25+ Epic Things to See & Do in Arizona

If there's one state that has genuinely surprised us more than any other, it's Arizona. From incredible national parks to a great food scene, scenic road trips, and some of the most unique landscapes in the Southwest, Arizona really does have it all.

Over the last few years, I've traveled thousands of miles throughout Arizona, and every time I go back, I always find something new. And honestly, that’s one of the things I love most about this state.

You can spend one day standing on the edge of one of the most famous canyons in the world, the next running down the same road as Forrest Gump, or even summiting a 12,000ft peak, and somehow still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.

I hope this list of 25+ things to do in Arizona inspires you to add a few new places to your Arizona bucket list!

Here are 25+ Epic Things to See & Do in Arizona!

1) Stand on the Edge of Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona

I’ll be honest, Horseshoe Bend was something I thought might be a little underwhelming in person (because you know how social media is sometimes), but it is breathtaking.

Horseshoe Bend is a massive curve in the Colorado River that wraps around a sandstone cliff, creating one of the most stunning views in the Southwest. It’s so much bigger in person than it looks in photos, and you may even feel more wowed here than at the Grand Canyon!

To visit, you’ll park in the main Horseshoe Bend parking lot, which currently costs $10 per vehicle. From there, it’s about a 0.7-mile walk each way to the overlook.

There is very little shade, and the desert heat can be intense, especially during summer months, so bring water, wear sunscreen, and try to go earlier in the morning or closer to sunset if you can.

2) Go on a Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona

There is nothing that says Sedona quite like riding through the red rocks in an open-air pink Jeep!

It’s an experience that feels a little touristy at first, but once you’re bouncing through the backcountry with stunning views all around you, you'll totally get why everyone talks about it.

If you want to see a different side of Sedona without planning a big hike, booking a Pink Jeep Tour is such a fun way to do it. A guide will take you off-road through some of Sedona’s most scenic areas, so you can just sit back, enjoy the views, and feel like you’re on a mini desert adventure.

One of the most popular tours is the Broken Arrow Tour, which takes you along one of Sedona’s best off-road trails. It’s bumpy, scenic, and one of the most epic ways to experience Sedona!

Sometimes, doing the classic touristy thing is exactly what makes a trip more fun, you know?

3) Find a Hidden Cave Behind a Gas Station in Page, Arizona

While it’s technically more of an alcove than a cave, this hidden spot in Page is proof that Arizona has something cool hiding around every corner, even behind a gas station.

It’s located behind a gas station, which sounds completely unexciting until you walk back there and see the colorful orange walls tucked away right off the road. It’s quick, free, and such a fun little stop if you’re already in Page visiting places like Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, or Lake Powell.

Please keep in mind that this is not a maintained attraction, so be respectful while visiting. Don’t carve into the walls, don’t leave trash, and follow Leave No Trace principles so places like this stay beautiful for everyone!

This hidden spot is often called the “gas station cave” or "shell cave", but it has officially been named Biidi Arch.

4) Catch Sunrise at Grandview Point in the Grand Canyon

No Arizona bucket list would be complete without visiting the Grand Canyon, but if you want a truly unforgettable view (without hiking), make sure to watch the sunrise from Grandview Point.

Grandview Point is located along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and it really puts into perspective just how massive the canyon actually is. As the sun starts to come up, the canyon walls turn different shades of orange, pink, and purple.

Even if you don’t make it here exactly at sunrise, Grandview Point is still 100% worth visiting! It’s an easy stop along Desert View Drive and one of the most beautiful viewpoints to add to your Grand Canyon itinerary.

5) Take a Tour of Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous slot canyons in the Southwest, and if you’ve ever seen photos of those glowing orange sandstone walls, you probably already know why.

Located near Page, Arizona, this canyon is known for its narrow passageways, smooth wave-like walls, and beams of light that shine through at certain times of day. It is definitely one of the more touristy things to do in Arizona, but it is also one of the most beautiful.

You cannot visit Antelope Canyon on your own. You’ll need to book a guided tour in advance, and there are a few different sections to choose from. Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous and is known for its light beams, while Lower Antelope Canyon is more adventurous with more stairs, ladders, and narrow sections.

If you want the classic Antelope Canyon photos, Upper Antelope Canyon is probably the better option. But if you want something that feels a little more active, Lower Antelope Canyon is, of course, a great choice too!

