Best things to do in Arizona

Arizona is an incredible place to visit. Millions of people flock to the state each year to see one of America's most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. But there's so much more to see in this huge state. From hiking and camping in petrified forests to exploring ancient canyons, from visiting a working dam built during the depression or watching birds migrate through the desert, Arizona has something for everyone.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon located on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northern Arizona. It is one of the most popular slot canyons in the American Southwest and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.

The canyon was formed by flash floods during monsoon season that carved out its walls and floor due to their soft sandstone nature. The resulting patterns are beautiful and unique to this area—you won't find similar formations anywhere else on earth!

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Two hours from Tucson and three hours from Phoenix, this museum is located in the Sonoran Desert. It's an excellent destination for families, as it has a lot of hands-on things to do for kids and adults alike. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (except on Christmas Day), with extended hours on summer Saturdays until 8 PM. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children aged 2–12 years old; there’s also free admission every Thursday evening from 5 PM to 9 PM between April 1st through September 30th.

You can expect interactive displays that show how plants and animals adapt to the desert environment, including a lizard habitat exhibit where you can see live reptiles up close. There are also several nature trails that take visitors through different areas of the Sonoran Desert, including shaded boardwalks around cacti gardens or along streams full of birdsong. You can even take part in one of their many hands-on activities—for example, learn about astronomy at their planetarium shows!

Cave Creek Regional Park

Location: Cave Creek, Arizona

Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily; hours vary during the winter months. Check website for current details.

Cost: $5 per vehicle, or free with a regional park annual pass ($50 for 1-year, $75 for 2 years). Annual passes are also available at the park entrance. Cash only!

What to bring: A flashlight (if you don't have one of your own), water bottles/jugs, snacks and sunscreen. Also, consider bringing hiking boots if you plan on hiking any trails; it's always best to be prepared when exploring new places!

What to expect: Hiking trails through desert hillsides with gorgeous views of nearby mountains; fantastic rock formations; plenty of cool caves and caverns; wildlife such as coyotes (although we haven't seen any yet) and possibly snakes if they're active in this area right now (we haven't seen any either). We've been told that there are sometimes rattlesnakes around here but none were spotted while we were at this park recently so hopefully they aren't too active right now since it's still pretty hot outside even though fall is starting soon!

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous places in the world. Its beauty has inspired awe and wonder for centuries, from its first sighting by Europeans through today. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and 6,000 feet deep—a truly massive natural wonder that you won't soon forget!

The most popular attraction in the park is probably its namesake: the Grand Canyon. What makes it so grand? It's a mile deep at points (6,000 feet), which is more than twice as deep as any other canyon on Earth; it covers nearly 1 million acres (that's 11 million football fields); and it took millions of years for water erosion to shape this vast Colorado River valley over time.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Arizona, and for good reason. The Hoover Dam is located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, where it spans the Colorado River. The dam was completed in 1936 after four years of construction and has since been a major source of electricity for the southwest region of America.

The iconic structure is also a great place to walk around and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Mead, which lies behind Hoover Dam (and can be seen from many areas around it). Visitors can take tours through parts of this massive facility that were previously off-limits; you'll see firsthand how impressive it really is! If you're hungry after your tour, there are several restaurants nearby where you can enjoy delicious food while taking in beautiful scenery.

Horseshoe Bend

• Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River. The bend is located near Page, Arizona, and it's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

• Horseshoe Bend is one of my favorite places to visit for photos. It's super easy to get there—I usually just drive on Highway 89A to Page and then head out on a side road that leads to some parking lots where you can walk down to see it.

• I always bring my drone so I can capture some aerial shots too! If you're interested in getting into drone photography but don't know where to start, here are some resources:

Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater is a unique geological feature that offers a glimpse into the history of Earth and the solar system.

The crater is a result of an impact with an iron meteorite about 50,000 years ago. The impact left behind a massive hole in the ground, 2.4 miles wide and over 550 feet deep. When you visit Meteor Crater, you'll learn all about how this happened and why it was so important to our planet's evolution.

But that's not all Meteor Crater has to offer! A visit here will also give you an appreciation for space in general—what it looks like from Earth, how scientists study it, where we've been able to explore so far (and what lies beyond).

Petrified Forest National Park

Located in northern Arizona, this park is just a short distance from the city of Holbrook. The visitor center has interpretive exhibits and a bookstore that you can check out before hitting the trails.

The park is home to many petrified wood formations—some are scattered near the entrance while others are hidden deep in the woods. You can hike through these hills of stone or make your way along one of several scenic drives throughout the park. Some recommended routes include:

• Painted Desert Drive - This route offers spectacular views as it winds past eroded mesas, volcanic cones and buttes (rock formations).

• Rainbow Forest Trail - This trail leads to three different waterfalls on Bear Springs Canyon Creek that end at an overlook called Rainbow Forest Drive-In Movie Site.

• Shorty's Peak Trail - Hike up this trail for panoramic views from Shorty's Lookout Tower at 2,250 feet above sea level!

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

• Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a great place to hike, bike, and explore. There are many trails in the area and you can see a variety of wildlife including birds, reptiles, and mammals.

• The scenery at Sabino Canyon is beautiful year-round - whether it's hot or cold outside! You'll love spending time here no matter what time of year you visit.

• Cacti are abundant throughout the park - there are literally hundreds of different types! Some people consider them beautiful while others think they're ugly; either way they add charm to this unique hiking destination.

Saguaro National Park

The Saguaro National Park is one of the most popular parks in Arizona and for good reason. The park is located just outside Tucson, and it’s home to some of the state’s most iconic landmarks: giant cacti! You can hike through their forests on one of their many trails or even camp out underneath them.

Whether you’re a fan of desert plants and animals or just want to see some quirky historical sights, the park has something for everyone.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a park located in southern Arizona. The park is known for its cactus forests and unique wildlife. Visitors can see plants, animals, birds, and insects that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has many hiking trails that will take you through desert landscapes and up to spectacular views of desert mountains. If you are looking for an easy hike with great views then check out the Signal Hill Trail (1-mile round trip). This trail takes 30-45 minutes to complete depending on how fast you walk. The highlight of this trail is standing on top of a hill where there are 360 degree panoramic views of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and surrounding areas such as Ajo Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Tumacacori Mountain Range and Patagonia Mountains which are all visible from the top! You can also see Mexico from here if the conditions are right!

If you want to get off-trail then check out one of our backcountry adventures like Lost Mine Trail (5 miles round trip) or Devil's Canyon Trail (8 miles round trip). These trails will take 2-3 hours each so be sure to bring plenty of water with you when going on these hikes so that your body doesn't get dehydrated while hiking during hot months such as summertime when temperatures reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside during midday hours normally between 10am-2pm Monday through Friday hence why most visitors prefer visiting between Tuesday evening until Friday morning since it tends

Arizona is a great place to explore the outdoors and learn about a unique part of the United States.

Arizona is a great place to explore the outdoors and learn about a unique part of the United States. Arizona's diverse landscape and unique desert environment give visitors an opportunity to experience both rugged mountains and sweeping desert vistas. The Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park and other natural wonders are just some of the sights you can see in Arizona.

Arizona also has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Native American culture remains a central part of Arizona’s cultural heritage today, as do other facets of American history such as cowboys and lawmen who made their mark during the Wild West era.

Conclusion

With such a variety of experiences available, Arizona is a great destination for any traveler who wants to explore the outdoors. Whether you’re looking to experience some natural wonders, learn about Native American culture, or simply enjoy the beauty of deserts and canyons, there is something in Arizona that will appeal to you.

I hope this list has given you some ideas for what to see while you’re in Arizona!