plan a trip to arizona

The Ultimate Arizona Itinerary for 2024

01/23/2024 by Kristin Addis 14 Comments

Arizona is an outdoor-lover’s dream, with deep canyons, dramatic landscape and a whole host of adventures where the land formations are the star of the show.

Exploring Arizona, is all about appreciating the wide-open spaces and the way the sky lights it up throughout the day.

Incorporating some of Arizona’s most incredible things to see, some of which are mega-famous and some of which are lesser known, this is my ideal Arizona itinerary:

Table of Contents

Where You’ll Go:

Sedona: 2-3 days
Havasu Falls : 2 days (hiking there is a full day, but you can also camp along the way)
Grand Canyon South Rim : 1 day (spend the night in Flagstaff or Cameron)
Horseshoe Bend : 1 day (spend the night in Page)
Antelope Canyon(s) : 1 day (spend the night in Page again)
The Wave : 1 day
White Pocket : 1 day (can visit on the same day as The Wave)
Monument Valley : 1 day (spend the night in Kayenta)
Canyon de Chelly : 1 day
Painted Desert: 1 day (or stay in nearby Tucson and spend 2-3 days)

Day 1-3: Sedona

This itinerary begins in Sedona after leaving Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. From Pheonix to Sedona, the drive will be a little over 2 hours. Sedona is an artist’s town surrounded by beautiful rock formations , with multiple hikes in the area worth checking out. Some of the more famous and beautiful ones include the Devil’s Bridge, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. They’re all pretty short, moderate hikes with a big payoff at the end.

I just hiked in and around Sedona with Felix and I can wholeheartedly recommend visiting with a family.

Depending on how long you have to devote to your Arizona trip, it may make sense to base yourself here for a couple of days to chill out and enjoy the vibe while doing some of the nice, short hikes in the area. You can see what my solo trip there was like here:

I’ve also visited solo, and these were my favorite things to do in Sedona.

Find your Sedona stay here .

Then, you’ll drive 2:45-3 hours to Havasu Falls.

Day 4-5: Havasu Falls

Those famous baby blue falls truly are that color in real life! If you manage to score a permit for Havasu Falls, prepare to be amazed.

To be able to access the falls, you’ll need to hike in for 10 miles, armed with all of the gear that you’ll need for your time there. Permits go on sale once per year in February, though there may be cancellations throughout the year, which would give you a chance to nab some last-minute permits. It takes a lot of work to get there, but it’s worth it! You can read more about all of the important things to know about Havasu Falls here .

If you cannot get a permit for Havasu Falls, I still recommend visiting the Hopi region. This culture and archaeology tour is a wonderful alternative!

This is a great place to rest your head after visiting Havasu Falls.

After the hike, you’ll drive another 2:45 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but ‘Grand’ somehow seemed like an understatement while looking at the Grand Canyon. It truly is the biggest, most vast canyon I’ve ever laid eyes on, carved by the mighty Colorado River. Visiting an overlook is epic, but seeing it from a helicopter is a next-level experience.

The South Rim will be the most geographically proximate to Sedona for this itinerary, and it tends to be more breathtaking as well, with several stunning overlooks all along Desert View Drive. I headed there in the afternoon, which gave me plenty of time to stop at most of the overlooks on my way to the sunset at Yavapai Point. I highly recommend stopping at the less popular, lesser-known overlooks on your way; they are often even more spectacular than their more popular counterparts! My favorite was Lipan Point.

Flagstaff can be a good place to spend the night, though you will have to backtrack a bit. Alternatively, you can spend the night in Cameron. Though the hotels are not as abundant with only a few options such as the Cameron Trading Post and their RV Park, it will save you some time if you’re on a tight schedule.

Stay in a sky dome after visiting the South Rim.

From here, you’ll drive about 2:30 hours to Horseshoe Bend.

Day 7: Horseshoe Bend

Heading north towards Page is where you can see some of Arizona’s most famous spots. Surely, you’ve seen photos of Horseshoe Bend with its pleasing symmetry. This is one of my favorite spots for sunset photos in the area.

This one is pretty easy to get to, with a parking lot right near the overlook. It’s only about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the overlook itself. There are no railings, so be careful on the edges and get there early if you want a good spot for sunset photography.

If you’re short on time, you can knock out Horseshoe Bend and the following location, Antelope Canyon, in the same day on this tour from Flagstaff .

This is a cute stay near Horseshoe Bend.

Then, Antelope Canyon is just a 15-minute drive away.

Day 8: Antelope Canyon

There are actually two Antelope Canyons: Upper and Lower. Upper is more famous and also can be narrower, and Lower is a bit wider, though there are stairs to access it. For a full comparison of Upper versus Lower plus links for booking you can read my blog post here . I recommend this tour, which includes the entry ticket and a guide .

Stay here another night.

From Page, drive about 1:30 hours to reach The Wave Trail.

Day 9: The Wave & White Pocket

Like Havasu Falls, The Wave is incredible to see in person from what I hear, though I’ve never had the pleasure; the permitting process is so competitive. There are two ways to get permits for The Wave. You can show up in Kanab, Utah, the day before you wish to go, or you can try your luck with the online system four months before you wish to go. Permits are reserved half-and-half between the two. The only downside is you have to pay for the permit application online whether you get approved or not.

From what I hear, it’s totally worth the hype and I hope that one day I get to check it out. Since I was unable to get permits, I went to the next place on this list instead and was totally blown away.

From The Wave Trail, drive 1:15 hours to White Pocket.

White Pocket is totally different than The Wave, but it’s not too much farther away and you might just get lucky and be the only one there. You’ll see wave-like rock formations and white rocks that look like turtle shells. Perhaps what’s more amazing is the way the sun moves throughout the day, completely changing the colors and the way the rocks look. The jury is out on how this was actually formed, with several different theories, but one thing is for sure: There’s nothing else quite like it in the world.

Part of the reason why this one is less popular is because you have to drive through deep sand to get there, so it is best to take a tour with a local guide. Read my recommendations for visiting white pocket here . If you want to visit the White Pocket only, skipping The Wave, check out this guided tour .

Stay here for the night.

Get ready for the longest drive of the trip so far! From White Pocket, you’ll drive 4:30 hours to Monument Valley.

Day 10: Monument Valley

When you venture into Monument Valley , which shares a border with Southern Utah and is located near Mexican Hat, it’ll be obvious how the area got its name. The rock formations seem to appear out of nowhere and indeed, many are hat-shaped.

Monument Valley is located on a Navajo reservation, as are many of the suggestions on this list. To get in, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee and take a tour, which you can join by showing up. Or you can do this sunset tour with a Navajo guide , which looks awesome! Give this a few hours so that you can fully enjoy Monument Valley’s formations.

This is a great place to stay after visiting Monument Valley.

Then, you’ll drive about 1:30 hours to Canyon de Chelly.

Day 11: Canyon de Chelly

A worthy detour from Monument Valley to Page, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced like ‘Shay’) receives far fewer visitors and was nearly devoid of other tourists when I visited in February. It’s a national monument that is also located on a reservation, and in order to hike into most of it you will need a local guide. However, the Spider Rock Overlook, which is the park’s most famous attribute, is accessible without a guide.

If you have the time and it’s not the middle of summer, which would be too hot, there are multi-day guided hikes throughout the canyon which must be quite a unique experience that not many people do. You can find out more here .

From there, drive 1:15 hours to the Painted Desert.

Day 12: Painted Desert

Much of this park can be seen from overlooks, although there are some back-country trails that at cooler times of year could be worth checking out. Check out the National Park Service for more information on planning your visit.

If you’re sticking around in Tucson, this is a stellar place to stay . Here’s a great spot in Phoenix , too.

From the Painted Desert, you can drive about 4 hours back to Phoenix, or take a detour and drive 5 hours to Tucson.

All of the roads on this itinerary are well-maintained and the map below will help you navigate:

As you can see, there’s a lot of driving time involved ( check car rental prices here !), however it’s mostly on roads without much traffic and through stunning landscape where the clouds turn orange as they reflect the ground below.

Bonus: Spend Days 13-14 in Tucson

If you want to extend your trip a couple of days to make it a full two weeks, Tucson is the ideal spot to round it out. This historical and cultural city is an incredible place to get some much-needed R&R before you head home, and there’s plenty to do if you’re still looking for adventure.

Tucson is just an hour from Phoenix, so you can easily finish your trip there.

What to Pack

Packing up for a 2-week (or longer!) road trip surely isn’t the same as packing for a “regular” vacation. There’s a lot to consider, and you can find an epic road trip checklist here. You can also find a full backpacking packing list here , which will serve you well on this outdoorsy trip!

Though those are my personal highlights, Arizona is a huge state full of national forests and even more national monuments and deserts. The good news is it’s all amazing and you can’t really go wrong.

I recommend renting your car with Alamo Rent A Car , whom I partnered with to bring you this awesome itinerary. You can see more Arizona suggestions on Alamo’s The Scenic Route guide where I wrote for their blog as well!

Enjoy exploring one of the most incredible American Southwest states!

The Perfect American Southwest Road Trip

Upper vs. lower antelope canyon – which is better, 14 things to know about the havasu falls hike.

*This post was brought to you in partnership with Alamo Rent A Car, however all thoughts of Arizona’s best places are entirely my own. Your trust always comes first!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

5-Day Arizona Itinerary: Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Boasting mild weather (outside of the summer months), ample activities, and some of the most diverse landscapes in the country it’s no surprise that you’re looking for the perfect Arizona itinerary.

And though I grew up in the capital of Phoenix, it wasn’t until I returned with Michael that I fully appreciated the beauty and diversity of my home state.

While many might only think of the Grand Canyon or the shopping and golf courses of Scottsdale when they think of Arizona, there is so much more that this state has to offer.

Though this is only a 5-day itinerary, there are ample opportunities to spend more time in each place and to add a few more depending on your timeframe.

Table of Contents

Planning an Arizona Road Trip

While its geographical position means that the weather tends to be sunny and warm most of the year, it is worth noting that the climate can change drastically depending on the region you are visiting.

For instance, if you are visiting Phoenix in December and enjoying basking in some 20°C (68°F) weather but also want to visit the Grand Canyon on the same trip, be well prepared for lots of snow and temperatures well below freezing. If you happen to be visiting Sedona in winter, expect drastic variations in the high and low temperatures but generally mild conditions.

While the area surrounding Phoenix and the south have incredibly mild winters, the rest of Arizona often enjoys heavy snow and very cold temperatures. One of Arizona’s largest cities, Flagstaff, even has its own ski resort!

The temperatures work the other way, as well, and it is worth noting that if you plan to travel to Arizona in the summer months, be prepared for extremely high temperatures.

Phoenix has the highest average temperatures of any capital in the US and it is not uncommon for the mercury to rise to well over 40°C (104°F). Most residents of the Phoenix metropolitan area will try to get out of town if they can and it is considered to be the off-season in the tourism industry.

However, if you venture north to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff or Sedona , you will notice that temperatures in the height of summer can be immeasurably milder than farther south.

So if you want to visit Arizona as part of a longer southwest road trip in the summer months, it might make more sense to skip anything south of Sedona unless you love extremely high temperatures!

Arguably the best time to embark on any road trip in Arizona is in the spring or autumn months. The weather is mild and sunny throughout the state, though the nights can still get chilly.

You will need to pack for a couple of different climates regardless of which season you choose to visit in, however, the spring and fall temperatures tend to be a little bit more even throughout Arizona.

The last thing you need to consider before taking off is that you’re going to need a mode of transportation if you don’t have your own car.

If you’re planning on hiring a car while travelling from Scottsdale to Sedona to the Grand Canyon, we suggest browsing Rentalcars.com . This platform aggregates prices across major companies so you can compare prices easily.

Alternatively, you can find a campervan or RV through Outdoorsy which offers a huge selection of motorhomes in the Southwest.

5-Day Arizona Itinerary

If you want to get the highlights of this beautiful state but don’t have a lot of time to devote to it, then I would recommend spending five days in the lovely southwestern state.

This Arizona road trip itinerary begins in Phoenix and ends in the Grand Canyon and while it does have you moving from place to place a bit more than we would typically recommend, it does allow you to see a lot without exhausting yourself.

Day 1: Phoenix

As the capital of Arizona and one of the largest cities by population in the United States, the Phoenix metro area has a lot to offer tourists. Though visitors can easily spend more than one day in Phoenix , if you want to see more of the state in just 5 days, then one day will be just enough.

If the weather is fine, take the morning to go for a hike up the iconic Camelback Mountain before exploring nearby historic downtown Scottsdale. The Old Town area is filled with interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants that are sure to keep you entertained.

If you want to get into more serious shopping, Scottsdale Fashion Square is one of the largest shopping malls in the country and has a number of large department stores and luxury brands.

If shopping isn’t necessarily your thing, you could easily spend the entire afternoon exploring the Desert Botanical Garden where you can learn all about the native flora in Arizona in a beautiful setting. If you’re travelling with kids, the Phoenix Zoo is located right next to the botanical and is always a favourite among families.

End your day at one of the Pheonix area’s great restaurants and maybe check out some of the famous nightlife in the Downtown area, Old Town Scottsdale, or near Mill Avenue in Tempe.

Phoenix is the ideal place to get a feel for the state before venturing further north.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

The Phoenix and Scottsdale area is a sought-after vacation destination in the US, especially during the winter months when the cities remain basked in sunshine and blessed with mild temperatures. While there are a number of high-end resorts in the Phoenix metro area, there are also a few more affordable options as well.

SureStay Hotel Phoenix Airport – If you’re looking for an affordable and comfortable accommodation option in a convenient downtown location, then this hotel is a great choice for you. It comes well-reviewed with clean, air-conditioned rooms and friendly staff. Breakfast is also included in the room rate.

Sonder The Monarch – If you would like to experience a little bit of Old Town Scottsdale luxury in your short time in Phoenix, then you can’t go wrong with this hotel. Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, this hotel is incredibly clean, comfortable, and sure to impress.

Private Vacation Rental – If you want to save some money or just stay in some unique accommodations, then there are a number of private vacation rental options that will suit any personality or budget such as this private cottage in a desert oasis .

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Phoenix!

Day 2: Phoenix to Sedona

On the second day of your 5-day Arizona road trip, it is time to head north and begin to experience the dramatic and diverse natural scenery of the state. On this day, we recommend spending the night in picturesque Sedona.

Though the Phoenix to Sedona drive only really takes about 2-2.5 hours along the I-17, we would suggest taking your time on this journey as there are a number of stops you can make.

If you’re looking for a scenic drive from Phoenix to Sedona, a far prettier alternative to the I-17 is to take State Highway 87 toward Payson. While this isn’t a direct route to Sedona, the smaller road and stunning natural scenery are absolutely unbeatable, no matter the season.

A good stopping point on the Phoenix to Sedona drive along highway 87 is at the Tonto Natural Bridge, just outside of the small city of Payson. Located about 1.5 hours out from Phoenix, this natural site is equally as stunning as some of the attractions to come on this AZ itinerary, however, it sees just a fraction of the crowds.

The Tonto Natural Bridge is tucked into the lush pine forests of Northern Arizona and is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge (or natural stone arch) in the world. Entry to the State Park is $7 per adult and there are four different viewpoints where you can see the bridge from all angles.

There are also numerous hiking trails around the bridge of varying difficulties. Depending on the weather, you could easily spend a number of hours at the Tonto Natural Bridge while on your Phoenix to Sedona drive.

After visiting the Tonto Natural Bridge, continue along the highway until you reach Sedona.

If the Tonto Natural Bridge doesn’t interest you and you would rather take the I-17 for your drive from Phoenix to Sedona, then you could easily make a detour to the lovely town of Prescott, AZ.

Located about a 20-minute detour from the I-17 and about equidistant between Phoenix and Sedona, Prescott is a charming Northern Arizona town with a quaint main square, a lot of interesting shops, and a laid-back vibe. It can be very worth stopping here for a couple of hours to explore.

In the evening, if you want to see a unique side of Sedona, this nighttime stargazing & UFO tour is worth considering.

Day 3: Sedona

After enjoying your leisurely drive up to Sedona the day before, it is time to spend day three of this exploring the city of red rocks!

Sedona might well be the most beautiful city in Arizona — set amongst the backdrop of stunning red rock formations and high-desert landscape, this city has inspired New Age thought and creativity for decades.

