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Arizona Vacation Ideas ~ Travel Arizona for Amazing Attractions and Scenery
Grand Canyon State
Many people equate the State of Arizona with wishing to see the Grand Canyon National Park and with good reason. After all it is still considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. But there are so many more places of interest to see and things to do if planning a vacation trip to Arizona!
Having had the privilege of vacationing in this sixth largest state of the United States on several occasions and exploring many different areas of this southwestern locale, I can readily understand why tourism has become a major industry for Arizona's economy.
The scenery is fantastic! Everything from mountainous plateau areas to flat sandy desert lands can be found there. Come along and take a look at some of the places that you may wish to include on your bucket list if planning a visit in the future.
Arizona Attractions
I have already written about many of the fascinating places to visit in Arizona in other articles. Look for them if you wish to learn more about each individual place. You will also find many photos of each locale which may have you placing them a bit higher on your wish list when planning trips to Arizona.
You might wish to bookmark this page and refer back to it or send it on to people you know who are considering a trip to the Grand Canyon State. Without further ado here are some of the enticing attractions to view in Arizona.
- Fabulous Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona Area
This is truly an amazingly beautiful canyon located between Flagstaff to the north and those spectacular red rocks of Sedona to the south.
- Amazing Colors of the Painted Desert
Arizona's painted desert is like an artist's palette filled with an array of stunning colors which can be viewed from the road or explored more closely.
- Funny Poem discovered in the Historic Territorial Prison in Yuma
My grandfather had so much fun with this little poem through the years. Learning about this prison is also interesting!
- Montezuma Castle National Monument - High Rise Living in 700 AD
Learn a bit about the Native Americans who once lived here and built this impressive lodging.
- See Photos from the Saguaro National Park near Tucson
It is so amazing to be able to drive through this national park and see these iconic cacti. Learn more about these cactus plants and other animals who call this place home.
- Spectacular Photos & Information about the Grand Canyon National Park
People from all over the world congregate here to be able to view this national wonder.
- Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden Photos
This is a wonderful park filled with cactus of all different types. Seasonal art and events make this botanical garden even more enticing to visit.
- The White Dove of the Desert - Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson
This beautiful church architecture rises up from the desert floor in a stunning fashion.
- Petrified Forest National Park - Must See to Believe!
Walking among these colorful pieces of petrified trees is amazing. There is no other place quite like it with such an array of them on display in one area.
- 12th Century Native American Ruins - Wupatki National Monument
Visitors can walk right up to these impressive ruins and walk around them and marvel at their construction which is now centuries old.
- Hike down to Cliff Dwelling Ruins in Scenic Walnut Canyon National Monument
This is quite a hike but worth the effort to see how Native Americans once lived in this environment.
- See Results of Old Volcanic Eruption at Sunset Crater National Monument
People are no longer allowed to climb to the top of this monument. It is an impressive site!
Arizona History
- History of Native American tribes living off of the lands now known as Arizona goes back some 10,000 to 12,000 years. This accounts for the many ruins built up into the sides of cliffs as well as those built on the ground that can still be visited and seen today in various parts of the state. Many of them have been preserved as national monuments.
- There are twenty-one Indian reservations in Arizona with many of the Native Americans still living on them. Approximately one quarter of Arizona's lands are comprised of reservations. These reservations were parcels of land set aside by various treaties made with the United States as westward expansion, exploration and habitation by those coming primarily from Europe took place.
- Each tribe has its own customs and hopefully their unique traditions and history will continue to be passed on so that future generations of people can learn and honor the first peoples to this land.
- The word Arizona is derived from an Indian word meaning "little spring."
- Springs, rivers and waterways in Arizona would have provided the Native Americans with not only refreshing and potable water to drink and in which to bathe but also furnished them with fish to eat and a mode of transportation on the larger bodies of water within the state. Water for their crops would also have been of paramount interest in the location of their dwellings.
Arizona Facts
- The topography of Arizona is certainly varied and ranges from a high point at Humphreys Peak in the San Francisco Peaks (the highest mountain range) located in the northern part of the state. At 12,633 feet (3,851 meters) Humphreys Peak contrasts sharply with the low point near Yuma in the Sonora Desert in the southern part of Arizona at 70 feet (21 meters) above sea level.
