About Arizona

Arizona is a state in the southwestern region of the United States.  It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona shares the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912. Historically part of the territory of Alta California in New Spain, it became part of independent Mexico in 1821. After being defeated in the Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded much of this territory to the United States in 1848. The southernmost portion of the state was acquired in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase.

Southern Arizona is known for its desert climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. Northern Arizona features forests of pine, Douglas fir, and spruce trees; the Colorado Plateau; mountain ranges (such as the San Francisco Mountains); as well as large, deep canyons, with much more moderate summer temperatures and significant winter snowfalls. There are ski resorts in the areas of Flagstaff, Alpine, and Tucson. In addition to the internationally known Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the world’s seven natural wonders, there are several national forests, national parks, and national monuments.

About one-quarter of the state is made up of Indian reservations that serve as the home of 27 federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the largest in the state and the United States, with more than 300,000 citizens.

  • PHOENIX AREA

Papago Park (North of Tempe) https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park

  • Desert Botanical Garden https://dbg.org/ –at north end of Papago Park – can walk a series of themed trails. Come late in the day to see flowers that bloom after dark.  Electric desert exhibit – beautiful place, but costs $24 entrance fee.  They also had a loop where they recreated early Native Americans and their homes and identified the uses for the trees and cactus and flowers.  Really informative. Have periodic special exhibits intertwined with the gardens.  This one was called “Wild Rising” from Milan, Italy, which was an exhibit of more than 1000 animals made out of recycled plastic that address global and local sustainability and conservation issues, including climate change, plastic in the oceans and the importance of recycling.
  • 1500 acres of desert landscape.
  • Hunts Tomb – a pyramid built by Arizona’s first governor and his burial place. It is a white pyramid in the middle of the park, where the first governor of Arizona, George Hunt, and his family are buried.  He got special dispensation from President Hoover to have it built for his wife’s tomb and then much of the rest of his family is buried there.
  • Hole in the Rock – very easy hike to hole. Can climb through and see city below with great views

 

 

 

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (Northeast of Phoenix)

https://shesc.asu.edu/dvpp   which is part of Arizona State University.  It was way out of the normal area, between some houses and the Adobe dam barriers.  $8 each to get in but they had a nice little museum and a developed walking path with talkboards and little metal tube telescopes so you could see the petroglyphs.  There were thousands of them, but it was a little hard to see especially with as much lichen is on the rocks.  They estimate some were 5000 years old.  It closes at 3 and they lock the gates at 3:15 and if you are not out, your car is locked in.  Lots of lizards out there on the rocks.

Lake Pleasant Cruise

Lake Pleasant is a man-made lake from damming the Colorado River and is 2 miles by 10 miles.   It is only about 10 miles north of Phoenix.  There is a huge marina there that can only be accessed by shuttle golf carts which go over a series of docks to get you to the boats.  The marina is filled with boats of all sorts, from little sailboats to huge houseboats and cruisers.  There is a cruise from 5:00 to 7:00 on a large ship.  Cost $27 per person.  They have a bar onboard, popcorn and some small snacks (cash only).  And sometimes a group playing nice soft music.  There was an upstairs exposed to the elements and a closed downstairs, but you could still get out to the decks.  Beautiful sunset.  https://www.lakepleasantcruises.com/

 

Desert Belle sightseeing cruise on Saguaro Lake (Northeast of Fountain Hills) 

Saguaro Lake is in the Tonto National Forest, east and a little north of Phoenix.  Not far from Fountain Hills, AZ.  The cruise is a beautiful slow ride through the canyons on the lake.  Lots of cactus and rock formations and got some outstanding pictures of bighorn sheep that were grazing there.  Lots of ducks and birds too.  A lovely cruise and only $24.  Along the way to the cruise see wild horses grazing in the forest. https://www.desertbelle.com/