There are a number of fantastic things to do in Sedona, from world-class shopping to some of the best hiking in the state. Sedona is a popular weekend destination for Arizona locals, meaning that there are a number of fantastic restaurants and cultural events in the city as well.

While you can easily spend a day in Sedona only going for a hike or horseback ride, we would recommend trying to fit at least two activities into your day in order to really get the most out of your short time in Sedona.

If you like to hike, begin your day with the iconic Devil’s Bridge hike. While this is a more popular trail in Sedona, it is short enough to do in a couple of hours and easy enough for most skill levels while still being challenging enough for more experienced hikers. Also, the landscape and views are simply amazing and well worth meeting a few people on the trail.

However, in order to avoid some larger crowds on the Devil’s Bridge trail, which is only located a bit outside of central Sedona, it is best to get on the trail in the morning. If you prefer not to hike, this jeep tour such as this scenic rim tour is a great option.

Spend your afternoon exploring the eclectic shops in the Tlaquepaque centre, which is filled with a number of small, locally-owned businesses well worth checking out.

Where to Stay in Sedona

Sedona is a popular destination for Arizona natives and visitors alike, so, therefore, there are myriad accommodation options to choose from including this lovely peaceful cottage . Other traditional accommodation options include:

Sedona Village Lodge – This hotel, located in a quiet corner of Sedona close to the city centre and many hiking trails, is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a basic room while visiting the city. They have great reviews, clean and air-conditioned rooms, and helpful staff.

Sky Ranch Lodge – If you are travelling on a slightly higher budget, then this romantic hotel is a fantastic option in Sedona. Centrally located, they have a range of comfortable rooms available and a bar and restaurant on site.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Sedona

Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon

On the fourth day of your trip, it is time to leave Sedona and drive to the most iconic of Arizona attractions: the Grand Canyon .

The Sedona to Grand Canyon drive only takes about 2 hours, so you can easily visit the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Sedona. However, this may not be the best idea, especially if you have five days or more to devote to your Arizona itinerary.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world. It is also incredibly massive and travellers could easily spend days exploring this amazing wonder.

If you’re interested in making any stops on the drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, we would recommend getting out in Flagstaff, the largest city in Northern Arizona and a lively university town. This is the only place that is really worth exploring on the way.

If you’re interested, you can spend a few hours exploring the town, which is about an hour north of Sedona. The town has a number of cool coffee shops and restaurants and a young population due to it being the home of Northern Arizona University.

From Flagstaff, it takes about another hour to reach the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you are travelling in the winter months, only the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will be open to visitors, as the North Rim gets far too icy and snowy for it to handle many visitors per day.

Once you reach the Grand Canyon, take the time to enjoy the beautiful views and vistas of the canyon by walking along the easy, paved rim trail. Make sure to walk past the main viewpoints, as many people only take the time to snap a few photos and then get in their cars and leave.

If you walk only a couple hundred metres from the busiest viewpoints along the rim trail, you could easily feel as if you have the whole Canyon to yourself. You can also take a sunset hummer tour that takes you to some of the best lookout points as the sun sets.

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon

Though the Grand Canyon is easily Arizona’s main tourist attraction, accommodation right next to the canyon is limited and quite expensive. A far better option is to base yourself in nearby Flagstaff or Williams and drive up to the canyon from there. Here’s where we recommend:

Private Vacation Rental – This peaceful cottage in the forest is a great option for those looking for some secluded privacy.

Super 8 by Wyndham Williams East/Grand Canyon Area – This budget hotel in Williams is a perfect base for exploring the Grand Canyon. Though it is certainly no-frills, it has clean and comfortable rooms with breakfast included in the nightly rate.

Hotel Aspen Flagstaff/ Grand Canyon InnSuites – This hotel is also a great option for a base for visiting the Grand Canyon. There are numerous rooms on offer, 24-hour check-in, and a great breakfast included in the room rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to find other hotels near the Grand Canyon!

Day 5: Grand Canyon

The last day of this trip sees you exploring a bit more of Grand Canyon National Park by day before making the long drive back to Phoenix by the evening.

After spending your first day walking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it’s time to check out one of the many trails around the Grand Canyon and see this natural wonder from a different perspective.

Depending on how much time you want to spend, your fitness level, and the season you’re visiting the Grand Canyon, there are numerous trails to choose from – just make sure you have your hiking shoes on! Pick up a map from the tourist info centre to make sure you have all of the best information.

If your budget allows you can also consider taking a helicopter tour from the South Rim for spectacular views of the site.

If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon between the months of May – October, it is possible to take a trip to the lesser-visited North Rim and experience a different side of the Canyon. However, this rim is closed to visitors in the winter months due to extreme weather conditions.

After exploring more of the Grand Canyon, it’s time to make the long drive back to Phoenix in the afternoon. It is about a 4-hour drive from the South Rim to the Arizona capital and it is easiest to make the drive along the I-17.

Have More Time?

If you have more time to devote to your Arizona road trip, there are a number of additions you could include while using this route as a template.

If you have one week or longer, we would recommend spending both an extra day in the Phoenix area as well as a day or two extra in Sedona. This will allow you to see more of the attractions in both cities.

Phoenix has a lot more to offer travellers visiting for more than just one day, as does Sedona. You can also consider driving south from Phoenix to Tucson and visiting Saguaro National Park or exploring Tucson.

You can also head north from the Grand Canyon and explore iconic Horseshoe Bend before visiting Utah and seeing some more national parks such as Bryce Canyon or Zion . You can also take a few detours on the way back to Phoenix including stopping at Petrified Forest National Park.

If you have only time for a 3-day Arizona road trip itinerary, then that is perfectly doable as well. Spend your first night in Phoenix, enjoy the Phoenix to Sedona drive and explore the town of Sedona on the second day, and then head to the Grand Canyon bright and early on the third day in order to spend as much time as possible on this beautiful site.

All in all, there are many ways you can plan out the quintessential trip through Arizona, no matter how much time you have to spend exploring this southwestern state.

Are you planning an AZ itinerary? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Hi, We are coming in late September. I was reading the 5 day itenary wonder if we should change our plan based on what I have ready here.

We are Flying into Pheonix and staying in Scottsdale the first night, then three nights in Flagstaff, and back to Pheonix for our final night (5) before we leave on the 6th day. Should we change up and spend one of the Flagstaff nights in Sedona?

I personally think that a night in Sedona is a great idea over 3 nights in Flagstaff 🙂

Hi Maggie, Wow such great advice and comments. My husband and I will be in Phoenix and Scottsdale for a wedding (Sat-Tues AM check out) in January 2023. We planned a week for this vacation. So we have Tuesday till Sat (flight out of PHX at 3:30) to explore. Neither of us has been to the Grand Canyon. We are fit, but over 65. We live in NJ, so cold isn’t really a problem, but don’t want to pack a ton of clothes. Renting a car. I’ve read your Phoenix to Grand Canyon piece. I was wondering where to stay on the return to Phoenix, if we don’t want to drive 4/5 hours on the return trip. Thanks for any help

Hi Maggie, Very glad that you have provided so many details. It will be our first trip to the area, we are a family of 9 members, from Florida & Boston, planning to spend this Christmas at Phoenix-Grand Canyon; What are your recommendations?

Are the sand dunes in Yuma worth including in a trip from Phoenix?

Hi Tina, Yuma is pretty out of the way compared to the other stops on this itinerary so I would only really suggest it if you’re looking to stop en route to San Diego or if it’s a place that really interests you 🙂

Hello, What a great itinerary you have. I’m planning to use it for my first time in Arizona. But I will change a little and would like some expert advice. Please contact me if you can. Thank you

Hi, Maggie! My friend and I are going to Arizona, but we have a tight budget and have no car. What kind of transportation do you recommend if we want to go to: Antelope Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Horses shoe bend and the painted desert?

Thank you so so much for your help!

Hi Gaby, I do think you’re going to struggle to see what you want in AZ without a car, unfortunately. You may want to look into some organised tours to get to where you want to go 🙂

Hi Maggie, We are flying to Albuquerque from PA in mid March. We want to make a trip from Albuquerque to Arizona for 4 days and 3 nights. We want to visit Sedona, GC and Page. Could you please help us to make an itinerary and suggestion to stay. Thank you

Hi Kalpesh! We actually have a guide to the drive from AZ to NM that you may find helpful in planning your trip: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/phoenix-to-albuquerque-drive/

Iwill be in LA in April leaving on 10th, planned to visit Arizona and Phonix. can spare 9 to 10 days b4 returning to NJ. is it feasible to visit both the states. more in Arizona than New mexico. Any suggestions? if it is not worth can skip New Mexico all together or still cansee somer part of it in 3 day closer to the Arizona border?

Hi Parvin, you should be able to see quite a bit of Arizona in that time frame. If you want some inspiration, you can find all of our AZ articles here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/arizona-travel-guide/

Hi Maggie- four of us are flying into Phoenix and have several bucket list items we want to see…Zion, Grand Canyon (sunrise and a sunset), Pueblo ruins, Monument valley are several…and flying out of Albuquerque a week later. Can you help with an itinerary?

Hi Sandy, we have a number of articles that can help you with planning your trip and will include a number of the places you need to see. Check out our Phoenix to Grand Canyon article: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/phoenix-to-grand-canyon-drive/ Our Grand Canyon to Zion article: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/zion-to-grand-canyon-road-trip/ And our Phoenix to Albuquerque article: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/phoenix-to-albuquerque-drive/ Hope you’re able to plan a fantastic trip!

Hi Maggie, my friend and I are trying to make an itinerary but do not where to start, can you please help us? We will meet in Flagstaff, and we only have around 5 to 6 days, since I will take my flight back home on the seventh day in the morning.

Thank you so much!

Hi Anita, if you’re starting in Flagstaff, you can just do this itinerary in reverse if you’d like! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Hello Maggie

Many thanks for the info. Its helpful as we are considering a trip in mid March. We are considering Phoenix, Sedona and would love to include the Antelope Canyons in our 5 day strip. You think its good to plan Phoenix to Sedona to Antelope? Would a visit to Antelope still work in March? Thank you very much

Hi Abbi, if you don’t plan to visit the Grand Canyon then I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t include Antelope Canyon on this itinerary instead! It should be beautiful that time of year, just know that you can only visit the canyon on a tour run by a member of the Navajo Nation so it’s best to book in advance once you know your travel dates 🙂 Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you, Maggie. Would you recommend Antelope Canyon over Grand Canyon given the weather in March? Also read its best if we can afford to stay at a lodge inside Grand Canyon to see great sunrise. Is that true? Why? Thanks for all your time and help.

The weather isn’t going to be too different in the Grand Canyon vs Antelope in March so I would recommend just figuring out which appeals to you more. Also, if you can afford to stay within the Park at the Grand Canyon, it certainly could be worth it but I honestly think the sunsets are equally spectacular and it can be much more cost-effective to stay outside of the Park, as well.

Thanks for this as this is my first time planning a trip to somewhere alone and this helped me a bit. A question I had was, is it possible to just stay in Phoenix and drive everywhere? Or is it better/smart to stay at each place? I want to stay for ~5-6 days there and meeting a friend who lives in Arizona (he’s not going to be coming with me, just going alone to all these places).

Thank you! Marvin

Hi Marvin, thanks for your comment! You definitely could just base yourself in Phoenix and drive everywhere on this itinerary, but you will be spending A LOT of time in the car. Not that the south rim of the Grand Canyon is roughly a 4-hour drive from Phoenix and Sedona is roughly 2.5-3 hours from Phoenix. So if you’re willing to spend 6-8 hours of your days in the car while on your trip, you can, but I think it’s better to plan to spend some nights up north, as well.

Hi, We are planning a trip to Arizona from December 25th to January 1st from Nyc. Would love to stay in warmer climates, that’s why not looking to do Grand Canyon. I have two boys 14 & 17. Would love to incorporate a few hikes along with other adventures. I am having trouble planning an itinerary to incorporate Phoenix, Tucson and Sedona.(we are open to incorporating any other area if suggested). Can you please help me determining attractions around these areas that would keep the whole family engaged. We would be renting a car. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Samawia.

We would like to drive from Phoenix up to Page (for Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley) via Flagstaff just before Christmas. Should we worry about tire chains and snow on Highway17 and Route 89? I read that Flagstaff is at a high elevation. Also planning to visit Petrified Forest, snow at that time? Thank you for your insight!

Hi Jeanette, in my experience, the roads are pretty well-maintained and you shouldn’t need chains or snow tires. There will very likely be snow, but the roads are repeatedly cleared and salted so it’s not too risky driving them if your car isn’t equipped.

Hi Maggie we are traveling to Phoenix but just for 4days mx 5 days. We do have in mind to visit Sedona grand Canyon and tombstone. Need help in planning our trip, best shops to sho , places to eat and shopping for souvenirs Any ideas tips will be very appreciated. Thank you so much.

Hi Catalina! I’m sorry to say that, despite growing up in Arizona, I actually have never been to Tombstone and therefore can’t offer any advice there. I do have to say that it is located quite a ways from both Sedona and the Grand Canyon (about a 4.5 and 6-hour drive respectively) so it may not be the most logical stop to include on such a short trip to Arizona. I think it would be best to concentrate on areas north of Phoenix like in this itinerary.

Thank you Maggie what are some places to stay hotel wise and restaurants to go eat ??

Hi Maggie, love all your advice and recommendations. My husband and I have June 29 to July 4 to see Sedona & the GC. Considering a 5-night stay in Sedona or Oak Creek. Since we are coming from Napa, CA, we would like to take a side trip to the nearby wine area – any suggestions? Thank you!!!

Thanks for your comment, Leslee — glad to hear you’ve found our advice helpful! For a winery nearby Sedona, I suggest checking out Oak Creek Winery — they’re a highly acclaimed, family-run boutique vineyard 🙂 Hope you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie, We are planning a trip to Grand Canyon early June for 7 days with our 18 and 21 year old daughters. I have read to also visit Zion and Antelope (so south rim of Grand Canyon). Is this recommended or should we do something else such as Sedona? Thanks!

Hi Julie, both Zion and Antelope Canyon are north of the Grand Canyon (Zion is actually in Utah) so you could follow this itinerary and then after visiting the Grand Canyon, head to Antelope Canyon and then to St George, Utah for the night to visit Zion.

We are in the process of planning a trip down to AZ! We are going to be there for 7 days and want to get a full experience of a little bit everything AZ. We would like to make stops in Sedona, Flagstaff, Page (Antelope, Horseshoe, Lake Powell) and end with a couple nights in Phoenix. Would love to hear your recommendations on planning this trip. The goal is to start and end in Phoenix.

Hi Jordan, sounds like a great trip! I would recommend following this itinerary and then adding a couple of days after the Grand Canyon to go up to Page before heading back down to Phoenix on your last day.

Hi Maggie, My husband and I would like to take a trip to AZ in November 2020. How are things in regards to the current situation? Are parks, restaurant, shops open?? Thanks, Becky

Hi Becky – things are changing all the time and restrictions can vary place by place, so I would recommend checking with the individual places you’ll want to visit to see what is open or not. Always best to remain as flexible as possible in the current climate. Hope you’re able to have a great trip!

Hi Maggie, Do you have any tips on places to stop for views/ food during along the drive from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix? We would probably be leaving the canyon around 11 and slowly making our way there. thank you!

Hi Elise, the majority fastest drive is along the I-17 from Flagstaff down to Phoenix, but the drive itself can be quite scenic. There are a few places to pull over and take in some viewpoints along the way. If you’re interested in taking a detour, stopping over in the town of Prescott (about equidistant between Flagstaff and Phoenix) is a good option, however, Sedona is far more scenic. Hope you have a great trip!

Hi, Flying into Phoenix on early Monday morning in March and out on Thursday night. We want to go to the Grand Canyon Wednesday. Would you suggest Sedona on Monday or Tuesday before we go? We would like to see Scottsdale too. Too little time and so much to see. Thanks! Katie

Hi Katie, it could be worth it to stop in Sedona for a night when coming to or from the Grand Canyon — just pick whichever one makes the most sense for you! Hope you have a great time — March is a great time to visit Phoenix, but be aware that it will still be quite cold up at the Grand Canyon.

Hi Maggie! We are currently planning to visit my mom in NM this summer. Although, we will be meeting in AZ to hangout in Phoenix, Sedona then Grand Canyon. This will be at the end of June/early July still undecided on dates. We lived in Phoenix so we already know it will be HOT but I haven’t been to Sedona or Grand Canyon as an adult. Do you think we could still enjoy our trip there during that time? Late June/ Early July? I have 3 young children so I’m concerned about them not enjoying it due to heat.

Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment! There’s no denying that it’s going to be hot in the summer, however, Sedona and the Grand Canyon are significantly cooler than Phoenix so I think it can be bearable. Just make sure to have plenty of water if you’re spending lots of time outside! In Sedona, if you want to beat the heat and go somewhere that is really fun for the whole family, I would recommend heading to Slide Rock State Park for swimming in the natural water slides. Hope you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie, We are considering a trip from Phoenix to Las Vegas in late December. We’re Canadian, so cold is ok, and we drive in snow all the time, but we’d like to know if, between the winter and the wide open spaces, the roads are generally safe at that time of year. Thanks!

Hi Rhea, the roads are generally very well-maintained and so there’s really no worry about the safety during the snowy season. Hope you have a great trip!

We just returned from a weeklong trip to Arizona. I planned our trip loosely (or not so loosely) based on the tips you provided. Our vacation couldn’t have been better! We spent the 1st and last nights at the Econo Lodge Phoenix. The accommodations were simple but fine. (They have changed names and are now the Surestay) We spent a night at the Saguaro and loved it. The Scottsdale vibe was great-and the November weather was wonderful. (At home in NH it was 20 degrees. ) We stopped at theTonto Bridge and had a nice hike on our way to Sedona. We spent 2 nights in Sedona and took several hikes. Cathedral Rock was challenging for my 60 year old body but worth every step! Before we left Sedona we hiked Devils Bridge. It was beautiful, but the hike was long! We stayed at the Sedona Village Lodge. The staff was great! We opted to stay at the Grand Canyon for 2 nights. We stayed at the El Tovar because I had read about it some 20 years ago and it was definitely on my bucket list! For us, November turned out to be a great time to visit the Grand Canyon. The weather was beautiful and there were no crowds! Thank you for all your great advice! I am not sure I would have had the courage to plan this wonderful trip without it!

Thanks so much for your comment, Ann, and I’m so glad that my tips helped you plan a great trip to Arizona! It sounds like you had a wonderful time and I’m so happy that I was able to help.

Hello Maggie, I am from Germany and we have 2 and a half weeks holiday over Christmas which means about 24th Dec. to 11th Jan. Does it make sense to go on a trip like you described in your 5-day trip in this period as you wrote that temperature could be quite low? We are not frightening cold temperatures but anyway should it make sense because we do not want to go there for skiing rather drop into nature and breathe in the wonderful sceneries.

Hi Nicole, there is no denying that northern Arizona will be cold and snowy that time of year but it shouldn’t prevent you from going at all! If you have proper clothing, you can very much still enjoy the great outdoors and you won’t have massive crowds to contend with, either. It is also usually pretty dry and sunny so while it may be cold, at least you won’t be wet! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Thanks for the information. We are planning a trip to Sedona, flying into Phoenix on June 12 and coming home June 17. Staying in Phoenix the first night. We have been to the Grand Canyon before so we will probably spend most days in the Sedona area unless we try the train tour to Canyon. What are the must sees in Sedona. Motion sickness could be an issue.

Hey Howard, hope you guys have a great trip! If you need some inspiration planning your time in Sedona, we’ve written a detailed guide to the city that can help you out. You can find it here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/one-day-in-sedona-itinerary/ Hope this helps!

Hi Maggie, I would love to include Zion and Bryce National Parks to the above itinerary. We would have around 10 days or more if needed to do the area. I haven’t got a picture yet of how far apart these areas are. Is it doable?

Hi Pam, if you have 10 days to spend the region then adding Zion and Bryce Canyon to this itinerary is definitely doable. From the Grand Canyon, it would take roughly 2-3 hours to drive to either park, depending on where you are. The increase of drive time would come if you’re planning on starting and ending in Phoenix, as the drive back from southern Utah will take around 7-8 hours.

Maggie, thank you for the information. My family and I, (2 adults two boys 9 and 6) will be visiting in August…I know it will be hot but we’re from NYC and have traveled to Vegas in August before, will it be unbearable or do you think if we are mindful to stay hydrated and dress appropriately we will be ok to explore? I would love to take my sons hiking and do as many nature based activities as possible. We will be in Arizona for 8 days so any suggestions are welcome for activities and ‘nicer’ accommodations.

Thank you, Melissa

Hi Melissa, thanks for your comment! Yes, August will be VERY hot, especially in Phoenix or anywhere south of there — it does tend to be the hottest month and you should expect high temperatures to be well over 100 degrees farenheit every day. That being said, it is obviously a different heat than NYC and I personally find it to be a lot more bearable. The early mornings (usually before 9AM) can actually be quite pleasant, so if you want to do any outdoor activities, plan to catch the sunrise. Heat stroke is a serious problem affecting a lot of tourists, so please be sure to stay hydrated. And, obviously, sunscreen is a must.

If you end up heading to northern AZ around Sedona, Flagstaff, or the Grand Canyon, the temperatures are significantly cooler than they will be in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. The other thing to keep in mind is that everywhere will have the air conditioning blasting so you can get respite from the heat. Basically, August can be unpleasant at times but it isn’t unbearable so long as you know what you’re getting yourself into 🙂

In terms of accommodation, make sure to check out some of our recommendations in the article above. Hope you have a great trip!

The Ultimate Road Trip From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

This arizona road trip serves up major doses of scenery, hiking, biking, and some serious “me time,” whether at the spa or on your second plate of enchiladas..

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View of Camelback Mountain from Mountain Shadows hotel in Scottsdale

Start your road trip with a stay at Mountain Shadows, at the foot of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale.

Courtesy of Mountain Shadows

Whether you’re on a cross-country trip or just jetting in and out of Arizona, it’s impossible to miss how painfully beautiful the southwestern state is. At first glance, you might only see shades of beige as you drive—many homes are designed to complement the desert landscape—but look closer, and you’ll notice dusty green saguaro cacti, wildflower pops of canary yellow, and enough aquamarine pools to make you wonder why you live in the frozen tundra up north.

At AFAR we have feels about the ideal Arizona road trip—our founders lived in the Phoenix area for years, and there are vocal natives on staff—so this route is the product of much debate. Here’s the classic five-day Arizona road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon (with a few trip extensions if you have more time).

Day 1: Phoenix to Scottsdale

Distance: 8 miles
Highlights: Old Town Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain

Phoenix’s greater metropolitan area—which also includes Mesa and Scottsdale—has about 5 million residents. For this trip, ease into vacation with an overnight in the smaller, resort-heavy Scottsdale, about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).

Where to stay in Scottsdale

Sister properties Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows , both AFAR favorites, have two very different vibes: Valley Ho is a midcentury-modern throwback with a glam pool scene and a hammam experience down a hallway lined with historic photos (Jackie Gleason! Tony Curtis!). Bonus: It’s a short walk from Old Town Scottsdale.

Mountain Shadows makes you want to be outside, whether it’s on your personal patio overlooking the firepit, out on the golf course, or stargazing with a specialty cocktail (’cause #vacation) at the base of Camelback Mountain.

For families, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa has a full-blown water playground with a three-story waterslide and a Camp Hyatt for kids ages 3 to 12.

Keep an eye open for . . .

That enticing hump of Camelback, calling all hikers and climbers with its 2,704-foot elevation. If you’d prefer something more mellow, the Quartz Ridge Trail near Mountain Shadows has a three-mile trek you could cover in a little over an hour or combine with intersecting trails. You’ll see trail runners and locals walking their dogs—and no cars for miles.

Don’t miss . . .

The green chili rolled enchiladas at Frank and Lupe’s (the best Mexican food in Old Town Scottsdale) and a round of darts and drinks at dive bar Coach House .

Want more restaurant choices? Read this chef’s guide to the best dining in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Famous for its red rock buttes and canyons, Sedona is one of the most popular destinations in Arizona.

Photo by Malgorzata Litkowska/Shutterstock

Day 2: Scottsdale to Sedona

Distance: 125 miles
Highlights: ghost towns, red rocks

Roll out of Scottsdale after a leisurely breakfast and aim for Sedona, one of the top destinations in the state (after, you know, that giant canyon . . .). There’s a raw energy here amid the red rock buttes and canyons; wellness retreats and crystal shops enhance the spiritual vibe. It’s also a weekend getaway for Phoenix locals so beware of traffic during peak season (February through June, especially when Cactus League spring training is back in action).

Where to stay in Sedona

Pull into L’Auberge de Sedona , a “few minutes from the shops, galleries, and restaurants of Sedona, but tucked away along the banks of quiet-flowing Oak Creek—it’s one of the Southwest’s most romantic hideaways,” says AFAR contributor Bob Payne . “It has red-rock views, as every accommodation in Sedona must, but its French-country-inn style, in the land of adobe architecture, and its leafy, creekside location, are what define it.” If you prefer the space and family-friendly amenities of a vacation rental, there are plenty of Airbnbs in Sedona , as well.

Jerome, a turn-of-the-century copper mining community turned ghost town off 89A between Prescott and Sedona.

Detour worth taking

Coffee and huevos rancheros at the Local in Prescott, a (surprise!) hyper-local café that seems to be universally beloved by travelers, and a stroll down historic Whiskey Row, which was home to 40-odd saloons during its gold rush heyday.

Cathedral Rock viewed from water in Verde Valley.

Cathedral Rock offers memorable views of the surrounding Verde Valley.

Photo by Kevin J. Wolfson/Shutterstock

Day 3: Sedona

Highlights: some of the top hikes (and views) in the Southwest

With L’Auberge as your base, set out for Cathedral Rock , “a magnificent red rock formation with soaring spires that resemble a cathedral,” says Katie Galeotti, AFAR executive director, marketing and special projects. “It’s also one of Sedona’s four major vortices—centers of heightened spiritual and metaphysical energy” that can be experienced with .7-mile (steep) hike to a plateau with unreal views of Verde Valley.

Another tip, from VP, publisher Bryan Kinkade: The shop Run Sedona will offer suggestions on less-trafficked hikes if you find Cathedral Rock inundated.

Iconic Bell Rock and the Oak Creek Canyon Drive on 89A, offering another set of spectacular views.

Southwest grill Mariposa comes with a side of red rocks—opt for outdoor seating—and fantastic handmade empanadas, tacos, and spicy margaritas. And don’t miss the smoked brisket enchiladas at Elote Cafe , “where the atmosphere is casual but the food is fancy.”

Stop in Flagstaff for a pastrami sandwich at Proper Meats and Provisions

When driving from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, stop off in Flagstaff for a pastrami sandwich at Proper Meats and Provisions.

Photo by Shutterstock

Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim

Distance: 115 miles
Highlights: Flagstaff’s diverse food scene, a Grand Canyon sunset

It’s a short drive to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim from Sedona, so if you set out in the morning, you’ll still have time to stop for lunch in hippie college town Flagstaff and make it to the canyon for the sunset. (Oak Creek Canyon Drive is also on your way.)

Where to stay near the Grand Canyon

We love Bright Angel Lodge by architect Mary J. Colter (who designed several other buildings in the park ), especially its porch views and floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the main lounge, says AFAR contributor Deb Hopewell. But we’d like to give Under Canvas a try—the luxury tents are fit for roving families with king-size beds, lounges, and wood stoves to keep the tents cozy. (Anyone who’s camped at the Grand Canyon knows it gets cold at night—like, sleep in the car with your shoes on cold.)

Read on for the best hotels in Arizona .

A pastrami sandwich in Flagstaff? Believe us: Proper Meats and Provisions , a local, whole animal butcher shop, has one of the best outside New York City. Don’t worry, Flagstaff is also a hotbed of vegan and gluten-free options. And churros.

On the Grand Canyon's South Kaibab Trail, a few hikers and riders on mules heading up

Take in the Grand Canyon from the South Kaibab Trail.

Photo by Bryan Kinkade

Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim

Highlights: diversity of hikes in and around the Grand Canyon South Rim

You’re here! You made it! Now explore the canyon from above and within—starting with a short hike along South Kaibab Trail . “It’s a well-maintained (but steep!) stretch of dirt with very little shade,” warns AFAR local expert Katarina Kovacevic , but “it’s a scenic adventure through and through. South Kaibab’s main destinations include Ooh-Aah Point (at the highest elevation of 6,660 feet), Cedar Ridge (good for novice hikers and late starters), and Skeleton Point (an unobstructed view of the Colorado River with steep switchbacks).”

Believe it or not, the Grand Canyon IMAX at the visitor center is worth a stop. Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time runs every hour on the half-hour and offers an excellent primer on the canyon’s history.

Read on for a first-timer’s guide to the Grand Canyon.

Trip extensions from the Grand Canyon South Rim

If you have a little more time, consider extending your Arizona road trip with these add-ons.

Start in Tucson instead of Phoenix

Additional time needed: 2–3 days

It’s a 90-minute to two-hour drive southeast of Phoenix and, by our estimation, Tucson is the best food city in Arizona . (Ever hear of the James Beard Award–winning Sonoran hot dog? It’s from here.) Nearby Saguaro National Park and the adjacent Tucson Mountain Park are also spectacular, says AFAR contributor and Tucson native Sara Button, as is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum , “which is essentially a really well-done zoo/garden for the area’s desert flora and fauna, with wonderful family programming. I recommend it for every first-time visitor to town.” Bed down at the Joshua Tree Tucson , a five-suite inn that sits on 38 acres along the border of Saguaro National Park.

Head north to Lake Powell

Drive back to Phoenix: 4 hours, 20 minutes

Drive 2.5 hours (137 miles) north from the South Rim to Lake Powell, which can serve as your base to explore nearby Antelope Canyon, the lesser (and less touristed) canyons, and Horseshoe Bend , home to one of the best hikes outside the Grand Canyon.

Head east to Canyon de Chelly

Drive back to Phoenix: 5 hours Drive 3.5 hours (195 miles) east of the South Rim for three national wonders: the Painted Desert , Petrified Forest National Park , and Canyon de Chelly National Monument .

This article was originally published in 2020. It was most recently updated on August 21, 2023 to include new information.

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Are you searching for the ultimate Arizona itinerary that features the bustling city of Phoenix, the wondrous Grand Canyon National Park, and the stunning red rocks of Sedona? Look no further! This incredible 1-week Arizona itinerary takes you across the state to all the top destinations and attractions (including the cool ghost town of Jerome!). Keep reading to plan your 7-day Arizona trip!

The Ultimate 7-Day Arizona Itinerary Exploring Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona | The Wanderful Me

Psst, this post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure .

If there’s one state I keep going back to again and again, it’s Arizona.

As someone who hails from the northern midwest state of Minnesota , I just can’t get enough of Arizona’s sunny weather, diverse landscape, mind-blowing attractions (like the Grand Canyon), and incredible hiking opportunities !

Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve visited Arizona countless times!

Whether it was doing a one-month USA road trip with Dan (the wanderful boyfriend), visiting Sedona on a girl’s trip with my mom and sister, exploring Prescott and the Grand Canyon on spring break, or heading down there to visit my grandparents who live in Arizona for half the year, this stunning state keeps calling me back.

Hiking near Sedona, AZ - a must do when road tripping Arizona.

But it’s not just me Arizona is calling in — this state has gotten some serious love from travelers and tourists recently! More and more people are discovering the incredible outdoor opportunities and unique sites Arizona has to offer.

If you have an itching to visit this sunny state and are wondering how to best plan your trip, this itinerary will help you see the best of Arizona in a short time!

I’m recommending all of my favorite AZ spots in this 7-day itinerary — Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, and Sedona.

Additionally, on the drive up to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix, I add in a cheeky stop at the coolest ghost town in Arizona — Jerome! You’re going to love it.

Keep reading to discover what Arizona has to offer and how you can see Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Jerome in just one week.

Table of Contents

7-DAY ARIZONA ITINERARY: PHOENIX, GRAND CANYON & SEDONA

First things first: a car is essential for this trip.

Unfortunately, public transportation is dire in the United States and getting around via vehicle is absolutely crucial to make the most of your precious time and visit the best places in Arizona.

If you don’t have your own vehicle for your Arizona trip, I recommend using Kayak for car rentals . I find this site typically displays the best car rental deals!

Additionally, if you don’t live near Arizona or in the United States, you’ll likely be flying here. I recommend flying into Phoenix, as this will be the most affordable option.

Phoenix has two main airports — Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Both are centrally-located and have rental car places right near the arrival gates.

I always use Skyscanner to search for cheap flights ! You can use the little widget below to see how much flights are from your departure airport to Phoenix, AZ.

