Top Places to See in Arizona

A great list of things to do when you visit Arizona, with places for Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, Tempe, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, and many destinations in-between!

Apache Junction

1. Hike in the Superstition Mountains at Lost Dutchman State Park
2. Go back in time at the Arizona Renaissance Festival (February through March)
3. Take a 4-5 hr drive from Phoenix on the Apache Trail
4. Check out the Goldfield Ghost Town for a fun western experience
5. Dinner and music at the Arizona Opry!
6. Take a cruise on the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake

Avondale

1. Friendship Park in Avondale has lots of kids play areas plus a small pond
2. Take your children to Jubeelieve Indoor Playland (ages 0 to 5)
3. Valley Golf Center is a popular west valley golf range

Bisbee

1. Visit Bisbee in southern Arizona, a turn-of-the-century mining town
2. Go underground and tour the Queen Mine!
3. Check out the Copper Queen Library, established in 1882
4. There are numerous Bisbee Ghost Tours (and other tours) available in Bisbee

Bullhead City

1. Bullhead City has lots to see and do

Camp Verde

1. See animals from all over the world at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Carefree

1. Enjoy the shops, art galleries, and restaurants in Carefree and check out Easy Street and Ho Hum Dr. where there’s a huge sundial

Cave Creek

1. Cave Creek is north of Phoenix, and has lots of cool western stores, restaurants, and shops
2. Buffalo rides, and bbq! Eat dinner at Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek.

Chandler

1. See amazing art at the Eddie Basha Western American and American Indian Art Collection
2. Be a cowboy and experience the wild west at the Rawhide Western Town
3. See historic rail cars and locomotives at the Arizona Railway Museum (closed in summer)
4. Go shopping at the Chandler Fashion Center
5. Take the family to Desert Breeze Park for a nice lake, train ride, splash pad, and playground
6. If you’re into car racing, there’s lots to see and do at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park
7. The Koli Equestrian Center offers horseback riding adventures
8. Go racing at Bondurant! High performance driving school.
9. Check out ImprovMANIA in Chandler for a fun night out!
10. Stop and get a homemade popsicle at Paletas Betty
11. Have breakfast at Hanger Cafe at the Chandler Airport and watch the airplanes take off
12. Go on a guided bird walk at Veteran’s Oasis Park (first Saturday of every month from November through April)
13. Visit Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park, a free, 2.5-acre playground for kids
14. The Chandler Farmers Market is extremely popular (Saturdays in winter)

Deer Valley

1. The Rock Art Center in Deer Valley offers a look at ancient rock art

Flagstaff

1. See the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff
2. Ski Arizona Snowbowl (or in summer go to the top of Mt. Humphries on a ski lift)
3. See the Indian Ruins at Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff
4. Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff
5. Explore the past at Walnut Canyon National Monument
6. Camp or hike at the Flagstaff Nordic Center
7. Hike or ride bikes at Buffalo Park
8. Ride or hike the Karen Cooper Trail which is part of the  Flagstaff Urban Trail System
9. Play in the snow at the Wing Mountain Snow Play Area (sled, or snowshoe)
10. Swim at the Flagstaff Aquaplex (lazy river, pool, hot tubs, water slides)
11. Take the kids to Thorpe Park
12. Watch a movie on the square in downtown Flagstaff (summer)
13. Story time for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers at the Flagstaff Public Library
14. Summit Gymnastics has open gym on Mondays and Thursday afternoons
15. Bushmaster Park has playgrounds and a skate park for teens
16. Check out Crown Railroad Cafe which has a model train going around the ceiling

Florence

1. Visit historic Florence, AZ

Fountain Hills

1. Check out Fountain Park which has one of the worlds tallest fountains (560 ft high) which is one of the top four in the world
2. Go tubing on the Salt River

Gilbert

1. Check out the Gilbert water tower and splash pad
2. Dine at Liberty Market, one of the best restaurants in Gilbert
3. Take the family on a guided bird walk at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve (held every third Saturday of the month, October through March)
4. See the moon and planets at the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory

Greer

1. Ski Sunrise Ski Park (about 4 hrs from Phoenix)
2. Take a relaxing trip to Greer Arizona

Globe

1. Visit Globe-Miami, AZ home to a bunch of great restaurants and antique stores on the way to the White Mountains
2. Go horseback riding near Saguaro Lake (October though April)
3. Take a day-trip to Tonto National Monument and see real indian ruins (about two hours from Phoenix)
4. Nearby is Bartlett Lake, one of the best lakes in the area!
5. Even bigger is Theodore Roosevelt Lake which is about 18 miles in length

Grand Canyon

1. Visit the Grand Canyon!
2. At 8,803 feet, Point Imperial is the highest point on the North Rim of the
   Grand Canyon (360 view)
3. Havasu Falls (at the bottom of the Grand Canyon but worth the hike) or other waterfalls
4. River Raft the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon
5. Go to the Grand Canyon Skywalk (if you dare!)

