Arizona Heritage Tourism
Arizona is a large state filled with complexity - history, cultural and natural elements abound!
In this lens I want to take you on a very brief trip to a number of Arizona heritage tourism sites and share some thoughts on this most interesting state. I have lived there twice: First, send by the Air Force, and the second time choosing Arizona to get away from the icy cold winters of Iowa and to get a fresh beginning for my family. Join me in this latest search for adventure in the State of Arizona.
Although I have many photos of Arizona, this one of the Saguaro Cactus at sunset is just too good to pass up. It speaks many things to me about the State of Arizona. By the way, the Saguaro, with those distinctive arms, only appears in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Northern Mexico - not Texas, or Colorado, or New Mexico. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, as are all the photos in this lens unless specifically noted otherwise.
National Heritage Area in Arizona
I always mention any National Heritage Area (NHA) in each state we highlight because the NHA website will clearly describe the historical, cultural and natural elements in that area for your consideration. Yuma Crossing NHA is certainly no exception.
- Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area
This National Heritage Area (NHA) website provides great information about this western Arizona site.
No Arizona story is complete without the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Have you visited the Grand Canyon?
Meteor Crater along I-40 in northern Arizona
This is magnificent site you might miss - so I'm sharing it here! ;-)
We lived not far from the Meteor Crater along old Route 66, now I-40, between Winslow and Flagstaff in northern Arizona. Anyone visiting us, got to visit the the Meteor Crater - along with the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest to the East, of course. This is well south of the Grand Canyon, of course.
Click on the photo for more information on Wikipedia.
Visit San Xavier del Bac Mission just south of Tucson
This well preserved Mission provides one of many examples where you are taken back in time to when this portion of Arizona was still a part of Mexico and heavily influenced by the mission spirit of Spanish colonialism.
Click on the photo for more information on the Mission at Wikipedia.
Universities add to the State Heritage - The two largest Arizona Universities
Two of my daughters earned their undergraduate degrees and I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Arizona so I would be derelict not to mention it. Arizona State University is now the nation's largest University, and my youngest daughter worked there when she graduated, so I'll share some of each with you, for your information.
Both have great programs as well as doing great research that adds immeasurable dimensions to the experiences of the residents of the state as well as visitors - like you and I. Their websites are excellent resources for your planning efforts.
- University of Arizona official website
Enjoy learning more about the U of A by exploring their website. The U of A, for example, now owns and operates the Biosphere, a few miles north of Tucson. - Arizona State University official website
Arizona State University is based in Tempe but has programs throughout the State of Arizona.
Sports in Arizona - Where do your interests lie?
Arizona is home to twelve professional sports teams. The weather encourages outdoor activities of all kinds, of course.
Golf courses are everywhere. The Universities each have a complete array of sports as part of their PAC-12 affiliation.
Baseball Spring Training is one reason many people visit the state - do some heritage tourism while you are there.
- A list of the 12 professional sports located in Arizona
In Arizona, your thoughts can actually turn to all sports, not just golf. Check out this list of links to more information about the variety of sporting events available.
Your Comments on this Arizona Heritage Tourism lens - I want to see your comments - Thanks! ;-)
We have been to the Grand Canyon and a few other sites in Arizona. I'll have to check out these other places!
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@TanoCalvenoa: You just read my list... neat! I'm enjoying this tour of states with you! ;-)
So cool that you shared Meteor Crater. Maybe it's blasphemy to like anything better than the Grand Canyon, but Meteor Crater is my favorite thing in Arizona.
I also like the Sedona area, Montezuma's Well, Saguaro National Park near Tucson, and Sunset Crater near Flagstaff. Lots of great stuff in Arizona!
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@Pat Goltz: Thanks for your visit and comment. Everyone does have different interests, that is for sure! ;-)
I'd like to see more about scenic spots. What you had was awesome. I'm not interested in sports; have to leave that for someone else.
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@Frednun1965: One day you will do it! Thanks for the visit! ;-)
I'd like to visit Arizona!
Someday it will be! ... I live in Uruguay and is so far ...
But who knows ... someday ....
Thanks for this information!
Very interesting lens, well put together. I learned something. Glad you shared this.
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@lesliesinclair: We took everyone who visited us in Winslow to see the Meteor Crater... ;-)
These sites appear to be fascinating - especially that meteor landing spot.
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@flinnie lm: For sure! Put it on your bucket list - you'll get there, one day! ;-)
This would be a grand trip.
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@anonymous: I'm more of a mountains, or plains, guy, myself. I learned to love the desert in Tucson, however. We moved the last time to get the best job. Thanks for the visit. I've been to and through Bisbee many times! ;-)
My husband grew up in Arizona - mainly Bisbee and our oldest son was born there. I really like most of the state but cannot see the attraction for the desert - I like the mountains.
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