The home of the Grand Canyon is also the land of painted deserts, spiritual vortexes and ghost towns. Indeed, the 48th state is more than just desert and cacti: It has rivers, forests, mountains—and such man-made luxuries as gold courses, plush resorts and upscale nightlife. When you visit Arizona you also get a textured look at the different cultures that have shaped it over the centuries, from the Native Americans to the Spanish and the iconic cowboys of the Wild West days. Whether you travel to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, buy art in Sedona, hike amid the ponderosa pines in Flagstaff, or chillax in a Scottsdale spa, you’ll find that the majesty of the terrain translates into an unabashed frontier vibe. Read on in this Arizona travel guide to plan your trip to the Grand Canyon state:
Things Not to Miss in Arizona
• Gazing into the Grand Canyon
• Seeing the colors of the Painted Desert
• Seeing the buttes, mesas, and rock formations of Monument Valley
• Soaking up the energy from the Red Rocks in Sedona
• Digging into a Sonoran hot dog
When to Go to Arizona
No doubt, there’s a big reason why the snowbirds come to the desert regions of Arizona in the winter: the peak Arizona travel season lasts from November to March—at least in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, when temperatures are warm but not hot. Winter, however, is chilly at the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Flagstaff, which sit at higher elevations and even get snow. The north Rim if the Grand Canyon closes during winter, too. Spring and fall are good times to visit Arizona in general, though, when temperatures stay fairly mild, and in spring you’ll have a good chance of seeing desert wildflowers—and the white blooms on the saguaro cacti.
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