Your guide to Arizona
Top destinations in Arizona
Grand Canyon
Hike, bike or simply enjoy the views at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. One of America’s most scenic parks, the Grand Canyon has never been grander.
Phoenix
Arizona’s capital is a desert metropolis and an oasis of culture. Whether you’re looking for art or adventure, Phoenix always rises to the occasion.
Sedona
A natural haven, an artistic hub and a place of spiritual awakening. Sedona is an adventurer’s wonderland just begging to be explored.
Tucson
In the heart of Arizona cactus country, this charming college town earns high marks for its rich cultural scene and thrilling outdoor adventures.
Yuma
The sunniest city on Earth offers more than just balmy weather. Yuma is a hotspot for sizzling Mexican cuisine, historic military sites and boat rides on the Colorado River.
Prescott
Welcome to Prescott, where rugged granite boulders meet ponderosa pine forests, and backcountry hikes go hand in hand with Wild West history lessons.
Arizona: fast facts
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | Phoenix - UTC−7 (MST) |
| High season | November – April |
| Low season | June – September |
Arizona highlights
See the Grand Canyon
If you only have time for one thing to do in Arizona, go see the Grand Canyon. At 446 kilometres long and up to 29 kilometres wide, there’s nothing like it anywhere on Earth. The towering sandstone formations of Monument Valley and Red Rock State Park will steal whatever breath you have left. Or head north to witness a massive 50,000-year-old meteor crater.
Get active outdoors
Arizona is an epic backdrop for outdoor adventures. There’s rafting, kayaking and waterskiing along the mighty Colorado River, and the scenic hiking trails stretch for literally thousands of kilometres. You can hop on a bike (or even a horse) to explore the high desert near Sedona. And to really raise the pulse, try skateboarding down Mount Lemmon.
Pamper yourself
While Arizona’s red rocks get all the limelight, its spas are just as transformative. From Castle Hot Springs to the Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired Arizona Biltmore, wellness retreats have been part of the landscape for over a century. And with meditation journeys in the mountains, gemstone treatments in the desert and Japanese-style forest bathing, you’re never far from a good spa day (or week).
Things to do in Arizona
Top attractions
Nothing can prepare you for the heart-stopping views of the Grand Canyon — come at sunset for a truly unforgettable experience. Explore a surreal landscape of fossilised trees in Petrified Forest National Park. On the state’s northern border, a 27-kilometre loop takes you past the rock formations of Monument Valley, some of which climb 300 metres into the air.
Beaches
You’ll find gorgeous sandy beaches in Arizona’s state parks. They’re actually man-made reservoirs, and they offer boating and water sports. Sunbathe alongside herons at Patagonia Lake, or visit the famously relocated London Bridge at Lake Havasu. The Colorado riverbank is dotted with waterside spots, from Yuma’s family-focused West Wetlands Park to hidden swimming areas only reachable by hiking.
Nature
In the southern Sonoran Desert, cacti stand up to 12 metres tall against a backdrop of red rocks. Shooting 1,800 metres up from the desert floor, mountains create ‘sky islands’ where birds, butterflies and the rare coatimundi raccoon thrive. See the crystal-like trees that give the Petrified Forest National Park its name, or find the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest just an hour away.
Cuisine
Some of the greatest restaurants in Arizona are in Tucson, where Indigenous flavours meet influences from Mexico, Africa and China. The Sonoran Desert has its own special harvest — expect to find prickly pears in everything from jams to margaritas. North of Phoenix, the Verde Valley is an emerging wine country. Don’t leave without trying a ‘chimichanga’, a deep-fried burrito that was invented here.
Culture and museums
Top-notch museums in Arizona range from its interactive science centre to the largest collection of musical instruments in the world. Many are based in the capital, like the Phoenix Art Museum, whose modernist building is a masterwork in its own right. Away from the cities, Arizona’s centuries-old history is yours to explore, from Spanish cathedrals and Hopi villages to cliff dwellings like Montezuma’s Castle.
