Excited to enjoy your vacation and have already started the homework to evaluate all the prime tourist destinations to finalize one from them. It is no wonder that the world is full of breath taking places, and Arizona is one of them.

Full of spectacular views, natural wonders, archaeological sites, vibrancy, and elegance, Arizona every year welcomes a lot of tourists. Perfect for short vacations, this place has been listed among the pioneering destinations of hikers. With the help of the descriptive read, we will go through a handful of Must-see places in Arizona that are worth exploring. So, just get your back tight to explore the alluring places to spot in Arizona.

Quick intro of Arizona

Known for the “Grand Canyon” all around the world, Arizona is a Southern-western state belonging to the United States. The capital of Arizona is Phoenix. It was earlier a home to the Native Americans. With the modernization, Arizona gained popularity across the world for its rich cultural heritage, history, attractions, and a lot more.

With a good liveability index, the state has favourable weather and affordable housing, followed by low taxation. In addition to this, this state is a gateway to dozens of natural landmarks, historical sites, art galleries, deserts, flora and fauna, etc. All these altogether makes it one of the best top-attraction for the tourists.

A Sneak-Peek into the Must-see places in Arizona

Arizona is a place that needs no introduction and holds pride in terms of beauty—featuring geological formations, alluring tourist sites, natural wonders, lush waterfalls, and plenty of awe-inspiring destinations.

But if you still need to find the plot of the destinations for adding them to your visit, then we have specially carved this section of the read for you. Navigate down the list of stunning landmarks to acknowledge and add some of the spots to your vacation plan. The Places to visit in Arizona are enlisted below:

1. Grand Canyon: Grab the incredible views

It is a no-hidden fact that most people have come across Arizona searching for the “Grand Canyon.” I think that after encountering this, one can understand how magnificent and important place this destination holds in the history and geographical sphere of Arizona.

Counted among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon lies in the heart of the American Southwest and is a Must-see places in Arizona. Annually attracting millions of visitors every year, this Gigantic formation is just incredible. While hiking down, you can spot several fossils of animals and plants. You can enter from any of the three areas, which are The South Rim, North Rim, or The Grand Canyon. As the sun passes through the Canyons, you can’t take off the eyes from the Canyons getting bathed in amazing natural colours of the gleaming sunshine. To depict the beauty of this place in words is quite impossible.

2. Monument Valley: Enjoy the scenic drive

Another Must-see places in Arizona is the Monument Valley. You may have witnessed this iconic place, which was starred in a couple of movies. The Valley Drive, a 17-mile loop, will take you towards some jaw-dropping sights. For the ones who love hiking, The Wildcat Trail is the best option out there. Standing at the border between Utah and Arizona, this place comprises some rock formations, sand dunes, Stone spires, and buttes. Being nestled quite far away from the other destinations of Arizona, this place is worth visiting.

3. Arizona State Museum: Preserving the unique artifacts

Museums are the perfect place to excellently exhibit the rich culture, heritage, and history of a particular place. If you are searching for some of the finest, interesting Art and museums in Arizona, then with a drop of a hat, add the “Arizona State Museum.”

With its foundation in the year 1893, this is one of the oldest museums you’ll find in Arizona. Operated by the University of Arizona and formed by the authority of the Arizona Territorial Legislature, this museum preserves artifacts and is known for providing educational and research opportunities.

4. Ciconine National Forest: A site emerged from a volcanic vent

If you are wandering to relax in the lap of nature, then Cocooning National Forest won’t ever disappoint you. What might put you at wonder is its emergence story. Its emergence story depicts that it was around 7 00,000 years ago when a volcanic vent was discovered.

Formed with molten rocks, this Must-see places in Arizona is enveloped with verdant greenery and is the canter of diversity. From here, you can even head to San Francisco Peak to spot splendid panoramas. Further, visit one of the best waterfalls at Fossil Creek or enjoy a refreshing dip into the Slide Rock State Park.

5. Lake Powell: A man-made reservoir

Enjoy some of the recreational activities at Lake Powell, running along the Colorado River. The activities that you can enjoy here involve both relaxation one and the one filled with adventure. Lake Powell is considered one of the ideal Places to visit in Arizona when it comes to fishing. In addition to this, one can enjoy hiking, kayaking, Jet skiing, and boating.

