www.arizonaguide.com - Visit the Arizona Office of Tourism

Focus on Arizona: Something for Everyone!

CANYON COUNTRY:
The Grand Canyon is the centerpiece of this region-the Grand Canyon is 1 mile deep and hundreds of miles long. Also, south of the Canyon there is a Ponderosa Pine section in the Mountains. The altitude is higher in this area so it is cooler and there are 4 Seasons. Activities include Hiking, Golfing, Downhill + Cross Country Skiing, Rafting and Kayaking.

Flagstaff: Has snowy winters and cooler summers. It is a University town with many cultural activities including the Flagstaff Summerfest, Winterfest, the Shakespeare Festival in July, and the Museum of Northern AZ which features Native American life and culture. This is a good base point for various excursions as it is considered the Gateway to the Grand Canyon; it is also close to Sunset Crater (volcano), Wupatki National Monument (ancient ruins), and Walnut Canyon (cliff dwellings of Sinagua Indians). The town has a walkable city center with lots of atmosphere and many upscale restaurants, bars, shops, vegetarian cafes, and espresso bars. From the town you have a striking view of the Francisco Mountain Peaks. It is a haven for mountain bikers and great for hunting and fishing as well.

Sedona: This new age resort set in canyon scenery and beautiful Red Rock country has been called "the next Santa Fe". The town is filled with unusual art galleries and boutiques, upscale Southwestern restaurants, as well as old-fashioned Diners. The Jazz on the Rocks Festival in the summer features top billed musicians. The Montezuma Castle National Monument is located 25miles away-a huge well preserved adobe cliff dwelling.

INDIAN COUNTRY:
One third of Arizona belongs to Native Americans. Indian Country is home to numerous reservations where you can find Indian jewelry and crafts, tribal fairs and rodeos, and is known for spectacular landscapes, rock formations and sandstone cliffs. The area also contains fascinating pre-Columbian ruins and cliff palaces. The interesting Four Corners area where AZ, NM, UT, and CO meet is also here. Monument Valley with its huge rocks and red sands offers Navaho-led jeep and horseback tours into the back country. Finally, the Petrified Forest is also here with its gigantic fossilized prehistoric trees and views of the Painted Desert (solidified sand dunes in different shades of red, gray and brown).

Chinle, Ganado, Ft Defiance, Gallup NM, Kayenta

RIVER COUNTRY:
Along the western AZ border, this region is one of the most popular water sport areas in the USA (water-skiing, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing). The waterways are framed by impressive high saw tooth ridges and have lots of shady picnic and camping spots on the shores. Bird-watching, rock hounding and hiking are also popular in this region.

Lake Havasu City: Ten miles from the CA Border. There is a British influence in this town-complete with its own "London Bridge" imported from England that sits over the Colorado River and an English Village which has British shops and Pubs along the waterfront. The picturesque Chemehuevi Mountains sit in the backdrop of Lake Havasu. The Cultural Center also features Southwestern arts and crafts, traditional dancing, and storytelling.

Bullhead City: This is a center for outdoor recreation including sailing, sail boarding, and swimming on the Lake. It also has panoramic vistas and interesting rock formations.

Yuma: Yuma has warm winters and is a cultural and recreational center for the area. You can take Colorado River tours here; visit the Yuma Territorial Prison (now a Park) which once held the Wild West's most violent criminals. There is also a Casino, great Mexican restaurants, golfing, and there is a wilderness refuge here which is home to coyote, bobcat, birds, and deer.

CENTRAL TERRITORY:
Lots of well preserved and varied History here from the Ancient Indians, the Pioneers, early Miners and the Cowboys.

Payson: This is a town in the Mountains near a State Park. Good for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. 1.5 hrs from Phoenix and has mountain lakes and a National Forest nearby. There are miles of great hiking and camping areas and acres of Wildflowers in the spring. Mogollon Rim (dramatic 2000 foot Wall of Stone) is here. There are year round community festivals and events such as sled-dog races, rodeo dances and fiddling festivals.

Wickenburg: Old West ambiance still preserved here. Downtown evokes memories of cowboy heritage-there are many ranches for horseback riding. The Hassayampa River Preserve is just outside of town and is a lush habitat for birds, deer and javelina. It has trails and picnic areas and nature tours are offered. There are also many ghost towns in the desert near Wickenburg and a Mining Museum.

Prescott: Spirit of Wild West still alive here-many saloons, cowboys and ranchers.

Jerome: Artist Colony

HIGH COUNTRY:
This area has 4 seasons including fall foliage and snow and is great for outdoor lovers. It is a summer heat retreat location and popular for hiking, golfing & fishing. In the winter it offers downhill and cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating on the 40 Mountain lakes. The Colorado River and the Blue and Black Rivers run through here. It is also a natural haven for wildlife (deer and bears). Charming small towns featuring quaint craft and jewelry stores are scattered throughout the region.

Showlow: Has 2 great lakes. Mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, skiing and fishing are popular here.

OLD WEST COUNTRY:
Heavy Spanish Mission influence as well as Mexican influence. There are caves, mountain parks, great bird watching, and ghost towns throughout the area. The Mission Trail (1hr South of Tucson) has the best preserved mission church in the USA-San Xavier Del Bac.

Tucson: Located in a high desert valley 60 miles North of the Mexican border surrounded by pine covered mountains and forests of giant Cacti. Sabino Canyon has great hiking trails or trams that lead to waterfalls and pools + streams. Kit Peak National Observatory with some of the best astronomical viewing in the world is near Tucson. There are over 40 golf courses in the area and numerous resorts and day spas and dude ranches. The city has historic quarters and a walkable town center including nice restaurants, good nightlife including arty cafés and nightclubs. It is a college town (Univ of AZ - 35,000 students). Mount Lemmon offers snow skiiing nearby. The Arizona State Museum (Native American Artifacts) and the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (part zoo, part garden) are here as well. This city is much smaller, and more low key than Phoenix.

Bisbee: Historic Mining town. Lots of artists now live here. It has lots of nice old brick bridges giving it atmosphere. Has galleries, restaurants and Inns and is located in the middle of the Mountains near the Mexican border.

Tombstone: 67 miles from Tucson. Site of the famed gunfight at the OK Corral.

Nogales: The largest Arizona/Mexico border town. Nogales US is very residential; Sister city of Nogales MEX is a lively, large-scale street market offering inexpensive Mexican crafts.

Safford, Sierra Vista

VALLEY OF THE SUN
This is the greater Phoenix metro area. The valley is surrounded by Mountains and towering Cacti. Has over 300 sunny days per year. Offers diverse natural landscapes including hiking in the ring of mountains, birdwatching areas, desert lakes for picnics, fishing , boating, water skiing, sailing or swimming.

Phoenix: AZ State capital and 8th largest US City known for golf, tennis, upscale shopping and spas. Many cultural opportunities also including fashion design, art, Broadway shows, opera, symphony, Ballet, rock concerts, and Museums featuring Native American, Modern Art, and Architecture. The city has a historic area downtown-walking tours available. Nightlife includes cowboy dancehalls and nightclubs in upscale hotels. Superstition Mountains just outside the city offer opportunities for picnics, camping, scenic drives, and pueblo remains built by Indians.

Chandler: Concerts and performances offered at the culturally rich Chandler Center.

Tempe: Trendy stores, coffeehouses, restaurants, craft festivals and a relaxed environment. A shoppers paradise-also has an outlet mall.

Casa Grande: 30 minutes South of Phoenix. Pop- 21,945. Has 2 Outlet Malls

Glendale: Lots of Antique Shops