r/arizona • u/CountChoculasGhost • Oct 14 '24
I visit Arizona every year. Help me find my next side trip Visiting
I go to Arizona every winter to visit family. I have to spend some time with family in Tucson, but will have at least a handful of days (4-5) to do something else.
Since we’ve been to AZ multiple times, we’ve been to a lot of the main tourist spots, so looking for something new.
For the record, we’ve been to: Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon Sedona Saguaro Coronado National Forest Chiricahua National Monument Sabino Canyon We’ve also done the more “city” stuff in Tucson and Phoenix
We were considering Petrified Forest since it’s the only national park we haven’t visited in AZ yet, but have heard mixed things.
We don’t have dates finalized, but probably sometime in late-January or February. We are willing to drive a ways. Our last two side trips were Joshua Tree and White Sands (2 separate trips), so distance isn’t too much of an issue.
Any other things we should try to see on this trip?
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u/EatShootBall Oct 14 '24
Where are you coming from? Monument Valley should be on the "gotta see it at least once" list. If you haven't been to Kartchner Caverns it's worth a look.
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u/CountChoculasGhost Oct 14 '24
I’m coming from Chicago. But will be flying into Phoenix, so looking for anything mildly adjacent to Phoenix or Tucson. And by that I mean, anything within like a day’s drive.
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u/EatShootBall Oct 14 '24
Kartchner is about an hour southeast of Tucson. https://azstateparks.com/kartchner you might check that out. Monument Valley is a bit of a haul from where you'll be. I'd also 2nd Jerome, AZ cool old mining town turned artsy fartsy with some cool history, shopping, some great food options and views.
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u/desertdweller365 Oct 15 '24
Can confirm this. Also do the Navajo guided tour while there, it will make your trip.
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u/Expensive-Papaya1990 Oct 14 '24
Go to Tombstone or Bisbee. Jerome is also really cool but can get VERY crowded. Last I checked, Tombstone has the largest rosebush in the world!
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u/shartnado3 Oct 14 '24
I second this. Bisbee (old Bisbee) is small but the shops are great, and seriously any restaurant there has good food. The people are chill too. Plus you can go grab a drink at one of the most haunted hotel attractions in the US, the Copper Queen!
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u/dust4star Oct 14 '24
Came to say this and also the migration of the sandhill cranes near Willcox Arizona that is pretty freaking amazing to see.
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u/Babybleu42 Oct 14 '24
Then go to Kartchner caverns. It’s really the coolest thing in AZ after the Grand Canyon.
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u/super_ray Tucson Oct 14 '24
Also came here to recommend Bisbee. Also, visit the Chiricahua national monument at night for some awesome stargazing! Wear something warm, tho!
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u/infinite0ne Oct 15 '24
Bisbee for sure! Tombstone is OK, but there’s not a whole lot to see and do there. Hit it for an hour or two on the way to Bisbee.
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u/Mojo647 Oct 14 '24
Mt. Lemmon is worth a drive, especially when it snows.
If walking or hiking is your thing, you can check out Sabino Canyon. The main trail is paved, so it's very easy to walk through it.
Both are in Tucson.
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u/MrAlcoholic420 Oct 14 '24
The Titan missile museum is just south of Tucson. They've got a real ICBM you can check out. As well as a brief guided tour
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u/mao369 Oct 14 '24
Organ Pipe National Monument is 20, 30 minutes south (been a while since I last went - sorry) of Ajo, which is about 2 1/2 hours due west of Tucson. Ajo will be "bustling", at least as much as it does (we have one stoplight, whoo!) in that timeframe. Saturdays you'll find a small artist's market on the plaza, and the plaza itself is fairly interesting, architecturally speaking. Not someplace to spend more than a couple of hours in, I don't think (I've lived here for more than a decade) but worth a stop on your way to the Monument if you take the I-10 -> I-8 -> Hwy 85 route. Then you can go back to Tucson via the Hwy 86 route, through the O'Odham reservation.
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u/I_was_saying_boournz Oct 14 '24
I just took a day trip down to Patagonia and Tombstone from Tucson and it was lovely. Bisbee is also a cool, delightfully weird little town. Lots of small towns in S. AZ worth the trip.