Kingman

1. Drive the Sitgreaves Pass, which is a fun road with great views
2. Visit the Historic Route 66 Museum
3. Check out the worlds first Electric Vehicle Museum in Kingman at the Route 66 EV Museum

Lake Havasu City

1. Lake Havasu (see London Bridge up close)

Mesa

1. Have pizza at the Organ Stop Pizza and enjoy live music on the huge pipe organ!
2. Take the children to the i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa for all-day activities.
3. The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is fun for all ages!
4. Check out the Usery Mountain Regional Park for a great hike!
5. Go to the water park! Golfland-Sunsplash in Mesa is one of the best in the valley!
6. Check out the AZ Commemorative Air Force at Falcon Field in Mesa where you can see old WWII airplanes and even take a ride!

Northern Arizona

1. Take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad in Northern Arizona
2. Visit the Arizona Crawfish Festival in Northern Arizona
3. Visit Jerome (old copper town)
4. See bears and other wildlife at Bearizona near Williams
5. Sleep in a Wigwam (Holbrook, AZ)
6. Go horseback riding in Northern Arizona! There are lots of trails and beautiful scenery to see, and lots of companies to choose from
7. Lake Powell (the second largest man made lake in America)
8. Stay in a cozy cabin in Arizona (hundreds of cabins all over Arizona!)
9. Visit Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, one of the best preserved meteorite craters on earth (35 miles east of Flagstaff)
10. Montezuma Castle (a day trip from the valley)
11. Stand on the intersection between Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado at Four Corners
12. Tour ArcoSanti in the High Desert
13. Check out the Old Trails Museum in Winslow

Northeastern Arizona

1. The Painted desert in Northern Arizona is absolutely beautiful – named for the many colors you can see
2. If you’re in northeastern AZ don’t miss the amazing Petrified Forest National Park
3. See the beauty of Canyon de Chelly near the four corners region
4. Pretend you are John Ford filming in Monument Valley (near four corners)

Northwestern Arizona

1. Check out the Hoover Dam
2. Explore Lake Mead near Las Vegas

Oracle

1. Check out the Biosphere 2 attraction (learn about earth and plants cycles)
2. The Acadia Ranch Museum provides a historical museum about Oracle

Page

1. View the beautiful and amazing colors and shapes of Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ
2. See the Powell Museum and learn about Major Powell and the Colorado Plateau
3. Check out Canyon X, a less busy version of Antelope Canyon that’s good for photographers
4. See Horseshoe Bend near the Utah border in Page, AZ, an awesome view overlooking the Colorado River near Lake Powell
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument features a hard to reach (by permit only) “Wave” rock that’s beautiful

Phoenix

1. The Phoenix Symphony offers classical music for everybody, and you can see and purchase tickets online
2. Take a Brewery Tour in the Phoenix area
3. Take a horseback ride through the desert on South Mountain (south of Phoenix) and get the cookout ride!
4. Have lunch at the Wrigley Mansion (reservation required)
5. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is one of the best in the country
6. Check out the world’s first global Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix (mim.org)
7. Arizona Science Center
8. Visit The Phoenix Zoo
9. Tour the Capitol and see the museum about the USS Arizona
10. Mystery Castle at South Mountain built in 1945 (may not be open for tours) which was featured in Life
11. The Arizona Taco Festival is held every October, and you can try tacos from over 50 vendors
12. During the holidays (November to January) check out ZooLights for an amazing light display
13. If you are really into hiking, you should hike the seven summits of Phoenix
14. Go sailing on Lake Pleasant (north of Phoenix)
15. Eat some great food around Phoenix
16. Eat pizza at the famous Pizzeria Bianco
17. Hike Squaw Peak (aka Piestewa Peak) in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve
18. Learn about Native American Indians at the Heard Museum
19. Check out the great art at the Phoenix Art Museum
20. Pick fresh vegetables at Crooked Sky Farms
21. Learn about desert plants at the Desert Botanical Garden (read our guide to the Desert Botanical Garden)
22. If you’re looking for a list of ideas for things to do with your kids in Phoenix, check out this list
23. Check out the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and see lots of old fire fighting equipment
24. Take a tour of Tovrea Castle (that castle near the freeway with all of the cactus around it)
25. Take the family go kart racing at K1 Speed
26. Visit an old 1800s town at Pioneer Living Museum in North Phoenix
27. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum and learn about prehistoric Arizona
28. Hike Piestewa Peak (second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains)
29. Tour Rosson House at Heritage Square (next to Science Museum)
30. Check out the monuments at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
31. See the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix called Ro Ho En
32. Visit Papago Park for a nice quick hike
33. Catch a unique film and craft beer at FilmBar
34. The best venue for live music events is Crescent Ballroom
35. Four Peaks might be one of the best breweries in the country
36. There are lots of farmers markets, but the Phoenix Public Market on Saturday mornings is terrific
37. Check out Phoenix Comicon every year in Phoenix
38. Watch horse races at Turf Paradise
39. The Farm at South Mountain is a beautiful place to visit and dine (the fancy restaurant is called Quiessence)
40. Go on a glider ride with Arizona Soaring (by Lake Pleasant)
41. Go bowling at the new Lucky Strike bowling (Downtown Phoenix)
42. Head north to the Ben Avery Clay Target Center and shoot some shotguns! ($10 shotgun rentals)
43. Have fun with crafts and make something at Pinspiration

