Best Places to Visit in Arizona
Searching for the best places to visit in Arizona? Well, you are in the right place! Arizona is a land of striking contrasts, where red rock canyons, desert landscapes, and mountain escapes come together to create some of the most unforgettable destinations in the U.S. Having explored the state on a four week road trip, I’ve found that Arizona offers everything from world-famous landmarks to hidden gems that capture the spirit of the Southwest.
I discovered breathtaking natural wonders, vibrant cities filled with culture and history, and quiet escapes perfect for relaxation during my four weeks of road tripping across the state. From family-friendly adventures to outdoor thrills and scenic road trips, Arizona has something for every kind of traveler. Here are the places I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Flagstaff
I loved how Flagstaff blended its rugged mountain-town roots with a lively, creative spirit. I think that Flagstaff is one of the best places to visit in Arizona. Why? It has a lovely vintage downtown, beautiful nature and many outdoor activities.
After landing at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, I grabbed a rental car and based myself at the boutique Weatherford Hotel for three days, a historic gem with creaky staircases and live music drifting through its saloon-style bar. The city is both laid-back and energetic, a crossroads where desert, forest, and mountains meet.
You can hike lava-carved trails in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, explore ancient cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, and walk around historic downtown with its murals, bookstores, and craft beer spots. Locals told me winter turns Flagstaff into a snowy playground, with Arizona Snowbowl offering powdery slopes for skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.
- Location: Map & Directions
Stargazing at Lowell Observatory was my personal highlight.
2. Yuma
Yuma radiated a sun-baked, desert charm this month with historic adobe buildings, a revitalized downtown buzzing with taco joints and breweries, and the Colorado River carving a green oasis through the arid landscape gave it an offbeat yet welcoming character.
I settled into the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn overlooking the river. For three warm, golden days, the city felt easygoing and full of hidden stories. You can kayak along calm stretches of the Colorado, check out the fascinating Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, stroll through the restored Yuma Quartermaster Depot, and sample local date shakes at a family-run farm stand.
Locals told me that winter is peak season here, when snowbirds flock south for sunshine, lively farmers markets, and festivals, while summer’s extreme heat turns Yuma into a quiet desert retreat.
- Location: Map & Directions
My personal highlight was strolling through the farmers market and picking up tasty snacks.
3. Grand Canyon
Be ready for how Grand Canyon overwhelms your senses with vast chasms carved in striated sandstone, crimson cliffs glowing at sunrise, and the sheer silence broken only by ravens riding thermals above.
I think (along with many people) that Grand Canyon is one of the best places to visit in Arizona. Why? More than just a natural wonder, the South Rim offered a vibrant mix of rustic lodges, interpretive history, and adventurous trails that made the experience feel both timeless and alive.
Flying into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, I rented a car and based myself at the historic El Tovar Hotel perched right on the canyon rim. For three unforgettable days, I explored the South Rim’s iconic viewpoints, from sunrise at Mather Point to golden-hour panoramas from Hopi Point. I hiked below the rim on the Bright Angel Trail, learning just how immense the canyon truly is with every switchback, and marveled at centuries of human history at the Tusayan Pueblo Site.
Winter transforms the canyon into a serene, snow-dusted cathedral, while summer draws throngs of adventurers braving rafting trips down the roaring Colorado River.
- Location: Map & Directions
Evenings were a personal highlight, while watching the sky turn lavender and stars come out over the rim.
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
I loved how Scottsdale fused desert beauty with luxury and creativity — red-rock vistas and saguaros set the stage for chic resorts, buzzing art galleries, inventive Southwestern cuisine, and a nightlife that pulsed with energy. It felt like a city where wellness, adventure, and indulgence coexist in perfect balance.
We checked into the stylish 5-star Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows for three days, tucked against the Camelback Mountain backdrop. For three days, I blended outdoor escapes with urban delights. Another great resort is the Scottsdale Resort & Spa, a AAA Four Diamond winner.
You can climb up Camelback’s Echo Canyon Trail at sunrise, wander through cutting-edge contemporary art at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, shop and dine in the sleek Scottsdale Waterfront, and lose myself in the vibrant colors and textures of Old Town’s art walks and Native crafts. One of my favorite stops was Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
Evenings stargazing and farm-to-table plates at Arcadia Farms Cafe bursting with flavors were my personal highlights.
- Location: Map & Directions
Strolling through Scottsdale Waterfront for 90-minutes was my personal highlight.
5. Bisbee
Bisbee was like stepping into a colorful time capsule, a quirky mining town reborn as a hillside haven of artists, vintage shops, and hidden saloons. Its steep, winding streets lined with Victorian houses, funky murals, and antique shops gave it a bohemian, lived-in charm that felt both historic and free-spirited in a way that completely won me over.
