Grand is an inadequate description of this canyon. This enormous gap in northern Arizona, which is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, is definitely a natural wonder. It is around 277 river miles long. The Grand Canyon has grown with the assistance of the powerful Colorado River for 6 million years, and for ages, visitors from all over the world have come to take in its magnificent red and orange splendor. The Grand Canyon, which is under the management of the National Park Service and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, astounds its roughly 6 million annual tourists.

However, if you're looking for a remote getaway in Mother Nature, you should be ready: There can be a ton of people at the Grand Canyon. Visitors and hikers favor the South Rim, which is home to Grand Canyon Village and the well-traveled Bright Angel Trail. The majority of the amenities are on this side. Go to the North Rim to escape the crowds. Hardcore hiking and backcountry camping are available here. Take a helicopter tour for a once-in-a-lifetime look at the canyon.

The Grand Canyon's enormous span of gorges, ridges, and rock formations may stun even the most cynical of tourists. Thus, even taking in the scenery from a variety of vantage points could take hours. A hiking tour that descends to the bottom is among the greatest methods to appreciate the canyon: The Bright Angel or Rim paths on the South Rim are among of the greatest trails. Another choice is to raft the Colorado River; another is to take a helicopter trip. Consider taking a guided tour if you don't want to spend the entire day exploring the park on your own because some of the greatest Arizona excursions feature full-day itineraries there.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
• #1 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona
  
• #1 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
  
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in September
  
• #2 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
  
• #2 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #2 in Best Fall Vacations
  
• #3 in Best Spring Vacation
  
• #3 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
  
• #3 in Best Family Spring Break Destinations
  
• #3 in Best Family Summer Vacations
  
• #4 in Best National Parks in the World
  
• #4 in Best U.S. National Parks
  
• #4 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
• #4 in Best Family Vacations in the USA
  
• #5 in Best Places to Hike in North America
  
• #6 in Best Cheap Honeymoons in the U.S.
  
• #7 in Best Cheap Spring Break Destinations
  
• #9 in Best Places to Visit in April
  
• #15 in World's Best Places to Visit
  
• #21 in Best Summer Vacations

Location: Arizona

One of the most beautiful spots in America is frequently used to describe Sedona. You won't find a scenery anywhere else that is as vividly colored. For years, both established painters and aspiring newcomers have been drawn to the area's towering red cliffs and angular sandstone buttes set against an almost perpetually blue sky. Additionally, these blazing rock formations in north-central Arizona served as the setting for blockbuster films including "3:10 to Yuma," "Broken Arrow," and "Midnight Run."

However, Sedona is more than just attractive red rocks. Spiritualists have come to the area in recent years to take advantage of the various New Age "vortexes" that are said to have spirit-balancing properties that can be discovered there. Still looking for a solution to quench your yen? Plan a spa day for the day in Sedona. A bottle of local wine and a traditional treatment like a red clay wrap or blue corn body scrub are excellent ways to unwind after a strenuous day of hiking. Oh, and did we also mention that there are more than 100 hiking routes in the area? Please remember to bring your boots! Another well-liked choice is taking a supervised Jeep tour to explore the woods.

Rankings:

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona
  
• #2 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
  
• #4 in Best Cheap Romantic Getaways
  
• #5 in Best Romantic Getaways in the USA
  
• #5 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
  
• #7 in Best Fall Vacations
  
• #7 in Best Spring Vacations
  
• #11 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #25 in Best Places to Visit in the USA

Location: Arizona

Hikers come from all over the world to explore the stunning rock formations at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Wave in Coyote Buttes North and White Pocket in the Paria Canyon are two must-see landmarks in this area. However, keep in mind that both places demand permits for camping and hiking. These permits, which Arizona's Bureau of Land Management issues to as few as 20 persons per day (depending on the region and type of visit), ensure that visitors can enjoy the monument without having to mingle with throngs of other tourists.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), covers 280,000 acres in the Colorado Plateau near the Arizona-Utah border. Without even realizing it, you've probably seen pictures of the monument or at least its most well-known aspect. The Wave spreads across the desert floor in a striated pattern of red, rust, and gold. The most popular activity is hiking, but camping, photography, and animal viewing are also popular among locals and tourists.