Paradise Valley

1. Hike Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley
2. Visit the Cosanti and ArcoSanti galleries of Paoli Soleri in Paradise Valley – spectacular displays of windbells and sculptures available for purchase

Payson

1. Check out the natural land bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park north of Payson
2. Tour Payson Rim Country
3. Check out the Mogollon Rim! A geological feature that cuts across the state for 200 miles!
4. The Zane Grey Museum in Payson is really cool
5. Check out the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery

Peoria

1. Take the kids to the Challenger Space Center and learn about space exploration

Prescott

1. Check out Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
2. Visit Watson Lake
3. Stop off at the experimental town of Arcosanti

Scottsdale

1. Catch a show at the Desert Stages Theater in Scottsdale (currently showing Peter Pan, Driving Miss Daisey, Fiddler on the Roof, and about 7 more)
2. Check out the new Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale
3. Catch the Parada del Sol in February in Old Town Scottsdale
4. Take a Segway tour of Scottsdale!
5. Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Scottsdale, Taliesin West
6. Visit Scottsdale. The “Best Run City In The World.”
7. See amazing artwork and get shop till you drop in Old Town Scottsdale
8. Eat ice cream at The Sugar Bowl, Scottsdale’s oldest ice cream parlor (since 1958!)
9. Taste some unique ice cream flavors at Sweet Republic
10. If you are into gaming, check out the Talking Stick Resort
11. Check out the Marquee Theater for live events in Scottsdale
12. Check out the recently opened Scottsdale Museum of the West to see western art
13. See beautiful Arabian horses every February at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
14. Check out the beautiful Civic Center Park and the LOVE statue in Old Town Scottsdale
15. Golf at the TPC Scottsdale where the Waste Management Open is held every January
16. Every January the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event comes to Scottsdale and is one of the best car shows in the world
17. Go hiking at Pinnacle Peak Park! One of the best hikes in the valley!
18. Every Thursday Scottsdale hosts an informal walking tour of Fifth Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale called ArtWalk
19. Check out some of the amazing coffee shops in Scottsdale
20. Check out the race cars at the Penske Racing Museum
21. Check out the Waste Management Open golf event every February in Scottsdale
22. Hit golf balls at the Topgolf “resort golf experience” at Talking Stick
23. Shoot some guns at the Scottsdale Gun Club
24. Go Kart Racing is fun at the Octane Raceway in Scottsdale!
25. Swim with dolphins at Dolphinaris!
26. See a theatre production at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale

Sedona

1. Hike in Oak Creek Canyon at the West Fork in Sedona (my favorite day hike in Arizona)
2. Cool down at Slide Rock in Sedona (2 hrs north of Phoenix)
3. Take a Jeep tour!
4. Get some great photos and hike at Red Rock Crossing (one of our favorite hikes!)
5. Red Rock State Park is one of the bet hikes in Sedona with magnificent views
6. There’s some good restaurants and shops at Tlaquepaque
7. Check out the Chapel of the Holy Cross nestled among the red rocks
8. Drive up the famous Schnebly Hill Road (truck recommended)

