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Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Arizona is located in the southwest of the United States of America, bordered to the west by California, to the northwest by Nevada, to the east by New Mexico, and the northwest by Utah. Every state in America has a capital, and Arizona has its capital, Phoenix. Located in the south of the state, Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and the sixth largest state in the United States of America.
Since ancient times, Arizona has been home to Native American tribes. Then, Europeans flocked to it at the beginning of the 16th century. The Spanish Franciscan Marcos de Niza was the first European to enter the state and communicate with its residents. In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the area became part of the territory of Nueva, California. Still, Arizona became the 48th state after Spain’s defeat in the Mexican-American War of 1848.
More than half of the state consists of mountainous areas, plateaus, and the most extensive forests of Ponderosa Pine in the United States of America. Arizona has been divided into three main wilderness areas, which are:
- Colorado Plateau: The Colorado River passes through it, and you will see the deepest valley in the region; the Grand Canyon is carved.
- Transitional Zone: It is located south of the Colorado Plateau and north of the Arizona Basin and the Ridge region. This region is characterized by a narrow strip of land with a rugged series of mountain ranges, and Santa Maria rises from these mountains.
- Basin and Ridge Region: it is located south of the transition zone and occupies a small strip of land along the western border with California. The region is characterized by mountain ranges extending from the northwest to the southwest.
Weather in Arizona
Arizona’s climate is arid and semi-arid but also different according to the seasons. In the summer, the temperature rises, making you engage in all recreational activities in all state cities, and wearing light clothes is recommended.
The weather is a little cold in the spring and autumn, and these months are the rainiest, especially in Sedona and Flagstaff. So, it is preferable to wear heavy clothes and have an umbrella with you. In the winter, the high cities are covered with snow, and the temperature is low.
Things to do in Arizona
The desert climate in Arizona is home to some fantastic geological deposits and valleys worth exploring. For example, the Grand Canyon is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the United States, and we will learn more about it in the coming part.
There are also many interesting archaeological, historical, and cultural sites in Arizona related to Native American culture for tourists to enjoy. In addition to many museums, theatres, and art galleries, Arizona is one of the most visited places in the United States of America.
Now, let’s start our tour in one of the famous places in the United States and learn about its well-known attractions. Pack your bags, and here we go.
Grand Canyon
We will start with one of America’s famous attractions, the Grand Canyon. It overlooks ridges of colourful cliffs and deep ravines, and in the afternoon, when the sun is up, the canyon glows with beautiful colours, such as red, yellow, and orange.
The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over many years, and you will be able to see how enormous this natural wonder is when you visit the place. The place is divided into many parts, the most visited is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, when you are there you will be able to see while on the road and the walkways running along the canyon’s edge and it will give you a fantastic view.
Also, the North Rim offers a different view from the South Rim, but unfortunately, the road is closed in winter. You can visit Eagle Point, where you will find the skywalk. It is a glass bridge located at Grand Canyon West.
Phoenix
Phoenix is one of the most famous cities in America. You would love to visit and have a great time there. It is also the leading destination in winter for golfers. It is located in the middle of the desert in an area known as the Valley of the Sun, and it is considered the cultural and economic centre of Arizona.
The city is full of many activities and things to do. You can have a pleasant shopping trip in Scottsdale and Mesa. There are also golf courses and desert parks, including bike and hiking trails. Besides that, there are restaurants and cafes that visitors can enjoy.
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is one of the most famous structures in the United States. It was built in 1935 to cross the Colorado River, connecting Arizona with Nevada. The dam is 726 feet high and 1,244 feet long. Behind the Hoover Dam is Lake Mead, considered the largest artificial lake in the United States.
You can walk across the dam and see a fantastic view from there. There is also an information centre that will give you everything you need about the dam and a café where you can rest.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
The area extends 177 miles of the Colorado River. When you visit, you will see that it includes two lakes, Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, and it also spreads into southern Nevada. When you are there, you can do many activities such as fishing, hiking, water sports, and camping facilities.
If you want to stay there, you can try Willow Beach. It is a small Colorado River resort with restaurants, a marina, and other amenities.
Sedona
Sedona is a city in Arizona surrounded by red-rock mountains. It is about one hour from Phoenix and has one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the United States.
When you arrive in Sedona, you will see the Valley of Oak Creek to the south. It is a beautiful natural place, and you can stop and enjoy the lovely view. After reaching the city, you can enjoy walking its streets, which are full of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
If you love hiking, then Sedona is the best place for that, including mountain biking trails and hiking trails. Taking a jeep tour is one of the famous things you can do in Sedona, where you can see the landscape and several ancient Native American dwellings.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a natural place full of many things like landscapes, stone walls, and blue water, and it also includes Lake Powell which is considered one of the biggest manmade lakes in the United States, you can start exploring the place from the town of Page.
Lake Powell was created by the Glen Canyon Dam, constructed between 1956 and 1964 to block the Colorado River. In the area, you will find a famous attraction: Antelope Canyon, where you can walk through a narrow slot canyon with shafts of lights coming through the top.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is located between Arizona and Utah. It is a place where you can see rock formations, sand dunes, and stone spires. When you reach the middle of the valley, you will find the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. There, you will find a visitor centre that will give you all the information you need, and you can have a guided tour to explore more of the area.
