Top 5 Places to Visit in Arizona

10.19.21

Lauren Eidson Photo

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Cacti and canyons… two of my favorite views in the southwestern United States. Arizona has endangered species and landscapes that are mind-blowing and massive, and my trip to Arizona in 2018 definitely didn’t disappoint. Let’s talk about the preplanning. Once you have taken these steps, you’ll want to scroll down see my top destinations to visit in Arizona.

• Get a round trip plane ticket to Phoenix

• Find a car rental

• Purchase hotels/Airbnbs for each night

• RESEARCH!!!

If you’re in the midst of researching, you’ve come to the right page!

So, what destinations should you visit in Arizona? Below, I have provided a list of the top 5 places to visit during your next trip to the astonishing state of Arizona.

1. Saguaro National Park in Phoenix. After landing in Phoenix and picking up a rental car, you can stop by a grocery or convince store for a sandwich and a few snacks. After that, you can head south to find the Saguaro cacti! There are picnic tables and bathrooms located throughout the park. This was the first time I had a chance to enjoy my surroundings out west, and it was also the first time I felt warm, dry air (which was nice because I’m used to warm, humid air in Atlanta). It was also extremely quiet… So quiet that it almost hurt my ears. From your car, you might think the cacti are anticlimactic; however, walk right up to one, and you’ll see how they tower over everything in sight. Most of the cacti in the park are hundreds of years old, and they’re one of the only living plants you’ll find in the area. How neat is that?!

2. Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock in Sedona. This beautiful city is a short drive north from Phoenix. There are plenty of little shops with trinkets and doodads, including hand-carved items made by the local tribes and exquisite locally sourced crystals and rocks. Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock are some of the most popular rock formations and are conveniently close the highway. There are marketed hiking trails that will take you all the way to the top of the rocks. My number one recommendation: stay hydrated! The dry heat is no joke!

3. Grand Canyon National Park. You might think this place is a cliché, but you won’t want to miss this magnificent creation. After a couple of hours of driving northwest of Sedona, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a dense forest and the entrance of the Grand Canyon. It does cost to enter this gated park. Once inside, you’ll be able to roam freely throughout the designated trails. This was the first time in my life that I felt incredibly small. As I walked closer to the canyon, the backside was so far away that my eyes couldn’t grasp the distance—it looked like a backdrop of one of those wallpapers you might see on a computer background. I saw many people taking photos near the edge, so I thought I’d snap a few. I would err on the side of caution as the wind is not kind, and it feels as though the canyon is trying to suck you in.

4. Horseshoe Bend and Navajo Bridge in Page. Head northeast to experience the beauty of these locations. The best time to visit is an hour before sunset. You’ll experience one of the most beautiful sunsets at Horseshoe Bend. Trust me. The Navajo Bridge is a massive arch bridge that crosses over the Colorado River. I’d already had my share of heights on this trip, but this was the cherry on top. Though, looking 90 feet directly down at the river made me feel liberated from my everyday fears. It was freeing and calming in a way.

5. Monument Valley in Navajo Tribal Park. Northwest of Page, AZ and at the border of Arizona and Utah, you’ll find massive rock formations even grander than the ones in Sedona. Hence the name, Monument Valley is comparable to the national monuments that we have built in the US. There are places to park along the stretch of highway where you can take in the beauty of the vast landscape, and I’ll tell you—I enjoyed every second of it. And even after the sunlight was gone, the sky was full of stars. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the Milky Way after night fall!