Arizona
additional Arizona travel links...
 Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, is a rich vacation destination with its many archaeological, cultural, historical, natural, and recreational sites that will intrigue every visitor. For example, by following the North Rim Parkway that connects the Grand Canyon National Park with the Kabib Plateau and winds through two forests, the traveler can explore the Kabib Plateau where people lived for 8000 years, learn about the Native American cultures of the area, visit quaint towns which boast their pioneer-stock heritage, and learn about President Theodore Roosevelt’s commitment to protect the wildlife in the region. Hikers, walkers, backpackers , equestrians, campers, and cross-country skiers can take advantage of the well maintained non-motorized trails that traverse the region. Bikers, snowmobilers, and four-wheel drivers use the motorized trails. Although mountain bikers cannot use the natural areas, there are many roads that wind through the region and provide challenges for the most adventurous mountain biker. History buffs can find ghost towns or tour the Old Bisbee Mine in Bullhead City , Tumacacori National Historic Park, which recognizes the visit of Father Kino, a Jesuit, who visited the region in 1691, and Casa Grande Historical Society and Museum which shows the growth of the Casa Grande Valley from the prehistoric times to the present. Sedona is internationally known for its beauty and ambience. Visitors can hike through the near-by scenic and rocky terrain or hire a guide for a driving tour. In Tombstone, tourist can relive the frontier past at the reenactments of the gunfights in the old time saloons. If beauty and relaxation is a vacation goal, Arizona has some of the most elegant spas in the world, including the Golden Door Spa.
Outdoor adventurers can find hunting and fishing near Show Low where elk, deer, turkeys, bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and antelopes abound. Boat rentals are available at some of the lakes. If observing wildlife, vacationers can visit the cool forests and rich meadows to see birds, grazing animals, and beautiful wild flowers —or just enjoy star gazing during the clear Arizona nights while camping.
 Its major cities, Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Yuma, and Tempe, offer golf, spas, fine dining, museums, theatres, botanical gardens, and accommodations for all tastes within minutes of natural areas like the high desert and mountain ranges with interesting dude ranches and resorts. These great cities, Arizona’s sunshine, and casual western living are the reasons that this state is growing so rapidly. Interestingly, Flagstaff’s altitude offers skiing. Phoenix also has something for all interests from opera to NASCAR racing and hot air ballooning,. Visitors to Scottsdale enjoy hot air ballooning, attending the Parada del Sol and Rodeo, or watching major league baseball spring training.
Walnut National Canyon is near Flagstaff and has self-guided tours and picnic areas for visitors who are studying the cliff dwellings in the canyon. The Petrified Forest National Park has displays of petrified wood and contains a portion of the Painted Desert. To experience the diversity of Arizona, travelers need to visit Lake Havasu City and see the London Bridge, which was shipped to and rebuilt in this desert city stone-by-stone.
Arizona is a year-round get-away with the following events:
Arizona has a large Native American population of which more than half is Navajo and 23 reservations. Native American arts and crafts specialties including baskets, jewelry, pottery, kachina dolls, and weavings are available throughout Arizona. Navajo National Monument is surrounded by the Navajo Nation and has remarkable cliff dwellings which are available by guided tours. The Hopi Indian Reservation is near Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
In addition to the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona has many other national historic sites, monuments, forests, and parks. Here are some of the interesting national sites to visit:
National airlines serve major Arizona cities. Tourist venturing to Arizona by can use I-40 and I-10. |
