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8 Best Places for Weekend Getaways in Arizona

There’s a lot more to Arizona than a ton of sand, cactus, and tumbleweeds, including a long list of hidden gems, which is why these places are the perfect excuse to take a weekend trip within the state. Depending on where your starting point is will dictate which places are the most convenient, but all of these top travel destinations in Arizona deserve to be visited at least once in a lifetime!

Sedona Sedona, Arizona
Credit: Sedona, Arizona by bigstock.com

Sedona

The city of Sedona is one of Arizona’s most beloved towns, as it’s known worldwide for its famous red rock formations that encompass the city. In addition to that, many visitors are drawn to the area for the fact that it’s a very peaceful and spiritual region. There are jeep tours, natural swimming pools, and plenty of hiking trails that offer extremely magnificent scenery from every angle along all their paths.

Lake Powell Lake Powell
Credit: Lake Powell by bigstock.com

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is on the state border of Arizona and Utah and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire southwest. The beaches are clean, and many tourists like to camp near the lake or rent a houseboat to relax in on the water for a few days. It’s truly a desert oasis that offers some unique scenery as well as fun outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and water skiing!

Flagstaff The Arboretum at Flagstaff
Credit: The Arboretum at Flagstaff by thearb.org

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a little mountain town in northern Arizona that is the complete opposite of the desert terrain that the rest of the state is famous for. Pine trees, tall mountains, and fresh air are plentiful up in this part of the state and makes for a fantastic weekend getaway. In addition to that, the Grand Canyon is just a couple of hours away and can be easily reached for a day out of the weekend.

Bisbee Bisbee, Arizona
Credit: Bisbee, Arizona by bigstock.com

Bisbee

One of the most charming towns in Arizona, Bisbee might not be very big on the map, but it’s huge in the arts and history department. This is the perfect little town to get away to for a weekend, as it’s small enough to have that “out of town” feel and large enough to enjoy for a day or two exploring all the quaint little stores and local breweries. Bisbee is also home to the famously haunted Copper Queen Hotel, where John Wayne himself stayed and the room he used regularly is marked with a star on the door.

The Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is a massive 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep.
Credit: The Grand Canyon is a massive 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep. by bigstockphoto.com

The Grand Canyon

The nice thing about the Grand Canyon is that it’s only about four hours away from Tucson and about half that away from Phoenix, so most Arizona residents are able to get up there and back within a weekend’s time. It’s especially appealing to visit this natural wonder during the summer months as the temperature is much cooler in that part of the state, and is so beautiful that it’s difficult to capture it on film.

Lake Havasu View of the lake from Arizona's London Bridge
Credit: View of the lake from Arizona's London Bridge by bigstock.com

Lake Havasu

The original London Bridge was brought over to Lake Havasu piece by piece in the late 1960s and has remained a popular tourist attraction ever since. Aside from having a lot of historic value, this lake is also a favorite of Arizona residents for its fantastic waterfront property and swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. It’s one of the best places in the state to go to beat the spring or summer heat, and camping along the beaches is always an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Jerome Jerome, Arizona
Credit: Jerome, Arizona by bigstock.com

Jerome

Jerome is a small town set in the Black Hills of Yavapai County and is a favorite of travelers to visit thanks to its cute atmosphere, narrow alleyways, and artistic culture. It’s a great place to visit for a weekend to get away from chaotic city life to do a little hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and even ghost hunting at its haunted historic buildings and hotels. The famous Native American ruins of Montezuma’s Castle are just a short 40-minute drive away as well.

Monument Valley Monument Valley
Credit: Monument Valley by bigstock.com

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is another border attraction, as it is right on the edge of Arizona and Utah. These iconic formations are on Native American territory, so there are detailed and informative tours given by the Indian Guides who live in the region. The tall rocks have been in countless western films and are recognized all over the world as a true depiction of the beautiful southwestern desert.

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