Superstition Mountains

Superstition Mountains, far east side of Phoenix area.  At the Superstition Mountains Museum, they have different events like a Native American art fair and show with dancers, music, singers, lots of beautiful booths with things to sell, food, and the museum and grounds to view.  All set beneath a backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. https://superstitionmountainmuseum.org/

4 miles from the museum is the Lost Dutchman State Park which is part of the Superstition Mountains.  This park had the same gorgeous red rock mountains and good hiking trails.   The Treasure Loop Trail which is 2.5-mile-long and was a bit strenuous, rising 500 feet that provided amazing views of the valley below and the mountains surrounding.  They also have a singer/songwriter performing some days around a campfire.  Great outing.  The area out there is hilly, lots of horse ranches, rundown buildings, and old deserted mines (gold and precious minerals).  But it was very open, hilly, and sparse. https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman/

Museums in Phoenix

  • Tovrea Castle (N of Tempe)– tickets are hard to get, $20 entrance fee Tovrea Castle is a historic structure and landmark in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally intended as a centerpiece for a resort and later a private residence, the castle is now part of the Phoenix parks system and is designated as one of the Phoenix Points of Pride. https://tovreacastletours.com/
  • Heard Museum (central Phoenix) – indigenous native tribes museum. Mary Coyle – old-school ice cream shop – 2302 N. Central Avenue (across from Heard Museum) – amazing ice cream.  Parking is a problem unless you are at the museum and walk across the street.  There is a light rail stop there. https://heard.org/
  • Phoenix Museum of Natural History (SE Phoenix, near Mesa) https://www.arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org/ – dinosaurs
  • Pueblo Grande Museum & Cultural Park (just NE of airport) https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/arts-culture-history/pueblo-grande
  • Native Trails in Scottsdale – Series of song, dance, storytelling and traditional native American food is hold most Thursdays and Saturdays at Civic Center Mall in Scottsdale https://scottsdaleperformingarts.org/event/native-trails/

Roosevelt Row (downtown Phoenix) – walkable arts district with murals – from 7th avenue west to 16th street east

  • First Friday -6:00 to 10:00 pm, art galleries and studios, live music, street performers, outdoor vendors. Park and ride the Artlink First Friday trolley.   Good thing is that on First Friday the Art Museum and Heard Museum are free.  Pretty crowded but a good bargain.  Parking at Art Museum for $10 or could park farther north and take the light rail.

Japanese Friendship Garden (central Phoenix) $10 – closed on Mondays https://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/

Hiking near Phoenix

  • South Mountain Park – Great place – more than 16,000 acres and lots of trails,  just south of I10. Hike the Kiwanis Trail which is 1 mile long with elevation change of 500 ft.  Connected to National Trail where you can hike a little farther and see a rock lookout point with great views of Phoenix.  Dobbins Lookout – highest point in the park.  Horseback tour with Ponderosa Stables (10215 S.Central Ave), which arranges special trips to see petroglyphs on Saturdays.  https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain

 

  • SEDONA AREA

Sedona –  https://visitsedona.com/  

Sedona is an Arizona desert town near Flagstaff (45 minutes south) that’s surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. It’s noted for its mild climate and vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with New Age eclectic shops, crystals, spas and art galleries.  On the town’s outskirts, numerous trailheads access Red Rock State Park, which offers bird-watching, hiking and picnicking spots.

 

 

 

Verde Valley Wine Tour (near Sedona) https://vvwinetrail.com/

Wineries – There are a number of wineries and tasting rooms on the wine tour.  The best winery was Clear Creek Vineyard and Winery, 4053 AZ 260, Camp Verde.  The owner and winemaker served the samples ($8 for 5 tastes).  Another is Alcantara, 3445 S. Grapevine Way (also quite good and nice atmosphere and beautiful building).

