Step outside the valley and explore the grandeur of Arizona’s national parks and monuments.
Casa Grande Ruins, Coolidge
520.723.3172
www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm
Learn the ways of the Valley’s original Hohokam settlers, their villages, architecture and use of farming irrigation canals.
Grand Canyon
928.638.7888
www.nps.gov/grca
Visiting this majestic, overwhelming creation is one of the great privileges of a lifetime. Walk the South Rim and hear a dozen languages being spoken. Drive your car an hour and realize you’ve hardly scratched the surface of this vast space. Hike or ride a burro down the canyon and see mankind etched in rock. Tour the El Tovar Hotel and eat in the elegant dining room. Timeless in its beauty and ever changing in light and shadow, the Grand Canyon is truly a wonder of the world.
Jerome State Historic Park, Jerome
928.634.5381
www.azstateparks.com/jerome
This 100 year old copper mining town is rich in character. Visit the Douglas Mansion that has been an eye catching landmark in Jerome since 1916.
Saguaro National Park, Tucson
520.733.5153
www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm
See the world’s most iconic cacti in this protected 143 square mile Sonoran Desert Park.
Red Rock State Park, Sedona
928.282.6907
www.azstateparks.com/red-rock
The beautiful red rocks of this 100 year old town are showcased here. Twenty minutes away is Slide Rock State Park, where thousands of people every year go slipping and sliding in the water down smooth sandstone.
Lake Powell, Page
928.608.6200
www.lakepowell.com
As someone who is a native of Arizona, This town and lake have a special place in my heart. Lake Powell is truly a destination of a lifetime and I highly recommend making the trip. You won’t be disappointed. Lake Powell is a paradise for boating, fishing, camping, geology, archaeology and just plain relaxing.
Kit Peak National Observatory
520.318.8726
www.noao.edu/kpno
Located about 50 miles southwest of Tucson, astronomers the world over seek to find a window of the universe. An 18 story observatory and the world’s largest solar telescope are featured.
Organ Pipe National Monument, Ajo
520.387.6849
www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm
The Sonoran Desert’s plants and wild life create a fascinating ecosystem.
Petrified Forest National Park
928.524.6228
www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm
Puerco Indian ruins amid a forest of petrified wood.
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff
928.774.3358
https://lowell.edu
Lowell Observatory is the home of Pluto. The Observatory has been home to many discoveries, including the first detection of the expanding nature of the universe.
Tuzigoot National Monument, Clarkdale
928.634.5564
www.nps.gov/tuzi/index.htm
Educational exhibits illustrate Indian life from atop a hill. Created in the early 1400’s more than 200 Sinagua Indians lived here in about 100 rooms with limestone walls.
Sunset Crater National Monuent, Flagstaff
928.526.0502
www.nps.gov/sucr/index.htm
Nearly one thousand years old, these cinder cones are among the highest mountains in Arizona.
COOL TOWNS
Bisbee
www.bisbee4fun.com
Located 5,000 feet above seal level in southeastern Arizona, this old mining town has a special charm.
Flagstaff
www.flagstaff.az.gov
Home of Route 66. At 7,000 feet above sea level and a road trip up the switchbacks from Sedona, Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University, the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort and a rich Native American tradition.
Payson
www.paysonaz.gov
Located one hour North East of Phoenix, Payons is a Lake and hiking country small town located in the rim country surrounded by tall ponderosa pines in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest.
Pinetop / White Mountains
www.pinetoplakesideaz.gov
Outdoor mountain country amid the tall Ponderosa Pines. Also home to Sunrise Mountain Ski Resort. A gorgeous drive through the Salt River Basin and is roughly 4 hours East of Phoenix.
Prescott
www.prescott-az.gov
The original territorial capital of Arizona is surrounded by a national forest. This is truly an Old West Town that’s long on history and architecture.
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
www.sedonaaz.gov
Here you will find seekers, settlers, retirees, the well to do and a respite from the world. Red rock majesty surrounds this town of 20,000 on two sides. At night, it’s dark, it’s quite and the stars shine bright.
Tombstone
www.cityoftombstoneaz.gov
Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, the Clayton gang and a culture of liquor, gambling, mining and ill repute gave this town a reputation that lives 120 years later.
Williams
www.experiencewilliams.com
The gateway to the Grand Canyon. Take the Grand Canyon Railway through Arizona’s high country and in December take a trip on the Polar Express. Book early as train availability fills fast.