(Side note: I have an entire post on how I score cheap flights! Check it out here .)

Sophie sitting on a ledge at the Grand Canyon National Park, a must visit attraction on any Arizona itinerary.

7-Day Arizona Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick overview of the more detailed itinerary below.

Day 1 – Land in Phoenix and spend time exploring the city.
Day 2 – One full day in Phoenix to visit its top sites and attractions.
Day 3 – Drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon with a stop in Jerome.
Day 4 – Full day at the Grand Canyon National Park.
Day 5 – Drive from the Grand Canyon to Sedona and explore this cool town.
Day 6 – Full day in Sedona.
Day 7 – Drive back to Phoenix from Sedona and fly out.

Don’t forget to view the map of this road trip at the bottom of the post to get a better idea and actual visual of how you’ll be traveling around Arizona!

Sophie's sister and mom standing and admiring the view on an Arizona roadside stop.

Phoenix — Day 1-3

Your first couple days in Arizona are going to be spent in the bustling, lively city of Phoenix! As the capital of Arizona, you can bet there are tons of fun things to do, sites to see, and attractions to visit in Phoenix.

Best Things to Do in Phoenix, AZ

Head into Scottsdale Old Town and explore the Wild West-looking buildings.
Check out the incredible Desert Botanical Garden and view adorable succulents, beautiful flowers, towering cacti, and gorgeous greenery! (This is a personal favorite of mine!)
Ready to view beautiful Phoenix from above? Go on a Sunrise Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride !
Depending on how hot it is, have a picnic in one of the many city parks.
Jump in the car and head out for a hike on the outskirts of Phoenix. (I’m a big fan of the Lost Dutchman State Park.)
Visit the Heard Museum, which is devoted to Native American civilizations.
Check out the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
Admire the Pueblo Grande Ruin.
Spend time outside at the Tempe Beach Park.
Explore the the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, Ro Ho En.
Eat your heart out at the exceptional vegan restaurants in Phoenix .

The view when hiking Hieroglyphic Trail near Phoenix, AZ.

Where to Stay in Phoenix, AZ

I recommend staying somewhere central to cut down on transportation when in Phoenix. Not to mention, by staying centrally, you’ll be closer to all the best things to do in Phoenix!

My favorite areas to stay in Phoenix include:

Scottsdale (absolutely amazing!)

Phoenix → Grand Canyon National Park

Next up on this 7-day Arizona itinerary? The Grand freakin’ Canyon, baby.

After spending a couple days seeing and experiencing the best of Phoenix, it’s time to drive up to Grand Canyon National Park. It takes around 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tusayan via Jerome, which is why you’ll find day 3 is mostly a travel day with a stop in Jerome.

Tusayan is the town right by the Grand Canyon National Park south entrance and it’s where I recommend you stay due to it being more affordable than staying inside the park. More on that below.

Downtown Scottsdale, one of the best places to visit in Phoenix, AZ.

Jerome – Day Trip

Jerome is hands down one of the COOLEST towns to visit in Arizona!

What once was a copper mining town has been turned into a tourist town filled with unique shops, little eateries, historic buildings, and a seriously interesting history.

Although, not too long ago Jerome was a bustling little place with around 15,000 residents. But as the copper mines dried up and money ran out, people up and left Jerome, leaving the town a desolate destination filled only with the lingering ghosts of long-lost miners.

Nowadays, there’s around 400 people living in Jerome! (Who often report of strange occurrences and ghoulies running around the place…)

Anyways, with all of its cool attractions and interesting history, Jerome is well worth a stop on your drive up to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix!

Grand Canyon National Park — Day 4

Who’s ready to see a giant hole in the ground? ME!

Okay, okay, the Grand Canyon is so much more than just a simple hole… it’s a seriously stunning and cavernous canyon whose size you cannot even begin to fathom until you’re standing in front of it in person witnessing just how giant it truly is!

Not to mention, this national park boasts incredible views, gorgeous colorful rocks, exciting hikes, and a wild history that goes back millenniums.

In fact, scientists believe humans have inhabited the Grand Canyon area since the Ice Age! How crazy is that?

All in all, you won’t be bored when visiting the Grand Canyon — especially if you’re into reading placards and learning about its history! While the views can get a bit monotonous (though still beautiful!), getting to know the Grand Canyon’s past is where it’s at.

In this one-week Arizona itinerary, I dedicate one full day (2 nights) to the Grand Canyon National Park. I want to make sure you get your full Grand Canyon experience when visiting Arizona!

Sophie standing near the edge of a cliff at the Grand Canyon National Park.

Best Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

45 minutes helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon from Tusayan, AZ .
Drive to one of the many viewpoints situated along the Grand Canyon South Rim. (My favorites include Desert View Watchtower, Yavapai Point, and Yaki Point!)
Go on a Grand Canyon East Rim jeep tour .
Visit Hopi House.
Hike to Hopi Point from Grand Canyon Village.
Explore the Grand Canyon Village. (Surprisingly, a LOT of vegan options in the grocery store!)
Grand Canyon Hermit Road Bicycle Tour .

Grand Canyon National Park, which is a must visit on this 7 day Arizona itinerary that explore Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona.

Where to Stay Near the Grand Canyon National Park

As mentioned above, I recommend staying in Tusayan, which is the town located near the Grand Canyon National Park south entrance. If you’re road tripping Arizona on a budget, you’ll find accommodations in Tusayan are much more budget-friendly compared to accommodations inside the national park.

That said, if you have the means, I highly recommend staying within the national park! The hotels in Grand Canyon Village are incredible and in a spectacular location.

Tusayan Hotels
Grand Canyon Village Hotels

Grand Canyon National Park → Sedona

After you’ve gotten your fill of the Grand Canyon and its stunning views, it’s time to make your way back south to Sedona and its magical red rocks!

The drive from Grand Canyon National Park to Sedona takes around 2 hours so you can easily wake up in the morning, have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Grand Canyon, make your way to Sedona, and have a good half day or so to go on a hike or explore this quirky little town.

Ever thought about visiting Yosemite and Sequoia in the winter? It’s absolutely gorgeous! But before you plan your trip, check out this post on essential things to know when visiting Yosemite & Sequoia National Park in the winter !

Sedona — Day 5-7

Sedona is by far my favorite destination on this 7-day Arizona itinerary!

With its gorgeous red rocks, endless hiking opportunities, magical atmosphere and spiritual aura (it’s known to have 4 energy vortexes!), adorable local shops, jaw-dropping views, and delicious eateries, Sedona is one of the best places to visit in Arizona.

Best Things to Do in Sedona

Go on a hike — I recommend these short, easy hikes near Sedona .
Hike Devil’s Bridge via Mescal + Chuckwagon Trail , which is a favorite among visitors.
Check out Oak Creek Canyon.
Visit Cathedral Rock.
Explore the Red Rock Scenic Byway.
Check out one (or a few) of the many gift and specialty shops — the crystal shops are amazing here!
Take a look at the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
View Sedona from above and watch the sunset from the Airport Mesa.
Marvel at the Palatki Ruins ( Palatki Heritage Site ), just outside of Sedona in the Coconino National Forest.
Venture to the outskirts of Sedona at night for some incredible stargazing. (Check out this Sedona Nighttime UFO + Stargazing Tour !)
Go on a Small-Group Vortex Jeep Tour ! The vortexes are an iconic attraction in Sedona and a must-visit on your 7-day Arizona road trip.

Sophie sitting on Devil's Bridge, a must-do hike when visiting Sedona on your Arizona trip.

Where to Stay in Sedona

Sedona is pretty small so no matter where you stay, you’ll likely have easy access to all the best places and attractions here! However, some of my favorite places to stay in Sedona include:

Sky Ranch Lodge ( incredible views and amazing location!)
L’Auberge De Sedona (this place is so unique and seriously luxurious!)
Southwest Inn at Sedona (classic southwest theme and gorgeous views!)
The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort (beautiful and affordable!)

Sedona → Phoenix

On the last day of your trip, it’s time to drive back to Phoenix! Depending on what time your flight is at, it might be easier to drive back to Phoenix on day 6 and stay your last night there so you’re not rushing in the morning.

However, I highly recommend staying in Sedona as long as you can and driving to the airport from Sedona the day you fly out (if possible). It’s a relatively straightforward drive from Sedona to the Phoenix airport that takes around 2 hours.

Sedona is a GORGEOUS place to hike in Arizona! I recommend going on at least one hike with your time here. Check out this post on 5 awesome short and easy hikes in Sedona, AZ for more inspiration.

Sunset at Airport Mesa in Sedona, one of the best viewpoints overlooking the city and its red rock landscape.

Map of 7-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

How awesome does this 7-day Arizona itinerary sound?

Who wouldn’t love to road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, with an exciting stop in the cool ghost town of Jerome?!

As someone who has personally done this Arizona sightseeing road trip before, I can wholeheartedly say it is totally awesome! It’s not too fast and not too slow, and features the best of Arizona in a short amount of time.

Tell me, are you planning an Arizona road trip that has stops in Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona? How does this 7-day Arizona itinerary sound to you? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Not sure what to check out next? Readers love these posts:

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The ultimate 7-day itinerary for Arizona that explores Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, and Sedona.

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Article comments.

We enjoyed your pictures and stories about Az. We relived our trip there many years ago and still enjoy hearing about it. Thank you for all the great pictures and stories .

Go Wander Wild

This 7-day Arizona itinerary is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

Robert T Stubbs

Great job and very informative. Thanks!

Thanks, Robert! Really appreciate you stopping by and reading the blog. Are you planning a trip to Arizona?

Hi Sophie, my wife and I are doing the 7 day phoenix, grand canyon, sedona trip from June 11 to 18 Thank you for doing this.

Everything You Need to See, Do, and Eat on an Arizona Road Trip

Drive from Tucson to Page, stopping at the Grand Canyon and other iconic landmarks along the way.

Macy Sirmans is a New York-based freelance storyteller and marketing director for Condé Nast. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure , Food & Wine , and Departures magazines, where her social-first strategy has gained her traction with a travel-centric audience.

There's more to the Grand Canyon State than its namesake. Arizona is brimming with surprisingly luxurious hotels and spas, underrated and unique cities and towns, and southwestern dining guaranteed to take your taste buds for a ride. So grab your camera, hiking boots , and sense of adventure, then hit the back roads of the Wild West for an unforgettable journey.

Here, we take you from Tucson up through the bucket-list destinations of Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park before landing in Page, home to the otherworldly Antelope Canyon. Spend five days minimum exploring this slice of the Southwest to properly soak in all the sights.

Day 1: Start in Tucson

Enveloped by the vast Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a vibrant and colorful Southwestern city with a thriving culinary scene. Stay at Hotel Congress , a landmark property that harbors a concert venue, club, and bistro. It's brimming with vintage charm, but also has a cool rock-and-roll vibe. Plan to party like it's 1919 before crashing in a renovated room that boasts touches of yesteryear such as iron beds and transistor radios instead of televisions.

At nearby Saguaro National Park , witness the towering saguaro cactus — crowned king of the Sonoran Desert — in its native environment. Then, hike to the pinnacle of Mount Lemmon, the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson.

Grab lunch at Tucson Tamale for an authentic taste of the region. Try the traditional red chili beef tamale or the blue corn and veggie vegan tamale. Then, schedule a tour and tasting at Whiskey Del Bac before dinner with a panoramic desert sunset view and live music at The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol , a historic ranch resort and high-end dinner destination.

Day 2: Drive From Tucson to Scottsdale

Just under two hours from Tucson and a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale is a balmy retreat stationed on the edge of the Valley of the Sun. Here, you'll find high-end shopping, world-renowned spas, and a variety of hiking adventures .

Route 79 is the most scenic way to travel between the two destinations. It passes by Casa Grande Ruins , one of the biggest prehistoric structures on the continent. It's free to visit, and the docents are experts in the storied history of the Sonoran Desert. Additional outdoor attractions in Scottsdale include the Desert Botanical Garden and Camelback Mountain . See an abundance of cacti, succulents, and colorful wildflowers at the gardens before a four-hour climb to the top of the mountain for 360-degree views of Scottsdale and neighboring Phoenix.

There are plenty of great hotels in Scottsdale , though we recommend staying at Bespoke Inn , a 10-room, boutique gem tucked in a secluded corner of downtown Scottsdale. Unique fixtures (like clawfoot or soaking tubs), elevated amenities (there's a saltwater infinity pool), and al fresco dining at the property's award-winning restaurant, Virtu Honest Craft , shape a personalized experience that lives up to the hotel's name.

Other noteworthy restaurants include Roaring Fork , a downtown hot spot with Old West vibes. At happy hour, the restaurant's signature burgers are 13 bucks each. After dinner, grab a few drinks at Handlebar J , where you can also enjoy live country music, nightly two-stepping, and a robust beer selection on tap.

Day 3: Drive From Scottsdale to Sedona

Two hours up the road from Scottsdale is Sedona , a destination for spa enthusiasts, art connoisseurs, and outdoor adventurers alike. This mystical retreat is flanked by red-rock buttes, steep canyons, and pine forests, shaping an otherworldly environment that's equal parts Wild West and understated luxury.

Get there via Highway 179, also known as the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Break for dessert along the way at Rock Springs Cafe . This landmark, famous for its award-winning pies, was established in 1918. Its close proximity to the highway makes it convenient for road-trippers. Indulge in a seasonal treat, like the strawberry rhubarb crumb pie, or try out the best-selling Jack Daniel's pecan pie.

Hang your hat at The Wilde Resort and Spa . A short walk from shops and galleries in Uptown Sedona, this sophisticated haven boasts modern and spacious suites that overlook Thunder Mountain. Follow a hike through the surrounding red rocks with a spa treatment or Jacuzzi soak at the spa.

After a restful night, kick off another day of hiking by digging into a towering stack of pancakes at Casa Sedona Inn , the perfect carb-load before traversing the red-rock buttes on foot. Sit in the outdoor courtyard for top-notch ambience.

Devil's Bridge is one of the most photographed natural wonders in Arizona, so lace up your boots for a 90-minute trek from Dry Creek Vista. Prepare for a rigorous uphill climb to your destination, but know the view is well worth the effort.

Don't leave before stocking up on Sedona's famous healing crystals at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village . Then end your day with fish tacos, loaded nachos, and a strawberry margarita at the nearby Oaxaca Restaurant , where you can sample the grilled Arizona cactus appetizer and other vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes on the menu.

Day 4: Drive From Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

A beautiful two-hour drive from Sedona, the magic of the Grand Canyon awaits. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is the cherry on top of an Arizona road trip experience. Take 89A out of Sedona. Break at Midgley Bridge on the outskirts of Sedona for a quick hike down Oak Creek Canyon . Then, stop in Flagstaff to refuel at Macy's European Coffee House , where bespoke coffee concoctions and healthy breakfast fare are served all day. Flagstaff is also home to Arizona's tallest mountain, Humphreys Peak, as well as a variety of Native American heritage sites, so stick around and scout it out for a few hours.

At the Grand Canyon, check into the El Tovar Hotel , a historic property that opened its doors in 1905 and has entertained celebrities and presidents for the past 100-plus years. Mere steps from the edge of the "big ditch," El Tovar is both elegant and rustic with breathtaking views from every window. The resort's Dining Room is as close to the canyon as you can get, and the authentic cuisine is almost as memorable as the views from the window-side tables.

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon, right outside El Tovar's doors, is accessible year-round. Look forward to hikes of varying lengths that cater to explorers of every skill level. Plan a hike at sunrise and bring along a breakfast picnic.

Day 5: Drive From the Grand Canyon to Page

Page, a water sports lover's paradise, is another three-hour drive north. Continue along 89A toward Nevada and reserve several hours for a tour of Antelope Canyon . Weave through the winding walls of this sandstone formation with a camera in hand; the wave-like structures and light that breaks through the canyon's slots are straight out of a photographer's fantasy. The Wave is another iconic hike, but requires securing a permit in advance.

In Page, check into the Lake Powell Resort . This serene and peaceful property nestled in the heart of the desert boasts old-fashioned allure and modern comforts. Warm up in the morning at the all-day coffee bar and look forward to nights by the resort's fire pit.

Nearby, BirdHouse serves up some of the best comfort food in Arizona (think: mac and cheese, waffles, mashed potatoes, and crinkle-cut fries). But fried chicken is the star of the show at this roadside establishment. Pair it with a homemade sauce, like honey butter or buttermilk ranch, and an ice-cold beer — BirdHouse has a stout selection from local breweries.