The Wave, one of the most exclusive hikes in the nation, draws the majority of guests. Alternatives can be found on other trails within the monument, but some of them also need permits. You'll need to be an expert map and compass user because the trails are unmarked. There can be snow on the ground in the winter and temperatures that top 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) in the summer. Generally speaking, April, May, September, and October are the greatest months to travel.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location:Arizona

Montezuma Castle National Monument is a five-story, 20-room structure carved out of the cliffs of central Arizona's Verde Valley. It is frequently compared to a high-rise apartment building. Although the pueblo buildings bear the name of an Aztec monarch, the Sinagua Indian Tribe once lived there. Before hiking the nearby paths to Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well, visitors can learn more about Sinagua culture at the monument's museum. But keep in mind that because of their fragility, the homes are not accessible from the monument.

With its renowned natural wonders and thriving towns, Arizona is a popular destination for tourists all year round. Montezuma Castle National Monument is a little sight that is frequently overlooked among the vast array of things our state has to offer, but it is guaranteed to take your breath away. It's possible that this monument will connect you to a chapter of American history that you have been missing. Thousands of daring tourists like you now visit this location, which was formerly the Sinagua people's six-story mansion.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona

Tucson, one of the Best Places to Visit in Arizona, experiences more than 340 days of sunshine annually and is bordered by mountains on several sides. The second-largest city in Arizona is an excellent destination to escape the chilly winter weather because daytime highs rarely fall below the mid-60s. Tucson, though, is much more than a breeding ground for snowbirds.

With a strong Hispanic heritage, Tucson, often known as "Old Pueblo," is a hub of historical and cultural attractions as well as a hotspot for people seeking hot, spicy Mexican food north of the border. Tucson was really the first city in the United States to be designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy because of its strong food traditions, distinctive cuisine, and long agricultural heritage.

Tucson has a small-town feel despite its constant growth. Neighborhoods with colorful adobe structures and cute stores, like the El Presidio Historic District and the Barrio Histórico, give off the impression that you are in a genuine Mexican village. Meanwhile, Scottsdale and other upscale suburbs of Phoenix may soon be challenged by the high-end eateries and resorts in the Catalina Foothills sector.

And this city is alive with youth thanks to the hip stores and noisy clubs that surround the University of Arizona campus, which is surrounded by palm trees. Tucson hasn't yet engulfed its surrounds, unlike the vast state capital; adjacent mountains and wilderness regions, like Saguaro National Park, provide a genuine flavor of the Sonoran Desert.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
  
• #5 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona
  
• #11 in Best Cheap Honeymoons in the U.S.

Location: Arizona

Visit Petrified Forest National Park if you wish to spend your next holiday outside. You'll find one of the greatest concentrations of petrified wood in the world in this more than 200,000-acre park, along with steep cliffs and animal fossils. Plan on participating in a number of activities during your stay to make the most of your time here. Hiking, riding horses, and biking are all common park activities. Don't forget to set aside time to explore some of the historical displays in the park, including those at the Rainbow Forest Museum and the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.

One of Arizona's three national parks, Petrified Forest is about three hours from Phoenix. There are two portions to the park. The painted hills and desert are in the northern section. Most of the petrified wood is found in the southern region.

You can plan your own trip with this list of entertaining activities in Petrified Forest. This provides you the most freedom to explore the national park however you choose.

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona

You can visit Lake Havasu to take part in a range of water-based activities. One of Arizona's top spots for boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming is the lake. Additionally, it has secret coves reachable by kayak as well as the striking London Bridge, which was moved here from London in 1971. After spending some time on the lake, go ashore in Lake Havasu City, where you may find, among other things, lodging options, dining establishments, shopping, and hiking trails.

Lake Havasu, one of the Best Places to Visit in Arizona, is a popular location in Arizona for boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. It also includes magnificent London Bridge, which was relocated here from London in 1971, and hidden coves that may be reached by kayak. Go ashore in Lake Havasu City after spending some time on the lake to find, among other things, housing options, food options, shops, and hiking trails.