6) Hike Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona

Sedona has no shortage of beautiful hikes, but if you only have time for one, Cathedral Rock is hard to beat.

The trail is only about 1.5 miles round trip, but don’t let the short distance fool you. This hike is steep, rocky, and in some sections it'll feel more like you're rock climbing than hiking. However, if you can make it to the top, you’ll end up with one of the best views in Sedona.

In my opinion, Cathedral Rock is absolutely worth the effort!

7) Meet the Wild Burros of Oatman, Arizona

Situated basically in the middle of nowhere along Historic Route 66, Oatman is a tiny Old West town that has become famous for the wild burros that wander freely through the streets.

The town was once a busy gold mining community, and the burros you see today are descendants of the animals miners used to carry supplies. After the mines closed, many of them were released into the surrounding desert, and over time, they became the town’s most recognizable residents.

Today, Oatman is said to have more donkeys than people! You can walk along the wooden sidewalks, browse the small shops, watch an Old West shootout, and see burros casually wandering past storefronts. You may even encounter a burro traffic jam!

8) Hike to the Turquoise Waters of Havasu Falls

If there is one experience in Arizona that will ruin all other waterfalls for you, it's Havasu Falls.

Hidden deep within a side canyon of the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Reservation, Havasu Falls is exactly as surreal as every photo suggests, a 100-foot curtain of bright turquoise water pouring down red canyon walls into travertine pools that don't look like they belong on this planet.

Getting there takes planning well in advance. The hike is 10 miles each way through exposed desert canyon terrain, and all visitors need a permit from the Havasupai Tribe. Day hiking is not allowed, you'll need a minimum 3-night/4-day stay at either the campground (~$455 per person) or the lodge. Permits go on general sale February 1st each year and sell out within hours, so set your alarm and be ready.

The effort is absolutely worth it. Swimming under Havasu Falls is one of those bucket-list moments that lives up to every expectation.

Tip: Create your account at HavasupaiReservations.com well before permits go on sale. Early access permits (available January 21st at a small premium) give you a better shot at securing a spot before the general rush.

9) Wander Old Town Scottsdale

Located just outside of Phoenix, Old Town Scottsdale is a stylish desert city with a unique mix of Southwestern charm, Old West history, art galleries, boutique shopping, and some of the best restaurants in the Phoenix area!

The neighborhood is especially fun to explore on foot, with everything from adobe-style storefronts and souvenir shops to modern cocktail bars, patio restaurants, and beautifully designed hotels like Hotel Valley Ho and The Scott Resort & Spa nearby.

One of the best parts about Old Town Scottsdale is that you don’t really need a strict plan. You can spend the afternoon popping into local shops, walking through galleries, grabbing brunch, or stopping for a drink at one of the many restaurants and bars in the area. While here, don’t miss the historic Old Town streets, the Scottsdale Waterfront, and the Arts District if you enjoy browsing galleries and boutiques.

10) Take a Photo at Forrest Gump Point in Monument Valley

If you’ve ever seen the movie Forrest Gump, you probably remember the scene where Forrest suddenly stops running in the middle of the desert and decides he’s done.

That famous scene was filmed on Highway 163 near Monument Valley, and today, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the entire United States. With the long road stretching toward buttes out in the distance, it really is one of those places that looks just as cool in person as it does in photos (and the movie, of course!)

This is definitely a quick stop, but it’s so worth adding if you’re already visiting Monument Valley or road tripping through northern Arizona.

Just keep in mind that this is still an active highway, so be extremely careful when taking photos!!

Photo Tip: Go early or during the winter months if you want fewer people, watch for cars, and never stand in the road longer than you need to.

11) Spend an Afternoon at Goldfield Ghost Town

At the base of the Superstition Mountains, you’ll find Goldfield Ghost Town.

And in case you're wondering, yes, the cactus in the picture is real!

Goldfield was once a booming gold mining town in the 1890s, and today, it has been turned into a fun place to walk around, shop, eat, and get a little taste of Arizona’s mining history. You can tour the Mammoth Gold Mine, ride the narrow gauge train, stop by the saloon, browse the shops, and even try gold panning, which is what we did while we were there.

If you’re visiting Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Apache Junction, Goldfield Ghost Town is only a short drive away.

