Best Places to Visit in Arizona
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 many trips over the last 30 years, 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, 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 hightlight.
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
3. Grand Canyon
Be ready for how Grand Canyon overwhelmed 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 Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, tucked against the Camelback Mountain backdrop. For three days, I blended outdoor escapes with urban delights.
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
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.
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 Copper Queen Hotel, a storied landmark with creaky hallways, ghost lore, and balconies overlooking downtown. For three eclectic days, 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 drive north of Phoenix brought me to this eclectic desert enclave where saloons, art galleries, and dusty trails sit side by side. 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 half a day 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 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.
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 a cozy guest ranch on the outskirts of town, 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. Evenings meant barbecue joints, friendly saloon chatter, and stargazing under pristine desert skies.
- Location: Map & Directions
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.
