16 must do’s in arizona
driving down route 66 on a hot summer afternoon, staring out the window of a rented lincoln navigator is how i spent two weeks in the summer of 2016. arizona is beautiful — but you know that. the grand canyon state is filled with stunning desert topography and rich cultural heritage. read on for 16 must-do’s in arizona:
experience the most beautiful place on earth
sedona is a small desert town in central arizona known for extraordinary landscapes and surreal wilderness. it’s been called the most beautiful place on earth, and i’d be hard pressed to find someone to disagree. known for not only its scenic beauty, but its healing powers, sedona is a place many go to seek relief from life’s aches and pains.
enjoy a luxury stay at a creekside oasis
l’auberge de sedona has incredible views of the famous red rock formations. this resort sits on the nearby oak creek and is built strategically into the surrounding nature. vista cottages boast 180-degree views with sunsets that paint the sky deep reds, oranges and purples, making it hard to tell where the land ends and the sky begins. complete with a luxury spa, on-site restaurant (delicious btw), an outdoor pool and fitness center, it’s hard to want to leave.
trek through red rock country
shake the jet lag & take an atv tour across the desert. sedona atv sets you up for an afternoon of adventure with two-, four-, and six- person utvs. a half day trip will take you through miles of trails to scenic overlooks and cascading mountains.
visit nature’s waterpark
nearby slide rock state park in oak creek canyon is nature’s amusement park. the unique rock formation creates a literal water slide for locals and travelers to enjoy. slide rock is 80 feet long and up to four feet wide, and the natural algae makes the surface slick enough to slide down. the park is located within the coconino national forest so there’s plenty of opportunities to hike and watch the wildlife, too.
explore a 50,000 year old crater
a roadside attraction, meteor crater, was created when a 150-foot space rock fell out the the sky and landed in winslow with 150 times more force than an atomic bomb. the crater is over 500 feet deep and nearly a mile wide. this national landmark is the coolest hole in the ground!!!
stand on a corner in winslow, arizona
the eagle’s hit song put winslow on the map in 1972 when the small town was memorialized in ‘take it easy.’ the famous corner is a definite photo-op but other than that, there’s not a whole lot to the town. an eagle’s themed store sells all the band’s paraphernalia you could hope to find and yes, take it easy plays on a loop (along with other fan favorites).
stop by the historic hotel la posada
la posada boasts a guest list that includes celebs like albert einstein, amelia earhart, fdr and john wayne. renowned female architect, mary colter brought her vision to life in 1930 when winslow became the arizona headquarters for the sante fe railroad. the hotel has one of the finest restaurants in the four corners region - or so their website says. but really though, la posada served some of the best quesadillas i’ve had. besides the restaurant, the hotel also has a gift shop, art gallery and 12 acres of beautiful gardens.
bask in the glory of a natural wonder of the world
the pièce de résistance of the west has to be the grand canyon. what a spectacular feat of nature. until you stand on the rim, i don’t think you’ll understand the significance of this natural wonder. all you can see for miles are the deep ridges and grooves of the earth. if nothing else, visit the grand canyon.
fast facts about one of the natural wonders of the world:
it’s grand, but it’s not the deepest canyon in the world. the yarlung tsangpo grand canyon holds that title.
the most remote community in the lower 48 is found in the grand canyon. 208 people live in the supai village where mail is delivered by pack mule.
the park is bigger than rhode island!
get your kicks on route 66
history buffs will love williams, arizona because of its route 66 history. one of the first highways in the u.s. highway system, route 66 once ran from chicago to los angeles. today, a section of the highway in williams has been added to the national register of historic places. the town celebrates this history like no other with remnants of a bygone era. soda fountains, neon signs and of course classic cars can be found here.
take a day trip to a ghost town
a short drive from sedona will take you to the ghost town of jerome. the old copper mining town has been called the wickedest town in the west. jerome in it’s heyday had nearly 15,000 people making it one of arizona’s most populated towns. today, it has a mere 450 residents. local attractions include art galleries, old western saloons and the haunted grand jerome hotel. the hotel, atop cleopatra hill, used to be a hospital until the 1950s.
become awestruck in the desert
the navajo nation’s monument valley is one of the most unique places on earth in my opinion. located on the border of arizona and utah, tall and massive sandstone structures stick out like sore thumbs in the vast desert. the formations look both strong and delicate. john wayne filmed his famous westerns here! general admission tickets are $20 per car — it’s a steal for the natural beauty you’re about to behold.
become an anthropologist for an afternoon & learn about the wupatki
once a large community on the colorado plateau, the wupatki national monument is now an archeological promise land. ancient pueblo ruins dot the desert and make you wonder what the area looked like nearly a thousand years ago when the wupatki people populated the land.
see the rainbow at a national park
as if the colors of the desert haven’t mesmerized you enough, a visit to the petrified forest national park is sure to wow. though the land dates back millions of years, the park received national designation in 1962. petrified wood gets its color from three minerals: pure quartz is white, manganese oxides form blue, purple, black, and brown and iron oxides provide hues from yellow through red to brown, according to the national park service. you can drive through the park in about an hour, but there’s more than enough to do if you’re looking to fill up an afternoon: take a hike, go backpacking or stop by the visitor center for an informational video & souvenirs.
stand in four states at once
as touristy as it is, you have to visit four corners. standing in arizona, utah, colorado and new mexico all at once, i mean COME ON. surrounding the monument are different artisan vendors where you can purchase traditional artwork and handmade pieces. be warned though, there’s nothing else in the area. i think the nearest gas station is 30 miles away, so you’ll want to be sure to fuel up before you go.
buy a handmade rug at a historic trading post
visit teec nos pos, a navajo trading post established in 1905. while it’s a general store at its core, teec nos pos is most famous for hand woven rugs. the rugs are intricate, colorful and full of life. so much time and energy are poured into them. off the beaten path, but worth a stop!
stroll through a garden in the desert
though the desert can be seen as a barren dust bowl, tropical plants & flowering cacti can be found in abundance. the desert botanical garden in phoenix is just the place to visit to enjoy the flora. in 1939, passionate botanists understood the importance of preserving & celebrating the local wildlife. spread out over 140 acres, i think you’ll be surprised to find over 50,000 plant displays.
and all of this is just scratching the surface! there’s so many national parks & monuments, unique cities & towns and inspiring adventures to be had in arizona. what will you explore first?