Have you been enjoying the extra cool temperatures we saw here in Arizona earlier this week? Hopefully, we continue seeing cool temperatures—along with a bit of snow—for a while longer. In the meantime, if you’re looking for ways to make your winter merry and bright, check out these fantastic things to do around the state this winter!

1. Hit the trails for a picturesque winter hike.
Dagny Gromer/Flickr
A good chunk of Arizona is composed of desert terrain so getting the opportunity to hike without a summer sun beating on your brow is rewarding. You’ll not only get to enjoy scenic views and snow in some areas but also less crowded trails!

Read more about some of our favorite winter hiking trails by clicking here.
2. Enjoy a horseback ride in cold desert temperatures.
Spur Cross Stable/Facebook
There are few ways to enjoy a more Western experience than through a trail ride. Spur Cross Stable offers a variety of rides in Cave Creek and is the perfect way to see how winter makes the desert come alive.

Read more about the horseback riding trail by clicking here.
3. Pay a visit to Arizona’s very own Christmas city.
Michael Wilson/Facebook
In 1989, Governor Rose Mofford declared Prescott as Arizona’s Christmas City and it has proudly lived up to that name ever since. You can enjoy gorgeous lights on display, parades, concerts, and plenty of other festivities throughout the month of December to get you into the holiday mood.

Read more about Prescott, our very own Christmas city, by clicking here.
4. Check out and even dine inside a massive gingerbread house!
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain/Facebook
No winter is quite complete without making an adorable gingerbread house covered in icing and candy. But dining inside one would definitely be something to add to your bucket list and it’s something you can do right here in Arizona.

Read more about the gingerbread house at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort by clicking here.
5. Check out a true desert icon, the tumbleweed Christmas tree.
Wikimedia Commons
When Christmas decorating rolls around, most Arizonans tend to carefully string lights around their cacti or place a Santa hat on top but creating a tumbleweed tree is dreadfully rare. Chandler installs an epic example at Chandler Park that stands about 30-feet tall.

Read more about the tumbleweed Christmas tree in Chandler by clicking here.

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6. Hop aboard Arizona’s own Polar Express!
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel/Facebook
Get the kids ready for an unforgettable Christmas experience with Santa and train rides by boarding the Polar Express! This train departs Williams in the evening and makes a special stop at the North Pole, where kids can interact with Santa and his elves.

Read more about the Polar Express operated by the Grand Canyon Railway by clicking here.
7. Drive through the charming main streets in Arizona to witness Christmas cheer.
Bisbee Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
One of my favorite parts about winter and the holidays? All those twinkling Christmas lights you’ll find strewn across Arizona’s charming main streets. Each town seems to have their own unique touch for making these decorations stand out.

Read more about our favorite main streets by clicking here.
8. Ride through a dreamy lightscape with synchronized music in Phoenix.
Illumination Symphony of Light/Facebook
The largest drive-thru light show in the state, Illumination is a brand new attraction that allows Arizonans to be hypnotized by some dazzling lights. The drive is 30 minutes long and is a great way to build memories with your family!

Read more about Illumination Symphony of Light by clicking here.
9. Welcome Christmas and support future college students at one of Arizona’s best tamale festivals.
El Diablito ASU Alumni Chapter/Facebook
Christmas in Arizona almost always features a delicious platter of tamales and if you really want to taste some mouthwatering ones, you’ll want to visit a local tamale festival. One fantastic example is the Somerton Tamale Festival, which features 44 vendors and proceeds go towards scholarships for college students.

Read more about the Somerton Tamale Festival by clicking here.
10. Cozy up during the cold winter nights in a rustic (or completely modern) mountain cabin.
Hidden Rest Cabins/Facebook
Nothing quite says a perfect winter day like watching the snow fall from a small mountain cabin. You can have that same experience right here in Arizona when you check out some of our fabulous cabins. Some offer cozy accommodations with rustic interiors and others are more relaxing with spa tubs and room for the whole family.

Read more about some particularly charming mountain cabins by clicking here.

So, how many of these activities do you plan to add to your bucket list for this winter? What else do you plan to do? Be sure to let us know what you think!

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