We’ve put all of our favorite things to do in Arizona all in one post. There are so many unique experiences in Arizona – it is one of our favorite states to visit. Check out this list and add them to your own Arizona bucket list to plan a future vacation.
Visit The Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park is perhaps the most iconic destination in the United States, so it is #1 on our list of things to do in Arizona. This mile deep canyon cuts its way across most of Arizona’s northern border. You can visit the Grand Canyon’s northern, southern and western borders, or you can fly over the canyon in a helicopter tour. Whatever way you choose to see the Grand Canyon, this should be on your Arizona bucket list.
Go Inside The Grand Canyon
While a view from the top of the Grand Canyon is impressive, a visit to the bottom of the canyon is even more impressive. You can see the bottom of the canyon on a backpacking or hiking trip. Or you can join a guided rafting trip of the Colorado River that will take you through the Grand Canyon.
See the Red Rocks of Sedona
Sedona is a posh city in Arizona known as a vacation destination to Arizonians. So of course it made our list of the top things to do in Arizona! This fancy city is part resort town, part hippie haven, part adventure capital. It is a unique mix that makes it fun for everyone. We loved the hiking that Sedona offered but maybe you’ll love it for its psychic centers or fancy spas.
Drive Route 66
Some of the best preserved pieces of Route 66 run through Arizona. Stops along the Arizona stretch of route 66 run through Petrified Forest, Winslow and Flagstaff. Even if you don’t want to take a Route 66 road trip, consider using the road to take you between places in Arizona to experience the wonder and joy of this very cheesy yet fun U.S. road trip.
Visit the Vibrant Tucson
Tucson is our favorite city in Arizona. The food is great, the people are great and it’s sandwiched between a National Park. This is also the best city in Arizona for the family to visit as the activities in Tucson are varied so there will be something for everyone. From an aircraft museum, to a National Park, to a retired nuclear silo, there is something unique for you to find in Tucson.
Visit Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is possibly the most famous slot canyon in the United States so we’ve added it as one of the top things to do in Arizona. There are actually two sections to Antelope Canyon, the Upper and Lower canyons. You must visit these slot canyons with a certified guide on a tour.
Visit Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is the most underrated park in the U.S. National Parks system! It is easy to get to, accessible for all and beautiful in an otherworldly way. A visit to Petrified is like stepping back in time. This barren desert is a graveyard of both earth’s preserved plant past and America’s history. Because this park is so underrated, you can hike the trails in the Painted Desert with no one else in sight.
See Cliff Dwellings
Indigenous people built homes in cliffs throughout Arizona and many of these cliff dwellings are still preserved for current Arizona visitors to see. Canyon de Chelly, Navajo National Monument, Wupatki National Monument and Walnut Canyon are great places to see these amazing structures. Try to make it to at least one when visiting Arizona as they are an amazing piece of history.
Wander Monument Valley
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the most iconic park in the southwest. If you imagine Arizona, you may be imagining Monument Valley. Towering cliffs and red rocks dot the otherwise barren landscape. A drive through the park should be on everyone’s Arizona bucket list.
Visit Flagstaff
Check out Flagstaff – the least Arizona-y city in Arizona. This city is at a higher elevation than southern Arizona and is a fully fledged college town. So between the weather, the scenery and the vibe, it doesn’t feel very “southwest”. However, it is still one of our favorite places in Arizona because it is so hip and trendy. Try some of the amazing and varied food in town or visit one of the multiple local breweries after spending a day exploring the nearby parks, including old volcanic domes and native ruins.
See The Saguaros
If you imagine a cactus, you’re likely imagining a saguaro cactus. These towering giants with their arms raised to the sky dot the desert around Tucson. Saguaro National Park is split in half by the city of Tucson. This park is easy to visit and very unique which is why we think in belongs on your list of things to do in Arizona.
Be In Four Places At Once
This was long on my bucket list – “be in two places at once”. However, when I set out to accomplish it, we decided to go big and be in four places at once. You can accomplish this feat at the wildly touristy Four Corners. While this is super touristy and overpriced, it’s the only place in the United States where you can be in four states at once. So we think this should be on every Arizona bucket list.
Take A Road Trip
Our last and possible best thing to do in Arizona is take a road trip. With so many different Arizona bucket list sights available to you, the best way to connect them is with a road trip.
- For our 1-week ultimate Arizona vacation click here.
- For several different road trips that go through the Southwest, click here.
We hope this has helped you to plan your own Arizona vacation. For related information, check out the posts below.
