Arizona Vacation Ideas ~ Travel Arizona for Amazing Arizona 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. Additional links will be added as more articles are written.

Without further ado...here are some of the enticing attractions to view in Arizona:

Fabulous Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona Area

Amazing Colors of the Painted Desert

Funny Poem discovered in the Historic Territorial Prison in Yuma

Montezuma Castle National Monument - High Rise Living in 700 AD

See Photos from the Saguaro National Park near Tucson

Spectacular Photos & Information about the Grand Canyon National Park

Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden Photos

The White Dove of the Desert - Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson

Photos of Some Favorite Places in Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park - Must See to Believe!

12th Century Native American Ruins - Wupatki National Monument

Hike down to Cliff Dwelling Ruins in Scenic Walnut Canyon National Monument

See Results of Old Volcanic Eruption at Sunset Crater National Monument

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...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. Be sure and click on the links near the top of this page if you wish to see much more information about each of the attractions. Most of all, enjoy your Arizona vacation!