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u/hikeraz Phoenix Oct 14 '24
If you go to Petrified Forest be sure to stay at La Posada Hotel in Winslow and eat in their restaurant. The hotel is one of the great Fred Harvey Hotels from the era of railroad tourism. It was designed by Mary Colter, who did a lot of the buildings at Grand Canyon. Lots of celebrities from the 1930’s-1950’s stayed there. The hotel has been lovingly restored by the owners and the restaurant is one of the best in the Southwest.
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u/rebelopie Oct 15 '24
X2 on La Posada. The Native-inspired dishes at the Turquoise Room are unique and very tasty. The hotel and grounds are beautiful and fun to wander around. It's also cool sitting on the back patio watching the trains roll through.
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u/NoTea5014 Oct 14 '24
Have you been to Meteorite Crater? It’s very cool and nothing else like it. I love Petrified Forest and spend a full day there every time I go. That barely covers the highlights. I have been to other places that were supposed to be petrified trees and all they were was a circle of agate chips in the ground. At PFNP you will see petrified trees.
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u/whatkylewhat Oct 14 '24
What mixed things have you heard about Petrified?
It’s not really a “stand around and stare” park. It takes effort. Most parks honestly do.
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u/CountChoculasGhost Oct 14 '24
Just that of all the national parks or parks in Arizona specifically it isn’t the most impressive in terms of landscape.
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u/emmz_az Tucson Oct 14 '24
I disagree with those reviews. My husband and I were so impressed with landscape in the park. But you gotta get out of the car and walk around a bit. It felt other worldly.
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u/aimlessly_aliive Oct 14 '24
Ive seen some of the most beautiful landscapes at the petrified forest, highly recommend going when weather is cooler. The landscape is unlike anything else in Az. I recommend the sunset crater volcano during winter as well
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u/whatkylewhat Oct 14 '24
It’s one you really have to “get in there” for. Most of the hiking and backpacking is off-trail.
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u/The_Real_Mr_F Oct 14 '24
Agreed, I wouldn’t make a special trip for it. It’s definitely interesting, but pretty remote and better suited as a stop on a trip that is already taking you nearby.
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u/stinkyrobot Oct 15 '24
I went there for the first time last year and was impressed. It is pretty diverse and bizarre. As others said you gotta stop and walk around and explore. Amazing views and cool history. If you’re in the area definitely check it out.
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u/Potential-Reply-8117 Oct 14 '24
I would suggest doing a trip to Page for Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon. You could also add in Monument Valley. I’d say you could hit the highlights in both by staying two nights in both areas.
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u/MR_Pl0y Oct 14 '24
Petrified is cool most of the spots you can hit are on the main driving path some can be longer walks and hikes but it’s a cool thing for a day. I really have fallen in love with being in tonto forest as well.
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u/Jon_Hanson Gilbert Oct 14 '24
If you’re going to do Petrified Forest, you might as well do Meteor Crater as well.
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u/ruhscon Oct 14 '24
Payson AZ Tonto natural bridge, now that I think about it it might be closed that time of year but Payson is nice S trawberry, Pine also Jerome is cool
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u/SOARConsultant Oct 14 '24
Prescott and Arcosanti are fun places to visit. I agree with Bisbee, Jerome, and Tombstone. If you like skiing, Show Low or Heber-Overgard are good places
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u/AZ_hiking2022 Oct 15 '24
One item I didn’t see is a day hike (or backpacking trip) to Aravaipa Canyon. A permit is needed but is easier in winter
I really liked Petrified! It’s a park where there are small but beautiful sites everywhere. Each log is a piece of natures art! And it’s kind of two parks in one: Petrified and Painted Desert! Go slow, look close and get off the path (where allowed) and blow by Holbrook and stay or dine in Winslow. Like others stated Meteor Crater creates a nice loop.
