts as one of many prettiest locations in Arizona. Actually, it’s some of the scenic locations in the USA.
Close by Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock State Park solely add to the intrigue within the area on Arizona highway journeys, with sufficient risk to fill weeks’ price of adventurous actions.
10 Enjoyable Information About Arizona
Petrified Forest Nationwide Park – Blue Forest Path
Arizona is kind of an attention-grabbing place, which makes it rife with potentialities the place enjoyable info are involved. Take a look at 10 of my favourite Arizona enjoyable info to impress any locals you come throughout.
- Arizona has wine! In truth, there are over 100 completely different wineries doing their factor in Arizona.
- When you simply can’t deprive your self of these fries everytime you see these golden arches, you’ve got Arizona to thank. The primary McDonald’s drive-through opened in Sierra Vista again in 1975.
- The film Oklahoma! was filmed in Arizona, so once they’re happening about these wide-open plains or no matter they’re happening about, the inspiration was Arizona.
- These saguaro cacti are much more spectacular once you discover out that the Sonoran Desert is the one place on this planet the place they develop.
- The state has an official state fossil: petrified wooden. Stand up shut and private with samples at Petrified Forest Nationwide Park.
- Sure, the large nationwide parks are superior, particularly for those who’ve skilled the Grand Canyon South Rim. Arizona can be dwelling to 18 nationwide monuments, greater than some other state. The Vermilion Cliffs and Walnut Canyon are amongst them, and effectively price an add on any Arizona itinerary.
- When you’re an enormous fan of hummingbirds, head to Arizona. Relying on the 12 months — generally Texas stories extra of the quickly buzzing birds — Arizona has extra hummingbird exercise than wherever else in the USA.
- Arizona did one thing magical in 1973 when the bola tie was designated the official neckwear of the state.
- Most of Arizona observes Mountain Commonplace Time year-round, which implies they don’t get all fuzzy when a lot of the remainder of the nation is coping with daylight financial savings.
- That stated, Arizona’s Navajo Nation does observe the daylight financial savings time change, which makes me unhappy for them.
Prime Locations to Go to in Arizona
It may be onerous to slender down the most effective locations to go to in Arizona. Whether or not you’re brief on time or plotting your route for an Arizona highway journey, listed here are my favorites, in no specific order.
Antelope Canyon
Higher Antelope Canyon (Web page, AZ)
This slot canyon close to Web page will transport you to what you’re nearly sure is one other planet. That’s how unusual the landscapes are as you descend under the bottom.
When you’re in a position, discover each the decrease and the higher canyons. Each supply one thing just a bit bit completely different from the opposite.
Observe: Remember that the canyons are solely accessible on a guided tour. That is Navajo land you’ll be visiting right here.
Planning a visit to Arizona with children? There may be some climbing concerned with an Antelope Canyon go to, however it’s an amazing Arizona day journey for adventurous little ones.
Need an adventurous twist? As a substitute of exploring the canyon with a basic strolling tour, go for a novel and much less crowded expertise by renting a kayak and paddling from Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
Desert View East Rim, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
This is without doubt one of the most spectacular pure wonders you’ll encounter on this earth, though I do know somebody who referred to as this one a “big gap within the floor.”
When you’re in a position, take one of many mountaineering paths down into the canyon to soak up a few of the greatest Grand Canyon views. Replicate on how small you are feeling wanting up on the canyon partitions rising round you. This place is spectacular, and under no circumstances overrated.
Grand Canyon Nationwide Park is simple sufficient to discover by yourself, however for those who’re in search of a bucket listy guided expertise, guided excursions are additionally an possibility.
Biking lover? Overlaying 800 miles, the Arizona Nationwide Scenic Path affords an opportunity to traverse the complete state from north to south, together with a quick journey by means of the Grand Canyon.
Saguaro Nationwide Park
Saguaro Nationwide Park West – Sendero Esperanza Path to Wasson Peak
When you’re speaking about saguaro, a easy cactus may be very spectacular.
Enjoyable reality: The specimens within the park can develop as much as 40 toes tall, with arms reaching out for the solar in essentially the most amusing methods.
Quite a few trails at Saguaro Nationwide Park will get you proper up shut and private with the featured cacti. Exterior of the
Scottsdale
Taliesin West (Scottsdale)
The sprawling metropolis of Phoenix is probably going the place most vacationers are beginning their Arizona adventures, but when the sprawl of the large metropolis overwhelms you, head to Scottsdale, as a substitute.
