Things to Do in Arizona

Originally built as a copper trade route, the Apache Trail now guides travelers past steep desert mountains, cliff dwellings, lake shores, eroded canyons, and old mining towns. This scenic road winds 120 miles (193 kilometers) through Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, from the outskirts of Phoenix to the vast Theodore Roosevelt Lake. 

With activities for all types of travelers, the Apache Trail makes for a perfect day trip destination from Phoenix. Most Apache Trail tours last a full day and include vehicle transportation plus hiking, a cruise through Canyon Lake on a vessel like the old-fashioned Dolly Steamboat, and visits to historic sites. Travel along the road’s panoramic Sonoran Desert to find the eerie Tortilla Flat and Goldfield ghost towns, once-bustling mining outposts that are now 19th-century artifacts and attractions; Lost Dutchman State Park, where a legendary gold mine is said to be hidden among the red-rock hills; and the towering Roosevelt Dam. For more outdoor adventure, camp at Canyon Lake and Tonto National Forest or board a jeep for a guided desert tour of the area’s stunning geology, history, and wildlife. 

Most guided tours provide transportation to and from hotels in downtown Phoenix. But, if you’re driving, start at Apache Junction, a city roughly 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix by road, where the 80-mile (129-kilometer) Apache Trail Circle Route begins. Then loop past Roosevelt Lake and head south to Globe and Miami, before turning back toward Apache Junction.

November through April is the best time to visit, when the weather is sunny and mild. In springtime, visitors to the Apache Trail can see wildflowers blooming throughout the desert landscape. Traffic is common during summer, when temperatures average above 100°F (38°C).

In this Old West outpost, try your luck at gold panning, explore historic shops and buildings, tour Mammoth Gold Mine, and peruse the Goldfield Museum. Satisfy your hunger with burgers and cold brews inside the saloon.

Set in the arid landscape just outside Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum showcases the desert’s flora, fauna, and history through live-animal and multimedia exhibits. The museum spreads across 98 acres (39.7 hectares) of natural desert landscape and contains more than 230 species of animals and 1,200 kinds of plants.

Explore the Sonoran Desert via the museum’s walk-in aviary, hummingbird enclosure, desert botanical garden, stingray touch pool, and other wildlife-themed attractions. You can also walk through two miles (3.2 kilometers) of trails, enjoy periodic birds-of-prey demonstrations, and watch presentations about the area’s venomous creatures. The museum also houses an art gallery that showcases local and national artists, as well as a publishing company that produces books and guidebooks for adults and children. 

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located on North Kinney Road in Tucson, just south of Saguaro National Park. Public transportation is limited and free parking is available on site, so it’s a good idea to arrive by car. 

The museum and gardens are open year-round, but from April through October it’s wise to avoid hours of peak heat. From May through September, the Cool Summer Nights program offers extended hours on Saturday nights. Plan to spend at least two hours exploring the museum and surrounding gardens.

The Sonoran Desert boasts the greatest variety of plants and animals of any desert in the world, and is also the only place where saguaro cacti are found. The Desert Museum is dedicated to the area’s conservation and works on projects to control invasive grasses and protect pollinator species, among other efforts.

Airport Mesa is more than its quirky name suggests. The scenic trail loop guides travelers along well-marked paths that lead to panoramic views of the city’s iconic red rock landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts agree Airport Mesa is one of Mother Nature’s most impressive local wonders, but with occasional old-school aircraft flying overhead, there’s still a nod to some modern marvels, too. 

The 3.5-mile loop has just a 200-foot elevation change, but its uninterrupted views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Cockscomb and Chimney Rock make it one of the area’s most scenic treks.

Bright Angel Point is the most popular viewpoint on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, offering views of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim and Roaring Springs some 3,000 feet (914 meters) below. The easy paved Bright Angel Point trail leads to the spot, with panoramic views of Grand Canyon National Park unfolding along the way.

 

While the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is more easily accessible, the North Rim affords much better views, as it’s more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) higher in elevation. According to the National Park Service, only 10 percent of Grand Canyon visitors make it to this less-traveled area. Even though Bright Angel Point isn’t on the well-trodden South Rim route, it still features in some longer tours of the national park. Many day tours depart from Sedona and Flagstaff.

 

 

The quarter-mile (0.4 kilometer) paved trail to Bright Angel Point begins just behind the Grand Canyon Lodge near the North Rim parking area.

 

Due to its higher elevation, the North Rim (and Bright Angel Point) have a shorter season than the rest of the park; the entire North Rim area closes for the winter (December 2 to May 14). Plan to visit around sunrise or sunset for the best photos of the canyon below.

 

Although in the same national park, the two rims of the Grand Canyon aren’t the easiest to travel between. Hikers can make the 21-mile (34-kilometer) trek, while the drive covers 220 miles (354 kilometers).

A popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike, Beaver Street Brewery is an easy-going bar and restaurant like you hope to find in any town that prides itself on the adventurous nature of its surroundings. During the summers, it’s a hub of river guides, mountain bikers, and road trippers cruising Route 66. Under the warm sunshine, crowds gather in the outdoor beer garden to eat and drink against a great view of the San Francisco Peaks. Come winter, the ski crowd piles inside for burgers, pizzas and fondue alongside bold, award-winning beers like Big Rapid Red and Hopshot IPA.

