From the great cities of America, which are known for their world-famous attractions and urban setting to some of the most breathtaking views of America’s wildness, and coastline, there is something for everyone to see and explore. Amongst these fantastic places, the state of Arizona stands out for its dazzling array of stunning sights, and it offers a wide variety of jaw-dropping places to visit.
Arizona’s desert climate is home to some of the most unique geological formations and canyons waiting to be explored. From the Grand Canyon to the Monument Valley, all these places will give you a run for your money. Arizona is filled with vibrant cities, natural wonders, and small towns worth visiting and living in. Before you get too excited about moving here, find a real estate agent who can help you navigate the area’s housing market and make up your mind on what the ideal place would look like for you.
Do you get the itch to travel when you hear about vacation destinations such as Phoenix and Sedona? Are you interested in going beyond the urban centers and discovering the Native American cliffs? Are you interested in exploring remnants of ancient cultures, or do you want to find out more about ghost towns of Arizona from the mining days?
From the outdoor wonders to the vibrant city life, Arizona has something for everyone to enjoy. Before heading off on your trip, make sure to check our list with some of the best places to visit in Arizona and plan accordingly.
Grand Canyon
One of the most beloved outdoor attractions in the US is the Grand Canyon, and it is by far one of the most unique and spectacular sceneries you can experience in nature. Take this opportunity to take some amazing pictures of the Grand Canyon, and take in the incredible views.
Known for its endless ridges of colorful cliff walls and deep ravines, the Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural wonders the earth has to offer. Find your inspiration by taking a glimpse at this breathtaking landscape, especially during the late afternoon when the sunshine makes the canyon glow in all its glory.
This picture-perfect setting greets you with revealing hues of orange, red, yellow, and everything in between. The Grand Canyon is by far one of the most appreciated and visited attractions in America. Carved by the Colorado River, which can be spotted in the distance, the enormity of this natural wonder is breathtaking.
The South Rim of Grand Canyon has plenty of roads and walkways that feature lookouts. These roads run along the canyon’s edge and offer incredible views. The North Rim provides a different perspective altogether, but it might be closed for the winter. The glass bridge known as The Skywalk, jutting out over the Grand Canyon, can be found at Eagle Point, which is a 2.5-hour drive away from Las Vegas.
Tombstone, AZ
While the northwest corner of Arizona offers the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon, the Southern part provides an exciting overview of the fascinating and rough history of the Wild West. One of the top must-sees in Southern Arizona is the historic town of Tombstone, a site known for the Gunfight at the OK Corral. Tombstone was one of the last boomtowns, and it was a rough place to be living in because it attracted tough gunslingers, hardy prospectors, and lawless gamblers.
Far from being a tourist trap, Tombstone is a fun place to visit in Arizona because you get to explore and learn more about how the West was settled. Tombstone is a perfectly preserved historical site that allows you to step into the past, and wander around its saloons where every dispute was settled either peacefully or in a gunfight. The place is perfectly geared towards tourism, making it easy to navigate around and enjoy cheap eateries, souvenir shops, hotels, and restaurants around the town.
Scottsdale, AZ
The city of Scottsdale is part of the Greater Phoenix Area, and it attracts millions of visitors to its streets each year. The city offers plenty of hotels, restaurants, resorts, and bars that cater to every budget. Tourists love the attractions in the area as well as the numerous historic sites in a city that markets itself as “The West’s Most Western Town.” Cowboy competitions and shows are not strange to Scottsdale residents, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the year-round festivals and events held in the heart of the town.
The museums and art galleries are a welcoming sight for enthusiasts, and the thriving cultural scene is another significant aspect that visitors enjoy. To top everything off, the city’s nightlife is pounding. The number of nightclubs, trendy bars, and swanky lounges makes it one of the most desirable places to visit amongst nightlife enthusiasts.
Far from being a boring or undesirable place, there are plenty of good reasons to relocate to Scottsdale. The city has fantastic year-round weather, excellent school districts, and reasonably low taxes. On top of that, Scottsdale is considered one of the best places to raise a family in Arizona because of its outstanding educational opportunities, safety, and family-friendly environment. If you are thinking about relocating to this beautiful city, don’t hesitate to reach out to our real estate agents in Scottsdale AZ, for more information about home prices and housing market trends.