6. Wapiti National Monument: Take a look back at the past life

If you are fascinated to know how people used to live in the past decades, then have a glimpse at the Wapiti National Monument sitting in Northern Arizona. Designated with the title of National Monument in 1924, Wapiti is preserved as an iconic archaeological site.

The sole reason for giving this site the title of a national monument is to preserve this spot.Four walking trails are open to the public for free, leading the path to some pre-historic villages that are believed to have been occupied around 900 years ago. While stepping down the provided trails, you can witness seven pueblos that are preserved in good condition.

7. Tombstone: Flawlessly showcasing the contemporary look of the town

Also recognized by the name “The Town Too Tough to Die,” this destination is highly liked by people who want to peep into how life was during the olden times. This is why it was recognized as a historic site all around the world. Some of the iconic historical landmarks that you should check out here are The Bird Cage Theatre and The O.K. Corral Historic Complex.

The other places where you should definitely visit are the Original Courthouse of the town and the Old West Graveyard. While passing through the lanes of history, you can spot several shops, hotels, restaurants, salons, and entertainment hubs.

8. Heard Museum: Exhibiting the Art and culture of native people

Here, one can get an insight into the traditional culture of the Native Americans. The museum perfectly displays the Art and culture by way of some demonstrations and live performances. Counted among the finest Art and museums in Arizona, it holds the mission of becoming the preeminent museum throughout the entire world.

Since its inception in 1929, it has undergone various renovations. Throughout this entire journey, it made numerous improvements in terms of its size and advancements. Moreover, it is consistently making efforts to provide a distinctive perspective to the visitors about the Art and culture of the Native people.

9. Montezuma Castle National Museum: An establishment by the Sinagua people

Built and used by the Sinagua people and having its roots back to the 12th century, this is an easy-to-visit place in Arizona. The main building comprises around 5 storeys and has a 20-room design. The archaeological site can be admired from the outside as the inside tour is prohibited. It is anticipated that the Sinagua people carved the building around 1100-1425.

If after exploring this site, you are still have some energy left, head toward the Montezuma Well, which is approx. 10 miles away from the main castle. A seamless drive from the main road will take around 20 minutes.

10. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Get a sight of rare species in the desert

There is a pile of reasons that leaves no excuse to hop over this place while you are in Arizona. Declared a National Monument and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, this area comprises rare cacti that flourish only when some special conditions are fulfilled.Another strange fact that makes it get enlisted among the Must-see places in Arizona is that you can spot some rare fishes also here.

Yeah!! You read it right…“Fishes”.

This odd combination of fishes in the desert draws the attention of millions of people. And if you have headed over here, then don’t miss out on the chance to capture incredible views of the cacti from the Ago Mountain Drive. This spot encompasses around 30 species of cactus and holds three desert vegetarian zones.

11. Antelope Canyon: Paradise for photographers

Also known by the name “The Crack” and “The Corkscrew,” this destination holds the attention of the visitors from all around the globe, compelling them to fall in love with the breath taking beauty of nature. Picturized in several galleries of Arizona, Antelope Canyon holds two segments: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. The Upper Antelope Canyon is quite easy to wander as compared to the lower one. The resplendent sunlight making its paths from the standing walls is something that leaves you stunned.

Moreover, one thing that you must remember is that to reach out to this place, one should have tickets with them, and to evade any complexity in admiring this one of the awe-inspiringPlaces to visit in Arizona, we recommend you get your tickets booked in advance.

12. Canyon de Chelly National Monument: Depicting the human history

TheMust-see places in Arizona that is worth to be added in your checklist is the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Depicting around 5,000 years of human history, this place holds elevated walls of around 1,000 feet.

The site includes around 800 archaeological sites and is still a home to the Navajo people. While exploring this destination, you’ll witness petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, and other remains defining the past life over here. The architect is finely bathed with a palate of gold, red, and brown colour. Further, the Canyon floor is painted in lush green. The other attractions that you can visit here include Monument Canyon de Muertos.