12) See the Giant Cacti in Saguaro National Park

Since I've already got you interested in unbelievably large cacti, head to Saguaro National Park, which is home to the largest cacti species in the United States! The saguaro cactus is basically Arizona’s version of the giant sequoia trees in California.

Saguaros can grow over 40 feet tall, and the tallest saguaro ever recorded was 78 feet tall before it fell in 1986.

A cactus taller than a six-story building. How insane is that?

Saguaro National Park is split into two districts on either side of Tucson: the Tucson Mountain District to the west and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can still see plenty from the scenic drives, especially the Cactus Forest Loop in the east district or Bajada Loop Drive in the west district.

If you want to hike, two great options are the Valley View Overlook Trail in the west district for an easy desert view, or the Mica View Loop in the east district for a mostly flat walk surrounded by saguaros.

13) Tour the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee

If you want to go 1,500ft underground inside one of the richest copper mines in the United States, look no further than the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee!

This historic mine operated from 1877 to 1975 and was one of Bisbee’s most prosperous copper mines. Today, you can take a guided tour underground, where you’ll put on a hard hat, miner’s headlamp, and jacket before riding into the mine on a small mine train.

The tour takes you into the tunnels while your guide (who is actually someone who used to work in the mine) shares what life was like for the miners who worked here, along with the history of copper mining in Bisbee. One of the coolest things we learned is that there is still copper in the mine, and our guide told us it could technically become active again at any time.

Don't forget to book your tour ahead of time!

14) Go Stargazing in the Arizona Desert

After traveling to more than half of the U.S. states, Arizona still stands out as one of our favorite places for stargazing!

With wide-open desert, dry air, and huge stretches of land far away from major cities, the night sky here can be incredible. On a clear night, you may see thousands of stars, planets, constellations, and even the Milky Way stretching above you.

Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon are all great places to go stargazing, but you definitely don’t need a fancy tour. Find somewhere away from the city lights, bring a blanket, and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust.

15) Step Back in Time in Lowell, Arizona

Just outside of downtown Bisbee, the tiny Lowell neighborhood feels like someone hit pause on the 1950s.

Erie Street is lined with old storefronts, vintage signs, classic cars, abandoned-looking businesses, and little details that make it feel more like an old movie set than a real place. But unlike a recreated tourist attraction, Lowell was once an actual mining town before much of it disappeared during the expansion of the nearby Lavender Pit.

Today, the remaining stretch of Erie Street has been preserved with vintage cars and mid-century storefront displays, and it is such a fun place to walk around and take photos. There really isn’t much you need to “do” here besides explore the street, peek into the old windows, and enjoy how weirdly cool the whole place is.

Since Lowell is right next to Bisbee, it is an easy stop to add before or after exploring downtown or touring the Copper Queen Mine. It won’t take long, but it is definitely one of the coolest little places to see while you’re in southern Arizona!

P.S. Make sure to check out the last sale price on the pump at the old Shell gas station!

16) Go on a Multi-Day Kayaking Trip Through Lake Powell

Lake Powell is massive, and one of the coolest ways to really explore it is by kayak!

Instead of staying near the busier marinas, you can pack up your camping gear and spend a few days paddling into the smaller canyons and camping along the shoreline. Once you get farther out on the lake, there are places that very few people ever get to see, and that is easily one of the coolest parts about doing a trip like this.

You can paddle between huge sandstone walls, explore little coves and side canyons, and wake up right along the water before doing it all again the next day.

It definitely takes more planning than just renting a kayak for the afternoon, but if you want to see a completely different side of Lake Powell, this is SUCH a cool adventure to add to your Arizona bucket list!

17) Explore the Old West Town of Tombstone, Arizona

Did you know that in southern Arizona there is an entire town that will transport you straight back to the Wild West? Well, now you do!

Tombstone is one of the most famous Old West towns in the country, and it really does feel like walking onto the set of an old Western movie. From wooden boardwalks and historic saloons to stagecoaches, cowboy reenactments, and the famous O.K. Corral, there is plenty to keep you busy here.

If you’re not into history, there are still plenty of shops, restaurants, and kitschy little places to explore while you’re here. You can grab a drink at an old saloon, browse Western-style souvenirs, or walk around town and take in all of the old western Arizona charm.

Don't forget to visit Boothill Graveyard, the historic cemetery where many of Tombstone’s earliest residents were buried. This is also where you’ll find the famous Lester Moore grave marker mentioned in Johnny Cash’s “The Ballad of Boot Hill"!