Nightlife
Downtown Phoenix has some of the best nightlife in Arizona, home to thumping dance clubs, craft breweries and fancy rooftop bars perfect for breezy desert nights. The fun starts early in Scottsdale, where DJ-fuelled pool parties transition into evening cocktails. And you can kick your heels up at The Maverick in Tucson, the city’s famed line dancing venue, which offers lessons for beginners.
Find the best time to visit Arizona
Weather in Arizona through the year
March – May: Spring offers mild temperatures throughout Arizona. The season is shorter in the south, where the weather climbs slowly but steadily towards summer highs.
June – August: Arizona summers are hot, particularly in the south, where extreme heat warnings are common. For milder weather, head to high elevation destinations like Flagstaff. Monsoon season begins in June and ends in September. Avoid driving during heavy rainstorms.
September — November: Autumn is the best time to visit Arizona for outdoor activities. Southern temperatures wind down from summer highs, and crisp weather arrives in the northern cities.
December – February: Winter in the south can be quite pleasant, but snow falls in the north as the ski season takes hold.
Events in Arizona
Arizona Renaissance Festival (January to March): Wander around a lively 16th-century English village in Gold Canyon, with jousting tournaments, artisan stalls and hearty turkey legs. Adults can join spirited daily pub crawls for medieval merriment.
Cactus League Spring Training (February to March): More than a dozen major league baseball teams take the field at stadiums around Phoenix for this beloved Arizona tradition. Watch your favourites in action, soak up the sun, and collect autographs from the sport’s biggest stars.
Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture (June): Buy handmade textiles, jewellery and artwork directly from Indigenous artists in Flagstaff at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The three-day festival includes traditional music, dance performances and cultural talks.
Know before you go
Budget
In the cities, you can find a cheap meal for around 20 US dollars ($) and a beer or coffee for a little over $5. If you’re looking for an affordable stay in Arizona, prices drop as the temperatures rise. Some museums and national parks offer free-admission days, and the street art in Phoenix is always free to view.
Health and safety
Arizona experiences some of the hottest temperatures in the US. If you plan to be outdoors during the warmer months, be sure to avoid the hottest part of the day. Bring plenty of water when hiking, and wear a hat with a brim to protect yourself from the sun. Check with Arizona’s Department of Health Services for heat warnings by location.
Free things to do
On the first Friday of each month, enjoy free admission to Phoenix’s Heard Museum, showcasing Indigenous art, and the Phoenix Art Museum. In the state’s northeast corner, wander the ancient cliff dwellings and dramatic red rock walls of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, where stunning scenery and entry are always free.
Family friendly
Get your thrills at Phoenix’s Castles-n-Coasters, with rollercoasters, a ropes course, mini-golf and more. In Tombstone, watch a lively re-enactment of the O.K. Corral shootout through the town’s preserved Old West streets. Travelling in summer? Grand Canyon National Park offers ranger-led programmes designed to engage and inspire young visitors.
Getting around Arizona
Public transport
Buses: The public Valley Metro network connects Phoenix to surrounding cities like Mesa, Chandler and Goodyear. National carriers Greyhound and FlixBus make stops throughout the state, including in tourism hubs such as Yuma, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
Trains: Amtrak operates two lines with stops in Arizona. The Southwest Chief route stops in Kingman, Flagstaff and Winslow, while the Sunset Limited route stops in Benson, Maricopa, Tucson and Yuma. Both routes offer sleeper rooms, dining cars and viewing cars with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Domestic flights
While you can fly directly between Phoenix and cities such as Tucson and Flagstaff, the expense and added time at the airport don’t make it a much quicker or better option than driving in most cases.
Driving and car hire
Arizona’s scenic landscape makes for an ideal road trip, and many of the state’s key sights and cities are within a few hours’ drive of each other. I-10 connects the east and west borders of the southern part of the state, while I-17 runs north to south. Arizona is also home to the longest remaining stretch of Route 66, the legendary highway that once connected Chicago to Santa Monica.
