Arizona Tourist Attractions
Updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on
Arizona’s best attractions span some of the most varied landscapes in the American Southwest, from the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks and Monument Valley to Sonoran Desert parks, alpine forests, historic Route 66 towns and scenic lakes. Visitors can explore national parks, Native American cultural sites, Old West communities, museums, gardens, caverns and family attractions throughout the state. This guide highlights many of the top places to visit in Arizona and organizes them by region, attraction type and travel interest.
Explore Arizona's Best Attractions
- Arizona Attractions at a Glance
- Five Popular Arizona Attractions
- Other Popular Attractions
- Attractions by Region
- Attractions by Travel Interest
- Best Time to Visit
- Arizona Road Trips
- Cultural, Historic and Family Attractions
- Natural Attractions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Arizona Attractions at a Glance
- Most famous natural attraction: Grand Canyon National Park
- Best red-rock destination: Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon
- Best desert scenery: Saguaro National Park and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Best slot-canyon experience: Antelope Canyon
- Best scenic overlook: Horseshoe Bend
- Best lake destination: Lake Powell and Glen Canyon
- Best historic road trip: Arizona Route 66
- Best Old West destination: Tombstone
- Best ancient cultural sites: Canyon de Chelly, Montezuma Castle, Wupatki and Walnut Canyon
- Best cave attraction: Kartchner Caverns State Park
- Best family museum: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Best botanical attraction: Desert Botanical Garden
Why Arizona Is a Popular Vacation Destination
Arizona attracts visitors with dramatic scenery, abundant sunshine, year-round outdoor recreation and a rich mix of Indigenous, Hispanic and Old West history. A single trip can include desert hiking, high-country forests, scenic drives, ancient cliff dwellings, lakes, museums, wildlife areas and historic downtowns. Elevations range from low desert valleys to mountain communities above 7,000 feet, allowing travelers to choose very different climates and landscapes within the same state.
Many of Arizona’s signature destinations can be combined into regional road trips. Northern Arizona offers the Grand Canyon, Page, Monument Valley and Route 66, while central Arizona includes Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Prescott and the Verde Valley. Southern Arizona features Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Tombstone, Bisbee and several major desert and cultural attractions.
Five of the Most Popular Arizona Tourist Attractions
Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona’s best-known natural wonder, with overlooks, trails and scenic drives along the South Rim and North Rim.
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon — Red-rock formations, hiking trails, scenic drives, galleries and resort lodging.
Montezuma Castle National Monument — A remarkable five-story cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua people into a limestone alcove near Camp Verde. The nearby Montezuma Well unit preserves another important archaeological and natural site in Arizona's Verde Valley.
Hoover Dam — One of America's most famous engineering landmarks, spanning Black Canyon on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. The dam forms Lake Mead and attracts visitors for its impressive architecture, scenic overlooks and guided tours.
Saguaro National Park — Sonoran Desert scenery and extensive stands of giant saguaro cactus near Tucson.
Other Popular Arizona Tourist Attractions
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park — Iconic sandstone buttes and Navajo-guided cultural and scenic tours.
- Antelope Canyon — A celebrated slot-canyon destination near Page that is visited through authorized guided tours.
- Lake Powell and Glen Canyon — Boating, paddling, houseboats, canyon scenery and access to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
- Petrified Forest National Park — Fossilized wood, badlands, archaeological sites and Painted Desert scenery.
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument — Canyon landscapes, overlooks and living Navajo cultural connections.
- Tombstone — Old West history, preserved streets, museums and reenactments.
- Historic Route 66 — Classic road-trip towns, roadside attractions, diners and historic motels.
- London Bridge — The historic bridge reconstructed at Lake Havasu City.
- Mission San Xavier del Bac — An active historic mission and important cultural landmark south of Tucson.
- Desert Botanical Garden — Extensive collections of desert plants and walking trails in Phoenix.
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum — A combined zoo, botanical garden, natural-history museum and desert wildlife experience near Tucson.
Best Arizona Attractions by Region
Northern Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Lake Powell and Glen Canyon
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Painted Desert
- Flagstaff
- Historic Route 66
Central Arizona and the Verde Valley
- Sedona
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Slide Rock State Park
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Jerome
- Prescott
- Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
- Superstition Mountains
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Phoenix and Scottsdale
- Desert Botanical Garden
- South Mountain Park and Preserve
- Phoenix Zoo
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Arizona Science Center
- Musical Instrument Museum
- Heard Museum
- Taliesin West
- State Farm Stadium
- Old Town Scottsdale
Tucson and Southern Arizona
- Saguaro National Park
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
- Kartchner Caverns State Park
- Tombstone
- Bisbee
- Old Tucson
- Pima Air & Space Museum
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Chiricahua National Monument
Western Arizona and the Colorado River
- Lake Havasu
- London Bridge
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Lake Mohave
- Hoover Dam
- Colorado River communities
- Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Arizona Attractions by Travel Interest
Natural Wonders and Scenic Landscapes
Arizona’s signature scenery includes the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Vermilion Cliffs and the Superstition Mountains.
National Parks and Monuments
Major protected destinations include Grand Canyon, Saguaro and Petrified Forest national parks, along with Canyon de Chelly, Montezuma Castle, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, Navajo, Organ Pipe Cactus, Sunset Crater Volcano and Tuzigoot national monuments.
Historic Towns and Route 66
Travelers interested in Arizona history can explore Tombstone, Bisbee, Jerome, Prescott, Williams, Winslow, Kingman, Oatman and other communities connected with mining, railroads, ranching and Historic Route 66.