Southern Arizona

1. Down near the Mexican border you don’t want to miss Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
2. Hike or camp at Mt. Graham (3 hrs east of Tucson) which has an elevation of 10,724 ft
3. Picacho Peak where the only Civil War battle in Arizona was fought (on the way to Tucson you will pass it on the freeway)
4. Hike in the Chiricahua Mountains (The 10,000 foot mountains are in the southeastern corner of Arizona) and see the “wonderland of rocks” at the Chiricahua National Monument
5. Kartchner Caverns State Park is 2 1/2 miles of amazing underground caves (near Benson, AZ)

Coolidge

1. Check out the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and see an old indian community

Statewide

1. Listen to some live jazz right here in AZ
2. In October you can pick a pumpkin at numerous farms statewide
3. Arizona is serious about golf and has hundreds of beautiful golf courses
4. Taste espresso at great coffee shops in Arizona
5. Go on a balloon ride
6. Take a hike in Arizona! There are tons of resources online for hikers
7. Visit some rivers and wetlands areas of Arizona to see wildlife
8. Go on a hike! Check AZ Trail Heads for a map and list of cool hikes

Superior

1. See birds, animals, and plants of the southwest at Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Tempe

1. The Arizona Sea Life Aquarium has 26,000 square feet of indoor aquarium
2. See an improv show at the Tempe Improv
3. Take a stroll along Tempe Town Lake or rent a boat (kayaks, pedal boats, electric boats, and stand-up paddleboards)
4. Enjoy Cactus League Spring Training!
5. Watch one of the many performing arts shows at ASU Gammage (a Frank Lloyd Wright designed building).
6. Big Surf Waterpark features the third largest wave pool in the world!
7. Downtown Tempe and Mill Ave are spectacular evening walks
8. The splash pad at Tempe Marketplace is really amazing — a good place to take the kids!
9. Visit Main Event Entertainment for laser tag, video games, food and bowling!
10. Movies in the Park at Kiwanis Park – Friday evenings in May
11. First Saturdays for families at ASU Art Museum
12. Check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Arizona Mills (a LEGO play area with rides)
13. Tilt Studio is a family entertainment center (video games, pizza, etc.)
14. There are lots of great shows at Tempe Center for the Arts

Tombstone

1. Visit Tombstone (wild west town), home of the O.K. Corral
2. See the ‘World’s Largest Rosebush’ planted in 1885
3. Check out Boot Hill, the gravesite of many gunfighters (with a bunch of funny grave markers)
4. See Bird Cage Theatre, which was a saloon and more from 1881 to 1889
5. The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park is home to the original courthouse built in 1882
6. Stroll down Allen Street (the main street) which looks and feels like the old west

Tubac

1. Check out Tubac Presidio State Historic Park which is the first state park and best preserved Spanish Colonial Presidio
2. Play golf at the Tubac Golf Resort

Tuba City

1. Check out the real dinosaur tracks near Tuba City

Tucson

1. Check out the Titan Missile Museum, near Tucson and see a intercontinental ballistic missile
2. Do some climbing, hiking, or bouldering on Mt Lemon in Tucson
3. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson
4. The Pima Air and Space Museum is one of southern Arizona’s great gems… see old airplanes!
5. See the San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson (a mission founded in 1692)
6. Step back into the wild west at Old Tucson Studios
7. Skydive over Arizona
8. Visit Catalina State Park at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains
9. Drive or hike into the Sabino Canyon area of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson
10. Check out Saguaro National Park just about 15 minutes west of Tucson
11. Check out Trail Dust Town for a western experience
12. Take a 20 minute flight in a light-aircraft or ultralight with Arizona Ultralight Aviation!
13. Visit Saguaro National Park near Tucson
14. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is a very popular show

Waddell

1. See petroglyphs in the White Tank Mountains on the west side of Phoenix

Wickenburg

1. The Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg is one of the best western museums in the nation featuring western artwork

Yuma

1. Check out Yuma Crossing, a National Heritage Area that is being transformed into an agricultural oasis and riparian area
2. Get coffee at North End Cofeehouse
3. The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park was opened in 1876 and held more than 3,000 prisoners over 33 years
4. The Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town has more than 50 buildings related to the mining operations from the 1800s

As you can see from our list, Arizona is a hive of outdoor activities. Despite being known for warm summer temperatures, Arizona visitors can find fun things to do all year!

If you have a suggestion or need advice about your trip to Arizona, you can contact us. We live in Arizona, so we’re very familiar with the area! This list is updated frequently when we discover new things to do!

We have a full web site devoted to kids in Arizona! Get ideas kids and families here.