18) Stroll Through Colorful Downtown Bisbee

Bisbee is a historic mining town in southern Arizona that has since transformed into one of the state’s most colorful and creative destinations. The downtown area is filled with historic buildings, local shops, art galleries, cafés, and plenty of quirky details that give the town a personality of its own.

While the Copper Queen Mine is one of the main reasons to visit, simply walking around downtown was one of our favorite parts of the day. Bisbee feels completely different from the desert landscapes and Old West towns found throughout much of Arizona, making it a refreshing change from many of the other stops on an Arizona road trip.

If you’re spending a few hours in town, pair your visit with a Copper Queen Mine tour and make the short drive over to Lowell to walk along historic Erie Street!

19) Drive Through Bearizona Wildlife Park

Bearizona is a drive-through wildlife park in Williams, Arizona, where you can take a three-mile scenic drive through forested enclosures filled with animals like Arctic wolves, mountain goats, reindeer, black bears, and even white bison!

It is such a fun experience because instead of viewing the animals from behind a typical exhibit, you get to stay in your own car and drive through the park as they roam throughout large open spaces. You can also go through the drive-through portion more than once, which is great if some of the animals are resting or hidden the first time around.

After the drive-through safari, you can park and walk through Fort Bearizona, which has even more animals, including grizzly bears, jaguars, otters, and smaller exhibits.

One thing I really appreciate about Bearizona is that many of the animals have a rescue or conservation story behind them. A lot of them were once wild but could not safely be released back into the wild due to injuries, human interaction, or other reasons. The park also gives the animals spacious, naturalistic habitats designed around their needs.

20) Road Trip Along Arizona's Route 66

Since I’ve already mentioned a few of Arizona’s most iconic Route 66 towns, why not turn them into one big road trip?!

Arizona arguably has some of the best stops along the entire route, and it goes way beyond just the towns. You’ll pass old motels, neon signs, retro diners, vintage gas stations, quirky roadside attractions, and so many places that feel like classic Americana.

Start near the California/Nevada border with the wild burros in Oatman before continuing through Kingman, Seligman, Williams, Flagstaff, Winslow, and Holbrook. Along the way, you can stand on the corner in Winslow (hopefully you get the reference!), sleep inside a concrete teepee at the Wigwam Motel, and stop at the only remaining stretch of Route 66 that runs through a national park.

You could easily spend several days driving Arizona’s stretch alone, especially because there will always be another old sign, roadside attraction, or random diner tempting you to pull over!

21) Climb to the Highest Point in Arizona

At 12,633 feet, Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona and one of the biggest hiking challenges in the entire state!

The roughly 10-mile round-trip trail starts near Flagstaff and climbs through a forest before eventually reaching the rocky, exposed terrain near the summit. It is such a different side of Arizona than the red rocks, cacti, and desert scenery most people expect to find here.

Reaching the top requires a lot of elevation gain, and the thinner air makes the final portion even more challenging. But if standing at the highest point in Arizona is on your bucket list, this is definitely a hike to work toward! Start early, bring lots of water, and always check the weather because conditions near the summit can change very quickly!!

22) Try Your Luck Gold Panning

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting an old mining town, exploring a ghost town, or stopping somewhere along a desert road trip, Arizona’s gold mining history is still very much alive throughout the state!

We tried gold panning at Goldfield Ghost Town, and while we definitely didn’t strike it rich, searching through the sand and gravel for anything shiny was much more entertaining than expected. Plus, even if you only find a tiny speck of gold, you still get to say you found gold in Arizona!

23) See One of the Best Preserved Meteor Craters on Earth

If you want to stand on the edge of one of the best-preserved meteor impact sites on Earth, then add Meteor Crater to your Arizona bucket list!

Located near Winslow, Arizona, Meteor Crater was formed around 50,000 years ago when a massive meteorite crashed into the desert at over 26,000 miles per hour. Today, the crater is about 550 feet deep and nearly a mile wide! Photos really don't do it justice.

There are several viewing areas around the rim, plus a discovery center if you want to learn more about the impact. Also, Meteor Crater is privately owned, so there is an entrance fee of $29 to visit.