- Obviously the weather conditions vary depending upon what time of year one plans a visit. Overall the climate in Arizona is dry and arid. The higher elevations which generally run from the southeast to the northwest receive most of the precipitation whether it be in the form of rain or snow with the desert southwest getting only a couple of inches of rain per year.
- My husband and I have been in the largest capitol city of Phoenix during February when the days were hot and sunny and only a sweater might be needed at night. During the same time frame we drove north to Flagstaff the closest major city near the Grand Canyon only to find snow covering the ground and we experienced blustery cold weather.
- Overall the climate in Arizona is known for its mild winters and hot summers. It is for that reason that many people from northern climates escape to sunny Arizona to spend the winters. Often nicknamed "snowbirds" they also seek the warmer climates in other southern states like Florida, southern Texas, New Mexico and southern California. Of course many of these so called snowbirds end up making Arizona their permanent home once they discover the many wonders of the state.
- Speaking of sunny weather Phoenix receives more sun than most other major cities in the United States and like some other bright radiant areas people need to be cognizant of taking precautions to protect their eyes and skin. Be sure and take your sunglasses and suntan lotion when visiting these sunshiny climes.
- Arizona was the last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union becoming our 48th U.S. state on February 14, 1912. It is the 6th largest state by land mass and shares a long southern border with Mexico.
Arizona Vacation
From the largest amount of exposed petrified wood in the world to the grandest of canyons with the mighty Colorado River which continues to scour and sculpt the sides of the Colorado Plateau to the amazing colored hues of the Painted Desert...there is so much to see and enjoy in the State of Arizona if planning a vacation there.
Be sure to take your camera! You might be lucky and capture a cactus wren which is the state bird sitting near a saguaro blossom, the state flower, on that iconic saguaro cactus that only grows in limited areas of Arizona and Mexico.
If you like to hike there are numerous areas with abundant trails in Arizona that will keep you happily engaged. Do you like river rafting? How about considering a float trip in the Grand Canyon for fun and excitement? Many man made lakes have been created by dams in the state for people who prefer boating and swimming and fishing.
For Indian lore or wild west flavor there is that and so much more to be found in Arizona. The photos shared in this post comprise just a small sampling of what there is to be discovered in this state. Enjoy your own explorations of this amazing part of the country.
Where Arizona is located...
Arizona - Do you think that you would enjoy a vacation in Arizona?
© 2012 Peggy Woods
Looking forward to your comments!
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Hi Paul,
So happy that you found this hub to be a good resource for people wishing to see more of the State of Arizona. Hope you do get to visit it again someday to see more of it. It certainly does have varied scenery! Thanks for the shares.
Peggy, This is an awesome hub which I find both interesting and useful. This is certainly a great travel resource for anyone visiting Arizona. I have driven across northern Arizona once when I travelled from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas. I found the land on the trip desolate and drove through some Indian reservations. I have never visited any other part of the state, but would like to see the Painted Desert and Phoenix. Voted up and sharing with HP followers and Facebook followers.
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Hi GetitScene,
Arizona from what we have seen of it is so beautiful and offers many contrasts.
Lived there for a decade, loved it.
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Hi Sheila,
Hope your dreams of spending more time in Arizona come to pass. We have seen all of these sites and more on many different visits through the years. Thanks for your comment and the pin.
What a wonderful hub on Arizona! I did pass through Arizona at one time many years ago, but didn't get to see much. I would love to go back and be able to take our time and see all these great sites! Voting this us, useful, interesting, beautiful and pinning for future use! :)
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Hi Suzanne,
Wow...this is eye-opening for sure! Amazing that there has not been more publicity about this. You could write a hub about it. You could research and see what that old mining law of 1872 says, as an example. Thanks for the links. I signed the petition. Am sure other people will also be interested.
Here is information regarding a current petition to stop the notion of uranium mining in and around the Grand Canyon.