The magic of Horseshoe Bend is a mere stone's throw south of Page. One of the most iconic venues in Arizona, this unusually shaped bend in the Colorado River is best enjoyed from an overlook that towers 4,000-plus feet above sea level. The easy hike from the parking lot to the overlook is less than a mile.

The drive from Page back to Tucson is six hours, but if you want to continue your voyage westward, Las Vegas — via Kanab, home of a famous hike known as The Wave — is four and a half hours. From Las Vegas, you can hop onto Nevada's 365-mile Death Drive , one of the region's most memorable road trips.

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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ’s

Information for planning your visit to Sedona, Arizona.

Planning a trip to sedona , request your free experience sedona guide.

As a visitor, you are essential to making – and keeping – Sedona sustainable. Please do your part to assure that Sedona will remain unspoiled and welcoming for generations to come.

Before your arrival, we kindly ask you to please add your name to our Sedona Cares Pledge and commit to following the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace. Let’s all Respect Red Rock Country .

Planning a trip and traveling to Sedona, AZ soon? The Sedona Visitor’s Guide and resources on this page will help you make the most of your stay in Red Rock Country. Known around the world for its natural beauty, it’s good to keep in mind that Sedona is also a small town, so plan ahead where you can, from itineraries to where to stay to dinner reservations through OpenTable or an individual restaurant’s page.

Because Sedona’s popularity has exploded in the Instagram age, we encourage all visitors to Leave No Trace while you’re here, and ask that you preserve and protect special places like this as much as we do. Join us by adding your name to the Sedona Cares challenge to help preserve Red Rock Country for generations to come.

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Getting here

Traveling to sedona, az and getting around.

From airport shuttles to trail trollies, several services can help you plan to tread lightly while you’re in Red Rock Country. Airport shuttles run throughout the day from Phoenix, Flagstaff and Prescott and make stops at several hotels in Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. If you’re driving from nearby cities , be sure to check traffic as there are only two roads into and out of Sedona: State Route 89A (via highway 260 through Cottonwood to the south or I-17 from Flagstaff to the north) and State Route 179.

The Sedona Shuttle , launched in 2022, is a free climate-controlled shuttle service with a fleet running on busy days to help minimize trailhead congestion and transport hikers to some of the area’s top trails. Looking to venture out? Arizona wine country tours are a popular favorite, with transportation offered by many tour operators.

Adventuring Dreamers

What to do in Phoenix: The Ultimate 5-Day Phoenix Itinerary

Visiting Phoenix, but not sure what to do while you’re in town? No worries, I got you. This 2-5 day Phoenix itinerary outlines all the best things to do in Phoenix from breakfast to after-dinner drinks, and everything in between.

Known for its golf courses, shopping, hiking, and resorts, Phoenix has become one of the top U.S. travel destinations in the country. Completely surrounded by mountains, showing off beautiful weather (almost) year-round, and stuffed to the brim with entertainment, fine dining, and fun things to do, it’s no wonder you’re looking to build your Phoenix itinerary.

I moved to Phoenix when I was 19 and I spent 9 years exploring every nook and cranny in this town. Despite being famous for it, Phoenix is so much more than golf courses and shopping. We’ve got some crazy hikes, amazingly talented local artists, cool-ass museums, and so much more. So, if you’re ready to plan your Phoenix itinerary like a local, read on my friend.

The Phoenix skyline with text under that reads: "Phoenix, Arizona 2-5 Day Travel Itinerary. Adventuringdreamers.com"

About this Phoenix Itinerary

In this Phoenix Itinerary, I go over everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Valley of the Sun. I’ll help you decide which time of year to visit, where to stay, and what to do while you’re here.

This guide was written with the idea that you are staying in Phoenix for up to 5 days. That means that every day’s schedule both begins and ends in Phoenix. This Phoenix itinerary will guide you through the main attractions in town, and it also includes two day trips, one to Sedona and one to Tombstone. If you’re planning a 5-day trip to Phoenix and don’t want to dip out to some of the other cool towns in AZ, or if you want to swap out an activity from the schedule, I’ve also included a few extra fun activities at the end of the guide that you can mix and match with.

A quick note: The Phoenix Metropolitan Area includes a number of different cities. So, when I say “Phoenix itinerary,” I’m also including places like Scottsdale, Tempe, and North Phoenix.

How to use this Phoenix Itinerary for 2-5 Days of Travel

If you only have 24 hours in Phoenix, click here to read my 24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary where I’ve included the absolute must-dos in town. But if you’re planning a longer stay, you can customize the itinerary below to fit any length of time from a weekend trip all the way up to 5 days in the valley. Each day scheduled below is written to stand alone or work as a consecutive schedule, so you can mix and match with the things that sound interesting to you. Luckily, Phoenix was created with a great freeway system so it is super easy to get around to different parts of the valley in very little time. This means you can feel free to swap any of the below dates and mix and match itineraries to your heart’s content.

The skyline of downtown Phoenix at sunset.

Best time of year to visit Phoenix

Unless you’ve been living under a rock your whole life, you’ve probably heard that Phoenix can get pretty hot. In fact, as I’m writing this, it is currently 105° outside. BUT, I am publishing this post in the summer, which is not when I recommend you come to visit.

The best time of year to visit Phoenix is any month from the beginning of October through the end of April, although I highly recommend the spring or fall when the weather is in the high-seventies to low-eighties.

Phoenix is also beautiful to visit in the winter. We don’t get snow, but you can hang out with the palm trees and gorgeous weather in the perfect 72°.

Where to stay in Phoenix

Thanks to our many freeways, Phoenix is a pretty easy place to get around. Not to mention almost the entire valley is built on a grid system, so it’s almost impossible to get lost. In fact, when I first moved to Phoenix in 2013, I’d recently broken my iPhone and had to learn how to get around without a GPS or smartphone to help me out, and I rarely ran into any problems— even downtown!

What this means for you is that it doesn’t matter so much where you stay. We’re going to explore the whole valley anyway. So, instead of picking a hotel based on location and convenience, pick a part of town that matches your vibe. Here are just a few examples to help you find the right location for you:

Known for its luxury and resort, Scottsdale is a desert oasis hidden under the McDowell Mountains. If you’re looking to feel pampered and relaxed, as well as just a stone’s throw away from boutique shopping and art galleries, Scottsdale is the place for you. Here are a few of the 5-star resorts available to book in Scottsdale:

The Phoenician

The Hyatt Regency

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

Downtown Phoenix

If you’re looking for true city vibes, Downtown Phoenix is your place. Here, bars, theaters, museums, and sports arenas are sprinkled between high-rise buildings. Here are just a few of your options for staying in Downtown Phoenix:

Hyatt Regency Phoenix

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

The Westin Phoenix Downtown

The Clarendon Hotel and Spa

Home to the Sun Devils, Tempe is where Arizona State University has sat since 1885. You may have heard of ASU’s reputation as a party school, and, for better or worse, the university has rubbed off on its hometown. If you’re looking for some nightlife in town, Mill Avenue in Tempe is probably where you’re going to end up. Here are a few hotels you might want to check out:

Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown

Tempe Mission Palms

Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at the Buttes

Graduate Tempe

North Phoenix

North Phoenix is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and get in on some gorgeous views. Further away from the hustle and bustle of the city, North Phoenix is on the edge of the desert and surrounded by the Phoenix Mountains. Here are a few options for staying in North Phoenix:

Hilton Garden Inn North Phoenix

Courtyard by Marriott North Phoenix

Drury Inn and Suites North Phoenix

Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort

Not really what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in the Phoenix area!

Prefer more intimate housing? Click here to check out private vacation rentals in town.

How to get around during your trip to Phoenix

Unlike other big cities like New York or Los Angeles, Phoenix does not have the most intricate metro system. In order to get the most out of your trip, I highly recommend renting a car while you’re in town, especially if you decide to do one of the day trips I recommend below.

A canal in downtown Scottsdale in the evening. Lights from the buildings reflect off the water.

The Ultimate 5-Day Phoenix Itinerary

Finally, let’s get into the good stuff…

This Phoenix itinerary is built to be completely customizable. If you don’t like one of the activity options, feel free to swap it out with one of the bonus activities listed at the end of this article! The same thing goes if you’d rather not take a day trip to Sedona or Tombstone. If that’s the case, feel free to fill those days with some of the bonus activities as well.

Phoenix Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix

Arrive in Phoenix → Pick up rental car → Lunch at Green New American Vegetarian → Check in to hotel or vacation rental Restaurant → Desert Botanical Gardens → (Optional) Evening Hike at Papago Park Butte Loop → Dinner in Downtown Tempe → Nightlife on Mill Avenue

Arrive and Get Settled

Welcome to Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun! We’ve got a busy 5 days ahead of us, so we’re going to start off a little slow today.

After your plane hits the tarmac and you’ve gathered your belongings from the luggage carousel, go ahead and pick up your rental car. Depending on what time your plane has landed, it may be too early to check in at your hotel or vacation rental. If that’s the case, I recommend enjoying lunch at Green New American Vegetarian before you drop off your bags. There is a location in downtown Phoenix as well as in Tempe, so you can pick whichever option is closer to where you’re staying.

Now that you’ve got a full belly to curb the jet lag, go ahead and check in to your room. At this point, you’ve got a choice. You can either drop off your bags and head back out, or you can flop onto your bed for a few hours and recuperate from your travels. Seriously, no judgment if you choose the second option.

Our first adventure— Desert Botanical Gardens

If you chose to get right into it, it’s time for our first adventure. We’re going to head to East Phoenix where the Desert Botanical Garden sits right in between Scottsdale and Tempe. The garden is a gorgeous park blossoming with hundreds of desert plants. There are plenty of trails to wander around and immerse yourself in the desert beauty. If you come in spring, you’re in for an extra special treat as many of the plants will be in full bloom.

You’ll need about two hours to explore the park.

Optional Evening Hike: Papago Park Butte Loop

Phoenix is a hub for hiking. And it’s no wonder since it’s completely surrounded by desert mountains. There are more than 230 hikes around town, so if hiking is your thing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities while you’re here. While the Desert Botanical Garden does have a few trails to wander, they’re more meant for wandering than for hiking. If you’re looking for a bit more exercise, I recommend checking out Papago Park Butte Loop . It’s right next door to the Botanical Garden and is an easy hike that will only take you about 45 minutes to complete. While there isn’t much of an incline on this trail, the hike is well worth it for the strange rock formations that line the path.

Dinner and Nightlife in Downtown Tempe

After you’re done exploring the desert, you’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from Mill Avenue in Downtown Tempe. This is a great place to get dinner since there are a plethora of options. I recommend trying some authentic Mexican cuisine at Loco Patron . After dinner, it’s time to party like a Phoenician. Mill Avenue is right next door to the state university, so you know the bars and entertainment are going to be top-notch. You can even join the Arizona P a rty Bike on a pub crawl, or create your own personal crawl by exploring the many bars and clubs dotted along the main street.

Large boulders formed in unique formations at Papago Park.

Phoenix Itinerary Day 2: Let’s Get Cultured!

Sunrise hot air balloon ride → (Optional) Dixie Loop Trail hike → Breakfast at Eggstacy → The MIM (and/or) The Heard Museum → See a play at Phoenix Theater Company → After-show drinks at Highball Cocktails Speakeasy

Cross off a bucket-list experience first thing in the morning— Sunrise hot air balloon ride

Rise and shine, starshine! I hope you didn’t party too hard last night because we’ve got an early morning today. Hopefully, you’ve shaken off the rest of your jet lag by now because it’s time for adventure. We’re going to start day 2 with one of the coolest experiences you can do in Phoenix: a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Rainbow Ryders is here to help you fulfill a one-of-a-kind bucket list experience by taking you up to 3,000 feet in the air just after sunrise. See the Sonoran Desert vistas from a bird’s eye view that most people never get to see and conclude your flight with a celebratory toast and a commemorative flight certificate.

The flight on the balloon is about an hour, and the full experience takes about three hours.

Optional Morning Hike: Dixie Mountain Loop Trail

For all my hikers out there, I got you. If you’re one of those people who love the outdoors, I am including an optional hike every day in this Phoenix itinerary. If you’re not a hiker, no worries. Feel free to skip these activities and move on to the next, or simply fill in the space with one of the optional activities from the end of this article.

Dixie Mountain Loop Trail is a moderate trail in North Phoenix. In many areas, the hills of the desert block out the view from the city, giving off the effect that you’re completely lost in nature. It’s a great place to get in touch with the desert and appreciate Arizona’s wide, blue skies.

The full loop takes about two hours to complete, or you can just go part way and turn around to match whatever time frame you’re working with.

Breakfast at Eggstacy

We’re staying in the general area of North Phoenix this morning, which is great because that means you can grab breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants, Eggstacy at Norterra . My roommate (who’s a total foodie and a professionally trained chef) introduced me to this gem of a breakfast joint. Here, the food is fresh and the portions are huge. And I mean, huge . My favorite dish is the berry crepes which come with three ginormous crepes stuffed with blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.

Fair warning, this is a popular local place and on weekends the wait times can run long.

Let’s Get Cultured! A choice of two museums

We’ve got two fantastic museum options, depending on your interests. If you’ve got the time, I highly recommend visiting both. Each museum takes about 2-4 hours, so it’s possible to squeeze both museums in one day if you skip breakfast and the optional hike. If that doesn’t feel like an option to you, pick your fav.

Option A: The Musical Instrument Museum

If you have any interest in music at all, as in, if you like to listen to music, play music, sing music, etc., then visiting the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is a must while you’re in Phoenix. This is the only global instrument museum in the world, which is pretty darn special. The MIIM’s curated collection is enough to keep anyone immersed in the museum for hours.

They even have an award-winning café, Café Allegro, which is where we’ll be having lunch today. The café has an ever-changing menu of global cuisine, and always offers vegan and vegetarian options.

I recommend spending about 3-4 hours at the museum, including time for lunch.

Option B: The Heard Museum

The most prominent museum for Native American art and culture, The Heard Museum is a very important stop on your Phoenix adventure. The museum teaches about different Native American cultures and displays art from contemporary artists.

The Heard Museum also has its own café, The Courtyard Café , where they serve classic southwestern dishes. This is a great option for lunch if you choose to visit the Heard Museum instead of the MIM.

I recommend spending about 2-3 hours at the museum, including time for lunch.

Get entertained by local actors at the Phoenix Theater Company

If you’ve chosen to visit The Heard Museum, you’ve already made your way to downtown Phoenix. However, if you’re still up north, at this point you’ll make your way downtown.

One of my favorite things to do in Phoenix is to see a play at the Phoenix Theater Company. From hilarious to heartwarming, the Phoenix Theater always puts on a great show. Not to mention, it’s a historical monument. It was founded over a hundred years ago, and inside its theater is where Stephen Spielberg hosted his first film screening when he was 17. Click here to see the current season and what’s showing while you’re in town.

The theater has its own restaurant which opens at 5 pm and stops serving 40 minutes before showtime. The ArtBar+Bistro serves light salads and sandwiches. I personally haven’t eaten here, but the atmosphere looks delightful. Since the theater is downtown, there are plenty of other options for dinner nearby as well. I recommend trying the fully vegan restaurant, The Coronado , which is only a five-minute drive from the theater.

Optional nighttime activity: Jump back in time to the 1920s by visiting a speakeasy

I’ve listed this activity as optional because you probably had a late night last night, you got up early this morning, and (spoiler alert!) you’re going to get up early again tomorrow. It’s possible that by the time the show at the Phoenix Theater Company wraps up you’ll be ready for bed. If that’s the case, off with you! Go get your beauty sleep and no one will judge you for not staying up. However, if you are a night owl like me (at least when I’m on vacation), then I’ve got one more activity in store for you today and it’s gonna be the cat’s pajamas!

Drift back in time to the days of prohibition. We’re going to a speakeasy, baby! No, you don’t need to don a flapper dress and a cigarette holder to enter, and there is no password, but Highball Cocktails’ elegant, dimly-lit lounge will make you feel as though you’ve been whisked away into the 1920s.

Hot air balloons in the sky during sunrise.

Phoenix Itinerary Day 3: Day Trip to Sedona

Drive to Sedona → Red Rocks Jeep Tour → (Optional) Hike Devil’s Bridge → Lunch in Uptown → Shopping, exploring, and dinner in Uptown Sedona → Drive back to Phoenix

Sedona is famous for her ethereal red rock formations, as well as for being a spiritual vortex. This town is one of my favorite places in Arizona, and a must-do for anyone who loves nature, hiking, or shopping.

