Joel Grimes
What's New
- FIELD TO FEAST: These half-day tours give folks a chance to get down – and a little dirty – with a hands-on farming lesson. Yuma.
- WINE REGIONS: The Grand Canyon State is increasingly being recognized as a sophisticated yet unpretentious wine destination, with family-owned vineyards offering award-winning red, white and rosé wines.
- FOREST PARK EXPANDS: Petrified Forest National Park opened almost 6,000 hectares of park expansion lands to the public recently. The Petrified Forest is best known for its Late Triassic fossils.
- THE MULES ARE BACK: For the first time in 116 years, Grand Canyon mule riders can take in the breathtaking vistas of Grand Canyon National Park. Xanterra is offering a new three-hour mule ride along the new East Rim Trail.
- TRAIL EXPANDS: The popular self-guided Flagstaff Ale Trail is now the Flagstaff-Grand Canyon Ale Trail, with new stops in Sedona and Williams.
- GREEN STEAM: The Grand Canyon Railway will fire up its iconic 1923 steam engine for regularly scheduled runs from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon this year.
Yuma Visitors Bureau
Attractions
- Chiricahua National Monument: Historical ranching, hiking and camping are offered on this “wonderland of rocks”. Willcox.
- Sunrise Park Resort: Offers 65 ski runs. Greer.
- Sunset Crater National Monument: Ranger programs and self-guided trails are available on the crater. Near Flagstaff.
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: An unforgettable fusion zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum, aquarium and art gallery. Tucson.
- Grand Canyon Railway: An authentic train ride on vintage locomotives like those of the early 1900s. Williams.
- Antelope Canyon: Gently carved from the Navajo sandstone over countless millennia, the slot canyons provide just enough space for the occasional shaft of sunlight to shine through. Page.
- Mission San Xavier Del Bac: Acclaimed as one of the finest examples of mission architecture in U.S. Tucson.
- Pima Air & Space Museum: One of the largest air and space museums housing many rare air and space craft. Tucson.
- Monument Valley Tribal Park: One of the grandest and most photographed landmarks in the US, this sprawling, sandy preserve spans the border between Arizona and Utah.
- Hopi Arts Trail: Hopi villages are found at the base and the top of three mesas dominating the landscape. Internationally-acclaimed as artisans, First Mesa is known for its pottery, Second Mesa for coiled basketry and Third Mesa for wicker basketry.
- Think Small: The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is home to an entertaining and interactive array of antique and contemporary miniatures. Tucson.
- Sedona Heritage Museum: On the National Register of Historic Places, this museum showcases local pioneer history, cowboy life, vintage machinery, orchard industry history and fun for kids. Sedona.
Arizona Office of Tourism
Events
- Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event (January), Kayenta.
- County Fair (April), Yuma.
- Cinco De Mayo Festival & Chihuahua Races (May), Chandler.
- Flagstaff Wine & Food Festival (June), Flagstaff.
- Prescott Frontier Days & World’s Oldest Rodeo (July), Prescott.
- Navajo Festival Of Arts & Culture (August), Flagstaff.
- Salsa Festival (September), Graham County.
- Brew & Bats Oktoberfest (October), Kingman.
- Arizona Balloon Classic (December), Gilbert.
Places
- Phoenix: Attractions include South Mountain Park, the Heard Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden.
- Scottsdale: Sonoran Desert offers pristine hiking trails, boulder-strewn mountains and hot-air balloon rides.
- Sedona: Sedona's worldwide reputation as a spiritual Mecca and global power spot has drawn some of our planet's most amazing healers, artists and spiritual guides.
- Prescott: Beautifully restored Victorian homes with carefully manicured lawns line the quiet streets, and there are more than 500 buildings that are on the National Historic Register.
- Lake Havasu: Home to the world-famous original London Bridge and English Village.
- Yuma: This agricultural community on the Colorado River is known today as the lettuce capital of the U.S. Enjoy boating, camping, off-roading and casinos.
- Tucson: Once a rowdy frontier town, this modern city is filled with historical, cultural, scientific and natural attractions.
- Kingman: Kingman is known as the “Heart of Historic Route 66” and has more than 60 local buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Hidden Gems
- Rancho De La Osa Guest Ranch: One of the last great haciendas in America. Sasabe.
- Highway 89 – A Loop Scenic Drive: Ranked as one of America’s most scenic drives.
- Tubac Golf Resort & Spa: Located on the Otero Ranch, this restart has been welcoming guests with its unique style of hacienda-inspired warmth since 1959 when it was opened by Hollywood legend Bing Crosby. Recently renovated and expanded, the resort features 98 hacienda style guest rooms. Tubac.
Did you know?
- State Motto: God Enriches
- State Flower: Saguaro Cactus Bloom
- State Bird: Cactus Wren
Fast Facts
- Region: SOUTH WEST
- America’s Byways: Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, Historic Route 66, Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway, Red Rock Scenic Byway, Ski Island Scenic Byway.
- Direct Flights: Air Canada, USAirways, WestJet.
- Shopping: Scottsdale’s Fashion Square, Tempe’s historic downtown Mill Avenue District, Marketplace and San Tan Village, Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park.
- Info: Arizona Office of Tourism
(866) 275-5816
www.arizonaguide.com