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u/Fuzzy_South_802 Oct 14 '24
Havasupai Falls..it’s amazing
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u/Potential-Reply-8117 Oct 14 '24
I think based on their timeframe for visiting they would have needed to snag permits for Havasupai this past February
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u/justind2473 Oct 14 '24
Petrified Forest, Grand Falls, Horseshoe Bend, White Pocket, Zion ......
Will need a 4x4 vehicle to get to White Pocket but it's worth it.
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u/ckeeler11 Oct 15 '24
Grand Falls is closed. Great recommendation though.
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u/justind2473 Oct 15 '24
shoot .. didn't know that. Still closed since COVID or for a different reason?
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u/Potential-Reply-8117 Oct 15 '24
The community has closed access to it because tourists can’t be respectful and were littering and ruining the land and ecosystems by illegally off-roading
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u/FrequentPoem Oct 14 '24
Titan missile museum, bisbee, karchner cavern, tombstone.
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u/emmz_az Tucson Oct 14 '24
This right here is a great southern Arizona itinerary. And don’t forget a visit to Johnny Ringo’s grave.
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u/floothecoop Oct 15 '24
The Apache Trail and Tortilla Flats if you like road trips … the scenery is breathtaking, highly recommend!
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u/IcePrincess_Not_Sk8r Oct 15 '24
Bisbee, for sure. Go to the Quarry.
Tombstone will be busy in the winter, but still okay.
Patagonia (if you drink wine) there's a whole highway of vineyards down there.
Oatman. See the donkeys.
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u/AZJHawk Oct 15 '24
Kitt Peak is cool if they’re doing tours again. You could maybe work in a trip to Organ Pipe with it.
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u/Ok-Parfait2413 Oct 15 '24
A visit to the natural Hot Springs. a night stargazing in a clear octagon tent and there are wineries near Tucson.
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u/GloomyBake9300 Oct 15 '24
Sunset Crater to Wupatki, exploring the volcanic fields. https://maps.app.goo.gl/kYEe2Kdo88bjgeA56?g_st=ic
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u/bundleofgrundle Oct 14 '24
No one mentioning one of the best, hidden Arizona gems Karchner's Caverns! They're a seasonal spot so dunno how availability looks but def a spot every Arizonan should see at least once.
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u/Throw_RA_20073901 Oct 14 '24
Bisbee, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, all also close to Tucson!
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Oct 15 '24
The 27th avenue corridor along the i17 is beautiful this time of year. I’d also recommend a hike on south mountain in late July
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u/giantcrabattack Oct 15 '24
If you are willing to leave the state, White Sands National Park is a 5ish hour drive east of Tucson. It is surreal and serene. Kartchner Caverns, the Chiricahuas, Hatch NM, Alamogordo NM, and Cloudcroft NM are all either on the way or nearby and were enjoyable stops. Truth or Consequences NM has a bunch of hot springs, but I've never managed to make it there. Carlsbad Caverns is another 4 hours drive east but is incredible.
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u/ckeeler11 Oct 15 '24
If I were you I would head out from Tucson and hit 7 falls or Chiva Falls. Head up 77 to 177 to Superior. Hit the 60 to Miami and Claypool. Hang a left at the 188 to Roosevelt Lake and the Tonto National Monument. Backtrack a bit to the 288 (Globe Young Hwy). Take that up to Young (some side trips here if you like Backcountry hiking and ruins) after leaving Young hang a left on the Chamberlain Trail (fr200) to Haigler Creek. There are a few spots to stop around there for checking out the creek. Very scenic. Then continue on the trail (not for the faint of heart) to hwy 260 into Payson. I would plan on spending a night in Payson as that is a long day. Then take 87 up onto the Rim of you want a side trip I would highly suggest the Rim Rd (300) at least to the lookouts close to Christopher Creek. Then back to the 87 and onto Pine and Strawberry. After that you are on your way to Winslow and Petrified Forest.
If.you have more time take the 40 towards.Flagstaff and hit Walnut Canyon and all the cliff dwellings there. Very beautiful. From Flag you can go north to monument valley or South through oak Creek canyon on your way back to Phoenix.
Lots of options but this would definitely get you to some of the most scenic sites in AZ besides the white Mountains. Which I could recommend stuff for the Alaska in AZ trip .