Drive to Sedona

Sedona is about a two-hour drive from Phoenix. There’s a lot to do there and we’ve only got a day, so I recommend getting an early start. Since we’ll want to make the most of our time, I don’t recommend stopping for a big breakfast. Instead, take a few snacks you can eat on the road, or have some leftovers from yesterday.

Adventurous Jeep Tour on the Red Rocks

The desert of Sedona is unlike anything you will see anywhere else, and Pink Jeep Tours will get you up close and personal with the wilderness. On their most popular tour, the Broken Arrow Tour , you’ll ride along in a pink Jeep Wrangler and climb over steep red rock mountains as a guide takes you deep into the backcountry that is untouched by any other explorers.

Plan for about two hours for this adventure.

Optional Hike: The Devil’s Bridge

If you’ve only got a day in Sedona and can only do one hike, Devil’s Bridge will always be the one that I recommend. You’ve probably seen pictures of this huge natural archway bending over a red rock mountainous backdrop. The landscape is beautiful and the hike is satisfying. It’s about a four-mile, moderately difficult hike that takes about an hour and forty minutes, and you’ll leave with some of the coolest travel photos ever.

Since we didn’t stop for a full breakfast this morning, if you’ve chosen to go on this hike, you might get hungry before we get back into town. If you’re like me and turn into a total bear if you go longer than three hours between eating, then I recommend you pack a lunch to eat on the trail, or at the very least some snacks. Otherwise, I’ve suggested a few exquisite restaurants in town for lunch below.

Lunch in Uptown

Sedona’s downtown district is called Uptown, and it’s the host to a bunch of cute boutiques, restaurants, tourist shops, and new age shops. It does get a little touristy here, but it’s still one of my favorite places in the state to hang out. However, I recommend not coming on a Sunday as the place will be overflowing with people.

For lunch, I recommend ChocolaTree Organic Eatery . Their menu is super inclusive, offering plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and their produce is all organic and almost exclusively local!

Explore Sedona’s Downtown District

If you’re someone who loves to shop for souvenirs while on vacation, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I’ve scheduled three opportunities for shopping— today in Sedona, tomorrow in Tombstone, and later on in the week in Scottsdale. Some of my favorite shops in Uptown Sedona include Sedona Fudge Company , Gypsy Jenny’s , and Sedona Crystal Vortex .

I also recommend visiting Tlaquepaque, an outdoor mall area with even more art galleries, restaurants, and eccentric shops to visit. Across the street from Tlaquepaque is The Center for the New Age . This is my favorite new age shop anywhere in the world. They have a wide collection of crystals, books, and music.

At many of the Uptown shops, you can book a reading with a psychic or get your aura photographed. I highly recommend you do that while in town since it’s such a fun and enlightening experience.

Dinner in Uptown and driving back down the hill

Why is traveling so great if not for experiencing cultures and food? Luckily, Sedona has no shortage of restaurants to choose from. For dinner, I recommend Oaxaca Restaurant . Their rooftop patio seating showcases views that are out of this world.

After dinner, it’s time to head back down the mountain into Phoenix and enjoy a great night’s sleep.

For more options and alternate itineraries for a day in Sedona, click here to read an entire blog I wrote titled The Perfect Day Trip To Sedona .

An outdoor shopping center created in the mission style of architecture.

Phoenix Itinerary Day 4: Day Trip to Tombstone

Drive to Tombstone → (Optional) Hike of your choice → Shopping on Allen Street → Lunch at Big Nose Kate’s → Take an Old-Timey photo → Watch the O.K. Corral gunfight reenactment → Take a tour inside a silver mine → Dinner at the Longhorn Restaurant → Ghost tour → Drive back to Phoenix

Mornin’, partner. Once again, we’re about to do some time traveling, and this time, we’re going to the Old West. Yee-haw!

Tombstone is the “Town Too Tough To Die” and so it’s been for almost two hundred years. When you arrive, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back to the 1800s with the original historic buildings on Allen Street still standing, and gun fights reenacted throughout the day.

Drive to Tombstone

If you’re not an early bird, you’re going to hate me when I say it, but it’s another early morning today. Tombstone is about a three-hour drive south of Phoenix and we want to make the most of our day, so, as the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm! Again, I recommend taking breakfast on the road to save you a bit of time this morning.

Optional Hike

I’m going to be honest with you, I’ve never hiked in Tombstone. But, I know how important hiking is to some of you and I want to make sure you have options. So, I found this list of hikes near Tombstone that you can pick from if hiking every day is a must for you.

Shopping on Allen Street

Preserved to look just as it did in the 1880s, Allen Street appears to be frozen in time. No traffic is allowed to drive down the street, and as you stroll on foot, you’ll pass real cowboys, spurs and all. The street is dotted with vintage clothing, antique, souvenir, and ice cream shops.

Lunch at Big Nose Kate’s

Enjoy Southwestern and Mexican dishes while listening to live country bands play at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon . The restaurant is named after gunslinger Doc Holiday’s girlfriend and lady of the night, Katherine Haroney, who was nicknamed, Big Nose Kate.

Dress Up and Take an Old-Timey Photo

After lunch, head over to Lady L’s Creations to dress up in authentic Old Western clothing and take a sepia-colored photo to keep as a unique souvenir.

Watch the O.K. Corral Gunfight Reenactment

In 1881, gunfire burst the eardrums of all those standing on Fremont Street. In just 24 seconds, 30 shots were fired and Tombstone became a place of legend. Now, actors reenact the famous gunfight between outlaws and lawmen four times a day. Just make sure you get your tickets a few hours in advance !

Tour Inside a Real Silver Mine— Goodenough Silver Mine Tour

This 45-minute tour will take you 100 feet below the surface inside a historical mine from the 1880s. Deep underground, you’ll be able to watch demonstrations of how silver was mined by hand and candlelight in the 1880s.

Dinner at the Longhorn Restaurant

The Longhorn Restaurant is the oldest continually operating restaurant in Tombstone. The building used to be the Bucket of Blood Saloon and is where Tombstone Marshall Virgil Earp was shot in an attempted murder in the 1880s. Now they serve American food and classy cocktails.

Get Spooked on a Ghost Tour

Like any town from the Old West, Tombstone has its history of violence and shootouts, which means, of course, the town is now haunted. It may even be one of the most haunted towns in the West. Get friendly with the spirits of Tombstone on a tour from Ghost City Tours where they will show you the most haunted spooks in town.

Drive back to Phoenix

It’s a long drive back. You’re going to get back late. You’re probably exhausted. We’ve had four full, fun days of adventuring and exploring and tomorrow is the last day in town! Luckily, tomorrow you also get to sleep in.

Two cowboys walk beneath a sign that reads, "Old Tombstone Western Town."

Phoenix Itinerary Day 5: Last Day in Phoenix!

Breakfast at Butterfield’s Pancake House → Hike Camelback Mountain → Lunch in Old Town Scottsdale → Explore and shop in Old Town Scottsdale → Enjoy a relaxing massage → Fly home

Our time here has come and gone so fast. I hope you’ve had a great time in Phoenix. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. If you’re staying in town for longer, check out the list of additional activities I have at the bottom of this article. Otherwise, enjoy your last day in the Valley of the Sun!

Breakfast at Butterfield’s Pancake House

It’s our last day on vacation, so we’re going to indulge. Butterfield’s Pancake House has been voted as the best breakfast joint in Scottsdale by over 1,200 reviews on Tripadvisor . They’ve been in business for over 40 years, so you know they know how to make a pancake. Better fuel up, because this time the hike is not optional— it’s the main activity!

Hike the Famous Camelback Mountain

Phoenix may have over 230 hikes around the valley, but as far as anyone is concerned, Camelback Mountain is the crown jewel. There are two hikes on this mountain, one on either side, and they meet in the middle. So, if you’re really ambitious and think you can handle it, you can even hike up and over the mountain and come back down the other side.

The two hike options here are Cholla Trail and Echo Canyon . Both hikes are steep and rocky, but Echo Canyon is the more brutal out of the two. Cholla Trail will give you more desert views while Echo Canyon feels like a StairMaster except you’re outside. In the end, it doesn’t matter which one you pick, though, because the view at the top is absolutely phenomenal.

Both hikes take about 2-3 hours.

Lunch in Old Town Scottsdale

By this time, I’ll bet you’ve worked off your pancakes and are starving. Hiking Camelback will do that to a person. Just a few minutes away from the trailhead at Camelback is the historic Old Town Scottsdale district. This area is lined with restaurants to match any tastebud’s desires. I recommend trying Olive & Ivy , a restaurant and bar that serves Californian-Mediterranean dishes.

Wander around Old Town

In addition to having an abundance of restaurants, Old Town Scottsdale is also a great place to wander. This historic area is where settlement in Scottsdale began in 1888, and now it’s home to restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and tourist shops.

Feel free to wander into an open art gallery and admire a local artist’s work, or even buy tickets to an immersive event at Lighthouse Ar t Space . I saw the Van Gogh Exhibit there and it was stunning.

Relax and unwind with a massage at Running Water Spa at the Scottsdale C a melback Resort . It’s been a long week and you absolutely deserve to end your Phoenix vacation with a little self-care.

We hate to see you go, but we love to watch you leave. Just kidding. But, seriously, Phoenix is a place that means a lot to me, so I hope you enjoyed your trip here. Hopefully, you got a lot of good ideas from this Phoenix itinerary and found a lot of value in it.

Looking down at a desert city from the top of a mountain peak.

Additional Activities for the Phoenix Itinerary

This Phoenix itinerary is built to be completely customizable, so I’ve included a list of additional activities you can swap out for any in the above itinerary that might not excite you. Also, if you’re staying for more than 5 days, use these extra activities as inspiration to help you plan the itineraries for the rest of your time in town.

Japanese Friendship Garden
Goldfield Ghost Town
Guided UTV Tour of the Sonoran Desert
Phoenix Art Museum
Wonderspaces
Ballet Under the Stars
Taliesin West

The Phoenix Skyline with text that reads, " 5 days in Phoenix a 2-5 day travel itinerary. Adventuringdreamers.com"

Was this itinerary useful? Check out some of our others here:

The Perfect Day Trip To Sedona— How To Maximize Your Time
How to Spend 24-Hours in Phoenix (The Ultimate One-Day Phoenix Itinerary)
Perfect Day Trip to Portland, Maine: The Best 1-Day Itinerary

Additional Resources:

Booking a trip to arizona.

Here are a few helpful services:

Booking.com | Find a comfy place to lay your head after a full day of adventuring.

Vrbo | If you’re looking for a more homey vibe, these rental homes might do the trick.

Expedia | Whether you’re looking for some wheels or a flight, you can find a way to get to your destination here.

Get Your Guide | Find local attractions and tours and book tickets to your excursions.

TSA | If you’re flying, check out the TSA page to make sure that you pack to TSA regulations.

Arizona Travel Guides :

Only staying in Pheonix for a day? Check out my 24-hours in Phoenix Itinerary .

Visiting Sedona? You might want to check out my Day Trip to Sedona Guide to help jumpstart your itinerary.

Need help figuring out what to pack? Here is my Arizona Packing List Essentials for Every Time Of Year Packing Guide.

Click Here to see more from the Adventuring Dreamers Resources.

Looking for more hikes in the Phoenix area? Check out these 9 Hidden, Little-Known Hikes in Phoenix .

Interested in spending more time in sedona i highly recommend checking out amitabha stupa and peace park , one of my favorite sedona hidden treasures. , are you visiting phoenix with your significant other here are 17 date ideas in phoenix that are great for locals or visitors., you might also enjoy:.

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Ultimate Arizona Road Trip: Complete 7 Day Itinerary with 50+ Stops

If you are looking for the ultimate Arizona itinerary look no further. This post is the complete itinerary that we used for the most recent YouTube video. You can see the video above or at this link if you want to watch it. In the video, we spend about a week road tripping across Arizona, from the very top at Page, all the way down to the bottom at Bisbee. Hopefully the video and post help you to do your own road trip and to see this amazing state yourself. If you want all of the places we stopped at on a map, head over the Patreon . Lets jump into it and let me know what your favorite spot is in Arizona in the comments.

Where to Begin

If you are wanting to fly in, the best bet is probably Phoenix . It is centrally located and easy to access the start and the end of the road trip. If you fly into Phoenix , the drive to Page to start what we did is about 4 hours though. Alternatively, you could fly into Las Vegas , but it is a much longer drive to get back to Las Vegas after the road trips is over. If you did fly into Las Vegas , it may be best to fly out of Phoenix to make the most of your time.

If you live close enough to drive, then just head to Page first and drive down the state and leave from Tucson to head back. This is what we did, we drove in from Southern California to Page and then drove through the state and back out through Yuma to Southern California when the trip was over.

After deciding where to come in, here is the full itinerary for what we did in our road trip video.

We drove from Southern California to Page, which is about 8.5 hours. We actually got in the day before and then did the Rainbow Bridge tour before starting our road trip. You can read more about that tour, if you have time to do it, in this post .

Start – Page, AZ
End – Grand Canyon South Rim
Drive time – 2.5 hours (130 Miles)
Hotel in Page – Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell
Hotel in Grand Canyon – El Tovar
Main Stops – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Cameron Trading Post, Grand Canyon South Rim

We started the day early by taking the first tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. While this did not have the light rays the canyon is known for, it was a small tour and an amazing way to experience the canyon. From there we headed to the Glen Canyon Overlook, Horseshoe Bend and then started driving to the Grand Canyon. On the way we stopped for lunch at Cameron Trading Post (get the Navajo Tacos).

We spent the rest of the day in the Grand Canyon. Be sure to stop at the Desert View Watchtower, and many of the other lookouts along the drive to Grand Canyon Village. In the village, you can walk the south rim, go on a few hikes or just enjoy the views from Mather Point.

We ended the night at the historic El Tovar Hotel, which was built in 1905 and is one of the most historic hotels in the national park system.

Start – Grand Canyon Village
End – Camp Verde (could end in Jerome or Sedona though)
Drive time – 3.5 hours (165 Miles)
Hotel in Camp Verde – Cliff Castle
Main Stops – Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome

We left the Grand Canyon early and headed south. On the way we stopped at Bedrock City to explore the fun Flintstones inspired park and then we headed past Flagstaff to Sedona. In Sedona, we hiked Cathedral Rock, went to the Chapel of Holy Cross, got lunch at Wildflower and then took in the views at Airport Mesa.

Leaving Sedona, we drove an hour to Jerome and toured the historic mining city on the hill. Some highlights here include the state park, the sliding jail and Haunted Burgers for dinner.

We ended the night at Camp Verde so we could be closer to our first location for day 3.

Start – Camp Verde (could end in Jerome or Sedona though)
End – Tucson
Drive time – 3.5 hours (214 Miles)
Hotel in Tucson – Hotel Congress
Main Stops – Musical Instrument Museum, Hole in the Rock Hike, Casa Grande Ruins

Since we stayed in Camp Verde, we were right next to our first stop, Montezuma Castle National Monument. This beautiful cliff dwelling is something you do not want to miss! From there we headed south and stopped for pie at Rock Springs before heading into Phoenix. The original plan was to go to Taliesin West but it was closed for flooding, so we ended up going to a bunch of museums.

First up was the Musical Instrument Museum, one of the best I have ever been to. From there we got lunch at Spiritual Gangster and then did a short hike in Papago Park before heading over to the Hall of Flame Museum (the largest firefighting museum in the world).

We grabbed coffee at Cartel before heading south towards Tucson and getting off the freeway to go to Casa Grande National Monument. This building is almost 700 years old and is well worth seeing!

We ended the day at Tucson, staying at the historic Hotel Congress and getting dinner at El Charro Cafe, which is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the USA.

Start – Tucson
End – Tombstone
Drive time – 2 hours (120 Miles)
Hotel in Tombstone – Tombstone Grand Hotel
Main Stops – Copper Queen Mine, OK Corral, Birdcage Theater

Leaving Tucson early, we headed 1.5 hours down to the small town of Bisbee, close to the Mexican border. Here we did the Copper Queen Mine tour, which allowed you to ride a mine cart into the mine itself. From there we walked historic Bisbee, went to a few museums and then continued on to Tombstone.

