Arizona: A Landscape Like No Other

The Sunshine Factory is an interesting choice for a nickname, unless of course, you happen to be Tucson, Arizona. With about 200 days of sunshine a year, it’s a great place to spend a little time. With a population of a half a million, it will have plenty of opportunities to stock up on any gear or supplies or city-life you might need before you head to the western part of the state. The only place to do this would be Main Gate Square. It’s the premier commercial district in the city. One of the first stops you should make when you get into Tucson, would be to the Tucson Visitor’s Center. They can send you on your way to enjoying all that Tucson has to offer. One thing that can’t be missed, is a visit to the Saguaro National Park. A great place to start your foray into this epic desert landscape would be the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. Located right on the border of the park, it’s an amazing educational experience into what makes this region so unique. 

You aren’t going to come all the way to Arizona and not visit one of the most famous towns in all of the lore of the Wolly and Wild West, right? We didn’t think so. That’s why today, with your ultimate goal being Bisbee, you are going to take a trip into Tombstone and those lawless days of gunslingers, lawmen and of course, the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. If you aren’t quite sure what place this has in American legend, brush up on your history here. For the rest of you, Tombstone is everything you think it will be. Fun, kitschy, interesting and well worth the side trip. For everything Tombstone, click here. From Tombstone, it’s down south to the border and one of the most unique towns in America, Bisbee. Bisbee got it start as a mining town, and that past still lives on at the Queen Mine, where you can learn all about its rich history. Today, Bisbee is known as a culturally rich community that includes an active and varied population. Bisbee retains its welcoming spirit, offering visitors a rich mix of art, music, history, architecture, outdoor activities, dining and nightlife. One of the first things we would recommend when you get into town, is to seek out the Silver King Hotel. It’s a fun stay and boasts having “the smallest bar in Arizona.”

Today is going to be a drive. But that’s okay, because you are going to see some of the most staggeringly beautiful landscape in the world. Your route will take you through the Coronado National Forest, Chiricahua National Monument, the Galiuro Mountains, the Pinaleno Mountains, the Gila Mountains, and your final destination on the edge of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Globe should definitely be used to as your base to explore the surrounding country, particularly the reservation’s main administrative, cultural and commercial hub, San Carlos. You will no doubt be a touch peckish after your drive, so the first thing you should do when you arrive in Globe, is to head to Nurd Berger and re-fuel. You’ll see why when you get there.

Do you like 70’s feel-good rock band The Eagles? Because if you do, then you probably know they once sang in one of their classic songs, “Take It Easy” ; “Well I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, its such a fine sight to see.” Love ’em or hate ’em, we think you will agree. But one stop you need to make before you get there is one of the United States’ smallest national parks, Petrified Forest National Park. When you get to the park, stop at the Rainbow Forest Museum. It will have everything you need to make the most of your visit, including access to numerous trail heads. From here, its a short drive into Winslow, and its historic location on Route 66. First thing? Head to Standing On The Corner Park. Yup.

To read more about Winslow, click here.

Today you will be driving through the Navajo Nation and to the unparalleled Canyon De Chelly. Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a vast park in northeastern Arizona, on Navajo tribal lands. Its prominent features include Spider Rock spire, about 800-feet tall, and towering sandstone cliffs surrounding a green and tree-lined canyon. Inhabited by several Native American peoples for millennia, the area is dotted with petroglyphs. The Mummy Cave is a fantastic example of an ancient Pueblo village. Plan on spending most of your day, as it is worth it. For the night, head back to Chinle, and enjoy the culture of the Navajo People.

Your route today will take you north to the village of Mexican Water and down through the Monument Valley and the Painted Desert. This is going to be a beautiful drive, but make sure you have plenty of gas and water. There will be many opportunities for stops and photos throughout the day, and as a result, you may want to consider making this drive your whole day’s agenda, and spending the next day enjoying all there is to do in Flagstaff. And speaking of Flagstaff, we told you to be patient and we would get you there. We have kept our word. Flagstaff, at nearly 7,000 feet, is a different climate than anything you been traveling through so far, It is also a hip outdoor town with a great vibe.

To read more about Flagstaff, click here.

Like the mythical bird its named after, Phoenix rises from the desert in epic proportions. With nearly 1.7 million people calling this city home, Phoenix is full of adventure. The capital of Arizona, Phoenix is known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures. As a result it anchors a sprawling, multi-city metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. It’s known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and vibrant nightclubs. But it’s also a city of history, culture and amazing sights. As with any big city, to really get the most of your experience, your first stop should be to the Downtown Phoenix Visitor Center. One recommendation we would have is to leave Phoenix proper, and head to the charming town of Chandler. Located on the southeastern edge of the greater metropolitan area, Chandler is a city of parks and family fun.

To read more about Chandler, click here.’