Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Arizona, USA [Updated-2026]

Travelo Info

November 4, 2025

Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Arizona, USA [Updated-2026]

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Beyond the Grand Canyon: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Arizona

Arizona is a land of dramatic extremes. It’s a place where saguaro cacti stand as silent sentinels in the desert, where a river has carved a mile-deep chasm into the earth, and where ancient cultures have left their mark on the landscape for millennia. The “Grand Canyon State” offers more than just its iconic namesake; it’s a vast, sun-drenched canvas of red rocks, ponderosa pine forests, and vibrant urban oases.

This guide will lead you through the very best places to visit and the most unforgettable things to do in Arizona, ensuring you experience its profound beauty and rich cultural tapestry.

1. The Grand Canyon: A Wonder of the World

No visit to Arizona is complete without witnessing the sheer scale and beauty of the Grand Canyon. It’s a place that humbles and inspires in equal measure.

Unmissable Things to Do at the Grand Canyon:

Watch Sunrise or Sunset at Mather Point (South Rim): For the most iconic and crowd-free experience, time your visit for the golden hours. The play of light and shadow across the canyon’s vast expanse is a truly magical spectacle.
Hike a Portion of the Rim-to-Rim Trail: You don’t have to hike the entire 24-mile traverse to get a taste of the canyon’s depth. A day hike down the Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail offers incredible perspectives. Remember: going down is optional; hiking back up is mandatory. Carry far more water than you think you’ll need.
Drive the Scenic Desert View Drive: This 25-mile road along the South Rim’s east end offers a series of stunning viewpoints, culminating at the Desert View Watchtower, which provides a 70-mile view of the canyon and Colorado River.
Visit the Less-Crowded North Rim: Open from mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim is 1,000 feet higher and receives a fraction of the visitors. The views from Bright Angel Point are quieter and offer a different, more forested perspective.

2. Sedona: Red Rock Country

Famous for its stunning, vortex-centered red rock formations, Sedona is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, artists, and spiritual seekers.

Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Sedona:

Hike Among the Red Rocks: The trails here are world-class.
- Cathedral Rock Trail: A short but steep climb that leads to one of the most photographed formations and a key vortex site.
- Devil’s Bridge Trail: A moderate hike leading to the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area, perfect for an iconic photo.
Take a Scenic Drive on the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR-179): This breathtaking route provides easy access to stunning vistas, trailheads, and the unique Chapel of the Holy Cross, a modern chapel built directly into the red rocks.
Explore the Arts and Culture: Sedona’s Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is designed to resemble a traditional Mexican village and is filled with high-end galleries, shops, and restaurants.

3. Phoenix & Scottsdale: Desert Metropolis

The Phoenix metropolitan area is a sprawling hub of activity, offering luxury resorts, world-class dining, and easy access to desert adventures.

Top Things to Do in the Valley of the Sun:

Hike Camelback Mountain: Located in the heart of the city, this challenging hike up Echo Canyon or Cholla Trail rewards you with 360-degree views of the entire Phoenix valley.
Explore the Desert Botanical Garden: This 140-acre garden in Papago Park showcases an incredible collection of desert plants from around the world, beautifully demonstrating that the desert is full of life.
Indulge in a World-Class Spa Resort: Scottsdale is renowned for its luxurious spa resorts, many of which incorporate Native American healing traditions and the serene desert environment.
Discover Old Town Scottsdale: Wander through the historic district for its Western-themed shops, art galleries, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

4. Monument Valley & The Navajo Nation

This iconic landscape, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, is the definitive image of the American West.

Drive the 17-Mile Scenic Loop: While you can no longer drive the loop yourself without a Navajo guide, you can join a guided tour that takes you among the towering sandstone buttes like the Mittens and Merrick Butte. It’s a profoundly spiritual and photogenic experience.
Stay for Sunset: The way the setting sun illuminates the red sandstone formations is an unforgettable sight. The view from the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park visitor center is spectacular on its own.

5. Unique Arizona Adventures

To truly know the state, you have to venture beyond the well-known spots.

Step Back in Time at Montezuma Castle National Monument: This is not a castle, and it has no connection to Montezuma. It’s a stunning, 20-room cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua people into a limestone cliff face over 800 years ago.
Explore the Quirky Town of Bisbee: Tucked away in the Mule Mountains, this former copper mining town is now a funky, artistic community filled with colorful Victorian homes, unique B&Bs, and fascinating history tours of the Queen Mine.
Marvel at the Cacti in Saguaro National Park: Split into two districts on either side of Tucson, this park protects the nation’s largest cacti—the giant saguaro. Drive the scenic loops and hike among these majestic symbols of the American West, which can live for over 200 years.
Chase Waterfalls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation: A permit is required and notoriously difficult to secure, but the reward is immense: a 10-mile hike to a desert oasis of stunning turquoise waterfalls, including the famous Havasu Falls.

Essential Arizona Travel Tips

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: The Arizona desert is extremely dry. You will need to drink significantly more water than usual to avoid dehydration, even in the winter. Always carry water with you, especially on hikes.
Time Your Visit:
- Spring (March-May) & Fall (September-November): The best times to visit. The weather is perfect for hiking and exploring, with warm days and cool nights.
- Summer (June-August): Extremely hot, especially in Phoenix and Tucson, where temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C). This is a good time to visit the higher elevations of Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
- Winter (December-February): Mild and pleasant in the desert, but can be cold and snowy at the Grand Canyon and in Flagstaff.
Respect the Sun: The sun is intense. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen at all times.
Drive with Care: Distances between attractions are vast. A drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon can take 4+ hours. Be aware that wildlife, especially elk and deer, are active at dawn and dusk.
Be a Respectful Visitor: Many of Arizona’s most spectacular sites are on Native American land. Always follow posted rules, stay on designated paths, and do not touch or remove any artifacts, rocks, or plants.

Arizona is a state that captures the imagination. It’s a place of immense scale, stark beauty, and deep history. It’s a destination that challenges your perceptions of the desert and leaves you with a profound sense of wonder for the natural world.

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