Arizona Trip Plans & Vacation Ideas

National Parks

• Arizona is home to three national parks and many other national monuments. For those who want to stay in a single location, Grand Canyon National Park offers hikes, raft trips, mule rides and incredible views of one of the world's greatest treasures. If you like to drive and have at least 2 weeks, consider a tour of all of Arizona's national parks and monuments.

  To the southeast of Grand Canyon is Petrified Forest National Park, where fields of petrified wood, rock "tepee" formations and the pastel-colored Painted Desert await you. In the southernmost part of Arizona, right outside Tucson, you'll find Saguaro National Park. Split into East and West sections, Saguaro offers visitors thousand of up-close views of the towering saguaro cactus. The West Park consists of a "low" desert ecosystem within the Tucson Mountains, while the East Park's Rincon Mountains rise to heights of over 8,000 feet.

  Also scattered throughout Arizona are many fabulous national monuments, including Sunset Crater Volcano (outside the Grand Canyon), the slot canyons of Canyon de Chelly (north of Petrified Forest) and Organ Pipe Cactus (south of Tucson). National monuments are quite similar to national parks. In fact, many current national parks were initially designated as national monuments.

Cities

• Arizona has several cities ranging in size, geography and feel. Phoenix is Arizona's largest city, with more than 1.5 million people. If you include the nearby cities of Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Glendale, the Phoenix-area population swells to more than 3 million residents. The Phoenix area has many options for vacationers, ranging from professional sports teams in all four major sports, world-class golfing, authentic Southwestern cuisine and exciting museums such as the Arizona Military Museum. For history lovers, a stroll through Phoenix Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is a must.

  Just 116 miles south of Phoenix is Tucson. Quainter than Phoenix, Tucson has plenty of great attractions of its own. For instance, the Mission San Xavier del Bac is just outside of Tucson. Regarded as one of the country's most beautiful examples of Spanish Colonial architecture, the Mission San Xavier is a must for anyone vacationing in southern Arizona. Due to Tucson's close proximity to Phoenix, a vacation incorporating both Tucson and Phoenix is very manageable.

  North of Phoenix are the smaller cities of Sedona and Flagstaff. Known for its spas, red rock canyons and reported magnetic anomalies, Sedona is a fabulous place to visit if you like hiking, pampering and relaxation. Flagstaff is the closest major city to the Grand Canyon. Historic lodges and museums like the Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum are some of Flagstaff's best attractions.

Native American Sites

• With more than 12,000 years of inhabitants, Arizona has a diverse range of ancient historical sites. Currently, 22 federally recognized tribes reside in Arizona, ensuring that visitors have many opportunities to learn about the diverse indigenous Arizona landscape. One can build an entire Arizona vacation around Native American sites. From structural ruins to handmade art, those interested in Native American culture will have an excellent time in Arizona.

  One of the most thrilling sights in Arizona and the entire United States is Monument Valley. Located on the Arizona/Utah border on Navajo tribal land, Monument Valley's rock formations have been seen in dozens of classic Hollywood Westerns. A tour through the valley with a Navajo guide is an intimate way to see these rock giants up close.

  For those interested in a Native American-centric Arizona experience, remember that each tribe has its own rules regarding visitors. Because many of the best historic sites in Arizona are on reservation land, make sure to look into reservation restrictions, photograph regulations and tourism opportunities.