 

 

Verde Canyon Railroad

Near Clarksdale, AZ which is near Sedona (and the Verde Valley Wine area).  https://verdecanyonrr.com/   Ride on this old train for a 3-1/2 hour drive roundtrip through the Verde River Canyon.  It is like being in the Grand Canyon.  Beautiful red rock formations, tunnels, the river below, wildlife like coyote, hawks, eagle, wild horses, and steer besides lots of birds.  Reserve first class for $99/pp which has a car where you sit in leather couches/seats, a champagne toast, and appetizers.  But they also have an open-air car that is fun to walk to where you could see 360 views.  It is a very full train so reservations are a must.  The drive there is nice too on I17 to Flagstaff with lots of mountains and red rocks, mesquite, brush, juniper. They also have 2nd class which is $75/pp and you can also rent the caboose for 6 people for a higher price.

Nearby is Tuzigoot National Monument https://www.nps.gov/tuzi/index.htm   which is the site of ruins of an ancient village built by the Sinagua people.  Open 8:00 to 5:00 pm.  Tuzigoot Entrance Fees (current fees)

Adults (16 and over):$10.00 (good for seven days at both Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle National Monuments).  Children under 16 free. America the Beautiful Pass is also honored here.  There is no entrance fee for visiting Montezuma Well.

Montezuma Castle National Monument (near Sedona) – https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm

One of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.

 

Prescott – Prescott National Forest (1-3/4 hours north of Phoenix, near Sedona)  https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/ 

Town of Prescott – Once the territorial capital, Prescott is rich with history embodied in its world famous Whiskey Row and abundant historical landmarks. Whether you’re seeking to relax in a natural environment filled with beauty and wildlife, or the history of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and cowboy forays in the most famous saloons of the Old West, check out the True West and Real Adventure.  http://www.visit-prescott.com/

  • NEAR TUCSON

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (SE 1-1/2 hours from Phoenix toward Tucson)

South of Phoenix heading to Tucson about 1-1/2 hour drive.  There are the remains of the main house in the complex and a great movie and displays, but unfortunately the whole complex was not saved for viewing.  It was the home of Hohokam people who vanished at some point in the 1400s they think.  They sometimes have local jewelry artists there putting on a show.  https://www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm   A good chance to add a visit to Gilbert and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row and Joe’s Farm Grill (featured on Diners/Drive-ins/Dives).

Saguaro National Park – Tucson 

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.  Operating hours are from sunrise to sunset with Visitor Center open 9:00 to 5:00 pm.  Fees:  $15 per person on foot or by bike (16 and older), $20 per motorcycle, $25 per vehicle.  American the Beautiful Pass also honored.

https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

 

 

 

  • OTHER AREAS

Sonoran Desert National Monument – (1 hour Southwest of Phoenix) https://www.blm.gov/visit/sonoran-desert 

The Sonoran Desert National Monument contains magnificent examples of untrammeled Sonoran Desert landscape. The national monument is the most biologically diverse of the North American deserts, and the monument captures a significant portion of that diversity. The most striking aspect of the plant community within the monument is the extensive saguaro cactus forest. The monument contains three distinct mountain ranges, the Maricopa, Sand Tank and Table Top Mountains, as well as the Booth and White Hills, all separated by wide valleys. The monument also contains three Congressionally designated wilderness areas and many significant archaeological and historic sites, and remnants of several important historic trails.  Some areas require permits to hike so check beforehand.  Drinking water is not available, so you should bring plenty of your own water. Vehicles should be in good working order, have a full tank of gas and full-size spare tires. The main access routes and washes are prone to heavy seasonal rains and flash floods.

Lake Havasu and London Bridge – 3-1/2 hours Northwest of Phoenix https://www.golakehavasu.com/

Lake Havasu City is in western Arizona. It’s known as a base for trails in the nearby desert and water sports on Lake Havasu. London Bridge, relocated from England, links the mainland to marinas and a looped path in an area known as the Island. The Lake Havasu Museum of History documents Native American and steamboat history. Lake Havasu State Park has beaches with mountain views, plus picnic spots and birdlife.

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