5 Stunning Vacation Locations in Arizona

You’re considering your first trip out west. You’ve seen all your friends post about how beautiful the Rocky Mountains are in Colorado, or how the stunning cliff faces of Big Sur, California remind them of something out of Jurassic Park, or even from another planet. They’ve come back with stories of “Oh, that elevation will get you!” or “I think to myself, ‘Is this really the United States still? Beats the crap out of Kansas!’” Now, it’s your turn. 

This article is here to tell you that Arizona is underrated, and explain why Sedona rentals and property management and other magical desert adventures are peak American West experiences. 

Texas has its charm, the Pacific Northwest is a misty, mysterious area of the country with a lot of draw as well. Vegas speaks for itself, if you’re a gambler, and New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment. Arizona generally is just painted as insanely hot, dry, desert, etc., which is accurate—but there’s so much more to see.

Why Is Arizona A Good State To Take A Vacation? 

If kayaking the river through the Grand Canyon or the bustling nightlife of Phoenix isn’t enough to draw you in, you may be surprised to learn what the rest of the state has to offer. Arizona has a state-wide elevation difference of 12,563 feet, providing a remarkably high ecological diversity that most people might not realize. 

Sure, there might not be some oceanfront property in the state, but if you like winter activities, it actually does snow across several different regions of the state. There are even ski resorts in many parts of northern Arizona, where it can snow upwards of 75 inches per year. 

Historic Route 66 runs through the state as well, which provides several photo opportunities and tourist attractions to honor one of the most legendary highways in the country. 

According to World Population Review, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 1,743,469 people, and the city and surrounding areas are some of the fastest-growing cities in America. 

Phoenix is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Arizona Cardinals (just a 20-minute drive to Glendale), the Phoenix Suns, the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Rising FC, and several other professional and college sports teams. Concerts grace the city every single day, and a top five city in America provides some of the best nightlife in the country.  

5 Stunning Vacation Locations In Arizona

• Sedona

Sedona is one of the most stunning landscapes in all the United States. Red rocks, high mesas, mountains, rivers, and trails all thrive throughout the 1.8 million acres of national forest land that surrounds the city. 

There are countless areas for picturesque driving, ATVing, dirt biking, and hiking; perfect landscapes for climbing, backpacking, and camping; and wonderful parks and forests that are perfect for fishing, rafting, golfing, skiing, or whatever else you like doing outdoors. 

Sedona is also a famous spiritual hub known nationwide. There are several healing centers, healing therapies, places of worship and spirituality, as well as psychic readings, spiritual tours and stories, and education on the famous vortexes that surround the city.

• Flagstaff

If you’re a fan of seasons and feel the need to cool off from the desert heart, Flagstaff could be just the place for you. Contrary to popular belief about all of Arizona. Summers in Flagstaff hover in the 80s, and its location in the high country mountains of the northern part of the state provides the best of all four seasons. 

If you’re chasing winter wonderland, Flagstaff is the perfect Arizona city for you, with an average snowfall of over 100 inches annually. Get the best of mountain living in the warm months by taking advantage of rock climbing, hiking, disc golf, camping, and even boating. The city is only 80 miles from the Grand Canyon, and provides a small-town feel that can’t be found in Phoenix. 

Downtown Flagstaff provides a slew of local restaurants, shops, breweries, coffee shops, and whatever else a small town can provide. 

• Tombstone 

Tombstone is the place to be for ghost stories, haunted cowboy saloons and the answer to your American Southwest fix. The town is a true flavor of the Old West, with history from its prime decorated throughout the city. 

Here you can experience haunted ghost tours, re-enactments from famous cowboy duels and battles, and visit perfectly preserved landmarks that will transport you to the Wild, Wild West. The Bird Cage Theater and The Crystal Palace are both recognized as some of the most haunted places in the country. 

Finish your day with a cold pint from Tombstone Brewery Company, or indulge in some of the best food in the southwest. History buffs will find Tombstone to be a spooky paradise. 

• Phoenix 

The biggest city in Arizona is a must-visit destination. A plethora of sporting events and concerts are available on any given night, and there’s a wide selection of museums, resorts, serene desert gardens, and much more. 

If you love shopping, there are several outdoor malls to choose from in order to enjoy the perennial sunshine that beats down on the city year-round. Don’t worry, misters are strategically placed throughout the shopping centers to keep you cool while you browse. 

There are countless hikes within a 30-minute drive of the city, such as Camelback Mountain Trail, if you want to get out of the city for some nature, and still return in time for happy hour at any of Phoenix’s award-winning restaurants. 

• Tucson 

Surrender yourself to the south and the Sonoran Desert by visiting Tucson. Tucson not only has a lot of the same features as the above listings, such as mountain biking, hiking, camping, climbing, and other outdoor activities, you can catch your second wind at any of Tucson’s incredible Hispanic food destinations. 

The stars will blow you away in the desert night, but take an even closer look at the cosmos at the Kitt Peak National Observatory and the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory. 

With countless attractions throughout the Sonoran Desert, such as Colossal Cave Mountain Park or Kartchner Caverns State Park, Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon or Saguaro National Parks East & West, you’ll be enchanted by the magic of the American Southwest. 

Conclusion

Don’t rule out Arizona when you think of the beautiful states in the American West. Despite its reputation, Arizona is actually a very biodiverse, gorgeous landscape with every season and opportunity you can get from its surrounding states. A vacation property management company can help you find the perfect place to stay when visiting Arizona.

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