The U.S. Forest Service is allowing a Canadian company to open a destructive uranium mine on the south side of the Grand Canyon, flying in the face of a major ban on new uranium mining at the Grand Canyon, passed last year by the Obama Administration.1
Canadian company Energy Fuel Resources claims its mine should be grandfathered in because the rights were granted in 1986, and the Forest Service agreed - granting approval based on the seriously outdated safety study it conducted 27 years ago, during the Reagan Administration!2
The mine would not only put radioactive pollutants in the air in the Grand Canyon area, it also poses a major risk to water sources, including the Colorado River which supplies water to 30 million people in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and other cities.
Tell the U.S. Forest Service: Don't allow uranium mining on the Grand Canyon. Click here to sign:
Uranium mining rips up huge tracts of land to extract radioactive material for use in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.3
Incredibly, this destructive process is governed by virtually no environmental standards, falling under the incredibly antiquated Mining Law of 1872. The law contain no safeguards to protect soil, wildlife, people, or water resources from radioactive pollution, and the law actually makes exploitative mining a priority over all other uses on public lands.4
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar took a major step forward when he protected the Grand Canyon's surrounding areas from uranium mining, but now the U.S. Forest Service (under Secretary Vilsack and the Department of Agriculture) is flying in the face of the ban.
Click below to automatically sign the petition to the U.S. Forest Service. We'll also deliver your petition to Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewel, whose agency's ban is being undermined by this proposal:
Thanks for protecting the Grand Canyon.
Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets
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Hi Suzanne,
I did not know about the uranium mining in the Grand Canyon however I know that sometimes lumber companies have been allowed to cut timber in national forests. Two entirely different schools of thought with regard to that. Some clearing out leads to less devastating forest fires which occur naturally with lighting strikes, etc. Other people would let nature take its course entirely. I think that reasonable use of public lands...as in the case of doing some lumbering to avoid catastrophic losses is OK. Good oversight is needed of course.
Yes, that's true; however, corporate entities are keen to get their hooks into national forests and parks. We have believed since the time of Teddy Roosevelt that the setting aside of these lands for public use was inviolable, but the fact is corporate interests seek to encroach on these areas and overthrow their protection all the time. Just recently, they attempted to get permission to mine uranium in and around the Grand Canyon. This sort of thing goes on constantly, and the general public is not aware of it. If we are not vigilant, we will lose our public lands and natural wonders.
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Hi Suzanne,
Fortunately many lands are already set aside as state or national parks, national historic sites, national forests and the like. In many cases wealthy people donated much of the land that was added to these parks that everyone can use. It was far sighted of individuals who first started doing this so that the common man would always have access to these national treasures. Hope you get back to the Grand Canyon per your wish someday. Thanks for your comment and votes.
There are so many wonderful sights to see in our nation, and we must hurry to see them before corporate interests privatize them and destroy them. I have been to the Grand Canyon once, but I did not have time to go to the floor of the canyon. I hope I will have a chance to do that during my time on earth.
Great HUB! Voted up and interesting! :)
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Hi Au fait,
I have yet to see some of the sites that you have enjoyed in Arizona like Monument Valley and Tombstone, but have certainly enjoyed the other areas visited. There is so much to do and see in Arizona! Thanks for your comment, votes and share.
Fantastic photos and videos as always! I've been to the Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Old Tombstone, and Monument Valley. All worthwhile to see and amazing. Arizona has so much to see!
Great job showcasing AZ! Voted up, BAI, and will share!
Fantastic photos and videos as always! I've been to the Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, Old Tombstone, and Monument Valley. All worthwhile to see and amazing. Arizona has so much to see!
Great job showcasing AZ! Voted up, BAI, and will share!
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Hi Dolores,
Arizona truly is an amazing place with all kinds of topography and interesting history. So glad that you liked this hub. Hope you get to visit there someday. Thanks for your comment.
Oh Peggy what a beautiful hub! The video, "I love you Arizona" has brought tears to my eyes. Arizona is on my bucket list, what an amazing place.
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Hi Au fait,
Hope you get to see Meteor Crater someday. It is quite amazing! Nice that you have seen all of these other sites in Arizona. It is such a scenic state with so many different offerings to keep most any tourist entertained and happy. Thanks for your votes, the star rating and your share.
