The Grand Canyon.
THE GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon is the most iconic spot in all of Arizona, and no other place comes even remotely close. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking national park that attracts around 5 million visitors annually. The entire canyon that was carved by the Colorado River is 278 miles long, and the national park measures a total of 1,218,375 acres. You can view pictures and paintings of the Canyon, but nothing compares to seeing it in person. You walk up to the rim and are immediately taken by the sight before you. The walls of the canyon are colorful and seemingly change with the light. You could stare at this place for hours, and many often do. Before you leave, be sure to watch the sunset as the walls of the canyon gradually change colors as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s a magical experience worth savoring. The Grand Canyon also offers up plenty of adventure. Walking along the Rim Trail is a must. As you might have guessed from the name, this trail hugs the rim of the canyon and serves up stunning views. Be sure to take your time soaking them all up. The entire trail is 13 miles long, but a shuttle that’s included with the price of admission will transport you to various stops if you’d rather not walk the whole trail. Best of all? This trail is paved, mostly flat and shady. You can hike some of the South Rim’s trails like the iconic Bright Angel Trail. Just be aware of the fact that this is one tough trek, and you’d have to be in great shape to even do a long day hike. You also can visit Grand Canyon West. This more remote area is owned by the Hualapai Tribe. Its most famous site is the Sky Walk or floating glass bridge that gives visitors a chance to see the canyon in a totally unique light. Finally, you’ve no doubt read about the Dragon Bravo Fire at the North Rim, which is closed for the remainder of 2025. This fire has also closed a few locations like South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch and North Kaibab Trail. Visit The Grand Canyon’s Conservancy’s website to learn more about the situation and how you can help out at grandcanyon.org.
Cathedral Rock. Photo by Donavan Seschillie.
SEDONA’S RED ROCKS
We couldn’t write a story about iconic Arizona spots without mentioning the most iconic site in our own backyard: Sedona’s red rocks. We’ll never tire of seeing the red rocks light up the skyline. Best of all? There are so many ways to experience these natural wonders. The most popular way, of course, is by hiking one of Sedona’s many trails. The city is home to more than 200 trails of all skill levels. Our favorite way to see nearly every red rock formation is by hiking the relatively easy Airport Loop Trail.
Airport Loop Trail. Photo by Donavan Seschillie.
Cathedral Rock is the most photographed red rock. The hike to the top is steep but short at just over 1 mile long. Your reward is stunning views all around and the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with completing a tough hike. Hiking not your thing? The red rocks are also accessible via Jeep, mountain bike and even a hot air balloon. Or just drive along Sedona’s roads and admire the scenery. It always wows.
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria. Photo by Greg Bernstein.
MERKIN VINEYARDS
Although destination wineries are all over places like Napa Valley, Northern Arizona never truly had a destination winery to call its own. But that all changed when Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria opened back in 2023. For starters, the setting is truly stunning. Admire sweeping views of downtown Cottonwood and the surrounding mountains from the outdoor balcony. The views alone make this place worth visiting, but don’t stop to just admire the scenery. Inside, enjoy stellar (mostly) Italian cuisine along with Merkin’s own Arizona-made wine. This hot spot also features a small vineyard, a gelato shop and a tram that can transport guests from street level to the top of this exceptional restaurant. Merkin’s other locations across the state are all stellar, but the hilltop Cottonwood destination is a true shining star in Arizona’s wine scene.
Seven Canyons Golf Course.
SEVEN CANYONS GOLF COURSE
Seven Canyons Golf Course is a golfer’s dream come true. This private golf community that’s only accessible to members and guests of nearby Enchantment Resort offers up stunning, one-of-a-kind views of Sedona’s red rocks that golfers can enjoy while they’re teeing off. The par-71 course features plenty of iconic Sedona scenery: red rocks, pinion pines and alligator junipers. Acclaimed golf course designer Tom Weiskopf was the architect of this course, which is in a box canyon. The course is dreamy. Although the space was originally thought to be too small for a golf course, Tom rode on horseback around the land while he was dreaming up the course and saw its potential. The amenities here are top notch. Seven Canyons also features a two-tiered Practice Park where golfers can practice their swings at 25 hitting stations and target greens. One of the golf course’s newer areas is the Short Game Practice Park, which features a 7,500-square-foot putting and chipping green along with a sand bunker so golfers can get in some quality practice before hitting the main golf course. Seven Canyons is currently building a turn house that will serve food and beverages. The on-site clubhouse is stunning with high ceilings and great views of the surrounding area and cooks up stellar cuisine.
Lowell Observatory.
