Southern Arizona is home to several national parks and monuments and is a destination for outdoor sight-seeing. Drive through Saguaro National Park, or park your vehicle and veer onto one of many scenic trails by foot. Also notable is the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where bargain-hunting campers are granted seven-day admission for $8 per vehicle or $4 per person. The city of Tuscon boasts two underground caves. Visit the "dead" cave at Colossal Cave Mountain Park for $11 per adult and $6 per child, or venture through a "live" cave at Kartchner Caverns State Park for as little as $20 per adult and $10 per child. Don't leave the "astronomy capital of the world" without viewing a close-up of the night sky with free admission to Kitt Peak National Observatory. Kitt Peak holds the world's largest collection of telescopes aimed at planetary studies, according to Visit Tuscon.org.
Scenic Flagstaff in Northern Arizona is a centralized location for visiting many of Arizona's most notorious attractions and landmarks. Not only is the city less than an hour's drive from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, historic Route 66 runs through here, and the Petrified Forest is close by. From Flagstaff, take a day trip to the Grand Canyon's forested, shady side. The Grand Canyon Railway offers budget-minded traveler's a vintage-style, round-trip train ride with unforgettable views from rates as low as $70. Back in Flagstaff, ski Elk Ridge, where gear, a full day of skiing and a complimentary lesson will only run you $65. Don't forget to visit the Air Museum, with entrance fees of $2 to $6.
In Central Arizona, visit the capital and take home a lesson in Native American history and culture. Discover the Pueblo Grande Ruins at the Pueblo Grande Museum, and admire the remains of a 1500-year-old village built by Hohokam Indians. The archeological park is a national historic landmark, and full-scale historical reproductions are often held. Adult visitors may enter for $6, while children may enter for $5. View local and Native American-inspired paintings, crafts, and pottery at one of the many art galleries that are dispersed throughout Phoenix. Many offer free admission, allowing a fine cultural experience on a budget.
