Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State, but it’s much more than that.  Whether you love the outdoors, or you are a city slicker, you’ll find that Arizona has plenty of things to do, especially for families.  From its natural beauty to big city life,  Arizona should be on your list of states to visit in the United States.  So without further ado, here are 7 of the best places to visit in Arizona!

7 Best Places to Visit in Arizona

1. The Grand Canyon
2. Phoenix
3. Scottsdale
4. Tucson
5. Sedona
6. Page
7. The Polar Express

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #1:  Grand Canyon

If you’ve never been to Arizona before, then a trip isn’t complete without a stop at the Grand Canyon.  There’s a reason why it’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  The Grand Canyon is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, especially for those who love to hike.  For those of us traveling with younger children, though, it’s thrilling enough to have a photo taken with the Grand Canyon in the background.  For families traveling with children at least 4 years old and older, you’ll want to give your children time to participate in the Junior Ranger Program.  During our recent visit to the Grand Canyon via train, we did not factor that into our itinerary and I wish we had.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #2:  Phoenix

Phoenix is the most populated city in Arizona, and it’s constantly expanding.  While my family lives in Tucson, we love that Phoenix, with its big city vibe, is just an hour and a half away.  Whether you want to spend time outdoors hiking or indoors visiting museums and attractions, Phoenix definitely has something for everyone.  Plus, it’s home to one of my favorite zoos, the Phoenix Zoo (even Kimye couldn’t stay away when they were in Phoenix for the super bowl) and my favorite baseball team, the Diamondbacks.  And that doesn’t include all the other major sports teams, like the Cardinals and the Coyotes.  There are also plenty of family friendly resorts, like the Wigwam.  Phoenix is also within driving distance of the Grand Canyon and places like Sedona, making it a great hub to visit other places.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #3:  Scottsdale

Scottsdale is one of my favorite cities.  While it’s known for upscale stores and luxury resorts, there’s also plenty of things for families to do.  One of my family’s favorite places to visit is the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.   There’s also a huge entertainment complex, which is the home for many attractions like the OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland.  And speaking of resorts, we enjoyed our stay at the Westin Kierland, especially since it’s extremely kid friendly.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #4:  Tucson

Tucson is my hometown, and while it’s the second biggest city in Arizona, it still has a small town feel to it, probably because it’s so spread out.  During the cooler months, hiking is a must at places like Catalina State Park and Sabino Canyon.  But there are also plenty of other things to do in Tucson, especially with kids.  I’ve written about it extensively here, but if I had to pick a favorite place in Tucson, it would be the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #5:  Sedona

Sedona is an extremely artsy community, but it’s also one of the best places to visit in Arizona.  Whether you want to hike, or spend time in the water at Slide Rock State Park, there’s one thing that stands out – the scenery, especially the Red Rock Scenic Byway.  Sedona is also a  short drive away from the Verde Canyon Railroad, which I highly recommend.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #6:  Page

Page, Arizona is home of Lake Powell, a man-made reservoir.  It can be a fun, but expensive, place to visit especially if you want to rent a houseboat.  My parents rented a houseboat on two separate occasions when I was a young child and I still have memories of it.  A houseboat, though, is not necessary to enjoy all that Page has to offer, including Antelope Canyon.  I hope to take my son there at some point in the future, but my friend Tania recently visited Page with her family and wrote about the Slot Canyon Tour.

Best Places to Visit in Arizona #7:  The Polar Express

The Polar Express is located in Williams, Arizona, and off Route 66.  During the holidays, the Grand Canyon Railway turns into the Polar Express.  It’s a fun tradition, especially for families traveling with younger children.  While it only operates during the winter holidays, it shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for those who live in Arizona with young children.  Bearizona is also located nearby and is also a fun place to visit.

Unique Places to Visit in Arizona

While this article includes my list of 7 of the best places to visit in Arizona, there are also plenty of unique places to visit.  For example, those who love westerns will want to add Tombstone to their list.  Bisbee, Jerome, and the Wigwam Motel are also unique places to visit and stay.

I love hearing from readers.  Is there a place in Arizona that you would add to the list?

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