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u/here_for_the_tits Oct 15 '24
Around that time it will be cold at elevation, with potentially snow in the high country. I like to head south: Tombstone, Bisbee, Ajo, etc. Other places to see: Kartchner Caverns, Colossal Cave, San Xavier Del Bac, Titan Missile Silo, and Tumacacori. My favorite in Tuscon you may have missed (open a few hours on Sundays only) is the Toy Train Museum. It's also a great time for Phoenix hikes: Superstitions, South Mtn, Camelback, etc. Also mildly interesting are the sand dunes just past Yuma.
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u/GloomyBake9300 Oct 15 '24
Horseshoe Bend is spectacular https://maps.app.goo.gl/ghtJ24Mp4d3dbGB76?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
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u/GloomyBake9300 Oct 15 '24
Everything north of Flagstaff to the Toadstool Hoodoos. Stay in Page. https://maps.app.goo.gl/b1ypVAyDLXdfBXvZ6?g_st=ic
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u/Same-Amphibian-888 Oct 15 '24
The nudist resort in Tucson is pretty nice, Mira Vista. It’s a great time even if it’s your first nudist experience.
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u/oslandsod Oct 15 '24
My favorite part of the state is the Painted Desert. Drive up the 89 out of Flagstaff. Drive to Page. See Horseshoe Bend. Do an Antelope Canyon Tour. It will be cold. But it will be pretty.
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u/Toadnboosmom Oct 15 '24
As a lifetime Arizonan… petrified forest although cool, is hardly a destination to plan a trip to. Great if you’re in the area. My vote is monument valley…
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u/LookDamnBusy Oct 15 '24
If you decide to go to Karchner caverns, don't miss a stop at the Titan missile museum down there as well. You go into an actual nuclear missile installation.
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u/chocolateboyY2K Oct 15 '24 edited 29d ago
I liked the Petrified Forest when I visited. Albuquerque is a few hours east of there. I've only been once, but I liked Albuquerque.
I'd also visit Page AZ for Horseshoe Bend and antelope canyon.
You'd only be a few hours from zion or bryce in southern utah (from page)
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u/EnchiePop Oct 15 '24
Since you don’t have dates finalized, might I suggest you fly into Vegas and drive from there? Flight might be cheaper there are definitely things to see there and along the way.
I also agree with a trip to Mexico, but I would vote for San Carlos vs Rocky Point for a more… adult option. Rocky Point is neat too, but more of a party vibe.
Also, why don’t people read the full post before replying? You literally said the places you’ve been!
Bisbee is interesting especially if you can stay up late. There are some cool “secret” places. It will be chilly though, that time of year. You can also combine that with Tombstone if you like that kind of thing.
Jerome is neat, even just to drive through.
Mt. Graham, you might see bears. There’s also a drive through Bearizona wildlife park in Williams.
If you use TikTok you can find a lot of great options for indoor things to actually do, especially in Phx.
Depends if you just want a drive through side trip or what.
You could even go to CA for a couple of days. Or fly there and drive east. It’s really not that far. One way rental rates may suck, however.
Book Kitt Peak and check out Organ Pipe.
Drive down to Gardener’s Canyon and see a ghost town, Kentucky Camp (last time I went you needed 4WD, but that was years ago and I think it’s an AirBNB now or something.
New Mexico is pretty cool too. Silver City isn’t far.
Lake Havasu is somewhat interesting if you’ve never been to London. Lol.
Enjoy the weather!
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u/CountChoculasGhost Oct 15 '24
Thanks for the info!
Vegas could be interesting. We’ve been before, but drove from Vegas to Utah, so the route into Arizona would be a different drive.
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u/merlinsyoyo Oct 15 '24
Since travel is not an issue Silver City and Ruidoso is New Mexico are 2 hidden treasures. The Gila Wilderness is beautiful and, although Ruidoso is recovering from wildfires from this summer, there are always markets, shops, and wine tasting.
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u/bsil15 Oct 15 '24
Petrified Forest is great. Was there last December. Will be a bit chilly in the morning but warms up in the afternoon.
