Arizona is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the entire country.
You have several of the most iconic landmarks of America in one relatively compact state: from the Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend to Antelope Canyon, there’s no shortage of Arizona bucket list musts.
But Arizona is more diverse than canyons and red rocks: it’s also home to vibrant cities, lots of important sites to indigenous culture, and even mountains and forests which break up the desert scenery.
Here is a list of the best things to do in Arizona before you die — most of which I’ve done, but some still remaining on my Arizona bucket list.
These are some of the best places to visit in Arizona I can think of — including some Arizona hidden gems — but if there are any I’ve missed that you think need to be added to any Arizona bucket list, please let me know in the comments!
The Arizona Bucket List: Best Things to Do & Places to Visit in Arizona
See the Grand Canyon, the largest canyon in the world, at its South Rim
Visit the lesser-known North Rim of the Grand Canyon
See the sunrise from the Toroweap overlook in Grand Canyon National Park
See the magnificent Horseshoe Bend
Explore both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon
Photograph the iconic Four Peaks in the deserts near Phoenix
See the iconic Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona
See Sedona’s very own Cathedral Rock by sunset
See the many-toned landscapes of Red Rock State Park near Sedona
Hike the Devil’s Bridge trail near Sedona
Explore the volcanic landscapes of Sunset Crater National Monument
Try to get an elusive permit for The Wave
Reserve a camping spot and do the epic hike to Havasu Falls on Havasupai indigenous land
Hike with saguaros near sunset in the Sonoran Desert
Spot the Elephant Arch in Sonoran Desert
See the exquisite landscapes in Hunts Mesa Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Enjoy a relaxing spa getaway in Scottsdale
Visit Watson Lake in the Granite Dells near Prescott
Hike in the gorgeous Prescot Valley
See the Hole-in-the-Rock in Papago Park, Phoenix
See a massive crater left by a meteor
Cross the exquisite Midgely Bridge between Sedona and Flagstaff
Visit the film sets of Tombstone, Arizona
Be spooked by the charming ghost town of Youngsberg
Visit the eerie Oatman Ghost Town
Pin These Amazing Arizona Bucket List: Full of the Best Things to Do in Arizona and Places to Visit in Arizona
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.