Monument Valley
One of the most striking images of the Southwest is the sandstone buttes that can be seen all over Monument Valley. Located between the border of Arizona and Utah, the fantastic scenery greets you with jagged rock formations, stone spires, and buttes, as well as sand dunes. Its incredible geographical features give the iconic look of the park, and it is no surprise that the area was starred in many ads, commercials, magazines, and films. It is, after all, one of the most beautiful national parks in America.
At the heart of the valley, you will encounter the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where the impressive visitor center is located. From there, you can take the 17-mile self-drive route along a one-way gravel road that takes you through some of the best places within the park. You can always take a guided tour to explore the area, and if you can’t find the time to visit the park, you can always enjoy the gorgeous views from the highway as you pass by.
Phoenix, AZ
Located in the middle of the desert in an area appropriately named “the Valley of the Sun,” Phoenix is undoubtedly the economic and cultural heart of the state. This city is an excellent place for exploring Arizona, but it’s also a significant destination for sun-seekers, golfers, and winter enthusiasts. Staying at a resort or spa allows you to bask in the heat of the desert, and the Phoenix metropolitan area offers excellent shopping, golf courses, dining, and many others.
Outside of the city lifestyle, you can enjoy the area’s desert parks along with the natural beauty, which can be explored through hiking trails, bike trails, and campgrounds. Phoenix’s outstanding attractions are topped off by the Heard Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, two of the most popular places to visit in town.
If you get to spend some time in Phoenix, there are a few wonderful day trips that showcase some of the historic mountain towns, ghost towns, cliff dwellings, and many others. Bathed in the glorious sunshine year-round, the city of Phoenix AZ, is a place to remember as a tourist. Many would even consider relocating here, and for that reason, you should reach out to the local real estate agents in Phoenix AZ to learn more about its housing market.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Mainly consisting of endless desert, the vast Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is more than it seems. Surrounded by the beautiful waters of Lake Powell and with about three thousand kilometers of shoreline, the dark waters are one of the most popular places in Arizona for boating. The shorelines create this picturesque landscape where beautiful red rock formations and dramatic rock slopes plunge down into the water.
The area has five marinas scattered around, and people who visit the Glen Canyon can engage in some of their favorite water sports and activities. From kayaking and jet-skiing on the waters of Lake Powell to fishing along the shoreline or hiking the impressive rock versants, this recreational area has something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention the fact that the desert scenery is otherworldly, and the Paria Canyon, along with the Rainbow Bridge, offers some of the most memorable sights.
Tucson, AZ
We wouldn’t necessarily say that there is a rivalry between Tucson and Phoenix AZ, because both cities have their own charm. While Phoenix has more arid weather and scorching hot days in the summer, Tucson is slightly cooler because mountains surround the town and the elevation is just under 2,400 feet. Tucson AZ is a beautiful city nonetheless, with a gorgeous mountain backdrop in the Sonoran Desert.
As the second-largest city in Arizona, many find that living in Tucson AZ is quite the experience, and it is easy to understand why. The area offers a wide array of cultural attractions, historic sites, and natural areas awaiting to be explored. Amongst the city’s highlights, we can mention the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, El Presidio Historic District, Old Tucson Studios, and Saguaro National Park.
Nature enthusiasts will shortly fall in love with the beautiful hiking trails in the city, along with the surrounding mountains and canyons. Just outside of Tucson, you will come across Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, a popular driving route that offers spectacular views. Also, Tucson is a short drive away from Tombstone and Bisbee if you are interested in visiting some of the historic towns of Arizona.
Tucson is impressive for many reasons, and people relocate to the area daily. If you are thinking about moving to the city to enjoy its splendid sights along with its history and culture, reach out to local realtors in Tucson AZ. They will be able to aid you in finding the perfect home and help you settle in one of Arizona’s most beloved cities.
Conclusion
At the heart of the American Southwest lies the state of Arizona, a place filled with nature splendors, tropical paradises, historic sites, and great cities. Next time you plan to visit the wonderland of Arizona, make sure to check out some of the best places to visit there. With the help of this article, we hope to inspire you for your next vacation and help you plan the most fantastic trip of your life in a state that has something for everyone to enjoy.
