With red desert sands, exquisite landscapes, and year-round warm weather, Arizona is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or a simple family vacation. The state is most famous for its Grand Canyon, but this great American frontier has so much more to offer. The southernmost part of the state is home to the majority of its population and many of the more prominent cities. About one-third of the state is still owned by the Native Americans who make up the population on the outskirts of the cities.
Arizona is a sightseer’s dream. With its picturesque rock formations and rich western culture, it encapsulates both past and present American lifestyles, providing an all-inclusive experience. Below are some destinations you don’t want to miss on your travels to America’s Western frontier.
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The Grand Canyon National Park
The aforementioned natural wonder measures approximately 277 miles in length and is about a mile deep in certain areas. The chasm was formed by the Colorado river’s erosion of the surrounding rocks, an effect that still occurs today, resulting in even more expansion of the gorge. The Grand Canyon was officially named a World Heritage Site in 1979. The view from its cliffs attracts many visitors throughout the year, leaving them awestruck at its sheer magnificence.
Most popular among sightseers and hikers is the Bright Angel Trail, located on the southern rim of the canyon. It’s also home to Grand Canyon Village, which provides lodging, restaurants, gift shops, and markets to the visiting public. Along the northern rim, backpackers have the opportunity for camping and more challenging trails. In addition to sightseeing, the park offers helicopter tours as well.
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Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
These gorgeous striated orange-brown rock formations are yet another popular attraction for those visiting Arizona. The area also holds several iconic landmarks such as ‘White Pocket’ in the Paria Canyon and ‘The Wave’ in Coyote Buttes North. The former showcases smooth white mounds of rock and wave-like candy-colored rock faces, while the latter features reddish-orange and gold-striped rocks. Both are individual spectacles in their own right, however, if you are planning on visiting The Wave, note that admittance is limited to about 20-30 persons daily, and applications are to be filled out beforehand.
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Phoenix
Arizona’s capital city, Phoenix, is the fifth most populated city in the U.S. and is a hub for all manner of activities. The city is well known for its pristine golf courses, impressive casinos, world-class spas, and a myriad of attractions. Phoenix is also home to a very diverse population, resulting in equally diverse cuisines and restaurants, perfect for the adventurous foodie. ‘The Valley of the Sun’ fascinates travelers with its unique desert-type landscapes and trails. It’s a popular destination among many because of its toasty temperature throughout the various seasons.
The city also boasts teams from all four major professional sports leagues: NBA’s Phoenix Suns, NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, and NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, so there is no shortage of team spirit to be found. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, or baseball, Arizona Sportsbook Promo Codes can help you win big on your favorite sports. Phoenix’s grandiose casinos, shopping malls, resorts, and spas tend to attract many upper-class folks with deep pockets, so much so that the city has been referred to as ‘LA without the Pacific’. Even without the glamor and seaside views as that of LA, the city seems to want for nothing.
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Montezuma Castle National Monument
This five-story monument is often compared to a high-rise apartment building. It houses 20 rooms and is built into the side of Arizona’s Verde Valley cliff. The building was once occupied by the Sinagua Indian Tribe, but unfortunately, entry is no longer permitted as the structure is rather unstable. Visitors can gather further information on the monument’s inhabitants and history at the Montezuma museum, after which they can take the trail up to the Montezuma Castle and Well.
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Lake Powell
This lake hosts a number of water sports such as water skiing, paddleboarding, boating, tubing, and wakeboarding, which lure many visitors to its shores year-round. The lake is approximately 2,000 miles long and qualifies as the second largest manmade lake in the U.S. Lake Powell is also known for its rich aquatic life, which consequently attracts many trawlers. The lake not only features water-based activities, but its lofty rock formations provide an excellent view of the winding shoreline and surrounding cliffs.
To Conclude
Arizona provides a snapshot of the great frontier amalgamated with the red soils and rocks of vibrant desert life and unique hiking experiences. This list is by no means exhaustive of the Grand Canyon State’s plenteous attractions, but are destinations that should be at the top of your itinerary this vacation season.