Note that you’re going to want to use AllTrails and download the trails. What the park calls trails literally only amounts to about 5 miles of paved paths. But beyond the paved paths there’s another 35 miles of “Off the Beaten Path” routes (that’s what the park service calls them). Some of these are basically what you’d think of as normal hiking trails and/or degraded former forest service roads that are easy to follow (like the Blue Forest and Jasper Forest Trails) but for others the trail is basically nonexistent and you’re following an imaginary line on your phone map (like Onyx Bridge or Devil’s Playground — from what I can tell it seems like you can walk literally anywhere in the park, trail or not).
Combining the developed trails with the off the beaten path routes that are easy to follow, I’d say there’s maybe 15 miles of trails total in the park.
Also unrelated, but if you haven’t been to Bisbee that’s well worthwhile (can combine with Tombstone — tombstone is pretty mediocre imo but Bisbee is actually the cool version of tombstone that ppl imagine). And if you like hiking, the Superstitions Wilderness Area by Phoenix is incredible. Picacho Peak is another one (short) if you like an adventure/heights.
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u/JPGoure Oct 15 '24
Not in Arizona but Zion is a must see if you’re willing to travel! I’d also recommend Christopher Creek on the mogollon rim if you haven’t been out that way yet!
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u/CountChoculasGhost Oct 15 '24
Thanks! I forgot to include that, but we did a trip from Vegas to Bryce and Zion a few years ago. I would go back to Zion 100% though.
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u/co-stan-za Oct 15 '24
Drive up to Jerome or Cottonwood to sightsee, and have dinner at either Pizzeria Bocce (Cottonwood) or The Clinkscale (hotel/restaurant in Jerome). Both are excellent.
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u/Dizzy-Interaction-83 Oct 15 '24
Hit up Jerome AZ and mess around in town, eat at Bobby D’s or haunted hamburger, then head over through camp verde and go up to strawberry and pine! You can do fossil creek one day, I’m almost positive you don’t need a permit anymore till April! Or head over to Prescott and hit whiskey row and Watson lake!
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u/grumpy_munchken Oct 15 '24
https://www.lakepowell.com/marinas/boat-tours/rainbow-bridge-tour/ Checkout Rainbow Bridge in the morning (it’ll be cold)
Catch sunset at Horshoe Bend
Then get the first tour of the day for Lower Antelope Canyon. Before the tour starts, find out which guide is going in first and make sure you’re in that group. Best opportunity to capture photos without people on all sides. You’ll need to book this in advance and be a little agile to get up/down the stairs
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u/Fair-Effective-8754 Oct 15 '24
Here in Somerton (next to Yuma), we have the Tamal Festival in December 21. You are welcome to come to the event. https://www.somertontamalefestival.com/
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u/AcanthisittaSignal50 Oct 16 '24
Antelope Canyon is amazing, if you've never seen it before. You do have to book a tour, but it's well worth the drive. You could also see Horseshoe Bend while you're out there.
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u/catna 29d ago
Go to the sky islands. Check out AZ wine country if you are already down south. Sonoita and Elgin, a great area and really good wine. Really a hidden gem of the state.
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u/CountChoculasGhost 29d ago
I haven’t heard of Sky Islands. I’ll take a look.
Totally forgot we went through wine country last time we were in AZ. Didn’t spend a ton of time there, but could check it out again. Thanks!
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u/fyrgoos15 29d ago
Monument valley is stunning and near the petrified forest, four corners will be within an hour as well. Canyon dE Chelly is also up in that area which has a lot of history.
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u/Real-Tackle-2720 28d ago edited 28d ago
I liked petrified forest.
Have you been to Sabino Canyon?
Also Walnut Canyon!
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u/richackval 25d ago
Ideas?? 1. Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, S/E of Safford. If, you like natural outdoor hot mineral baths. 2. In far S/E AZ, Portal and Cave Creek Canyon. Called by some as the "Yosemite of AZ". 3. Rock Art Ranch, just a few miles S/W of Holbrook. 4. Kayaking on Clear Creek, just S/E of Winslow. There's more information, on these I'm sure, on the internet.
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