LOWELL OBSERVATORY
Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory has a rich scientific legacy. Astronauts who landed on the moon trained here and tried to learn the moon’s landscape. Pluto was discovered here. Lowell is also home to world class telescopes that visitors can look through to gaze at the night’s sky. But history aside, Lowell, much like science itself, is continually evolving. In late 2024, Lowell opened the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center. Located just a few steps from the main visitor center, this 40,000-square-foot center features a rooftop viewing area, a theater with a 25-foot-tall LED screen, two exhibit area intended for children up to age 8, an area where visitors can learn more about the research conducted here, a shop and a café.
Horseshoe Bend.
HORSESHOE BEND AND ANTELOPE CANYON
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon have both become major destinations in recent years. One could attribute this to social media, but it’s also likely due to the fact that they’re both stunning places. Both of these destinations are located in Page, Arizona, which is just South of the Utah border. Horseshoe Bend is aptly named and is a rock formation in the shape of a horseshoe that’s surrounded by the Colorado River. Whenever we visit, we’re always taken by the deep emerald green water. It somehow never shows up in the photos of this site.
Antelope Canyon. Photo by John Volk.
Speaking of images, Antelope Canyon is a landscape photographer’s dream. Descend a handful of ladders and get ready for truly breathtaking scenery. The towering, orange walls of the slot canyon surround you and provide endless beauty and photo opportunities. Even if you’ve never been here, you’ve no doubt seen images of this place. Apple used images from the canyon for some of its screensavers. Touch the walls, and you’ll feel sand beneath your fingertips. Look up and you’ll see the sun streaming through the canyon walls. Antelope Canyon is so gorgeous that it almost feels surreal. But thankfully for Arizona residents and visitors alike, the canyon is very real.
Monument Valley.
MONUMENT VALLEY
Monument Valley is another iconic Arizona destination that features towering sandstone formations. This is where Forrest Gump ends his legendary run, with this place serving as the backdrop. Monument Valley is also an easy place to check out. Most visitors see this iconic spot by driving around its 17-mile long loop. The sandstones here are 400 to 1,000 feet high. If you’d prefer to see Monument Valley on your own two feet, you can hike the Wildcat Trail. The just less than 4 miles long trail allows you to get close to those iconic formations that you’ve likely seen in plenty of photos. Monument Valley visitors also can take Navajo-led tours.
Desert Botanical Garden.
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
Located in the heart of Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) showcases the natural flora and fauna of the desert. Located across 140 acres, DBG showcases over 50,000 plants. Stroll around the paved paths here as you admire wildflowers, hummingbirds and plenty of cactus. DBG also has plenty of stellar year-round programming. From now until Nov. 16, guests can see over 1,000 butterflies as part of Majestic Mariposas. Step inside a greenhouse and see butterflies flying all around you. On select weekends, visitors can leash up their dogs and walk through the garden with their furry friends. Over the holidays, guests can enjoy the Luminaries. Stroll through the garden as live musicians play live tunes, and the Garden is lit up with flickering candles.
Canyon Ranch.
CANYON RANCH
Today, wellness resorts open regularly, but one could argue that Canyon Ranch paved the way for iconic wellness brands like Canyon Ranch’s neighbor Miraval and Sedona’s Mii amo. In 1978, Canyon Ranch founder Mel Zuckerman decided to change his lifestyle. He became active, started eating healthier and decided to open up a resort to help others.
Canyon Ranch.
Canyon Ranch opened in 1979 in Tucson. Today, the Tucson location – there are a total of four across the country – offers over 200 spa treatments and over 35 daily activities at the hotel that sits on 150 acres of stunning desert scenery. No matter what, you’re guaranteed to feel better after staying here. Wellness resorts are quite common today, but Canyon Ranch will always be the first one that kicked off this trend.
UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy: Tucson.
UNESCO’S CREATIVE CITY OF GASTRONOMY: TUSCON
A decade ago, UNESCO declared that Tucson was the first Creative City of Gastronomy in the United States. Tucson was chosen due to its deep agricultural history in America. The city has a 300-year history of orchards, livestock and vineyards. Visitors can literally taste this history by attending local food festivals and drinking wine made from grapes cultivated in Southern Arizona.
UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy: Tucson.
One great example of this? James Beard award-winning Don Guerra of Barrio Bread is dedicated to preserving Tucson’s rich agricultural history. Don crafts his signature bread made using White Sonoran Grain, a soft buttery grain that was allegedly brought to Arizona by Spanish missionaries in the 1600s. The Tucson City of Gastronomy is a nonprofit founded in 2016 to manage this honor.