Tucson
Tucson is one of the famous cities in Arizona. Mountains surround it. It is the second-largest city in this state, located in the Sonoran Desert. Tucson has many attractions you would love to visit, such as Saguaro National Park, Old Tucson Studios, and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
For all nature lovers, you can try the hiking trails in the city and the ones near the mountains and canyons. You can also go to the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, a famous route, and see a magnificent view from there. You can visit nearby towns and have a good time there, like Tombstone and Bisbee.
Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is just around Tucson; it is the best place for desert lovers who want to explore and see the saguaro cactuses. The national park is divided into two parts, the east and the west, and they are situated around Tucson, about 30 minutes away.
When you visit the place, you can see many plants and animals along the roads and hiking trails. The trails lead to a high point in the mountains, where you can see a fantastic view from the top at 8,000 feet.
Bisbee
Bisbee is located in the southeast of Arizona, near the Mexican border. It is well-known as a former mining town set in a high part of the mountains and a famous day trip from Tucson. The mines in the town were closed, and then it became a ghost town. After that, it became the perfect place for artists.
There are many shops and restaurants downtown, and you can do many things with former mine cabins surrounding the downtown area. While in town, you can go to the hillside and walk through the hiking trails, which give you a magnificent view of the mountains of Mexico.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is another beautiful place to visit in Arizona. It features twisted sandstone walls surrounding you, and lights come through from a narrow opening above you as you walk in the canyon.
You can go to either the Upper Antelope Canyon or the Lower Antelope Canyon, but most tourists prefer the Upper Antelope Canyon. The ground is flat, and it offers excellent views. You can take many lovely pictures there and discover all the surrounding places.
Jerome
Jerome is another mining town like Bisbee. It is located on a mountainside, and it became a ghost town but a famous tourist attraction in Arizona. The town is full of shops and restaurants, and most buildings have been rebuilt, while the others are ruined.
The town is near Phoenix, Sedona, and Prescott, so it’s an easy day trip from these cities to Jerome. The Gold King Mine Museum and the Jerome State Historic Park offer more about the town’s history.
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
It was known as the home of the Native American cliff dwellings, with walls reaching 1,000 feet high. Inside the Canyon De Chelly National Monument are many attractions you would like to visit. Among these attractions are the White House Ruins, built in 1050 and discovered in 1849.
Another cliff dwelling is the Antelope House and Mummy Cave, which contain mummies in the Canyon del Muerto. You can easily tour them by driving along the North and South RimDrives, seeing the ruins and admiring the beautiful nature surrounding you.
Havasu Falls
The Havasu Falls is located near Supai, it is about 100-foot with a pool at the base of the falls and it ramified that will appear to you that it is two falls when the river flows heavily. In this beautiful valley, the Havasu created a group of waterfalls carved out in the rocks, forming bathing pools that tourists would love to swim in.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located southwest of Arizona near the Mexico border. It is a great place to see the sunset in the desert. The monument has three vegetation zones and about 30 different species of cactus.
The cactus can grow up to 23 feet high and flower from May to July. Due to the heat, its flowers only open after sunset. You can also explore the place from two different points, Ajo Mountain Drive and Puerto Blanco Drive. It is also one of the best camping places in Arizona.
Tumacacori National Historic Park
Tumacacori National Historic Park is located south of Tucson. It includes the ruins of three Spanish colonies on an area of 47 acres. Two colonies, San Jose de Tumacacori and Los Santos Angeles de Guevavi, were constructed in 1691, while the third, San Cayetano de Calabazas, was built in 1756.
Places to stay in Arizona
Arizona has many hotels where you can relax and have a great time with friends and family. In addition to the attractions you will be visiting there, here are some well-known hotels you can stay in while you see the beautiful southern state.
- Yavapai Lodge: It is located inside Grand Canyon National Park, near the South Rim, and includes many lovely rooms. The lodge is divided into two complexes. The Market Plaza has a lobby, shops, and restaurants in the middle.
- Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: This 65-acre resort, built in the Spanish Colonial style, includes about 750 rooms and suites. It has a spa, two golf courses, shops, and restaurants. The resort has pools for adults and kids and an afternoon Family Adventure Center.
- Four Season Resort Scottsdale is a 5-star hotel located outside Scottsdale and surrounded by a beautiful desert. The rooms are casita-style. The hotel includes three restaurants, a gym, a swimming pool, and a spa.
- JW Mariott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa: one of the perfect choices to stay in Arizona, it gives you a fantastic view of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, built in 1936. It is a five-star hotel with wooden furniture in the room, and it includes six restaurants, two golf courses, a children’s swimming pool, and a spa.
- Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Tucson: It is located on a hill north of Tucson. You can see magnificent views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Tucson Valley from here. The rooms and suites are great in all sizes, and in the past, it was the top choice for movie stars to stay there.