Flying into Tucson International Airport, I rented a car and made the scenic drive southeast through rolling desert and mountains before reaching Bisbee’s tucked-away canyon setting. I based myself at the 3-star Copper Queen Hotel for three days, a storied landmark with creaky hallways, ghost lore, and balconies overlooking downtown. I explored the Queen Mine on a hardhat tour, wandered Bisbee’s labyrinth of staircases and alleyways, browsed eccentric galleries and vintage stores, and listened to live music drifting from atmospheric taverns.
- Location: Map & Directions
6. Cave Creek
Founded in 1870, Cave Creek wowed me with its rugged desert landscapes, Wild West flair, and quirky mix of cowboy culture and creative spirit. Tucked into the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, the town feels both untamed and inviting, with saguaros standing tall against crimson sunsets.
Just a 40-minute day trip drive north of Phoenix brought me to this eclectic desert enclave where saloons, art galleries, and dusty trails sit side by side. We stayed at 2-star Prickly Pear Inn for two days. Who wouldn't enjoying exploring the spirited Frontier Town? I you can go treasure-hunting through the funky shops along Cave Creek Road, two-stepping to live country music at Harold’s Corral, and hiking up Black Mountain for sweeping valley views.
- Location: Map & Directions
7. Barringer Crater
Formed about 50,000 years ago, Barringer Crater—better known as Meteor Crater—is a place that left me absolutely awestruck. Unlike the human-made charm of small towns, this stop was about nature’s raw, cosmic power. Standing on the rim, gazing into a nearly mile-wide, 550-foot-deep cavity blasted into the high desert, I felt both tiny and electrified.
A quick 40-minute drive east of Flagstaff brought me to this stark and otherworldly site. I spent 3 hours here, starting with the excellent Discovery Center & Space Museum, where meteorite fragments and interactive exhibits set the stage. From there, I joined a guided rim tour, tracing the crater’s edge and soaking up sweeping views across the Painted Desert. The scale is so vast, my eyes kept tricking me into thinking the bottom was closer than it was...it’s the ultimate optical illusion of space meeting Earth.
- Location: Map & Directions
8. Parker, AZ
Parker charmed me with its laid-back river-town vibe, sun-drenched desert backdrop, and adventurous spirit along the Colorado River. Unlike the high-country towns of Montana or the lunar landscapes near Meteor Crater, Parker is pure Southwestern oasis—where palms and speedboats outnumber pines and horses.
Just a 2.5-hour drive west from Phoenix (or about 45 minutes south of Lake Havasu City) brought me to this small but lively community perched on the Arizona–California border. I based myself at the 3-star BlueWater Resort & Casino, right on the river, for two days of sun, water, and desert exploration.
Days were filled with boating and jet skiing on the Colorado, cruising through scenic Parker Strip canyons, grabbing casual bites at dockside bars, browsing quirky shops downtown, and taking a sunset drive out toward the wild rockscapes of the Buckskin Mountains. Nights lit up with live music, slot machines, and the glow of neon along the water.
- Location: Map & Directions
9. Phoenix for Kids
Phoenix might be Arizona’s buzzing capital, but for families, it transforms into a playground of sunshine, discovery, and kid-friendly adventure. Beneath the city’s palm-lined boulevards and desert skies, I found an incredible mix of hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and pure fun that made traveling with little ones feel effortless.
We stayed at the 4-star Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas for two days. Another one of my favorites is Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, AAA Four-Diamond all-suite resort. Just a short stroll from downtown’s arts district brought us to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, a wonderland for young minds. With three floors of colorful exhibits, kids could climb a towering three-story play structure, experiment in the imaginative “Pedal Power” zone, create masterpieces in the art studio, and even shop and cook in a pint-sized market. The museum’s mission—to engage minds, muscles, and imaginations—was in full swing, and I loved how every corner invited curiosity.
- Location: Map & Directions
10. Willcox, AZ
Willcox surprised me with its blend of cowboy grit, wine-country charm, and sweeping high-desert landscapes. Once a bustling cattle town and railroad stop along the Southern Pacific line, it now feels like a place where Old West history meets the quiet hum of vineyards and wide-open skies.
Just an hour’s drive east of Tucson, Willcox became my base for two easygoing days. I stayed at the 2-star Arizona Sunset Inn & Suites for two days, waking to sunrises over the Dos Cabezas Mountains. My days were spent wandering the historic downtown—with its Rex Allen Museum (honoring the hometown “Arizona Cowboy”), browsing antique shops, and sampling local vintages at downtown tasting rooms. Willcox is, after all, the heart of Arizona’s wine country, with most of the state’s grapes grown in the surrounding Sulphur Springs Valley.