Make the most of the quite a few spas right here and deal with your self to a day of leisure. Stroll the town’s Outdated City with its Nineteenth-century olive timber and eat your means by means of a burgeoning foodie scene. Go to Taliesin West, a should for followers of structure and Frank Lloyd Wright.
All of that makes Scottsdale the proper cease for weekend getaways in Arizona, whether or not you’re touring as a pair or with your folks.
Scottsdale is cool, and it desires you to realize it.
Sedona
Soldier Move Path – Sedona
Sedona appears like worlds away from the remainder of the state, with a few of the most spectacular landscapes you’ll discover throughout the nation. A Sedona journey can be fashionable with these looking for a religious expertise. Apparently, there are vortexes right here that radiate the Earth’s vitality.
Hike among the many crimson sandstone to your personal religious journey, and comply with it up with dinner on this foodie paradise. Sedona can be a preferred place for guided excursions, together with journeys to see a few of the greatest stargazing throughout the state.
Greatest Instances to Go to Arizona
The winter and spring months are typically the instances of 12 months to go to Arizona for the most effective probability at first rate climate, particularly for those who’re seeking to hit any of the nationwide parks and state parks within the state.
We’ve visited throughout each of these seasons on our Arizona trip and located winter preferable.
That stated, when to go to Arizona does rely some on the place you’re going within the state and what you’ll be doing, as these winter months do see snow in areas of the state with some elevation.
Summer season (June-August)
There’s a motive why snowbirds go away Arizona in the summertime months for his or her major properties within the Midwest. It’s SO sizzling within the state in the summertime. When you’re wonderful residing because the locals do, inside their air-conditioned areas, plan to trip Arizona in the summertime.
The one perk I can consider with a go to throughout this time is decrease charges on airfare and lodging within the state’s predominant cities, with the state’s tourism business itching to get you to go to in that summer season warmth.
The exception to the above is Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, which sees most of its vacationers in the summertime months, regardless of the potential for extreme thunderstorms at the moment.
Keep away from visiting the state’s slot canyons in the course of the summer season months. On prime of the warmth, flash floods are additionally a harmful risk.
Fall (September-November)
When you’re considering visiting the Grand Canyon, it is a nice time to go, as highway closures are potential as soon as the snows come within the area.
Cooler temperatures make the cities extra interesting within the fall as effectively, with many fashionable state festivals taking place throughout autumn.
Winter (December-February)
Winter is a peak journey time all through Arizona, significantly for those who’re hitting the spas of Phoenix or Outdated City Scottsdale in your Arizona highway journey itinerary.
The snowbirds are in full power, crowding outside patios to get some outdoors time they possible wouldn’t be capable of wherever they got here from.
Arizona does get snow in sure components of the state, although, so preserve that in thoughts on the prime of your Arizona journey suggestions for those who’re anticipating to have the ability to do all of these hikes you’ve been interested by. We hiked a number of trails slick with ice on our go to to Sedona in February.
Spring (March-Might)
Regardless of the next probability of rain throughout the state, spring is a stupendous time to go to Arizona due to the desert blooms possible throughout a go to then.
You’ll see the cacti of Saguaro Nationwide Park topped with blooms, for instance, a magical sight, and every kind of floral exercise in locations just like the Desert Botanical Backyard in Phoenix.
When you’re visiting early within the season, you should still expertise some snow on the bottom in areas of the state at larger elevations. Temperatures expectedly start to rise by mid-Might because the summer season season approaches.
The way to Get to Arizona
Arizona has some main transportation hubs so that you can fly into for those who’re touring by aircraft, together with Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport and Tucson Worldwide Airport.
Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson
Connections from there can be found to smaller airports all through the state, together with Yuma Worldwide Airport and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
Offers to the most important hubs, particularly Phoenix, are simpler to seek out for those who’re versatile on timing. Count on larger costs within the winter months, a peak journey season for snowbirds.
Use a instrument like Skyscanner for those who’re in a position to watch flights for a bit to catch these Arizona journey offers.
One other technique is following the most important airways that fly there for offers on low cost Arizona journey that will come up out of your metropolis. Watch Southwest and Delta, two huge canines that provide tons of flights into the state from across the nation.
