I think Arizona is one of the most unique states and one of the best travel destinations in the United States. Most people probably think of endless desert when they picture Arizona, but the state has an incredible variety of landscapes. The Grand Canyon alone is one of the most impressive natural sights not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world. Beyond it are places like Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, and the Wave, along with countless canyons, mountains, and stretches of desert that look unlike anywhere else in the country.
You could easily spend more than a week exploring northern Arizona and still only see a fraction of it. There are the red-rock landscapes surrounding Sedona, the pine forests and mountains around Flagstaff, and even ski resorts that seem completely out of place in a state famous for scorching desert heat. Farther south, the landscape changes again as the Sonoran Desert takes over. Phoenix, the state capital and one of the largest cities in the United States, sits right in the middle of it all and offers an entirely different side of Arizona.
Explore Humphreys Peak
In a state famous for deserts and canyons, many people are surprised to learn that Arizona also has some serious mountains. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in the state, rising above the San Francisco Peaks to an elevation of 12,637 feet (3,852 meters). The surrounding mountains offer excellent hiking and camping during the warmer months, along with a welcome escape from the heat found across much of Arizona. When winter arrives, the landscape changes completely, with skiing at Arizona Snowbowl as well as opportunities for snowshoeing and winter hiking.
Explore Phoenix
Phoenix is one of the hottest major cities in the United States, with summer temperatures that regularly climb above 110°F (43°C) and have reached 122°F (50°C). But the extreme climate is also part of what makes the city distinctive. Phoenix sits in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by rugged mountains, giant saguaro cacti, and desert landscapes that can be explored without traveling far from the city.
The greater Phoenix area has everything from hiking and desert parks to restaurants, nightlife, museums, and professional sports. One of the best places to see what makes this environment so unusual is the Desert Botanical Garden, which features an enormous variety of plants from deserts around the world. Nearby Tempe adds another side to the metropolitan area, with Tempe Town Lake, restaurants, nightlife, and the atmosphere surrounding Arizona State University.
“`