In the afternoons, I drove out to the serene Chiricahua National Monument, where rhyolite rock pinnacles form a fantasy-land of stone.
- Location: Map & Directions
Evenings in Willcox, AZ were my personal highlight because they meant barbecue joints, friendly saloon chatter, and stargazing under pristine desert skies.
11. Sedona
We drove about 2 hours north from Phoenix to Sedona (population 9,700), long regarded as a sacred landscape by the Yavapai and Apache people.
Sedona has to be one of my absolute favorite Arizona day trips, and every time I visit, I feel like I’ve discovered a new hidden gem in the desert.
Just about two hours north of Phoenix, it’s an easy and affordable getaway that offers some of the most spectacular red rock views I’ve ever seen.
I loved hiking Cathedral Rock at sunrise—seeing the glowing cliffs was such a magical experience that felt like stepping into a dream.
My favorite part of the trip was exploring Oak Creek Canyon, where the water, the trees, and the vibrant colors created such a cool contrast to the desert around it.
I also found the Chapel of the Holy Cross to be one of the most unique and unusual landmarks in Sedona—it’s built right into the rocks, and the views are absolutely breathtaking.
We stopped in Uptown Sedona for shopping and lunch, and I thought the mix of local art galleries, southwestern jewelry, and cozy cafes made the whole vibe joyful and exciting.
I couldn’t resist the Pink Jeep Tour, and honestly, it was the coolest adventure—bumpy, fun, and showing us hidden corners of the red rocks I would never have seen on my own.
For me, the absolute best way to end the day was watching the sunset at Airport Mesa, where the whole sky turned shades of orange, pink, and purple—it was a spectacular moment I’ll never forget that completely won me over.
Sedona is romantic, adventurous, and full of surprises—an underrated Arizona gem that I’ll keep going back to again and again.
12. Tucson
We drove about 2 hours southeast from Phoenix to Tucson, a city with roots stretching back more than 4,000 years.
Tucson is one of my favorite Arizona getaways, and every visit feels like stepping into a vibrant desert dream filled with unique and unforgettable experiences.
Just a couple of hours south of Phoenix, the city is surrounded by stunning mountains and desert landscapes, making it an affordable and spectacular day trip or weekend escape.
One of the coolest ways I explored the city was on a Tucson Bike Tour, which gave me the chance to see historic neighborhoods, colorful murals, and hidden gems I would have missed otherwise.
I loved stopping by the Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio, where the unusual and vibrant glass art left me in absolute awe—it’s such an underrated gem that feels both creative and inspiring.
My favorite experience was spending the day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a mix of zoo, botanical garden, and science center that gave me the absolute best insight into desert life.
We also ventured into Saguaro National Park to hike among the towering cacti, and the views were so magical and unique that I’ll never forget them.
In downtown Tucson, I found joyful energy everywhere—from quirky shops and vibrant street art to some of the most delicious tacos I’ve ever had.
For me, the absolute best way to end the trip was heading up to Mount Lemmon for stargazing—the night sky was brilliant, cool, and spectacular.
Tucson is both romantic and family-friendly, a hidden gem full of magic, creativity, and adventure that makes it one of Arizona’s most amazing destinations.
13. Mesa
We drove about 25 minutes east from Phoenix to Mesa, Arizona’s third-largest city.
Mesa is one of my favorite underrated Arizona cities, and every visit feels like a joyful mix of culture, food, and outdoor adventure.
Just east of Phoenix, it makes for an affordable and easy getaway that always surprises me with hidden gems and unique experiences.
One of the absolute best parts of my trip was starting the morning at T.C. Eggington’s, a local favorite for breakfast—the creative omelets and fresh-baked muffins were the perfect fuel for a day of exploring.
I loved spending time at the Mesa Arts Center, a vibrant hub filled with galleries, live performances, and colorful public art that gave the whole area such an exciting and creative energy.
My favorite outdoor escape was hiking at Usery Mountain Regional Park, where the desert trails and spectacular sunset views felt almost magical.
We also explored the Arizona Museum of Natural History, which turned out to be one of the coolest and most family-friendly places in town, complete with dinosaurs and interactive exhibits.
Another hidden gem for me was the downtown area itself, with its murals, local shops, and affordable restaurants—it had such a vibrant and underrated vibe.
I couldn’t resist a hot air balloon ride nearby, and floating over the desert at sunrise felt like stepping into a dream with the most amazing views.
Mesa blends creativity, nature, and delicious food, making it one of Arizona’s most exciting destinations for a weekend getaway or day trip.
14. Green Valley
Green Valley, Arizona, is one of my favorite underrated gems in the southern part of the state, and every visit feels both relaxing and inspiring.
