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Arizona Vacations

Visitors to Arizona can delight in the variety of natural and cultural attractions that this state has to offer. Located in America’s ‘Four Corners,’ Arizona’s climate is both arid and bountiful, depending on how you look at it. The state offers some of the most recognizable national landmarks in the United States, and a couple of the liveliest cities in the Southwest. While the land was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, in 1540 the Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an exploratory expedition north from Mexico City. Spanish and Mexican settlers followed in his wake, joined eventually by American pioneers. After centuries of turmoil, Arizona was a battleground during the nineteenth century’s Indian Wars, and was eventually admitted into the union in 1912. Today the state stands proudly in the desert despite its struggles against diminishing water resources.

As the capital of Arizona, Phoenix is the physically largest city in the Southwest area. This sprawling city covers nearly 2,000 square miles, offering visitors a staggering 300 days of sunshine each year. The city is home a cornucopia of tourist activities including numerous spectacular museums, professional sports teams, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. Visitors who want to enjoy the sunny outdoors can play a round of golf at the world-class golf course known as the Valley of the Sun. Hikers can explore the famous saguaro cactuses and spectacular scenery as they trek through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.

Visitors who are looking to beat the heat can stop by the vibrant college town of Flagstaff, Arizona for a different desert experience. Although the climate is still dry, the mountainous Northern Arizona region is home to picturesque ponderosa pines and a number of scenic hiking trails. Those traveling to Flagstaff in the winter can even enjoy a few ski or snowboard runs at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort. Those who would like to sit back and relax can enjoy the small-town feel of this city. Historic buildings, microbreweries and locally-owned restaurants make their home in one of Arizona’s most-loved cities.

One of Arizona’s must-see attractions is the renowned Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River has carved its way through the rock, exposing rocks that are up to two billion years old. The canyon averages about ten miles in width, and stretches more than 200 miles through the dramatic landscape. Most visitors flock to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim because of its proximity to Arizona’s larger cities. The South Rim also provides excellent tourist infrastructure and facilities that offer numerous uninterrupted panoramic views of the arid canyon. The generally-overlooked North Rim of the Grand Canyon offers a respite from the overwhelming crowds at the South Rim. Because the area is remote and much higher than the South Rim portion of the canyon, it is forested by aspen and spruce, adorned with wildflowers in the spring. Visitors can stop by the North Rim during the summer and until the park is rendered inaccessible by yearly snowfall.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs Natural Monument, a 294,000 acre geological wonder that contains some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. The park contains the infamous Paria Plateau, the Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes and lonely Paria Canyon within its spacious confines. Visitors can drive through the monument’s paved roads or forgo the car and hike or backpack through the park. Guests who are interested in Arizona’s natural attractions can also appreciate the geographical wonders abound at the Petrified Forest National Park. The park features fossilized logs that date back to the time of the dinosaurs. The park is also home to Arizona’s signature Painted Desert, which notably changes color as the sun moves across the sky.

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