20 Things to Do in Arizona: An Arizona Bucket List
1. Visit the Grand Canyon National Park
When you think of Arizona, you think of the Grand Canyon! This National Park is located just a little over 3 hours from Phoenix. Even if you don’t want to hike down into the canyon, there is plenty to do and see here!
2. Take a Jeep Tour in Sedona
This picturesque town is surrounded by red rocks and has many great hiking trails. Our favorite thing we did in Sedona was take a jeep tour! There are several trails to choose from, ranging from mild to extreme.
3. Try Cactus Fries at the Cowboy Club in Sedona
This was actually recommended to us by our Jeep tour guide! Cowboy club is the only restaurant in Sedona where you can try cactus. They offer cactus fries as an appetizer – picture fried zucchini but with a more peppery batter and much tangier. Very delicious!
4. See Crystalized Wood in Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is located in eastern Arizona, around 3 and a half hours from Phoenix. Here, you can see petrified wood that is over 200 million years old! For more information, check out our Petrified Forest National Park Guide.
5. Take a Tour of Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona. Whether you do the Upper or Lower Canyon tour, you will not be disappointed. We did the Upper Antelope Canyon tour which is considered to be more difficult than the lower tour due to the amount of stairs and tight spaces.
6. Visit Monument Valley
Located in the Navajo Nation around the Arizona/Utah border, Monument Valley is a must see attraction at least once in your life. We decided to take a tour while we were here that drove us around all of the monuments and even took us on some paths that were only accessible to tour companies.
7. Try a Navajo Taco
A must try! This taco starts with a base layer of Fry Bread that is then topped with beans, meat, cheese, and then the usual toppings of lettuce, tomato, and onions.
8. Horseshoe Bend
A very popular attraction in Arizona, Horseshoe Bend is always busy. I recommend getting here early to beat the crowds! We went in the middle of the day and it was packed. It is an easy 1 mile walk from the parking lot, with a few shaded break areas along the way.
9. Lake Powell
After spending the morning at Horseshoe Bend, spend the afternoon at Lake Powell boating, kayaking, fishing, or whatever else tickles your fancy.
10. Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in the world and is the most difficult nps site to get to in Arizona. To get here, you either need to use a boat or hike 14+ miles (by boat sounds like a much better option!) If you don’t have your own private boat, you can either rent one or take a guided tour.
11. Wupatki National Monument
Only a 30 minute drive from Flagstaff, Wupatki National Monument is a well-preserved pueblo that had 104 rooms, a ballcourt, and a natural blowhole feature. We recommend purchasing a guide at the visitor center for $2 that gives detailed information about each stop along the trail.
12. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Tonto Natural Bridge is the largest natural travertine bridge in the world! There are a few trails you can hike that will take you down to the bottom, or you can see the bridge from the multiple viewpoints near the parking lots. There is a $7 fee per person to visit this state park.
13. Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle is a 20 room structure nestled into the side of a cliff. To get to the viewing area, there is a very short hike on a paved path from the visitor center. It costs $10 per person to visit, or you can use your America the Beautiful Pass.
14. Saguaro National Park
Whether you visit the East or West section of the park, you are bound to see some amazing views. On our trip, we visited the Western part of the park, and was able to accomplish a lot of it in a day.
15. Musical Instrument Museum
Housing over 15,000 instruments from 200 countries/territories, this museum is the largest of its kind in the world! An awesome attraction for any music lover. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for children.
16. Try a Sonoran Hot Dog in Tucson
The first meal we had when we landed in Tucson and it was such a filling meal! The hot dog is wrapped in bacon and served on a bolillo-style hot dog bun and topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of condiments like mayonnaise, mustard, and jalapeno salsa. These are only available around the Sonoran Desert/Tucson Area, so make sure to try one when you are in the area.
17. Navajo National Monument
Navajo National Monument contains villages tucked into the crevasses of massive cliff ledges. The Sandal Trail will take you down to a viewing area, the hike is a 1.3 mile round-trip paved trail.
18. Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, also known as Barringer Meteor Crater, is the largest impact crater in the US! The fee to visit here is $29 for adults and $20 for children, but it is definitely worth the cost. Included in the fee is an observation deck to view the crater, a short film about how the crater was formed, a 4D simulation, as well as an interactive discovery center.
19. Drive the Scenic Route 89
If you’re visiting Phoenix and Sedona, we recommend taking the scenic route on Rte 89. You’ll drive through Tonto National Forest and Coconino National Forest.
20. Desert Botanical Gardens
Did you take a walk through Saguaro National Park and wonder “Wow, what plant is that?” If so, then you definitely need to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens. All of the plants were clearly labeled and very well taken care of. You could even come across some wildlife here. Tickets are $25-30 for adults depending on when you visit.