My first stop is the Green Valley Farmers and Artisans Market, the largest and longest running marketplace in the area. Every Wednesday morning, the market comes to life with a wide array of local small food businesses and artisans and you can walk through the large marketplace and discover beautiful jewelry, unique artisan goods, and southwest products for their taste buds and home.
Just about half an hour south of Tucson, it’s an affordable and easy getway that combines small-town charm with some of the most unique desert experiences.
I loved exploring the nearby Titan Missile Museum—its such a cool and unusual place where you can actually step into a real Cold War missile silo and learn fascinating history.
One of the best parts of Green Valley for me was the proximity to Madera Canyon, a hidden gem filled with pine trees, streams, and incredible birdwatching—it felt like a magical escape from the desert heat.
We also enjoyed golfing at one of the many local courses, and the spectacular mountain views made the whole experience joyful and relaxing.
My favorite cultural stop was Tubac, just a short drive away, where the vibrant art galleries, shops, and historic mission created such an exciting and creative atmosphere.
I couldn’t resist sampling the local food, and I thought the Mexican restaurants here were some of the absolute best—affordable, authentic, and delicious.
For me, the coolest surprise was how peaceful Green Valley felt at night, with brilliant desert skies perfect for stargazing.
Green Valley may be quieter than Arizona’s bigger cities, but it’s a hidden gem filled with history, nature, and culture—an amazing spot for a romantic or family getaway.
15. Payson, Arizona
I thought this mountain town in Arizona’s Rim Country was such a hidden gem! It’s ruggedly beautiful in a rustic, outdoorsy kind of way with rolling pine-clad hills, red-rock outcrops, winding scenic byways, and a backdrop of the Mogollon Rim stretching dramatically across the horizon.
I loved how it had a laid-back, small-town vibe mixed with Western heritage and a strong outdoors culture. It sits in central Arizona, surrounded by the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world, and is home to around 10,000 people today.
I stayed at 3-star Kohl's Ranch Lodge for three days and explored the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park (a spectacular limestone arch), wandered through the historic Main Street with its old-west style shops, and hiked on the trails at Horton Creek with waterfalls tumbling through the forest.
I also learned about local Native American history at the Rim Country Museum, spotted wild elk in the meadows, and took a scenic drive up to the Mogollon Rim Road for sweeping views across the high country. I enjoyed stargazing under the famously dark skies, sampling hearty Southwestern fare in friendly local diners, and relaxing with a coffee on a patio surrounded by mountain air. Beautiful views seemed to appear around every bend. I’m a huge fan and here are my favorite spots I’d love to share with you.
16. Williams, Arizona
March was an incredible time to visit Williams, Arizona — crisp mountain air, bright blue skies, and the first hints of spring melting into the lingering snow. I’d learned that March is the sweet spot between the quiet of winter and the bustle of summer Grand Canyon traffic — cool enough for cozy nights, yet warm enough to explore comfortably by day.
After a scenic drive along historic Route 66, I spent a few magical nights at Clear Sky Resorts Grand Canyon, where I stayed in one of their futuristic sky domes. Falling asleep beneath a canopy of stars through the clear geodesic ceiling was unreal — no light pollution, just the Milky Way stretching endlessly overhead. By day, I wandered through downtown Williams, with its old-school diners and vintage shops, then rode the historic Grand Canyon Railway for a breathtaking day trip to the South Rim.
Evenings were made for roasting s’mores by the communal fire pits and swapping travel stories with fellow stargazers. And though the desert nights dipped below freezing, the serenity and silence of the high plateau made every moment feel otherworldly.
17. Peoria, AZ
Early spring was an incredible time to visit Peoria, Arizona — the Sonoran Desert was in bloom, and the days were warm enough to enjoy the outdoors without the scorching summer heat. I’d learned that early spring is perfect for exploring Lake Pleasant before the high-season crowds roll in, with clear skies, gentle breezes, and water still cool and glassy in the morning light.
After arriving via Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, I made my base near Lake Pleasant Regional Park, spending sunny afternoons out on the water with by renting a boat and cruising across the vast lake surrounded by rugged desert hills felt like discovering an oasis — I even spotted a few wild burros along the shoreline! On other days, I hiked the scenic Pipeline Canyon Trail and watched the sunset paint the desert gold and violet from the marina’s overlook.
Evenings were for casual lakeside dinners and quiet nights under the stars, the air scented with creosote and mesquite. With its laid-back vibe and stunning desert-meets-water scenery, Peoria offered the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Conclusion
After exploring these places I realized just how diverse and exciting Arizona truly is. From cool mountain towns to desert adventures, each destination offered something special and unforgettable.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
