From pine-covered mountains to cactus-filled deserts, from the Painted Desert to the Grand Canyon, Arizona is home to some of the most stunning and recognizable scenery in the world. While the southwestern cities offer their charm and attractions, the vast natural wonders of the state are unparalleled.
Traveling through Arizona by car is the best option because of the miles and miles of unforgettable land you’ll want to explore and remember. You can venture through the state’s terrain in a rugged pickup or enjoy the sun in a convertible. The whole family can get comfortable in an SUV, or you can ride in classy comfort in a more luxurious sedan. But whatever vehicle you choose, one thing is certain: Arizona is the perfect state for a road trip.
Must-see attractions in Arizona
1. The Grand Canyon
Millions of years ago, the Colorado River cut its way through the Arizona desert, forming this Wonder of the World that’s 18 miles wide and 6,000 feet deep. At the Grand Canyon, you can camp and take scenic hikes and drives. Or ride a mule around the rim or to the bottom of the canyon and spend the night camping or at Phantom Ranch. You can pay extra outside Grand Canyon National Park to walk out onto the Skywalk, the glass walkway extending out over the canyon.
Address: Located in north-central Arizona
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-3 days
2. The Hoover Dam
Built from 1931 to 1936, this marvel of modern engineering is 726 feet high and covers 220 acres. The concrete dam blocks the Colorado River, right on the border between Arizona and Nevada, thus controlling flooding, providing irrigation water and generating hydroelectric power. You can enjoy breathtaking views by taking either a guided tour or a self-guided audio tour, and you can even see the wonder of the dam and its surrounding scenery by kayaking.
Address: Accessible from Arizona Highway 93 just over the border in Nevada
Entry fees: Seeing the Hoover Dam is free, but you need tickets for tours.
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
3. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
If you’ve ever seen a Western movie, you will undoubtedly recognize this classic landscape. There are several hikes and drives throughout the red-sand desert region, famous for its tall, massive buttes. While some roads are passable in lower vehicles, you will want four-wheel drive to traverse some of the rougher terrain, taking in the unforgettable vistas.
Address: Route 42, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ 84536
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 3 hours or more
4. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
These expansive, dry underground caverns are breathtaking. You’ll feel like an old-time smuggler hiding your loot as you explore the underground rock formations. You can take the Classic, Ladder or Wild tour, depending on how much adventure you can handle. At the park you can also enjoy hiking, horseback riding, wagon rides and much more.
Address: 16721 East Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-4hours
5. Raven Golf Club
Phoenix is famous for golfing, boasting over 200 golf courses. Raven Club is a public 18-hole, 72-par course offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The unique desert layout of the course has five different tee sets, so the course can be challenging to experienced golfers as well as enjoyable for golfers of different skill levels. The club has a full-service clubhouse, practice facility, lessons, locker rooms, a restaurant and a golf shop.
Address: 3636 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to play
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
6. San Xavier del Bac Mission
South of Tucson on the Tohono O’odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation, you’ll find this awe-inspiring historic Catholic Spanish mission. Nicknamed “The White Dove of the Desert,” this 18th century white stucco church will take your breath away both inside and outside the building. Along with enjoying the architectural marvel and design details, you can discover the history of the mission and attend mass.
Address: 1950 W. San Xavier Road, Tucson, AZ 85746
Entry fees: Free, but donations are accepted.
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-2 hours
7. Goldfield Ghost Town
As you are driving through Arizona, you will want to stop at the Goldfield Ghost Town. This is no movie set or theme park – you will be exploring the buildings, streets and land where people once worked, lived and died. You can also go on a gold-mine tour, pan for gold, take a ride on a narrow-gauge train, watch a staged Old West fight, and visit the History Museum.
Address: 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Road, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 3-4 hours
8. Petrified Forest/Painted Desert
The Petrified Forest is known for its fossils from trees that fell over 200 million years ago. The fossils tint the desert sands in bands of pastel color, which give The Painted Desert its name. In these two places that extend into one another, you can see vibrant landscapes, colorful petrified wood and fossil exhibits. You can explore by driving through the forest and desert, or you can hike, bike or ride a horse. Along with enjoying the unique natural splendors, many people also delight in geocaching here.
Address: Located in northeastern Arizona
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 4 hours
9. Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Rainbow Bridge is the tallest natural bridge in the world. This arch made of red rock is 290 feet high, 42 feet thick across the top, and 275 feet wide. The bridge itself is a marvel and getting there entails quite the adventure. Though it can be reached by hiking almost 15 miles across Navajo land if you secure a permit, the more common way to reach the remote bridge is by boat across Lake Powell departing from Wahweap Marina in northern Arizona. Because of the rocky terrain, boats must dock at floating docks, and the trail to the bridge, which is at least a mile long, begins on planks floating on the water.
Address: Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, 100 Lakeshore Drive, Page, AZ 86040
Entry fees: Seeing the bridge is free, but you will have to rent a boat.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Time required to see the attraction: 5-8 hours
10. The Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument is unique in America; it’s the only place where four states meet. Starting clockwise on the upper left, the four states are Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. It would be a shame to drive through the fascinating state of Arizona and not get a chance to stop at this very cool spot, where you can be in four states at once.
Address: Located in the northeast corner of Arizona
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 5 to 30 minutes
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Arizona
From the elegant to the kitschy, you can enjoy some wonderful dining experiences in Arizona.
The Wrigley Mansion: This 1930s mansion was built by the chewing-gum magnate for his wife and has been a Phoenix landmark for decades. Converted into a restaurant in the 1970s, the long-admired mansion can now be enjoyed by the public as they enjoy fine dining. The delectable menus are famous for their made-to-order entrees, fruit and pastry platters and mimosas.
The Parish in Tucson: Funky décor, a seemingly endless drinks menu, and the combined flavors of Louisiana, Texas and Arizona work together to make this dining experience a treat. Some signature dishes include bacon popcorn, wine-marinated pasta and crawfish.
Yavapai Apache Fry Bread & Jewelry: A crafty mother and her cook son have been running this place in Camp Verde since the 1980s. Famous for Arizona’s sometimes sweet, sometimes savory fry bread, this dining experience is also enhanced by the friendly and funny owners.