I've seen most of these places when I went to Arizona a couple of different times and they are magnificent and well worth seeing. The one thing I didn't see in your list was the Arizona Meteor Crater which is pretty amazing too. It's just east of Flagstaff a little way.
People planning a vacation and especially those who know they're going to Arizona should read this because AZ has lots of things to see and you've done a great job of showcasing the state. Voted up, and BAUI. Will share. Gave you a star too. They're often so hard to see I didn't see it at first.
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Hi Stacy,
Perhaps someday you will decide to take time for an actual vacation in Arizona. Or...perhaps allow an extra day when you are driving to and from visiting your relatives to see a few of these magnificent sites. Over time, you would eventually see many of them and I am sure you would enjoy them. The Grand Canyon is a must! So is Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona, in my opinion. It is so beautiful!!! Thanks for the visit, comment and share. :)
We are constantly driving through Arizona when we are traveling. Unfortunately, it is usually right at the beginning of our trip so we are usually going strong so we don't usually stop. And then when we are heading back, we always hit it in the dark or when we are exhausted so we haven't gotten much of a chance to see it. I definitely want to get to the Grand Canyon one day, but it looks like there is so much more to really do. Might have to put it in as a must stop area one of these times! :)
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Hi Margaret,
Traveling and camping in your travel trailer must be so much fun! We have always done the hotel/motel route. Nice that you will be visiting your son in Arizona in December. In what part of the state does he live? Glad that you liked my photos of the various attractions that can be enjoyed in Arizona. Thanks for your comment and votes.
My son lives in Arizona, and in fact I'll be visiting with him in December for a few days. My husband and I also love to camp in Arizona. We've seen much of what you've so wonderfully presented in this hub. I love your pictures - they're wonderful. Voted up, interesting, useful and beautiful!
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Hi Brett,
Since you like hiking and biking...you would love visiting the varied scenery in Arizona. Hope you get to do it someday. Thanks for your comment, votes and the share.
A great hub, the videos really help to bring alive what you describe. I'd enjoy a holiday there, as I like hiking and biking :-). The scenery is really amazing!
Shared, up and awesome.
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Hi vespawoolf,
Oh you lucky soul to have friends and family living in the Phoenix area! You have many reasons to return and am sure that with a little better luck you will be able to see the Grand Canyon along with many of these other wonderful attractions in Arizona. So glad that you liked this hub. Thanks for your comment.
I'm happy to have this list of links for our future trips to Phoenix. We have friends and family in Phoenix and visit often. We've been to many attactions in the area and also enjoy the sunny weather and varied climate. Flagstaff's cool mountain air is such a change from the city. Once we made a trip to the Grand Canyon. There was a freak early snowstorm and the canyon filled with cloud! You couldn't even tell there was a canyon in front of us. : ) Oh well, maybe someday we'll have a chance to go back. In the meantime, I really enjoyed this hub. Thank you!
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Hi Eddy,
So glad that you liked this look at the amazingly beautiful and interesting state of Arizona. There is so much more to view than just the Grand Canyon that most people associate with Arizona. Thanks for your visit.
What do I say Peggy W except brilliant as always.
Here's to so many more to come.
Eddy.
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Hi suzettenaples,
Glad to hear that these photos + descriptions of the many places in Arizona have given you ideas of where you might wish to visit someday. Click on the individual links to learn more about each place. Appreciate your comment & up vote.
Thank you so much for an interesting, informative and beautiful hub. This is great as I have not visited Arizona and would like to some day. You have given some great information about all over the state to see and experience. Your photos are stunning. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise on Arizona. Voted up!
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Hi Ruchira,
So glad that you found this hub about the many attractions in Arizona to your liking. Thanks for the votes and shares.
Great hub with beautiful pix, which gives a personal touch to it.
As mentioned earlier, peggy your informative hubs always delight me and update my to visit places.
many votes as interesting and useful hub. sharing it across!
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Hi Genna,
Arizona surely is a beautiful state with so many interesting attractions and fantastic scenery. Nice that you have been there so can vouch first-hand as to its' beauty. Appreciate your comment and votes.