What to Pack to Arizona
What to pack to Arizona will rely a bit on once you’re going — for those who’re hitting Vegas on the way in which, for instance, convey all of the sequins — however listed here are a number of gadgets that may cowl the most well-liked Arizona journey itineraries.
- Cowboy Boots: A cowboy hat is all the time an excellent wager for those who’re headed to Arizona’s western cities. Full the look with a sizzling pair of cowboy boots.
- Cowboy Hat: When you’ve added Tombstone to your listing of issues to do in Arizona, a cowboy hat is much more of a no brainer. Get in on a few of that line dancing when you’re at it.
- Flannels: It’s not sizzling in Arizona year-round. In these transitional months, you’ll need layers. Flannels are a flexible alternative when these desert evenings hit.
- Climbing Backpack: When you’re exploring a few of the state’s parks, head on the market ready with an excellent mountaineering backpack. Get your self an identical water bladder to remain hydrated.
- Climbing Pants: A pair of excellent weather-resistant pants may be fairly clutch on winter visits to mountaineering locations like Sedona the place stream crossings are an enormous factor.
- Climbing Footwear: When you’re mountaineering, whether or not you’re hitting the deserts or crossing streams in Sedona, convey alongside a sturdy mountaineering shoe.
- Layered Jacket: Except you’re touring within the lifeless of summer season — I’d suggest in opposition to planning day journey actions to the desert then — Arizona climate can get sneaky.
- Rain Jacket: Summer season showers are a risk irrespective of the place you’re visiting in Arizona. Pack one thing light-weight simply in case.
- Sundresses: Make that spa weekend in Phoenix or Scottsdale even fancier with a sundress or two. You’ll need breezy supplies for warm-weather journey in Arizona.
- Wool Socks: When you’re doing any mountaineering in your journey, pack a number of pairs of wool socks it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you’re going. They’ll preserve you dry and funky.
The way to Get Round Arizona
Arizona is a superb state for highway journeys.
Ebook a automobile rental earlier than you arrive, so you realize what you’re getting to your drive by means of the state. It’s all the time best to only decide your journey up from the airport.
When you’re in search of extra choices for long-distance journey, Amtrak does have a number of routes that reduce by means of the state to get you to hubs like Flagstaff, Kingman, Tucson, and Yuma, however you’ll nonetheless possible want a automobile when you get there.
Greyhound is basically your solely long-distance bus possibility.
Dobbins Lookout (Phoenix)
In case your journey is restricted to Phoenix, you might be able to get round utilizing the town’s community of buses and light-weight rail system. Tucson additionally has greater than 40 bus routes that run in and across the metropolis.
Widespread Arizona Phrases
Though it is best to count on to be spoken to in English in Arizona, that doesn’t imply you’ll robotically perceive what somebody’s saying to you when you’re there.
Take a look at these frequent Arizona phrases and all the most effective Arizona slang so that you’re ready for all of that conversing with the locals.
The Huge Ditch
Arizonans are happy with their pure wonders, however they do prefer to poke enjoyable at rampant vacationer fascination with the Grand Canyon, or The Huge Ditch.
Nevertheless it’s a dry warmth.
Natives don’t really say this, however these new to Arizona do. Does dry warmth actually matter when temps are within the triple digits?
Carneceria
You’re extra more likely to get your meats from a carniceria than a butcher store whereas in Arizona, partly due to a lot of the state’s proximity to the Mexican border.
Chubasco
A chubasco refers to inclement climate throughout monsoon season and Arizona’s torrential downpours.
Oven Mitts
OK, this isn’t slang however a warning to these visiting Arizona in the summertime months. The summers get so sizzling some take to sporting oven mitts for cover when their palms are on the steering wheel.
Raspados
Raspados are the Arizona model of snow cones or shave ice for those who’re fortunate sufficient to be in Hawaii.
Snowbirds
These are all the parents coming to Arizona from chilly climates, typically the Midwest.
Swamp Field
Arizonans are all about their air con. A swamp field is an evaporative cooler.
Stravenues
Stravenues are streets, roads, avenues, and so forth. that run alongside a diagonal.
The Ten
This can be a reference to Interstate 10, the most important east-west freeway within the state.
Native Arizona Meals
Arizona might not be recognized for its culinary delights, however there are fairly a number of issues it is best to strive in your go to to get an actual style of the state.