The towns of Flagstaff and Sedona both sit within the Coconino National Forest, a 1.9-million acre area of protected land fringed by four additional national forests. Many of the natural attractions around Flagstaff can be found within Coconino National Forest, such as the San Francisco Peaks—including the 12,600-foot Humphreys Peak—and the Sunset Crater National Monument. Visitors can find ample outdoor adventures within the forest, from fishing and swimming holes along Wet Beaver Creek to hiking and biking on red rock trails like those around Carroll Canyon.

Stunning scenery, epic red rock landscapes and wide-open skies are just part of what makes a trip to Sedona’s Bell Rock a memorable travel experience. Visitors can navigate the destination’s five trails, which range from an easy hike between the Courthouse Vista Parking Lot and the Base of Bell Rock, to more challenging routes, like the moderate climb to Upper Bell Rock Trail or the most strenuous option, known as The Ascent. Travelers will catch incredible views of Chicken Point, Submarine Rock and Chapel of the Holy Cross—true icons of Arizona’s famed Red Rock State Park—from various lookouts along Bell Rock’s multiple trails.

There’s a certain thrill when a wild animal suddenly appears on a road trip. In most cases you see it, you reach for the camera, and before you know it, it’s gone. At the Bearizona Wildlife Park, however, outside Williams, Arizona, driving the compound is like experiencing that thrill on repeat every couple of minutes, as bears, wolves, Dall’s sheep, and mule deer appear out the window of your car. On the three mile long, self drive adventure, visitors will experience numerous encounters you would never expect up close—so much so that it’s required you keep the windows up at all times. Watch as a black bear lumbers through the forest or a wolf sneaks slowly through the grass, or Bighorn sheep, bison, and burros graze in the forested setting. In winter, many of the animals are covered in snow and the forest is a whitewashed wonderland, and you can get to experience an American safari and still use the heater in your car. After making a lap through the wilderness enclosure, head inside for the raptor show and exhibit on birds of prey, or walk through the trails at Fort Bearizona to see baby animals up close. Throughout the day, there are educational talks and shows such as feeding the otters and bobcats, as well as tips on how to safely share the wilderness with bears.

The smallest of the Salt River Projects lakes, Canyon Lake is just 10 miles long but offers 28 miles of shoreline.

Being wet is popular here. Water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing are how most folks spend their days when visiting. Along with a designated swimming area, there is also a pair of boating ramps. Motorboat and row boat rentals are available. On weekends and holidays from April through October, the lake usually reaches capacity in the morning. Lucky fisherman can hook walleye, largemouth bass, yellow bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.

Cameron Trading Post is a Native American themed motel, restaurant and shop located 30 minutes from the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The trading post was established by the Richardson brothers shortly after a suspension bridge was built over the Little Colorado River in 1911. At that time, the only visitors were members of the local Navajo and Hopi tribes who came to barter their wool, blankets, and livestock for dry goods. Since the journey to the trading post took days, the Richardson brothers offered their hospitality by giving visitors food and a place to stay. Due to road improvement and proximity to the Grand Canyon, eventually tourists started coming to Cameron Trading Post as well to learn about the history of the southwest. 

Today visitors can stay in the motel and enjoy its southwest theme and views of the river. The restaurant serves local Native American dishes as well as American and Mexican food. In the trading post itself, you'll find Native American artwork. The heart of the trading post has always been Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas and silver and turquoise jewelry, though today you'll find much more. It's a great place to learn about the southwest and Native American culture.

At six stories tall and 82 feet wide (25 meters), the screen of the Grand Canyon Imax is grand, perfect for a screening of Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets in the 487-person theater. The 34-minute show takes travelers into the canyon with historical commentary and incredible aerial views—a perfect introduction to the real thing.

 

The film screened within this Imax theater gives viewers the sensation of traveling through the 277 miles (446 kilometers) of the Grand Canyon, soaring over the canyon rim, white water rafting down the Colorado River, and going back in time to uncover the history of this natural wonder.

 

Visitors can upgrade their Imax experience to include a light meal and drink to enjoy during the screening. You can also grab a bite to eat after the movie at the Explorer’s Cafe, do some shopping at the Official National Geographic Store, or learn about the Inner Canyon from visitor center staff.

 

 

The Imax theater is located within the Official National Geographic Visitor Center at the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. The easiest way to get here is by car, and the nearest commercial airport is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff, Arizona.

 

The Grand Canyon Imax film is shown every hour on the half-hour daily throughout the year (with shorter hours in winter). Plan to see the movie before you visit the Grand Canyon to get some context, and plan to book your tickets ahead of time, as the line can get long, especially during the summer.

 

The Imax screen at the Grand Canyon is 4,500 times bigger than an average TV screen, with 12,000 watts of digital surround sound to help you feel like you’re there. The cameras used to shoot Imax footage weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) for 2D and 265 pounds (120 kilograms) for 3D. If you were to shine an Imax light projector from the moon, we could see it on earth with the naked eye.