There is so much to see and do in Arizona that some advance planning can be useful in narrowing down destinations and activities. The Arizona Office of Tourism (arizonaguide.com) has an abundance of useful information about vacationing in Arizona. Their website also has an online tool for planning your itinerary and mapping your trip, as well as lists of current deals on Arizona hotels, tours, activities and dining. Be sure to request a copy of their free Arizona Visitor's Guide, and sign up for their Arizona Travel News to receive in-depth features, tips and vacation ideas.
Visitors can arrive in Arizona via airplane, automobile, train or bus. Arizona has more than 80 airports located throughout the state, with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (phxskyharbor.com) and Tucson International Airport (flytucsonairport.com) serving as Arizona's main airports. Greyhound (greyhound.com) offers bus service to more than 20 Arizona cities, and Amtrak (amtrak.com) offers train service to 18 Arizona cities, as of the date of publication.
If you will be driving in Arizona, dial 511 from any phone to get the latest information on driving conditions, weather and tourism. Arizona also has more than 50 visitor information centers throughout the state. Watch for the blue "Tourist Information" signs along the highways that will lead you to the nearest visitor information center. In some areas of the state, sudden dust storms and monsoons can severely limit visibility. Do not enter a dust storm or flooded road if you can avoid it. If visibility is reduced due to dust or heavy rain, pull off to the right side of the road, turn off the engine and your headlights, set the parking brake, and keep your foot off the brake pedal. Turn on your emergency flashers so that other drivers are aware of your presence so as to avoid an accident.
When packing for your trip, keep in mind that the weather in Arizona can be highly variable from region to region. Whether you will be in extreme heat, moderate temperatures or cold weather will depend on where you are in the state and when you are visiting. Winters can be cool in the desert and cold in the mountains, while summers can bring extreme heat to the desert and warm temperatures to the mountains. If you will be traveling around the state, you will need to bring clothing appropriate for the weather in each region.
No trip to Arizona would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon.The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most popular entry point to the park and receives over 5 million visitors per year. (See reference 4) If you travel during the peak season of June to mid September, expect crowds. Make your summer reservations early for the camps and lodges inside the park because they are often completely booked months in advance. (See reference 3) Parking and traffic can also be a source of frustration during high season. If you are visiting for the day, arrive early to get a parking spot, then leave your car parked for the day and take the shuttle bus to the major lookout points in the park. (See reference 4)