Cheese Crisp
The cheese crisp, fashionable all through Phoenix, is sort of a quesadilla that forgot its prime and is sliced like a pizza. Something tacky sounds mighty wonderful to me.
Chimichanga
You’ll discover Mexico’s affect throughout Arizona delicacies. A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito that’s served with dollops of bitter cream and guacamole.
Cowboy Steak
You didn’t put on these cowboy boots only for kicks. A cowboy steak, or Arizona steak, is usually fairly the hunk of meat: a 24-ounce, bone-in rib eye.
Fry Bread
Fry bread is a scrumptious Navajo custom, a plate of fluffy bread topped with beans, meat, and any method of savory elements.
The story behind the deal with isn’t as fantastic. The Navajo folks got here up with the thought once they had been pressured to go away their lands by their colonizers. Fry bread served as sustenance.
Margaritas
It’s just a little bit obscure, however Arizonans love their Mexican meals, and alongside all of these chimichangas, they’re more likely to be sipping on margaritas.
You’ll discover fancied-up preparations within the huge cities. Prickly pear is a well-liked ingredient.
Navajo Tacos
When your fry bread is served up like a taco, you’ve got a Navajo taco. Floor beef is a well-liked protein, and it is best to count on the fixings you’d discover at your favourite taco bar.
Piki
Piki bread comes from the Hopi tribe and is exclusive in its coloration. The bread is made with blue cornmeal and is so skinny that It melts in your mouth upon the primary chunk.
Ranch Fries
Ranch fries are crinkle-cut fries layered with a number of heart-stopping elements, and by that I imply they’re each scrumptious and never nutritious.
Suppose bacon, numerous cheeses, chili, and sure, Ranch dressing.
Raspados
You already know the lingo from the frequent phrases above. Raspados are Arizona’s snow cones.
Sonoran Sizzling Canines
This road meals is beloved in Tucson and fairly the intestine punch. The recent canines are wrapped in bacon and topped with beans, mayonnaise, and different toppings relying in your temper.
Particular Dates & Occasions in Arizona
When you’re planning a visit to Arizona throughout a particular time of 12 months, contemplate whether or not any festivals or holidays are occurring. Chances are you’ll wish to attend particular occasions or keep away from them, as holidays typically imply enterprise closures.
Tucson Competition of Books (March)
The annual Tucson Competition of Books is a free honest that celebrates the written phrase. Meet authors, take heed to readings, and hang around with like-minded of us on the College of Arizona’s grassy mall.
Arizona Polish Competition (April)
The Arizona Polish Competition, held yearly in Phoenix, permits all Arizonans throughout the state to eat their weight in pierogi and dance it off to one of many polka bands going stay at any given second. I additionally think about gallons of Polish beer.
Phoenix Movie Competition (August)
It’s not nearly Cannes, folks. The Phoenix Movie Competition is an enormous deal on the movie circuit.
Tons of of films are screened over 11 days on the pageant, which began in 2000 to get Arizona on the map within the movie business.
Helldorado Days (October)
This annual occasion is an ode to the Wild West and the city of Tombstone. Watch staged gunfights, cowboy reenactments, and line dance to your coronary heart’s content material.
OK Corral
Arizona Journey FAQs
Is Arizona costly to trip?
Arizona may be costly to trip for those who plan winter journey to a spa vacation spot like Scottsdale. It can be very budget-friendly for those who plan low season journey to the state’s nationwide parks or a metropolis break in Phoenix.
What time of 12 months is the most affordable to go to Arizona?
January is usually the most affordable time of 12 months to go to Arizona, however it does rely upon the place you’re going within the state for those who’re in search of budget-friendly journey. Summer season within the state’s huge cities can supply huge financial savings for those who don’t thoughts coping with the warmth.
Is the Grand Canyon nearer to Phoenix or Sedona?
The Grand Canyon is nearer to Sedona than Pheonix. The driving distance from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is roughly 117 miles. The space from Phoenix is round 230 miles. Each supply a scenic path to the nationwide park, so it could rely upon the place you fly in.
Embark on an Arizona journey full of pure wonders, vibrant tradition, and unforgettable adventures—your final desert escape awaits!
Hold studying: It seems it’s potential to go to 50 States in 50 days
