1. What Arizona list would be complete without the Grand Canyon? It draws visitors from around the globe, and is one of the natural wonders of the world.

With millions of visitors each year, how can you make your Arizona trip to the Grand Canyon unique? Try visiting the lesser-known, but extremely beautiful north rim. The road to the north rim is only open during warm months. It is a longer drive, and therefore much less visited. You can avoid the crowds and explore the rim of the Grand Canyon at your own pace.

2. Sabino Canyon, outside of Tucson.

Sabino Canyon is a little-known jewel in Arizona. Starting at desert level, where prickly pear cactus have grown to giant proportions, the trail into the canyon slowly winds upward, leading into desert-mountain terrain. It’s lush with various types of greenery and small trails lead off the main trail to a cool, sparkling river. Everything about the canyon is beautiful and unexpected. For those not capable of hiking in and out on foot, a shuttle tour is available along a main trail.

3. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park.

The Petrified Forest has something to offer for everyone. Giant fossilized trees in an amazing rainbow of colors are the main attraction, but there’s also wildlife, ancient ruins, petroglyphs, dinosaur bones and amazing hiking trails. The Painted Desert features colorful badlands, like something out of a science fiction movie. The colors are especially vibrant at sunrise and sunset.

4. Alpine in the White Mountains

Northeastern Arizona has an incredible secret - it is home to a pristine mountain habitat, complete with towering pines, sparkling streams and clear lakes. Wildlife is abundant and the population is sparse. Because it is much farther from the populous areas of the state than other mountain getaways, there are no crowds and plenty of space for the hikers and campers who do visit the area.

5. Kartchner Caverns

In southern Arizona near Tucson, Kartchner Caverns are living caves, meaning that the stalactites and stalagmites are still growing. It has been well protected and preserved. The beautiful colors of the formations within the caves is just one of the reasons it is known as one of the great natural wonders of the western United States.

If you’re headed that way, you’re probably planning on visiting the Petrified Forest and the Navajo Nation (reservation). So don’t miss out on your chance to watch Native Navajo Traditional Dancers perform during the months of June and July.

The dancers usually start performing the first week of June, and end on the last weekday in July. They are dressed in complete traditional brightly-colored garb, and dance to live drums and singing.

The performances take place nightly in the courtyard at the Historic Navajo County Courthouse in downtown Holbrook. The courthouse is located at the corner of Arizona Street and Navajo Blvd. Guests can take pictures of and with the dancers, and there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the dances, costumes and traditions.

While you’re there, check out the museum in the historic courthouse. It is one of a kind! Holbrook is also along the “Mother Road” (Route 66), and is home to the Wigwam Motel. The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert are only 20 miles east of Holbrook.

What is there to see and do in Arizona?

Well, there are the obvious sights, such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Petrified Forest and Saguaro National Monument. (Did you know that the only place in the world where saguaros grow is southern Arizona and a small portion of Northern Mexico?)

But there are many other great places to go and amazing things to do. Window Rock on the Navajo Reservation is amazing, but don’t forget Hubbel Trading Post. The Hopi Tribe recently opened some of their villages to outsiders, and the White Mountains are better than the Rockies. Rafting down the Salt River is a one-of-a-kind experience — imagine traveling down rapids in the middle of the desert. Tucson is home to some amazing museums and the botanical gardens are suprisingly lush.

While outdoor activities are a staple of Arizona adventure, there’s also opportunities to see cultural performances nearly all year round. A combination of Hispanic, Native American and “wild west” influences have made Arizona culturally unique. Watch Navajo dancers while enjoying spicy Mexican food at the site of an old west shootout.

Tombstone may have stole the spotlight for a while, but Northern Arizona, especially areas like Holbrook, have an even wilder outlaw history, with places like Bucket of Blood Saloon and shootouts over cattle and women.

World-class museums around the state feature everything from ancient pottery and arrowheads to Ansel Adams photography. Whatever your interest, you can find a museum showing the best displays in the world.

Some visitors are surprised to learn that much of Arizona has four seasons and includes mountains, canyons, and lush valleys. While areas like Phoenix and Tucson are known for their hot summer weather and beautiful 70-degree winters, other areas regularly receive snow in the winter, have 70-degree summers, and beautiful displays of fall color in autumn.

You can go from amazing desert scenery to a clear mountain lake by driving a little less than two hours from Phoenix. Skiing is a popular activity in some areas of the state. Imagine a vacation where you can spend a week lounging around the pool in southern Arizona and skiing for a week in Northern Arizona?

The Phoenix and Tucson areas offer some of the best resorts in the world, such as the Phoenician, Arizona Biltmore and the Miraval Life In Balance Resort (one of Oprah’s favorite places to stay). If you like a more adventurous or low-key vacation, there are many small historic hotels to choose from as well as dude ranches and mountain camps.

No matter what type of vacation you’re looking for, you can find it in Arizona!

Again, if you have any questions about Arizona, please ask them. I would love to help you plan your trip!

Happy Trails!

You’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to and visiting Arizona. I’ve lived here my entire life, and explored most of the state, so if you have any questions about Arizona ask them in the comments and I’ll be sure to answer them here.

Thanks for visiting!

See you in Arizona!