This is a wonderful hub, Peggy. You've captured so many beautiful spots in this gorgeous state that caused me to fall in love with it years ago when I first visited there. Up. ++. :-)
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Hi Mary,
You are not the only one. I'll go back to see if I can now share the hub of yours I read earlier today about being an introvert vs. extrovert. Appreciate the share on this Arizona attractions hub. :)
Hi again, Peggy. I just reread this Hub. I shared when I first read it, but I don't think it "registered", so I just shared again to make sure. I've had problems with the "share" button lately. Mary
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Hi agusfanani,
The reason why so many of our U.S. astronauts have done some training at Meteor Crater is because much of it simulates what is found on the moon. It is one of the largest, readily accessible and best preserved meteor impact areas in the world. Very interesting to see. They have some actual moon rocks displayed there in the on site museum. Nice to know that you enjoyed this hub about the many Arizona attractions. Thanks for your comment.
What a beautiful place Arizona is and its fame has made people all the world ,including me, dream of visiting it. To make it more unique that there is an astronout traning place too, wow I wonder if I can send my daughter to study there.
Thank you for this informative hub Peggy.presents
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Hi unknown spy,
Thanks for the 5 star rating and your comment on this hub about the many attractions in Arizona. Maybe someday you will get to visit there in person and see it for yourself. Here is hoping!
5stars! I like your hub about travels Peggy. Very fun to read..oh wished I could travel in this state..
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Hi Lesley,
If you come to the U.S., Arizona would certainly be a great state to visit. So glad that you enjoyed this hub about the many attractions to be found there. Thanks for your comment and vote.
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Hi Mary,
So nice that you and your daughter Holly got to share experiences of visiting the beautiful state of Arizona together. The Grand Canyon is certainly amazing! Thanks for your comment, votes + the share.
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Hi Alastar,
If I had to choose a favorite after viewing the national park of the Grand Canyon (a must see!), my most favorite place would have to be Oak Creek Canyon with Slide Rock State Park and the Sedona area for the fabulous scenery. My grandparents did a lot of traveling and that area was one of my grandmother's favorite places from all that she had viewed. After seeing it for myself, I can understand why. Which would be your favorite? Appreciate your comment and votes.
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Hi Prasetio,
The Montezuma Castle National Monument is an amazing site to see in person. What a job it must have been to create those cliff dwellings back in those early days! Arizona is filled to the brim with interesting sites...this being just one of them. Hope your dreams of visiting it someday come true. Thanks for your comment & votes.
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Hi Cheryl,
So glad to know that you enjoyed looking at the various places in Arizona. It is truly a wonderland and fantastic place for those who love photography. Appreciate your comment.
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Hi alocsin,
Your state of California is spectacularly beautiful but so is Arizona. Get in your car, van, truck, horse or whatever it takes to get on over there soon. You will be astounded at the beauty that is unique to that state. Can't wait to hear about your impressions once you see it in person. Thanks for your comment.
A fabulous hub Peggy and Arizona is going on my bucket list!
The colours are amazing - what a wonderful place for photography.
Loved the music and pictures in the 2nd video.
Voted up, best wishes Lesley
Peggy, you brought back some nice memories for me. My daughter, Holly, and I made the trip 4-5 years ago to see this part of the U.S. I remember looking at the Grand Canyon in utter disbelief!
You have some wonderful photos here (as usual).
When I have a little more time, I'll come back and read more of your adventures!
I voted this Hub UP, and will certainly share, Mary
A tour de force of pictures, info, and links to your Arizona attractions, Peggy! A must see for anyone contemplating a visit to The Grand Canyon State. Highly recommend the Arizona attraction hubs to everyone. If you had to choose a fave visit Peggy, what would it be? Up n Awe!
I really enjoy the virtual tour in Arizona. I really interest with Montezuma Castle National Monument. I hope I can see the beautiful attraction and scenery from Arizona one day. You still the best tour guide for me. Voted up and pressing the buttons, except funny.