13. Hoover Dam: An Iconic Engineering Marvel

A marvel of American engineering, Hoover Dam is a world-popular dam. The architecture of the Dam makes it rank among the best Places to visit in Arizona. Completed its construction in the year 1935, this Dam, having a dimension of 726 feet (high) and 1244 feet (long), crosses the Colorado River. The Dam was built to serve several purposes: to cut down the chances of flood, to generate electricity, and to supply irrigated water.

Moreover, if you are keen to know about the construction phase of this Dam, then the Visitor Canter will provide you with the intact details relating to the Dam. Further, you can even get an elevator ride.

14. Saguaro National Park: Have a sight at Desert Landscape

Spread over 91,000 acres of the Sonoran desert in Tucson. As the name says, the place is encompassed with Saguaro Cactuses. The entire park comprises of two sections, the east and the west, having a distance of around 30 minutes.

Apart from charming flora and fauna, you can also enjoy exploring some historic sights, prehistoric petroglyphs, and the wildlife. Some of the adventurous activities that you can enjoy at this one of the Must-see places in Arizona are hiking, biking, picnicking, sightseeing, etc.

15. Meteor Crater: Check what it looks like when a Meteor hits the Earth!!

If you want to have a sight of what happens when a Meteor hits the Earth, then a Meteor Crater is one of the stunning Places to visit in Arizona. Counted among one of the biggest craters in North America, Meteor Crater is also known as “Barringer Crater.

” The name is given after the person who founded this attraction site. Had its presence near Winslow, this carter is about 550 feet deep and a mile wide. As per the investigation conducted, it has been discovered that the Meteor is around 150 foot wide. Visitors can walk along the Crater rim to check what happened when the Meteor hit the Earth.

Top Cities You Should Visit in Arizona

1. Sedona: One-stop destination for relaxation

Enveloped with magnificent red rocks, mountains, and buttes, Sedona is the perfect place to relax your mind and soul. With ample of outdoor activities and outstanding beauty, this place encompasses several spas, restaurants, and other places wherein you can easily relax and admire its beauty. Sedona is one of the Must-see places in Arizona if you are in search of some spiritual enlightenment, and it is thereby referred to by the name “Energy Vortexes.” Moreover, if you are an adventure junkie, then don’t miss trying out a couple of amazing activities such as swimming, hiking, cycling, and others.

2. Flagstaff: The International Dark Sky City

Flagstaff, more often called Flag by the locals, this place is stuffed with pleasant beauty. Further, the city is known for its diverse culture, art, dining scenes, and several other attractions that draw the attention of visitors from all around the world. Furthermore.

while visiting Flagstaff, you’ll encounter a large number of students at Northern Arizona University (NLU). Several National Parks and Monuments that rest in the nearby areas are some of the major attractions that draws the attention of the people from all over the world.

• Grand Canyon
• Walnut Canyon
• Wupatki National Monument, and
• Sunset Crater National Park

3. Jerome: A historic town

Former a mining town, Jerome once was called “The Wickedest Town in the West.” One can enjoy a day trip by having a seamless drive from Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, and Phoenix. Over time, Jerome became one of the top tourist Places to visit in Arizona.

Some of the major attractions of the city are:

Ø Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum

Ø Jerome State Historic Park

Ø Bartlett Hotel

Ø Gold King Mine Museum

Ø Sliding Jail, and

Ø Jerome Grand Hotel

The cities relating to Arizona are not limited to these three, rather the other popular cities belonging to this state are Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Yuma, Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, Kingman, Nogales, and many others. You can also add them to your vacation.

Summing Up!!

Must-see places in Arizona are astounding and full of natural beauty. Right from the cities, you can walk down the lanes of historic monuments and national parks, admiring its beauty, architecture, and the historic significance that it holds. With an abundance of art and museums in the city, your trip might run short. Apart from the sightseeing, you can try hands in some of the recreational and adventurous activities as well, if you want to add excitement and fun to your trip.

“Arizona- a sole world-known spot to witness Rich historical sites, cliff dwellings, impressive beauty, and fascinating strange combinations.”

Also Read :- 10 places to visit in Arizona to kindle your adventure spirit