Arizona really has it all: travel to The Grand Canyon State

Arizona is a state of wonder and filled with sights guaranteed to amaze. Whether you plan on visiting for the first time or consider the state your home, here is a list of the best things to do and see during your visit to Arizona.

First up, the Grand Canyon. The state is best known for this mile-deep chasm caused by the colorado river. It is spectacular. I was able to see this world wonder a few years ago and still dream of returning. It has layers and layers of red rock, revealing thousands of years of geological history. The best way to get there is by driving - you’ll definitely want to rent a car. Tour buses and guides are great, but renting a car allows you to explore the canyon on your own time. You can hike on any of the various hiking trails (ranging from easy to advanced in difficulty), stop and take pictures, or just stare in awe at the incredible rock formations. From Phoenix, the South Rim is about a 3 to 3 and ½ hour drive. The beauty of the canyon is well worth it. Another way to see the canyon, if you’re really looking for an unforgettable experience, is to see it via helicopter. A bit more money, but a once-in-a-lifetime view. Helicopter tickets are available year-round. Again, driving a car is always an option.

As you’re driving, you’ll pass through Flagstaff, Arizona. The highest point on the infamous US route 66, Flagstaff is home to beautiful mountains and scenery too. If you like winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, you may want to spend a few days here. It’s home to the Arizona snowball ski resort and hails hundreds of thousands of snow bunnies from all over the world. Bring your boards, jackets, and skis, Auto Europe offers rental cars with enough space to hold all of your gear.

If art is more for you than skiing and snowboarding, you have to check out Sedona, Arizona. Sedona has a rich local art scene inspired by the natural beauty of this town. Sedona has red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests. Drive your rental car to the red-rock state park for a full day (or days) of natural beauty. Sedona is considered to be a very spiritual place by Native Americans and just driving through it, you can see why. Desert air, red clay formations, you can really feel the magic and power that has been sacred there for centuries.

Mesa, Arizona is also a spectacular place to drive to and see. Mesa grande cultural park is home to a centuries-old ceremonial mound and artifacts of the Hohokam people. Also home to a vibrant art community, Mesa has art and plenty of History Museums. Check out the Arizona Museum of Natural History for dinosaur skeletons and other archeological finds.

Not too far from Mesa and Phoenix, you’ll find Scottsdale. This desert city is known for its spa resorts and golf courses, including TCP Scottsdale. In Arizona, the sun shines nearly every day (299 days out of 365 last year were bright, sunny, and comfortable) so there are no bad days for golfing.

Tucson is another beautiful desert town and the second most populated city in Arizona. Tucson, Arizona is home to the University of Arizona. Tucson is known for the dramatic beauty of the Sonoran desert. Drive along for breathtaking views of sunsets and dramatic cacti, including the giant Saguro, a symbol of the American Southwest.

You’ll also want to make sure you drive to and around monument valley. Right on the border of Utah and Arizona, this red sand desert region is known for its towering sandstone buttes made popular by American Western movies such as “the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” The giant buttes can be viewed from the road or from overlooks such as John Ford’s point. Monument Valley Navajo tribal park is a must-see on your trip to Arizona. And if you can make time for the Desert Botanical garden, you will not be sorry. Check out all the beautiful desert botanicals including thousands of variations of cacti.

As beautiful as the desert is in Arizona, I also recommend driving Northeast and Northwest to see beautiful forests and lakes. Prescott National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and Kaibab National Forest (north) are all worth the drive if you’re looking for more temperate climates and fresh air. The Hoover Dam is, of course, worth the drive as well.

With all the driving around, hiking, skiing, golfing, art viewing, and sunset watching, you may get hungry. Here are some of the best places to grab a bite to eat while visiting Arizona’s many beautiful landscapes. Scottsdale is home to three of the four restaurants in Arizona to make OpenTable's top 100 list. These include Cafe monarch, Domink’s steakhouse, and Ocean 44. The fourth, Steak 44, is located in Phoenix. The Farm Kitchen at the south mountain in Phoenix is another very popular spot.

A quick google search, and a chat with a local friend, informed me that while in Arizona, you must eat cheese crisps, chimichangas, and mesquite flour. Favorite foods of the locals, these are served at various restaurants. Arizona is known for classic American southwest food.

If you’re looking for good food, music, and nightlife, Phoenix and Scottsdale are where you want to go next. Some of the best nightclubs in Arizona are Maya Night and Day and Karamba Night club. You can dance the desert nights away.

Arizona really has it all. Vibrant nightlife and art scenes, delicious food and drinks, stunning natural beauty, and bright sunny days will make your trip memorable. Renting a car is your best option for driving around and seeing all the sights like the grand canyon, the Sonoran desert, the mountains of Flagstaff, monument valley, and more. Start planning your trip and book your rental car for the best exploration today!