I hail from sunny Phoenix, Arizona and I’ve been crawling, climbing, and paddling across the Grand Canyon State over a decade. I have a passion for the wild and a thirst for thrill and adrenaline. With Experience Arizona I aim to bring the adventure to the page and bring you information on the places you gotta see and things you gotta know. 
What to do in Arizona
If you're looking for things to do in Arizona you're on the right page. Maybe you'd like to find a
unique place to eat, museum or state historic site to browse. I've listed enough things to do in the tables (separated into regions) below to keep you busy until javalinas fly.
Whatever you choose, have fun and be safe!
State-wide fun
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
The Arizona State Parks event calendar is a HUGE list of events going on at parks throughout the state. If you can't find anything to do here, you might as well just stay home and watch TV. |
Central Arizona
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
Visit the Cave Creek Museum and the famous giant sundial that has been attracting people to Carefree since 1959. It is the third largest working sundial in the Western hemisphere |
|
Located 17 miles east of Carefree and just a short drive north of Scottsdale, Bartlett Lake is one of the areas great water attractions |
|
A recreation of the old west, Frontier Town features many unique and creative shops, along with one of the areas oldest restaurants - The Silver Spur |
|
Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine and visit the Goldfield Museum. Pan for gold then take a ride on Arizona's only narrow gauge train |
|
The Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction and the surrounding region. |
|
Cruise secluded waterways and relax while you admire the breathtaking flora and fauna of the lower Sonoran desert |
|
The Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes has almost an acre of fire history exhibits, with over 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus on display, dating from 1725 to 1969 |
|
See films on a REALLY big screen |
|
Located in downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Science Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, a five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, traveling exhibitions and exciting science programs for people of all ages |
|
This unique museum was founded in 1984 by Gabrielle Liese and houses an international collection of over 100,000 beads and beaded artifacts |
|
Nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants |
|
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument preserves an Ancient Sonoran Desert People farming community and "Great House." |
|
Enjoy breathtaking rides on horseback through the Goldfield Mountains with scenic views of Saguaro Lake |
|
Spend the afternoon or the day floating down the Lower Salt River rapids in an inner tube |
|
Surrounded by the Superstition Wilderness and the Three Bar Wildlife Area, Apache Lake is 17 miles long and a spectacular site for boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking, camping, and all forms of outdoor recreation |
|
Roosevelt Lake boasts the largest lake in Central Arizona, consisting of 112 miles of shoreline, peaceful coves and 22,000 acres of surface water |
|
Skydive Arizona, located in Eloy, Arizona, half way between Phoenix and Tucson, is the premier place for skydivers of all skill levels |
|
SkyVenture Arizona is a state-of-the-art skydiving wind tunnel, located in Eloy, Arizona, half way between Phoenix and Tucson, that is designed for everyone. We completely immerse visitors in the world of high adventure skydiving without ever having to jump out of an airplane or use a parachute. Whether you're a first-time flyer or a seasoned skydiver, SkyVenture Arizona provides the best instructors and coaches to give you the experience of a lifetime |
|
Located just outside of Safford, Roper Lake State Park is made up of two developed areas- the main Roper Lake area, featuring 240 acres of land and 30 acres of water |
|
Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park Campus- Gov Aker Observatory- conducts weekend tours of the Mount Graham International Observatory |
|
It's a peaceful and remote escape nestled far off the highway in southeastern Arizona's Galiuro Mountains. Natural hot springs exclusively for casita guests, and the McMurray commons can be rented for group use |
Southeast Arizona
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
This is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. You'll see more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced |
|
For a half-century the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has enchanted millions of visitors with its exhibits of live animals in astonishingly natural settings, while intriguing and instructing them with fascinating educational programs |
|
The Titan Missile Museum is the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation. Tour the underground missile site. See the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile in the launch duct |
|
This museum was founded in 1988 and highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe |
|
Travel from South America to the Asian rainforest, and then to the African savannah in one day! Explore beautiful habitats housing hundreds of exotic animals from around the world. Reid Park Zoo is a hidden gem, nestled in the center of Tucson |
|
