Given the paucity of AZ recommendations on Triptipedia and other travel sites outside of Sedona and therefore the Grand Canyon, i think that Arizona's many tourist attractions are usually overlooked, possibly because Phoenix, the ugliest city within the developed world, is that the main gateway to AZ... it's understandable that being forced to ascertain Phoenix on a visit to the Grand Canyon leaves visitor with the impression that suffering through AZ to the Grand Canyon is that the only reason to go to AZ. Not so. Utah and California are the foremost scenic USA states. Next comes AZ, barely beating out CO and AL.

Overlooked Tourist Attractions in Arizona, USA

Travel data indicates that foreign visitors to the USA like reservation. There are quite a dozen in AZ, including most of the vast Navajo Reservation (much larger than Austria).
Arizona Geography

Like Gaul, Arizona has three parts. Roughly, the northern third of the state is found on the Colorado Plateau, 5,000 to 8,000 ft above water level. The south half is desert. Phoenix' altitude is 1,080 ft. quite 1,000 ft less than rock bottom of the Grand Canyon (2.600 ft. ). Yuma, on the CA border, is 140 ft above water level .

The third notable feature of AZ's geography is that the vast, scenic Mogollon Rim (say muggy own), a broken shear cliff running all the way across the state from east to west that separates the Colorado Plateau within the north from the desert south.

Again roughly, the temperature changes by 3 degrees F (1 degree C) for each 1,000 ft change in altitude. These dramatic differences in temperature make the state a rather unique vacation destination because there's not high or low tourist season for AZ. Summer is low season for the south where winter is peak season , and its reversed within the north. AZ's weather also makes AZ a year round tourist delight-- little or no rain (or snow)-- we were in Phoenix at some point when Phoenix got half a year''s worth of rain in three hours. That was unusual for there was minor street flooding because there are not any storm drains on Phoenix' streets because it almost never rains enough to wish them. i used to be discussing the weather with a longtime AZ resident who said that when he moved to southern AZ within the early 1950s, the typical humidity in Phoenix was 2%. once we talked within the mid 1970s, he said it had been up to 10% due to all the new residents watering their lawns.

Small mountain ranges hack the plateau and therefore the desert everywhere the state.
National Parks and Monuments

In another Tip I explained why National Parks and National l Monuments are legally different but, for the tourist, an equivalent thing. There are 29 National Parks and National Monuments in AZ, ranging across canyons, volcanoes, cliff dwellings, unique cactus, petrified wood, and Indian Reservations.
The Top Sights

I don't got to mention the Grand Canyon , but just south east of the Grad Canyon may be a remarkably collection of interesting sights-- Volcanoes (Sunset Crater area and therefore the San Francisco Mtns. ); the good Meteor Crater; the Painted Desert; the Navajo Indian Reservation; Walnut Canyon, a fine collection of Cliff Dwellings during a lush scenic setting.
Marble Canyon

The Colorado River descends from Colorado's Rocky Mtns. park , flows through a broad valley to the Utah border where it enters UT and endless canyon that extends almost to California. Various- prats of this long canyon have different Names, Canyonlands park , Lake Powell (Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area, Marble Canyon, and eventually , the Grand Canyon , but actually , this is often all one really big canyon. Although we've ever done it, i might estimate that it might take a bout 2 days of driving with none sight seeing stops to traverse this canyon. There are only two places were rock bottom of the canyon (river level) are often reached by road-- just north of Moab, UT, and at Lee's Ferry, AZ, in Marble Canyon.
Oak Creek Canyon

Most travel internet sites , guide books, etc seem to call this Sedona, AZ, because that's the tourist trap nearby town where everybody finds expensive lodging near Oak Creek Canyon. Located near the highest of the Mogollon Rim on the Colorado Plateau at an altitude of 4, 500 feet above water level , Sedona is within the Colorado Plateau's spectacular red rock country, Roughly once more , the rock is red because it rusted. Oak Creek Canyon is most scenic of the scenic places near Sedona, but it's within the fall, where the autumn foliage colors begin that Oak Creek Canyon is at its best. Seeing this is often worth a visit from anywhere.
Cactus

Far and away, the highest tourist sight in AZ's southern desert is that the desert in bloom. And again, roughly mid February is when the cactus flower. Seeing the desert in bloom takes careful planning, but it's worthwhile . apart from the Desert in Bloom, there extensive interesting places to ascertain concentrations of the many sorts of Cactus.
American Indians

There are variety of Indian Reservations in AZ, including a number of the foremost famous tribes of the Wild West-the Apache, Navajo, Hopi, and Papago.
The Road from Phoenix to Las Vegas 

The obvious route between Phoenix and Las Vegas may be a surprisingly attractive drive albeit there are not any major sights along the way. There are numerous ok things to ascertain along the way that it adds up to a solid road trip.
Jerome

A major silver, gold, and copper mining center within the early 20th C, most of Jerome's population moved away within the 1950s when the mines closed, leaving enough people to work full tourist facilities and a living museum of a well preserved western town because it was at the turn of the 20th C.
The Southeast

The southeast corner of AZ could also be the smallest amount visited of the USA's major tourist areas, Home to the famous Apache Indian chief , Geronimo, this corner of AZ was also home to a number of the foremost infamous locations within the world West-- Tombstone, home of the Gunfight at the OK Coral, the search for Geronimo, Geronimo's last stand, the mining center Bisbee, and there are a minimum of 8 ghost towns near Tombstone.
Souvenirs

The Navajo, Hopi, and Papago American Indian tribes produce some remarkable hand crafts that make great souvenirs. The Navajo produce pottery, jewelry featuring silver and turquoises, and hand woven wool rugs. The Hopi do jewelry in striking geometric designs of colored natural stones, like coral, turquoises, and Mother of Pearl. The Papago were and are basket weavers. we've a 50 year old Papago basket that also looks fresh .


Overlooked Tourist Attractions in Arizona, USA

Hand woven Navajo Rug

Overlooked Tourist Attractions in Arizona, USA

Hopi inlaid coral and Mother of Pearl

Overlooked Tourist Attractions in Arizona, USA

Hopi inlaid on silver

Overlooked Tourist Attractions in Arizona, USA

Navajo