24) Eat Hot Chicken at Jay Bird's

While I normally wouldn’t include a random restaurant in a statewide Arizona bucket list, I have to make an exception for Jay Bird’s.

I’m definitely a foodie, and no Arizona trip feels complete to me without ordering the Mac Daddy with fries and their sauce (it's AMAZING!) It is spicy, messy, and a meal I wish we could get at home.

If you’re craving something more casual in between all of the hikes, viewpoints, and road trip stops, Jay Bird’s is such a good place to go for hot chicken. Just come hungry, because the portions are definitely not small.

25) Visit the Real Life Radiator Springs in Seligman, Arizona

Arizona is known for its iconic Route 66 stops, but nothing can beat the town that helped inspire what's arguably the best Disney movie ever created (AKA Cars!)

Seligman, Arizona is often called the real-life Radiator Springs because its story is so similar to the one in the movie. When Interstate 40 bypassed the town, Seligman lost a huge amount of traffic almost overnight, just like Radiator Springs did in Cars. Years later, Pixar director John Lasseter visited Seligman while researching Route 66 and met local barber Angel Delgadillo, who shared what happened to the town after the interstate opened. That story helped inspire the heart of the movie. How cool is that?!

Today, Seligman is one of the most fun and nostalgic stops along Route 66. You’ll find colorful storefronts, vintage cars, quirky gift shops, old diners, Route 66 signs, and so many little details that make it feel like you stepped straight into Radiator Springs.

Even if you’re not a huge Cars fan, Seligman is still such a fun stop because it captures pretty much everything there is to love about Route 66.

Even More Ways to Experience Arizona

We may have stopped the full list at 25, but there are still so many to experience on a trip to Arizona. Here are a few more ideas to keep in mind while planning your own adventure!

• Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad - a scenic train ride through a remote desert canyon that's only accessible by rail, and honestly one of the most unique ways to see Arizona's landscape.

• Look for wild horses while kayaking along the Salt River - about 40 minutes from Phoenix, spotting a herd of wild horses wading through the river from your kayak is one of those experiences you genuinely don't see coming.

• Take a hot-air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert - floating above the saguaros at sunrise is the kind of morning that's hard to top, and the champagne toast at the end doesn't hurt either.

• Go whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon - if standing on the rim makes you want to get down into it, a multi-day rafting trip is about as epic as Arizona adventures get.

• Explore the underground formations inside Kartchner Caverns - a living, still-growing cave system hiding beneath the desert that most people have absolutely no idea exists.

• Visit the historic mining town of Jerome - perched 5,000 feet up on a hillside with stunning valley views, great food, wine bars, and a haunted reputation the locals take very seriously.

• See the Painted Desert inside Petrified Forest National Park - rolling hills in shades of lavender, pink, and rust that look unreal at golden hour.

• Take a boat ride across Canyon Lake - tucked into the Superstition Mountains just outside Phoenix, it's a beautiful half-day escape that feels far removed from the city.

• Walk across the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City - yes, the actual London Bridge, dismantled in England and rebuilt piece by piece in the Arizona desert. Only in America!

• Visit the cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument - a five-story structure built into a limestone cliff 700 years ago and one of the easiest and most impressive stops between Phoenix and Sedona.

• Hike among the stunning rock formations at Chiricahua National Monument - towering rock spires in a remote corner of southeastern Arizona that feels like a completely different world.

• See the natural bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, located inside a lush green canyon that feels wildly out of place in the desert.

• Explore Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - one of the most remote and unspoiled desert landscapes in the country, with possibly the darkest night skies you'll ever see.

• Tour Biosphere 2 outside Tucson - a massive glass science facility built to test whether humans could survive in a self-contained ecosystem, and somehow even more fascinating in person than it sounds.

• Ski or snowboard at Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff - because nothing surprises people quite like hearing you went skiing in Arizona.

• Try a Sonoran hot dog in Tucson - a bacon-wrapped frank piled with beans, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeño salsa that is messy, a little excessive, and completely worth it.

• Explore Canyon de Chelly - one of the most sacred landscapes in the Southwest, continuously inhabited for nearly 5,000 years, and a place that stays with you long after you leave.

Arizona is one of those places that rewards you every single time you go back. Whether you knock out five things on this list or fifty, we promise it won't be your last trip. Have you been to any of these? Drop your favorites in the comments, we love hearing where our fellow travelers are exploring!

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