From cowboy gunfights and daring stunts to rip-roarin’ musical revues and comedies, Old Tucson Studios offers exciting Old West entertainment |
|
This one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. Come experience the remarkable Biosphere 2 which Time Life Books recently named one of the 50 must see "Wonders of the World". |
|
The Mission was created to serve the needs of the local community here (San Xavier District) on the Tohono O'odham reservation, as it still does today |
|
From boomtown to bust this little city earned its nickname, "The Town Too Tough To Die". Throughout the past 140 years it has survived two major fires, the loss of the mining industry, and countless violent encounters.Each year many thousands of visitors walk where old west heroes and villains lived, worked and fought. |
|
A beautiful old town built in the Mule Mountains, Bisbee is a great place to visit and enjoy the artistry and weather |
|
Don the mining lanterns, hats and slickers of the miners and experience the life of the miners as they toiled in the subterranean tunnels in this guided tour of an underground mine |
|
Experience a stunning limestone cave in Southeastern Arizona that boasts world-class features. This “live” cave, discovered in 1974, is host to a wide variety of unique minerals and formations |
|
Scenic high desert vistas surround Tubac, and the village enjoys a year-around economy that benefits from summer temperatures notably cooler than Tucson or Phoenix. More than 100 businesses now line Tubac's meandering streets, and a full day can be enjoyed wandering through the numerous art galleries, working studios and gift shops |
|
Experience the beauty of one of the most unique Southwestern desert canyons on a Sabino Canyon tram ride. Sabino Canyon is a natural desert oasis located in Tucson’s Coronado National Forest and is home to spectacular desert landscapes and abundant wildlife |
|
Enormous cacti, silhouetted by the setting sun, for most of us the Giant Saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of these sub-tropical giants, on the edge of the modern City of Tucson |
|
. The park is a haven for desert plants and wildlife and nearly 5,000 saguaros. The 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams invites camping, picnicking and bird watching — more than 150 species of birds call the park home |
|
Visitors traveling along I-10 in southern Arizona can’t miss the prominent 1,500-foot peak of Picacho Peak State Park. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in the spring, overlook a sea of wildflowers |
|
The first La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboys) in 1925 touted three days of events and competition. Today, the event has grown to a nine-day celebration centered on the Tucson Rodeo, one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America |
|
There are two Street Fairs per year, one in spring and one in winter. Free to the public, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, 2 stages, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, the Free SPIKE kids hands-on-art Pavilion, face painting, balloons, and tons of other fun activities, then packs them into three days of celebration. |
|
For two weeks every winter, the world meets in Tucson as it becomes a bustling, international marketplace of buyers and sellers at the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. The "Gem Show" is much more than a single event at one location |
|
Patagonia Lake is a beautiful lake nestled in the hills near Nogales, south of Tucson and is the centerpiece of Patagonia Lake State Park |
|
A beautiful 130-acre lake located in the high cool rolling hills of southern Arizona. Surprisingly close to Tucson. The road to Parker Canyon Lake is paved and offers a very pleasant backcountry drive, suitable for all types of vehicles |
|
A world-renowned location for bird watching, Madera Canyon is a major resting place for migrating species, while the extensive trail system of the Santa Rita Mountains is easily accessed from the Canyon's campground and picnic areas |
|
The San Pedro Riparian area is a stretch of some 40 miles along the San Pedro River, which flows north from near Cananea, Mexico to the Gila River. This riparian, or river, habitat is rare in the desert Southwest. It's a place where plants and animals thrive because of the availability of water, either at or near the surface of the soil |
Southwest Arizona
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
Yuma serves as the gateway to one of the nation's largest mass of inland sand dunes. Now a national recreational area, this natural sand box acts as a magnet for off-road enthusiasts in all but the hottest months and welcomes more than one million visitors every year |
|
The Yuma Birding & Nature Festival is held annually in April and provides an easy introduction to outdoor adventures in the area, including field trips to Mexico and California's Salton Sea |
|
At Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park walk through the actual strap iron cells and solitary chamber of Arizona Territory’s first prison. Now a museum, the building houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed there and the prison life they had to endure |
|
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument celebrates the life and landscape of the Sonoran Desert. In this desert wilderness, you may drive a scenic road, hike a trail, camp beneath a clear desert sky, marvel at magnificent cactus, or soak in the warmth and beauty of the Southwest |
Northeast Arizona
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