We spent the rest of the day in Tombstone, walking the dirt streets and stopping to see the Oriental Saloon, OK Corral, Birdcage Theater, Good Enough Mine Tour, Rose Tree Museum and the Tombstone Courthouse. It was a blast exploring this fun town and we ended the night with dinner at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon (get the cowboy cheesesteak).

Start – Tombstone
End – Yuma (or just back to Phoenix)
Drive time – 4.5 hours to Yuma, 3 hours to Phoenix
Main Stops – The Thing, Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Gates Pass, Rooster Cogburns

On the way out of Tombstone, we stopped at the historic Boothill Cemetery, since we had missed it the previous day. From there, we drove 30 minutes back to Benson and took a 15 minute detour over to The Thing, a fun roadside attraction.

Next, we drove back to Tucson and visited Mission San Xavier Del Bac, before getting Sonoran Hot Dogs at El Guero Canelo and getting an Eegee’s slushy for the road. Leaving Tucson, we headed towards Saguaro National Park with a stop at Gates Pass (my favorite desert view in Tucson) and a visit to the Sonoran Desert Museum. The museum is easily a place you could spend a half day, and be sure to see the rare crested saguaro right near the entrance.

Leaving the museum, we drove through Saguaro National Park (find more stops in the park here) and then made it back to the freeway. Our next stop brought us to Rooster Cogburn, which is a silly roadside attraction where you can feed all sorts of animals, from goats to stingrays.

From there, you will probably want to head back to Phoenix, but for us we headed to Yuma on the way back to Southern Califronia.

Optional Day 6 in Yuma

If you go to Yuma, be sure to stop by Cafecito for breakfast, it was a great spot! Then go to the Yuma Territorial Prison and to the Colorado River State Historic Park. If you are up for another silly roadside attraction, head ten minutes over the California border and go to the Center of the World in Felicity.

So there you have it, our one week road trip through Arizona. This is only a small portion of what the state has to offer and be sure to let us know what we left off in the comments!

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Hello, my name is Josh and I am a photographer and traveler. Come with me as I find new and unique places to explore all over the world.

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One Week Arizona Itinerary: 7 Days of Fun Adventures

January 11, 2021

Arizona has a ton of natural wonders and spectacular outdoor sites to see. The following one week Arizona itinerary hits several of the main cities and sites of interest. There are so many options for an Arizona road trip, you cannot go wrong with whatever path you choose. Arizona is a fantastic place for a spring break vacation, especially for teachers on a budget due to the many free and cheap things to do in Arizona.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!

Table of Contents

History of Arizona

Arizona was once home to many Native American tribes such as the Hohokam and Ancestral Pueblans. They lived in the area for thousands of years until the Spanish took over the area. Throughout the years, they were booted from their land and the Spanish dominated the area.

Eventually, the land became independent from Spain and became Mexico. The land was eventually acquired by the United States with the Gadsden Purchase. After a time, it eventually became the Arizona Territory.

In the 1870s gold and silver were discovered in Arizona, which caused a flood of people to the area. The early 1900s saw several Revolutions in the area. On February 14, 1912, Arizona officially became a state. Since then people tend to visit Arizona for a relaxing escape, outdoor adventures, and more recently, for wine tasting. All of these make for the perfect one week Arizona itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Arizona

My favorite time to spend one week in Arizona is during the wintertime. However, keep in mind a lot of people usually visit during the wintertime so prices may be higher. Book early to save money! I refuse to visit in the summertime as it is way too hot and dry for me. Fall and spring are also usually pleasant.

How to Get to Arizona

Arizona has several main airports: Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. You can also opt to fly into Las Vegas and drive to Northern Arizona from there. Phoenix will most likely have the cheapest flights within Arizona. I typically find flights for around $150 from California to Phoenix. Opt to rent a car from Autoslash to find the best price to get your around Arizona.

Day 1: Las Vegas or Flagstaff to Tusayon, Arizona

Drive Time: 4 hours from Las Vegas, 1 hour from Flagstaff.

Costs: Free to $15 depending on activity choices.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon

Start your one week Arizona itinerary by flying into Las Vegas or Flagstaff. If you fly into Las Vegas, it will be a 4-hour drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim. From Flagstaff, it is a little over an hour’s drive. Opt to spend the night in Tusayan, which is 5 minutes away from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Holiday Inn Express is a reasonable and nice hotel to stay at in Tusayan.

Depending on the time of your flight, you may have the opportunity to explore Las Vegas or Flagstaff. In Las Vegas, make sure to walk the strip, and grab a drink at the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan. The Neon Museum and the Mandalay Bay Aquarium are also fun places to visit. Also, stop and take a picture at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign or head over to the 7 Magic Mountains art installation. If you have more time, opt to spend at least two days exploring Las Vegas.

Along the way to Tusayan, you can also stop in Kingman, located along the historic Route 66. This area has a ton of murals and cool Route 66-esque signs that are perfect for photo ops. There is even a historic Route 66 Museum and a Railway Museum. Kingman also offers several breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

If you choose to fly into Flagstaff, there are many things you can do there to keep you busy as well. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and the San Francisco Peaks offer some cool hikes to go on. Flagstaff also offers a historic downtown filled with many awesome bars, restaurants, and breweries. The Museum of Northern Arizona is also another popular stop in Flagstaff. Wupatki National Monument offers a peek into some Native American ruins.

Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim

Cost: $25/car or free with The America the Beautiful Pass

Today, spend the day at the Grand Canyon National Park : South Rim. If you are up for a challenge, hike the Bright Angel trail into the Grand Canyon. The short version is a 3-mile round trip hike. The Bright Angel Trail offers the most amazing views of the Grand Canyon and it is quite the experience to hike into the canyon. Later in the afternoon, you can also check out many of the viewpoints of the Grand Canyon along the Hermit’s Rest Route. Make sure to catch either the sunrise or sunset (or both) along the canyon! The Grand Canyon will be the highlight of any one week Arizona itinerary.

Day 3: Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona

A view of the Grand Canyon, South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail.

Drive Time: 3.5 hours

Costs: $25/car Lake Powell Entrance or free with The America the Beautiful Pass

Hotel: Best Western Lake Powell or Courtyard Lake Powell

Opt to spend some time in the morning catching your last views of the Grand Canyon, and then head out to Page. Page, Arizona is a smaller town in Northeastern Arizona that has some gorgeous outdoor sites. Page is a spectacular addition to a one week Arizona itinerary. This afternoon, spend some time relaxing on the shores of Lake Powell. The water is gorgeous and there are plenty of spots just to chill and relax. Grab dinner at Birdhouse, a scrumptious local fried chicken place.

Day 4: Page/Monument Valley

Costs: $50 Antelope Canyon Tour, $10 Horseshoe Bend Parking

Page, Arizona is such a fun area to explore and perfect for a girl’s trip. Start the morning with a tour of Antelope Canyon. After, grab some lunch at one of the many delicious local restaurants such as Big John’s BBQ. Then, head over to Horseshoe Bend to check out this big curve of the Colorado River. The lookout is just a short hike from the parking lot and there are tons of places to take amazing photos around Horseshoe Bend.

If you have more time, you can also use this day to take a drive to add Monument Valley to your one week Arizona itinerary. It is about a 2-hour drive each way. Monument Valley is a desert region on the border of Arizona and Utah with iconic sandstone buttes. It is run by the Navajo. You can opt to take a tour or do a self-drive around the park.

*Note you could also do all of the Page sites on Day 3, opt to visit Monument Valley on Day 4, and skip Lake Powell.

Day 5: Page to Sedona, Arizona

A view of a couple in Sedona on Devil's Bridge.

Drive Time: 3 hours

Costs: Free

Hotel: Hampton Inn Sedona

In the morning, drive to Sedona, Arizona, and plan to arrive by lunchtime. Sedona is a perfect addition to a one week Arizona itinerary for people who love hiking and the outdoors. Downtown Sedona offers a ton of cute options to eat at.

After lunch, head out on the 4-mile Devil’s Bridge hike. This hike takes you to a large natural sandstone arch. The hike out to the bridge is relatively easy. The last part ascends about 400 feet and you will have to climb quite a few rocks to get up to the bridge. Make sure to have shoes with good traction. Next, you can opt to do another iconic hike, Cathedral Rock, or if you are tired, head into Sedona to grab some lunch.

After lunch, head to the Cottonwood area for some wine tasting. Page Springs Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, and Alcantara Vineyards and Winery are popular wine tasting stops. Wine tastings cost around $10 a tasting. Tonight, grab dinner in Downtown Cottonwood at COLT 805 Grill. This restaurant has the most amazing barbecue and it is not expensive.

Day 6: Sedona to Scottsdale, Arizona

A glass of wine at Merkin Vineyards in Scotttsdale.

Drive Time: 2 hours

Costs: Free and Up

Hotel: Hampton Inn Scottsdale

This morning, drive from Sedona to Scottsdale. Located just east of Phoenix, Scottsdale is a great place to go to relax as part of a one week Arizona itinerary. It is home to many gorgeous resorts and golf courses. The Downtown area has adorable 1920s style buildings full of cute shops and delicious restaurants. Stop at Merkin Vineyards tasting room to try out some Arizona wine and grab a bite to eat. You can also take a self-guided public art walking tour and check out the interesting pieces of art downtown.

If interested in hiking, head a little north to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The trails range from easy to strenuous, so there are hikes for all levels. History lovers should visit the Museum of the West, which covers the history of the area. Architecture fans can visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s old home Taliesin West and take a 90-minute tour.

You can also opt to choose a nice resort to stay at and spend time relaxing at the resort. Many of the resorts have nice spas attached to them. Make sure to check Groupon or TravelZoo as they often have great deals for Scottsdale resorts.

Day 7: Scottsdale to Phoenix, Arizona

A woman walking along a path in the desert overlooking Phoenix.

Drive Time: 30 minutes

Costs: Free to $25

Hotel: Hampton Inn Phoenix Downtown

Today, opt to spend the day exploring the Phoenix area. Phoenix contains tons of things to do for every type of traveler and should be part of anyone week Arizona itinerary. Start the day with a hike in Papago Park or Dobbins Lookout. Then, grab a delicious breakfast at the Morning Glory Cafe. This cute cafe is located on a farm and served farm-fresh entrees. If visiting in February or March, opt to spend some time at the Cactus League Spring Training. You can also opt to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens or the Musical Instrument Museum. Grab dinner at the Vig or Pomo Pizzeria for some delicious bites to eat.

*Note: If you prefer, you can opt to spend the previous night in Phoenix and make a day trip to Scottsdale, or opt to stay in Scottsdale and make a day trip to Phoenix.

Day 8: Fly home from Phoenix

Today, wrap up the final day of your one week Arizona itinerary with a delicious breakfast from one of the many amazing places in Phoenix. Depending on what time your flight is, you may have time to hit up a couple more of the Phoenix attractions.

More Than One Week in Arizona?

If you have more time than one week in Arizona, add on a trip to Tucson . I recommend spending at least two nights exploring Tucson, especially if you want to visit Saguaro National Park or the wine-tasting region of Willcox, Arizona . You could also skip Scottsdale to add in Tucson or Prescott. If interested in a big adventure, opt to visit Havasupai Falls, which takes a minimum of 3 days.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah and Arizona Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

Final Thoughts on One Week in Arizona

Interested in other Arizona road trip ideas? Check out this post for some awesome ideas for road-tripping around Arizona. If you have more time, opt to head to California for a week or head to Utah to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. You could also head east to Albuquerque, New Mexico , and White Sands National Park .

This one week Arizona itinerary hits many of the main cities and sites of interest. From the Grand Canyon to Saguaro National Park, Sedona, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Prescott, Tuscon, Page, Cottonwood, and Phoenix, there are endless options for your Arizona road trip. #phoenix #page #flagstaff #grandcanyon #sedona #winetasting #monumentvalley

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6 thoughts on “One Week Arizona Itinerary: 7 Days of Fun Adventures”

Ah!! This is so awesome! I love this compilation– I’m hoping to do a big road trip out west this fall or the following so I will definitely be referring back to this when I begin mapping it out!

I had no idea that there were so many beautiful places to visit in Arizona. Thanks for the great itinerary, we’ll be adding this one to our road trip list!

It is on my bucket list to visit the Grand Canyon and WOW there are so many gorgeous places near by! It looks like an incredible trip and I am excited to visit one day!

Wow, I’ve always had the Grand Canyon on my bucket list but Monument Valley looks breath-taking! I had always planned to visit the Grand Canyon on a trip from L.A. to Vegas then the Grand Canyon, but it looks like I could definitely spend longer in the area with so many things to see and do. Thanks for the great guide!

Such an amazing road trip – it’s such a scenic part of the US! I’ve visited and loved the Grand Canyon and Page, but would love to explore Moniment Valley and Sedona.

I have been wanting to visit Sedona for so long! This might be the year I make it. Such great photos and it makes me want to visit every place you mentioned. Such a great post! Pinning so I have this guide when I do visit these places.

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Hi! I’m Francesca, a native Californian and history teacher who loves to travel. I’ve been to 66 countries across 7 continents and all 50 United States.

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2 Days in Phoenix: How to Plan a Perfect Weekend In Phoenix

Phoenix was a pleasant surprise for us. We drove from Death Valley to Phoenix to start off our Arizona road trip , and Phoenix was more of a starting point than a place we were excited about. While it’s not our favorite city in the world – mostly because it’s not really walkable – we loved the unique combination of good food and drinks and amazing desert landscapes just outside of the city center.

If your idea of a weekend getaway includes near-perfect weather (outside of summer), a bunch of nice hikes right outside of the city, and plenty of spots to grab brunch and post-hike drinks, you’re going to love spending a weekend in Phoenix.

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and home to over 4.5M people. With more than 299 days of sunshine per year, Phoenix is thriving with year round events and unique outdoor activities. Plus, it’s a sought-after destination for any foodie in search of some southwest flair.

Phoenix is a rapidly growing city, but it’s situated in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Visiting Phoenix gives you the opportunity to see a wide variety of cacti, plants and animals native only to this region. Not to mention, it presents some of the greatest sunsets we’ve ever seen.

In this city guide, we’ll walk you through a complete itinerary for 2 days in Phoenix. You’ll learn about exciting activities – let’s be honest, mostly awesome hikes – and drool-worthy (gluten-free!) spots to eat and drink.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

Wondering where to stay in Phoenix? Depending on your travel style and needs, there are multiple hot spots to consider. The entire city is covered with hotels and resorts of all price ranges.

To fully enjoy a trip to Phoenix, we recommend finding a hotel with a great pool. The hot temperatures inspired local resorts to invest in world-class pools with swim up bars, water slides and even lazy rivers.

Here are three Phoenix neighborhoods that we recommend staying in. You’ll find cool perks to each.

Just north of Downtown Phoenix, the Uptown district is up and coming. It’s only a few minutes to the downtown area but it’s more residential and offers a quieter atmosphere. Plus, the nearby Arizona 51 freeway opens up the rest of the valley to you.

Uptown is centralized around the Historic District that ranges from historic residences to luxury mansions. This neighborhood is a foodie’s dream since the area has a long list of independent restaurants and bars.

To stay, we recommend Rise Uptown – our dream hotel! It’s a fresh mix of modern and comfort, while its rooftop bar and pool is the perfect place to take in an Arizona sunset. We walked by it on a walk to get coffee, and I said “what is THAT place?” It’s the perfect home base for exploring Phoenix, we think.

There’s nothing like staying in the beating heart of a city. Downtown Phoenix is thriving with busy nightclubs, top restaurants, and multiple venues that host sporting events, comedy shows, and concerts year round.

Over the past decade or two, the city has worked hard to restore the downtown area. It’s a safe and fun place to stay. There aren’t many skyscrapers in Phoenix, but the few that do exist are here.

Hotels in Downtown Phoenix that you should check out would be the Kimpton Palomar (love Kimpton hotels in general), Found:RE Phoenix (a gorgeous boutique hotel), and the Cambria Hotel .

If you’re craving luxury, settle down in Scottsdale. Located just 20 minutes northeast of Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale is appealing for its resort-like living. Its spacious roads have more sports cars than you can count and as “ The World’s Finest Golf Destination ,” there are 200+ golf courses within this city’s limits.

Scottsdale’s historic district, called Old Town Scottsdale , is a time capsule of the Wild West by day and a nightlife hub by night. With countless bars and restaurants, you’re bound to please any palette in Scottsdale.

If you want an Instagrammable hotel, check out The Saguaro Scottsdale located in the heart of Old Town. For an incredible day by the pool, complete with a water park, try the Westin Kierland that’s a few minutes further north.