The Lake Havasu Museum of History offers a wide range of exhibits for history buffs. Everything from the town's early years to the development of the renowned McCulloch is covered in the exhibits. Even a glimpse of desert fauna is included! It's a fantastic way to see this oasis, which draws tourists all year long. Plan some time to spend at the lake's beautiful beaches and hiking paths while you're there.

Rankings:

• #7 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona

Phoenix, sometimes referred to as "LA without the Pacific," mixes upscale retail, a thriving culinary scene, and resort-style living in the Sonoran Desert. You won't find golden beaches and palm palms here; instead, you'll find vivid red mountains and boulevards dotted with cacti. Due to its picturesque surroundings, Phoenix, formerly a ranch town, has grown to become the sixth most populous city in the United States. And you'll understand why this city has grown to be a well-liked retreat for snowbirds, families, and 20-somethings alike when you consider the growth of opulent resorts, the proliferation of golf courses, the booming bar scene, and affordable accommodation prices.

The Valley of the Sun, with its distinctive desert terrain and plenty of hiking paths, attracts adventurous vacationers in addition to the wealthy elite that its famed spas and retail malls attract. Visitors spend the majority of their time outdoors during the spring, winter, and fall seasons, basking in the sun on golf courses, mountains, tennis courts, or swimming pools.

There are accommodations and activities for every price range due to the diversity of the suburbs (Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Glendale, to mention a few). Phoenix is also a practical starting place for some of the best tours in Arizona, including thrilling all-terrain vehicle rides into the desert. Phoenix may not have the glamor and the beachfront boardwalk of Los Angeles, but when you unwind poolside before your afternoon hike or massage, you won't miss those things at all.

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona

Flagstaff is frequently dismissed as a pit stop—a place to break up a long drive to the Grand Canyon—in comparison to the resort-filled Sedona and the desert-urban enclave of Phoenix. However, it shouldn't be brushed off so quickly. This about 77,000-person city has a relaxed, natural charm and is surrounded by ponderosa pine forests and the San Francisco Peaks. Locals who cycle, ski, hike, and enjoy a few craft beers give Flagstaff liveliness, and college students from nearby Northern Arizona University give the city a youthful vibe as well.

Flagstaff should be your vacation destination, not just a stop along the way, if you're looking for a laid-back getaway 7,000 feet above sea level with outdoor excursions, regional cuisine (many of which are priced for college students), and a few unusual natural attractions, like Walnut Canyon National Monument.

The best activities in Flagstaff are frequently found outside. Flagstaff has plenty of things to do, from discovering Indigenous peoples' homes at multiple state parks and national monuments to hiking and skiing the adjacent mountains - or just lounging outside with a craft beer at the Historic Downtown and Railroad District. Visitors who want to do more than just walk around might attend astronomy lectures at the Lowell Observatory or geology and local culture lectures at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Additionally, there are many options to buy and eat throughout the city.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
  
• #8 in Best Places to Visit in September
  
• #9 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona

Are you looking for activities in Prescott? When it comes to things to do and ways to pass the time, Prescott is full of surprises. The environment is particularly intriguing due to the mix of pensioners, Old West fans, outdoor enthusiasts, and college students. Having said that, listed below are some of the most well-liked activities in Prescott.

Every type of traveler enjoys Prescott which is one of the Best Places to Visit in Arizona. Before heading to one of the town's lakes for some boating or fishing, nature lovers can explore the town's 400+ miles of trails on foot, by mountain bike, or by horseback. Prescott's downtown area has a variety of early American buildings, including Victorian-era mansions and historic saloons, for architecture enthusiasts to enjoy. Meanwhile, cultural buffs can visit a number of renowned institutions, including the Museum of Indigenous People and the Phippen Museum, which has an Old West art theme.

Eight Wilderness Areas totaling more than 104,000 acres are located wholly or partially inside the Prescott National Forest, along with more than 850 miles of maintained trails. Rock climbing, mountain biking, equestrian riding, and hiking are all significant aspects of Prescott culture. In this region, there are countless routes to discover, especially if you enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits.

Rankings:

• #10 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Location: Arizona