Located 29 miles southeast of Flagstaff Arizona, Mormon Lake is the largest natural lake in Arizona |
|
With one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, native grassland, and displays of over 200-million-year-old fossils, this is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science |
|
For an unforgettable encounter with Arizona nature, take a trip to the Painted Desert area. A broad region of rocky badlands encompassing more than 93,500 acres, this vast landscape features rocks in every hue – from deep lavenders and rich grays to reds, oranges and even pinks |
|
The Navajo Nation cordially welcomes you to one of our most unique landmarks - The Four Corners. This is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado |
|
This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet. framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding |
|
In the heart of Arizona's magnificent White Mountains, Sunrise Park Resort is a recreational paradise offering a wide range of fun and excitement |
|
Today Holbrook is the frontier for modern explorers. The spectacular beauty and spirituality of Indian Country beckons travelers to pull off Interstate 40. When they do, they step into a different space and time, where ancient traditions and values provide a deep and rich perspective on life |
|
Winslow also offers a wide range of outdoor activities at nearby Clear Creek, which include canoeing, fishing, swimming and picnicking. Folks who bring their canoes with them can take the creek all the way to Clear Creek Canyon, a rock canyon which is a magnificent, secluded sight - a real treat, which few people get to see! |
|
The history of Window Rock, Arizona, a landmark and Sacred Mountain to the Navajos. It is also the Capitol of the Navajo Nation |
Northwest Arizona
Name |
Description |
|---|---|
Travel to the Grand Canyon and go back in time on the vintage steam engine |
|
55 acre lake that offers trout fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, and archeological sites in addition to hiking and biking |
|
Worlds Oldest Rodeo |
|
Non profit wildlife sanctuary dedicated to conservation and protection of native and exotic animals |
|
This park allows access to Watson Lake and the boulders of the Granite Dells |
|
Experience the beauty and power of Sedona’s magical vortex energy. |
|
Take this early morning balloon ride for the most spectacular sites in Sedona. |
|
Named after a stretch of slippery creek bottom where visitors may slide down a slick natural water chute in Oakcreek Canyon |
|
A powerful and inspiring landscape, the Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size; 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep |
|
In the grandest canyon of the Colorado River, experience the excitement, serenity, joy and enchanting beauty of the river as it transforms this divine chasm and those who venture down it. Go Grand Canyon rafting 187 miles in 6 or 7 days, each day descending deeper into geologic time |
|
The only lake in the region with all of the amenities of a city on it's shore, Lake Havasu is one of the West's most popular recreation areas. Clear blue water beckons boaters, as does the fact that there are no size restrictions or speed limits |
|
The Old London Bridge was taken apart, each piece was numbered to aid re-assembly. The bridge was reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, and re-dedicated on 10 October 1971 |
|
Havasu national Wildlife Refuge protects 30 river miles (300 miles of shoreline) of the Colorado River from Needles, California, to Lake Havasu City, Arizona |
|
Less than 800 years ago, Wupatki Pueblo was the largest pueblo around. It flourished for a time as a meeting place of different cultures. Now abandoned, it's an interesting place to explore |
|
Visit the world's best preserved meteorite impact site just minutes from Interstate 40 in Northern Arizona near Winslow |
|
Sunset Crater volcano was born in a series of eruptions sometime between 1040 and 1100 |
|
Our Skyride shuttles you to an elevation of 11,500 feet for panoramic views atop this extinct volcano. From this elevation, you can see over 70 miles of world-class scenery — including the Grand Canyon and downtown Flagstaff |
|
Walk among the eagles and view the Grand Canyon as never before |
|
This unique and affordable area offers a relaxing outdoor lifestyle and vacation atmosphere and includes many businesses accessible by land, boat or other watercraft |
|
America’s Largest Ghost Town-now host to galleries, restaurants, and haunted hotels |
|
Havasu Falls is paradise on Earth. This is an absolutely amazingly beautiful waterfall located in a remote canyon of Arizona. It takes a good deal of effort to get there, but the reward is worth it |
|
Montezuma Castle is one of a number of well-preserved ancient dwellings in north central Arizona |
|
Tuzigoot ruins are one of the most well-preserved ancient dwellings in north central Arizona |
|
Headquarters for the Arizona Military Department in 1870 |
|
From the 1870s through the 1880s, Fort Verde State Historic Park served as a base for General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers |
|
At 82 acres, this is the state's largest coldwater fish production facility, producing nearly 700,000 trout a year. The property also includes a smaller warm water hatchery, Bubbling Ponds |
|
Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona, with views stretching from its rocky precipice to the Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix |