Everyone In Arizona Should Check Out These 12 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals
By Melissa Mahoney|Published December 13, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Whether you’re visiting Arizona or have lived here a while or even your whole life, one thing’s for sure — the state is HUGE! In fact, it’s the sixth-largest state in the country. Due to its enormous size, there are endless places to explore. Not only that but Arizona is ripe with natural wonders. With its scenic beauty and views, what are some of the best places to visit in the state? Well, we asked the locals, and here are some of the best must-see places in Arizona to visit:
1. Canyon de Chelly
Canyon de Chelly, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona 86503, USA
Ther's just something completely magical about Canyon de Chelly. Home to a stunning canyon and Spider Rock, an 800-foot-tall rock spite, there's no other place quite like this. And with a 15-mile scenic drive through the Canyon, you don't even have to get out of your car to enjoy it.
Antelope Canyon is an otherworldly slot canyon that doesn't even seem real. Located within the Navajo Nation, this extraordinary natural wonder is one of the top places you, our readers, said everyone must visit. Just don't forget your camera when you visit this natural attraction!
Anyone who lives in or visits Arizona must spend time at the Grand Canyon. Honestly, it should be a requirement. After all, Arizona is the Grand Canyon State! This is the number one place our amazing readers said everyone should visit.
For those of us who've visited Sedona, we know how absolutely awe-inspiring it is. Between the red rocks, the hiking, and the downtown area, Sedona is the ultimate getaway destination in the state.
5. Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2, 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739, USA
Biosphere 2 is a man-made wonder in the desert of Oracle. This curious-looking scientific research facility run by The University of Arizona and is one of the most fascinating places I've ever visited. Inside are a variety of eco-systems from the ocean to the rainforest to the desert and beyond.
6. Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Colossal Cave Mountain Park - Cave Tours, 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, USA
Another remarkable place our readers mentioned is Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Located in Vail just 15 minutes outside of Tucson is a cave that you can tour. Not only is this cave utterly fascinating but is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bisbee is an old mining town that's turned into quite the vacation destination in Southern Arizona. Super unique in every way, Bisbee is surrounded by mountains and is home to historic hotels, galleries, restaurants, and old mines you can tour. One of the standout aspects of this town is the number of stairs throughout the hills. Each year, the town hosts its annual Bisbee 1000 race with a 4.5-mile course that involves 1,000 stairs.
Want to explore the wild, wild west? One of the best places to do just that is in Tombstone. Home to the historic O.K. Corral and the Bird Cage Theatre, you can fulfill your Old West dreams here.
Jerome may be the most haunted town in Arizona but it's also one of the most fascinating. Overlooking the Verde Valley, this hillside town was once a busy mining town. Today, it's a tourist destination with shops, restaurants, and historic hotels.
Located in the Black Mountains, visiting the town of Oatman is like taking a portal into the past. Once a gold mining town, Oatman is now a charming community with a population of under 50 residents. Take a walk down Main Street and visit the shops, and keep your eyes peeled for wild burros who roam around the entire town. It's just all part of Oatman's charm!
Sunset Crater National Monument is home to a 1,000-foot cinder cone and lava trails you can hike. Sunset Crater is nearly 1,000 years old and it became a monument in 1928. This is such an epic place to explore!
12. The Painted Desert
The Painted Desert Project, Cameron, AZ 86020, USA
With its distinct badlands of colorful stripes, The Painted Desert is found between the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest National Park. This part of our great state is incredibly picturesque and will make you fall even more in love with the landscape here.
Have you been to any of these must-see places in Arizona? Do you have any others to add to this list? Let us know!
I just love exploring this state, don’t you? Next time you plan on road-tripping through the Grand Canyon State, check out the Ultimate Road Trip Packing List beforehand.
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