Guest post by our friend & fellow traveler Leigh Wilson from Campfires & Concierges.
When AdventureKEEN publishers asked me to write a guide book about all the great spots in Arizona, I jumped at the chance. I had only lived there for about six months when the opportunity came my way, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore my new home state. I put over 25,000 miles on my car as I crisscrossed my way around Arizona. From iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon to off-the-beaten-path spots like the Hopi Mesas, there are so many cool places to visit in Arizona. It’s hard to narrow down my favorites, but these are ten places I recommend in Arizona. These are all included in my book, Arizona Day Trips by Theme, as well as many other amazing spots.
Watson Lake, Prescott
Prescott is probably my favorite town in Arizona and it’s a great weekend getaway from Phoenix, or a destination all its own. At an elevation of 5400’, Prescott has a much cooler climate than other parts of Arizona, and fragrant pine forests to boot. I love all of the lakes surrounding Prescott, especially Watson Lake. Surrounded by hoodoos or granite dells, it’s unlike anything else I’ve experienced in Arizona. There’s a hiking trail around the lake, a disc golf course, and kayak rentals so you can see the granite formations up close.
Find other great things to do in Prescott
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix
I didn’t have great expectations going to this museum. The name just doesn’t sound that exciting. But it’s way more than just musical instruments. It’s actually ranked as one of the top 15 museums in the country. In addition to over 7000 musical instruments from around the world, the museum has a ton of great exhibits on the history of music, featuring musical legends like Carlos Santana, the Beatles, Prince, and others. It reminds me a lot of the Experience Music Project in Seattle.
Heard Museum, Phoenix
Hands down the best place to learn about Native American history and culture is at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. The Heard was recommended to me by several Native Americans, and the exhibits are truly moving. They have the largest collection of Kachina dolls in the US, many of which came from Senator Barry Goldwater’s private collection. The Boarding School Exhibition is so educational and heartbreaking; it’s truly eye-opening to see how our American history has been altered and white-washed.
The Heard Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum are two of my favorite museums in Phoenix!
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
In the northeast corner of Arizona lies Monument Valley. People of my generation probably recognize this area from the Forrest Gump movie, but it’s been featured in dozens of Western films since the 1930s. Iconic sandstone buttes, including the “Mittens”, make this a must-see spot along the Arizona-Utah border. This is Navajo land, so you must pay to enter. Tours and lodging are available, or you can drive your own vehicle on a loop through the park.
Jerome Ghost Town
Only 30 miles from Sedona lies the “ghost town” of Jerome. Once called the “Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome is perched on a hillside overlooking the Cottonwood Valley. The streets and sidewalks are so steep, they seem to defy gravity. Today, the town is a bit of an artist’ haven, with bars, restaurants, ghost tours, and souvenir shops that make Jerome the perfect day trip from Sedona. You can also stop at nearby Tuzigoot National Monument to view some Native American pueblos.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
When people ask me what is my favorite place in Arizona, I always say it’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument. It has everything that represents Arizona to me. A rich Native American history, cliff dwellings, and stunning scenery. The park is on Navajo land, and you can only enter the canyon with a Native guide. I highly recommend staying at the Thunderbird Lodge in the park and taking one of their guided tours (by Jeep or horseback) into the Canyon to visit cliff dwellings and farmland that is still occupied by Navajo today. You should also take the scenic drives around the rim of the Canyon, and don’t miss Spider-Woman, the dramatic sandstone spire.
Saguaro National Park
The first place I ever visited in Arizona was Saguaro National Park, so it always has a special place in my heart. With two units separated by the city of Tucson, you can’t beat the dramatic sunsets and towering saguaro cactus. Some of the best hikes around Tucson can be found in and around the National Park. Once the sun goes down, you’ll be amazed at the number of stars you can see, thanks to super dark skies of Southern Arizona.
Tonto National Monument
This is one of the more remote spots on this list, but I fell in love with the setting right away. Tucked into a canyon above Lake Roosevelt, there are two sets of cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument. You can reach the lower cliff dwellings on a short but steep hike, but the upper dwellings are only open with a ranger-led tour in the winter months. It’s a unique spot to see cliff dwellings looking out over a lake that was just a valley when the dwellings were occupied. If you’re coming from Phoenix, you can take the unpaved Apache Trail through the Superstition Mountains to reach Lake Roosevelt and Tonto National Monument.
Verde Canyon Railroad
One of my favorite excursions in Northern Arizona is a day spent on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The journey starts in Clarkdale, an old copper mining town halfway between Prescott and Sedona. The train winds through the high desert until reaching the red sandstone area near Sedona before turning around. With open-air cars and first-class seating, this is a great scenic train ride through Northern Arizona. They have seasonal themes, as well. The stargazing and fall foliage rides sound incredible.
Learn More About the Verde Canyon Scenic Railroad
Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum
As a concierge in Tucson, this is the first place I sent anyone who was new to the area. It’s the perfect place to learn about the Sonoran desert, including the plants and animals that live here. It’s part botanical garden, part zoo, and part art museum. You can easily spend a full day exploring the gardens and galleries, and if you are looking for Arizona souvenirs, the gift shops here have a lovely selection of art, jewelry, and decor. Don’t miss the raptor free-flight demonstration, and if you’re traveling with small children, they will love the PackRat Playhouse!
For more tips on travel in the Southwest, check out these other Wolters World blog posts:
- The Best Stops Along Route 66
- Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About the Southwest USA
- What NOT to Do in the National Parks
Leigh Wilson is a travel writer from Illinois, currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to writing, she is a resort concierge and spends her free time exploring the great Southwest. You can find her travel blog at CampfiresAndConcierges.com