Best wishes, Prasetio
Your photos and information is wonderfully and beautifully presented. The Grand Canyon is truly amazing and colorful. The formation of the different layers of the cliffs are truly awesome. You have a treasure chest of interesting history of Arizona. I love all the information of the many national monuments and parks. Great videos, photos and information of this spectacular piece of nature. Another great hub.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never been to Arizona, even though it's just the next state over, and Phoenix is just a few hours' drive from my house. The Petrified Forest would be a real treat because I've never seen anything like that before. Voting this Up and Interesting.
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Hi Alicia,
Nothing wrong with having a large bucket list. I know mine is equally long & I'll never get to all of the locations. Nice to know that we can enjoy seeing places via HubPage articles as well as other types of media. Hopefully you will get to the Grand Canyon & other attractions in Arizona someday. In the meantime, enjoy your beautiful part of the world. Thanks for your comment.
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Hi Cathy,
Treasure those road trips with your mom. I do the same but now only in memory...but so happy for those memories of times shared with my dear mother. Corkscrew Canyon sounds very interesting. Are you going to write a hub about it? Thanks for your comment about the attractions in Arizona. Hope your spirit keeps soaring for a while as though you are still on vacation!
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Hello Mhatter99,
The Grand Canyon is definitely worth several trips and also worth seeing in all kinds of different weather and lighting conditions. Have you written about your trips there? Appreciate your comment.
I love your photos, as always, Peggy. I've wanted to visit the Grand Canyon for a long time, but I can see from your hub that there are many other wonderful and scenic areas to visit in the state. I certainly hope that I can visit Arizona one day, but my bucket list of places I'd like to see is getting very long, especially after reading your hubs!
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Hi Gail,
So happy to hear that you enjoyed this more comprehensive hub about various places in Arizona. If people wish more information about each place they can then go to that hub to see and learn more. Hope that you get to cross Arizona off of your bucket list in the near future! Thanks for your comment & votes.
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Hi Gene,
I agree that being imprisoned in that old territorial prison in Yuma in the summertime would have been terrible back in those days especially because of no air conditioning. Being imprisoned at any time would be bad enough. No wonder there are reputed to be ghosts that haunt it. As to all of the other places...Arizona is surely a beautiful and interesting state to visit. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Peggy - My mom and I just returned from a short 4 day road trip, taking in some of the majestic sights in Arizona and Utah! After reading your hub, we can add to our list of things to see next time. One place that we missed, but I want to share is Corkscrew Canyon in Paige. It is pretty spectacular! On reservation land and the only access is by Indian escort. Thanks for writing this hub! My spirit is still on vacation !
Cathy
Great report and Pics, thank you. Have explored the Grand Canyon 4 times.
Arizona is on my bucket list of places to visit. Loved this comprehensive article with links to further information about places to visit in Arizona.
The photos and music in the second video are beautiful.
Voted up across the board except for funny.
Peggy, I've been to all those places with the exception of the Yuma Prison, thanks goodness. Lovely place, but not a good spot in the summer!
Gene
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Hi teaches,
So nice that you got to visit your grandmother in Arizona and have those memories. In which part did she live? Like you, there are more parts of that state that I would still like to visit. Hope that you get to see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest someday soon. They are close together so that if you see one, you will be able to take in both attractions at the same time. Appreciate your comment and compliment on this "tour guide" hub.
My grandmother lived in Arizona most of her life and she loved the area. When we visited her, I remember the beautiful mountains and the lovely desert flowers. Threre are so many areas that I would love to visit still, especially after reading your wonderful hub post. The Painted Desert is a place that I defintely must put at the top of my list. Voted way up for the tour guide excellence!
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Hi Stephanie,
So nice having your comment as the first one on this Arizona Travel hub since I know you have also written about many of the amazing places there. Your way of seeing the attractions by way of RVing must have been so wonderful to experience. Thanks for your votes and the share.
One more amazing hub, Peggy! You've certainly hit on some of the most scenic and interesting spots in Arizona. We've visited many of them during our winters RVing in Arizona, but you've mentioned a few enticing spots that are still on our "must see" list.
I love your lead photograph of the photographers at the Grand Canyon! There are some scenes that are so spectacular that it's hard to get a good picture without someone's head or elbow in it. :) Voted up across the board and shared!
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