Native American Cultural Destinations
Arizona contains many places of continuing cultural and spiritual importance to Tribal communities. Major destinations include Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Canyon de Chelly, Navajo National Monument and several ancestral sites managed by the National Park Service. Visitors should follow all Tribal regulations, photography restrictions and access requirements.
Lakes and Water Recreation
Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake and Patagonia Lake offer boating, paddling, fishing, beaches and scenic desert shorelines.
Museums, Gardens and Family Attractions
Popular family attractions include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Zoo, Pima Air & Space Museum, Mesa Arts Center, Wildlife World Zoo and the Grand Canyon Railway. These destinations offer opportunities to discover desert wildlife, science, art, aviation history and Arizona's scenic landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Arizona Attractions
Spring
Spring offers mild desert temperatures, wildflowers in favorable years and comfortable conditions for hiking, sightseeing and road trips. High-country destinations may still have snow early in the season.
Summer
Summer is extremely hot in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and other low-desert areas. Plan desert activities early in the morning, carry ample water and consider higher-elevation destinations such as Flagstaff, the White Mountains, the Grand Canyon rims and mountain lakes.
Fall
Fall brings cooler desert weather, changing leaves in mountain areas and generally pleasant road-trip conditions. It is a good season for Sedona, central Arizona, southern Arizona and Route 66 communities.
Winter
Winter is popular in the low desert, especially around Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson and Yuma. Northern Arizona can receive snow, and roads, trails or park facilities may be affected by winter conditions.
Popular Arizona Road Trip Routes
- Grand Canyon and Route 66: Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams and the Grand Canyon South Rim
- Page and Navajo Country: Grand Canyon, Page, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley
- Central Arizona loop: Phoenix, Prescott, Jerome, Verde Valley and Sedona
- Southern Arizona history: Tucson, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tombstone and Bisbee
- Colorado River trip: Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Bullhead City and Lake Havasu
- Eastern Arizona high country: Payson, Mogollon Rim, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and the White Mountains
Arizona Vacation Destinations Video
Cultural, Historic and Family Attractions
- Arizona Science Center
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Arizona State Capitol Museum
- Chase Field
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Heard Museum
- Jerome
- London Bridge
- Mesa Arts Center
- Musical Instrument Museum
- Old Tucson
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Phoenix Zoo
- Pima Air & Space Museum
- Reid Park Zoo
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
- State Farm Stadium
- Taliesin West
- Tempe Town Lake
- Tombstone
- Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park
Top Natural Attractions in Arizona
- Antelope Canyon
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
- Catalina State Park
- Colossal Cave Mountain Park
- Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Horseshoe Bend
- Kartchner Caverns State Park
- Lake Havasu State Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- Lake Powell
- Lees Ferry
- Marble Canyon
- Meteor Crater
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Navajo National Monument
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Painted Desert
- Patagonia Lake State Park
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Saguaro National Park
- Sedona
- Slide Rock State Park
- South Mountain Park and Preserve
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Superstition Mountains
- Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
- Tuzigoot National Monument
- Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- White Mountains of Arizona
- Wupatki National Monument
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Attractions
What is the most famous tourist attraction in Arizona?
Grand Canyon National Park is Arizona’s best-known attraction and one of the most recognized natural landmarks in the world.
What are the best places to visit in Arizona for a first trip?
A first-time itinerary commonly includes the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Phoenix or Scottsdale and Tucson.
How many days do I need to see Arizona?
Five to seven days allows time for one or two regions, while ten to fourteen days is better for combining northern, central and southern Arizona. Driving distances can be substantial, so travelers should avoid trying to cover the entire state in only a few days.
What are the best natural attractions in Arizona?
Top natural attractions include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Petrified Forest, Saguaro National Park, Canyon de Chelly and the Superstition Mountains.
What are the best family attractions in Arizona?
Popular family destinations include the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Science Center, Pima Air & Space Museum, Grand Canyon Railway and Kartchner Caverns State Park.
What are the best historic attractions in Arizona?
Major historic destinations include Tombstone, Bisbee, Jerome, Prescott, Historic Route 66, Montezuma Castle, Wupatki, Walnut Canyon and Mission San Xavier del Bac.
What Arizona attractions require reservations?
Some guided tours, Tribal parks, caverns, popular lodging areas and limited-entry experiences may require advance reservations. Antelope Canyon tours, certain cave tours and peak-season lodging near the Grand Canyon and Page should generally be planned ahead.
Is Arizona too hot to visit in summer?
Low-desert communities can be dangerously hot in summer, but higher-elevation destinations such as Flagstaff, the White Mountains and the Grand Canyon rims are generally cooler. Outdoor desert activities should be planned for early morning with appropriate heat precautions.
Which Arizona attractions are near Phoenix?
Attractions near Phoenix include Desert Botanical Garden, South Mountain Park, the Superstition Mountains, Lake Pleasant, State Farm Stadium, Old Town Scottsdale, museums and several urban preserves.
Which Arizona attractions are near Tucson?
Tucson-area attractions include Saguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Pima Air & Space Museum, Sabino Canyon and Old Tucson.
What are the best scenic drives in Arizona?
Popular scenic drives include Oak Creek Canyon, the Apache Trail area, Desert View Drive at the Grand Canyon, the Coronado Trail, Red Rock Scenic Byway, Mount Lemmon Highway and portions of Historic Route 66.
Can I visit the Grand Canyon and Sedona on the same trip?
Yes. Sedona and the Grand Canyon South Rim are commonly combined with Flagstaff or Williams on a multi-day northern Arizona itinerary.
Hours, entrance requirements, permits, road conditions and tour availability can change. Confirm current details with the managing park, Tribal authority or attraction before traveling.
Most Popular Things To Do In AZ