A Weekend in Phoenix: Complete 2-Day Itinerary

For an unforgettable trip to Phoenix, here’s a 2-day plan to help guide your stay.

Curious what to pack for your trip? Be sure to bring clothing that’s comfortable to sweat in. You’re bound to experience lots of sunshine, so pack hats, sunglasses, and plenty of sun protective SPF! Don’t forget a swim suit since nearly every hotel (and house) in Phoenix has a pool.

Whatever your time in Phoenix consists of, make it a point to drink plenty of water. It’s hot, and it’s a well-known fact that a lot of tourists experience dehydration due to the unfamiliar dry heat.

Friday Night

If you arrive in Phoenix on a Friday night, there’s no reason to wait until tomorrow to kick off your trip. Take advantage of the Friday night lights and explore Downtown Phoenix.

Take your time and settle into your hotel. Check out the place, freshen up, then the real fun can begin.

A great place to enjoy your first evening in Phoenix is right in the downtown area. This district has plenty to choose for dinner, drinks and entertainment.

For a night cap, we recommend Bitter and Twisted . It’s a stylish bar housed inside the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters. The beautiful historic building offers a speakeasy vibe, but the mixology inspired cocktail menu (or should we say book) will keep you busy all night long.

For an adventure, head over to The Duce . This converted vintage boxing gym turned bar offers live entertainment and bar games like ping pong and foosball. They have a packed calendar of live entertainment where bands and performers play from inside the old boxing ring! It’s truly a one-of-a-kind bar.

Your first full day in Phoenix should be dedicated to the natural beauty that Arizona has to offer. You don’t even need to leave the city limits to experience it!

Start with an early hike – and we stress early . It’s necessary to beat the inevitable Arizona heat that comes with the sun.

Camelback Mountain

Located right in the middle of the Phoenix is Camelback Mountain. Once you climb to the summit, you’ll witness 360 degree panoramic views of the entire valley. Along the way, you’ll climb over boulders and have fun trekking one of two epic trails.

There are two trails that lead up the mountain: Echo Canyon and Cholla Trail. Both routes lead to the same summit, so you can go up one trail and down the other!

Echo Canyon is more intense since it involves stairs and some rails to climb steep mountain faces. This 2.5 mile out and back hike covers 1,414 feet of elevation.

Cholla Trail is enjoyable for any level hiker with its more gradual climb up the mountain via a groomed path. This up and back path is 2.6 miles and climbs an elevation of 1,204 feet.

Another trail to check out is Tom’s Thumb located in northern Scottsdale. This 4.9 mile excursion climbs 1,374 feet of elevation and ends at a lookout point. Tom’s Thumb winds through the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve , so you’re bound to come across desert wildlife and plenty of flowering cacti. Just watch out for rattlesnakes!

Uptown Farmers Market

After the hike, cool down at the Uptown Farmers Market . If you enjoy unique products and fresh produce, you’ll fall in love. It’s fun to work through the huge maze of local vendors.

At the market, be sure to stop by Sunny Batters , a local gluten free bakery. To wash down your breakfast, try All About the Booch , a local kombucha stand. If you can’t go without a cup of joe, check out Cartel Coffee Lab , a Phoenix favorite.

Your afternoon destination is Papago Park , a beautiful park in the heart of Phoenix. Its distinctive rock formations are a beautiful site to explore. Papago is a go-to destination for mountain bikers, rock climbers, or hikers looking to admire the desert landscape in town.

Desert Botanical Garden

Next door, you’ll find the Desert Botanical Garden . This 140-acre garden is home to thousands of desert species of plants, proving the desert isn’t just brown rocks!

You’ll see cacti that look out of this world, learn about the indigenous tribes of the area, and uncover more of Arizona’s natural history. The Desert Botanical Garden often has art exhibits so you can also take in one-of-a-kind installations as you walk the grounds.

Don’t leave without checking out their Butterfly Pavilion . This 3,200 square foot open air enclosure is a nursery and home to thousands of live butterflies that visitors get to interact with!

The garden’s hours are flexible as it’s open from 7am until 8pm. General Admission is $24.95 and a reservation may be required depending on the season. Our advice? Book your tickets in advance just to be safe!

Sunset at the Hole in the Rock

As the evening approaches, catch the sunset at, or should we say “in,” the Hole in the Rock . It’s a rock formation at Papago Park that provides an unforgettable sunset view of Downtown Phoenix with a desert oasis below. For any aspiring photographer, it presents an incredible opportunity for a cool shot.

It requires a short hike to get to the Hole in the Rock, but the trek is only 0.3 miles and consists of a few steps. The park gate closes at 7pm, so plan your arrival accordingly. The closest parking is at 625 N. Galvin Parkway, but there are multiple other nearby lots if it’s busy.

A day of hiking and exploring Phoenix deserves a reward.

Dinner at Tru Tacos

What’s better than tacos? Tru Tacos takes it up a notch with their locally sourced menu and gluten free options (it’s 100% gluten free!). You can count on tasty tacos, loaded fries, and of course, margaritas. They offer a seasonal margarita, so try to score a jalapeno peach or pink mango if you can.

Get the loaded fries and the rajas taco. And the calabacitas. And the loaded lote – a delectable combination of corn, adobo mayo, and cotija cheese.

Drinks at the Biltmore

After dinner, you can seek out a one-of-a-kind cocktail from MercBar . Located 12 minutes from Tru Tacos and across the street from the famous Biltmore Fashion Park , MercBar offers a sultry atmosphere and new level of sophistication with its mixology.

To take in the city lights, enjoy your next drink at Upstairs at Flint . In the same center as MercBar, this rooftop bar offers an elevated vintage atmosphere. It’s no surprise that this bar has won multiple awards for its creative menu.

Sunday: Brunch and Scottsdale

If Saturday is for activity, Sunday is for pleasure. Today is all about experiencing the fun, fancy southwest flair that Scottsdale can offer.

What’s a lazy Sunday morning without coffee and brunch? For a special cup, these are our favorite cafes.

Coffee at Lux Central

Lux Central is cute and charming and everything you want from a cafe. You’ll come in for coffee and spend hours enjoying the relaxing, hipster atmosphere. Attracting many of the valley’s creatives, Lux is a go-to coffee spot for those wanting a cozy, artistic getaway.

Brunch at Jewel’s Cafe

Time for Sunday Brunch! Jewel’s Cafe is a gem and, of course, it’s 100% gluten free. Take it from us, get the Chicken and Waffles or the Fried Chicken Sandwich. On the side, you’ll definitely want to try the Donut Holes.

Shopping at La Grande Orange

One of my favorite things to do in a new city, to Alysha’s despair, is to explore ALL the grocery stores. And this is the best one.

La Grande Orange is a hidden secret of Phoenix. Located in the scenic Arcadia district, LGO (as the local’s call it), is a charming cafe known for its great coffee. Plus, it’s a mini-grocery too making it a great place to pick up some Arizona-based products.

After brunch is a great time to enjoy a Sunday drive up to Scottsdale. There are plenty of public parking lots surrounding the district, otherwise you can easily park at the centrally located Fashion Square Mall .

Explore Old Town Scottsdale

Stroll through Old Town Scottsdale to tour the historic district and get a taste of the Wild West. From restored cowboy bars to art galleries to trendy restaurants, Old Town is a lovely place to wander around for an afternoon. At night, it transforms into a thriving clubbing district.

Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor

How about some ice cream to beat the Arizona heat? Since 1958, the Sugar Bowl has been making ice cream, floats and other sweet treats. The vintage parlor is like entering a time capsule and is a true historic preservation to be admired.

Visit the SMoCA

If you’re a fan of art, find time to visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art , or SMoCA. Located in central Old Town Scottsdale, this beautifully landscaped park and indoor museum offers the best in contemporary art, architecture and design from around the world.

Happy Hour at Toca Madera

To round out your 2 days in Phoenix, go out with a bang at Toca Madera . This sensory experience restaurant is unrivaled. Think belly dancers, craft tequila, and live DJ beats. Order the flaming Ghost Rider margarita for a show of flaming sparks.

Additional Things to Do in Scottsdale

If you have some extra time in Scottsdale, here are a few other noteworthy cafes, restaurants, and attractions in the area.

Sip Coffee House – They even have Salsa dancing sessions and open mic nights.
Citizen Public House – Try one of their barrel-aged cocktails.
OdySea Aquarium – Who knew you could see dolphins in the middle of the desert?
iFly Indoor Skydiving – A thrilling way to get out of the Arizona heat.
Top Golf – A fun activity, even for non-golfers.

What to Add with a Third Day in Phoenix

Do you have 3 days in Phoenix? You’re in luck. With a long weekend in Phoenix, you can squeeze in even more gorgeous desert landscapes, which is our favorite part about Arizona.

We spent a night at Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains , and it was amazing. It’s just an hour east of Phoenix, which makes for a perfect day trip.

Morning

You won’t regret a second hike in the Sonoran Desert. For round two, we recommend heading out to Lost Dutchman State Park . Located in the Superstition Wilderness, this state park offers plenty of hiking trails for all hiking levels. Here are our top three recommendations.

Flatiron (via Siphon Draw): Want a challenge? This is your trail. Flatiron is a 5.5 mile long trail that covers 2,641 feet of elevation. It’s classified as difficult, but you’ll enjoy a plethora of wild flowers on the way!

Treasure Loop (via Siphon Draw): If you’re searching for an easier route, take the Treasure Loop instead. This 3-mile loop only experiences 570 feet of elevation and is classified with a moderate difficulty. You’ll enjoy many of the same beautiful sights as Flatiron.

Fremont Saddle / Peralta Canyon: Fremont Saddle isn’t within the Lost Dutchman State Park, but it’s only 15 minutes further away. It’s one of the most popular trails in the area because of the gorgeous view of the Weaver’s Needle rock formation from the top. It’s a gentle, but non-stop, uphill hike. The way out is a challenge, but the way home is easier. It’s 4.6 miles long and covers 1,341 feet of elevation, mostly near the end.

While you’re east of Phoenix, take advantage of visiting Tortilla Flat , a true old west town. It’s a historic landmark and one of the last surviving stagecoach stops in the southwest.

Nearby, you’ll find Canyon Lake . It’s one of the most beautiful lakes in the state since it winds through – you guessed it – canyons! You can rent a boat or enjoy its scenic sights swimming from shore.

In the same area, you can also find horse rentals. What better way to explore the desert than like a true cowboy? Superstitions O.K. Corral Stables does guided group tours through the same picturesque Superstition Mountains.

On your way back into Phoenix, stop in Mesa for two of our favorite finds on our entire trip.

The first is Intentional Foods Cafe , which is a super allergen-friendly restaurant that is 100% gluten free. Get the loaded fries and donuts. If you’re traveling with anyone who has food allergies (I have Celiac Disease and need to eat gluten free), then you NEED to stop here. No peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, gluten, seafood, soy, or sesame in the facility.

The other place worth stopping is Cider Corps , the first cider taproom in Arizona. We enjoyed their patio, though they have an indoor space that is air conditioned for those scorching summer days. Their cider is good, and they have some cool cider slushies that are worth trying post-hike. You know, for recovery.

What to Add with Extra Time in Phoenix

If you have an extra day or two in Phoenix beyond 3 days, here are 7 fun things to add on to your trip.

Take in the gorgeous southwest scenery while floating down a river. Salt River Tubing offers tube rides that last two or four hours. This scenic river winds through the local indian reservation and takes you over a few tiny rapids. It’s fun and relaxing. If you’re lucky, you may even see the herd of wild horses known to frequent the area!

Pro tip: bring a cheap bed sheet or towel to drape over your tube. The black inner tube float gets hot in the Arizona sun.

Taliesin West

Whether you’re a fan of architecture or not, this museum is a must see. Frank Lloyd Wright, a world-renowned architect, has his legacy live on through Taliesin West , his former home converted into a breath-taking museum. It’s located in North Scottsdale.

Heard Museum

If you’re curious to learn more about Native American art, this is your spot. The unique Heard Museum is “advancing American Indian art” through its installations. Founded in 1929, the museum has become internationally recognized for the quality of its world-class exhibitions, educational opportunities and unmatched, year round festivals.

Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum has something for every art-lover. Their permanent and traveling exhibitions cover haute couture fashion to old master paintings to contemporary art. The museum houses over 20,000 different pieces and is a venue for many exciting events and concerts.

You can escape the heat by driving north to Flagstaff . Located about 1.5 hours from Phoenix, Flagstaff offers cooler temperatures, pine trees and plenty of gorgeous hiking trails. You can hike Humphry’s Peak , the highest point in Arizona. In winter, you can ski it!

Only two hours from Phoenix, Sedona is one for the bucket list. We highly recommend spending a night in Sedona, but you can do it as a long day trip if you’re pressed for time. Its Red Rocks are truly stunning and its fun, spiritual activities help take in the sights. Visit the local vortices, drink at the wineries in the Verde Valley , or take a famous Pink Jeep Tour . There’s some amazing hiking in Sedona , and we loved the West Fork of Oak Creek and Boynton Canyon.

Grand Canyon

Arizona is called The Grand Canyon state, after all. Visiting The Grand Canyon is an incredible way to finish a trip in Phoenix. You can reach some of its most scenic lookouts in a four hour drive from Phoenix, so you’ll want at least two to three days to go there and back.

The Best Time to Visit Phoenix

Because of its warm, sunny climate, Phoenix is enjoyable year round. Except maybe in the summer.

However, there are some details to know about each season.

Most Phoenicians would agree that spring is the best time to Phoenix, Arizona. Why? The social calendar!

The spring brings about most of Phoenix’s big events like The Cactus League Spring Training hosting 15 MLB teams and the Phoenix Open golf tournament . Don’t forget the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction , the Bentley Polo Party or the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show .

We were in Phoenix in the springtime, and it was mid-80s, which is the perfect temperature, really. It’s nice in the morning and evening, and warm during the day, but not melt-your-face off warm.

Phoenix’s mild spring temperatures are pleasant enough for warm pool days but still cool enough to spend all day outdoors. You’ll also get to witness the desert’s spring bloom with plenty of wildflowers and cactus flowers.

The only downside to a trip to Phoenix during spring is the large influx of other visitors. You may pay premium hotel rates or struggle for certain hotspot dining reservations.

Summer in Phoenix is hellaciously hot, but it’s a wonderful time to enjoy the valley’s ample indoor activities. Phoenix has mastered bringing traditionally outdoor activities inside. You can try indoor skydiving, high end movie theaters, and more. Otherwise, the nearby lakes provide a cooler playground for water sports, fishing or boating.

Autumn in Phoenix is a lovely time to visit. Similar to spring, the fall yields mild enough temperatures to enjoy a wide range of hobbies. Phoenix has a fun social calendar with Oktoberfests and Halloween events, yet locals can enjoy less busy streets.

Winter in Phoenix has become an escape for many. November through February, one can expect to see plenty of license plates from colder, northern states (even Canada). Arizona’s warmer winters mean year-round golfing, patio dining, and more.

Getting to Phoenix

Coming into Phoenix for a weekend is simple thanks to Sky Harbor International Airport , the state’s largest airport. This four-terminal airport is easy to navigate and located right in central Phoenix. It’s also populated with trendy restaurants and bars so any layover – or flight delay – is a pleasure.

Sky Harbor (airport code PHX) supports 20 airlines and acts as a hub for American Airlines and a base for Southwest. With plenty of reasonable flight connections and destinations, Phoenix is a convenient city to travel to. There are multiple smaller airports scattered throughout the Phoenix area, but they’re mostly used for private jets.

Once you land, you’ll likely need a car to get to your accommodation. Thankfully, there are plenty of taxis and many hotels offer complimentary shuttle service.

Otherwise, Uber and Lyft make it simple to get to and from the airport too. If you’re staying in Tempe or Downtown Phoenix, you can take advantage of the Valley Metro , but it has a limited route for other destinations (more on that later).

Getting Around Phoenix

Phoenix is 517 square miles so saddle up for a bit of commuting. However, thanks to the city’s grid planning and multiple highways, it’s a breeze to navigate and easy to cover lots of ground.

Should You Rent a Car?

In short: YES. To get the most out of your time in Phoenix, having the freedom of a car is highly recommended. Locals joke that “everything is 20 minutes away,” and it truly seems that way.

We like to think about Phoenix as one never-ending strip mall. Every block or two there’s a strip of local businesses – bars, restaurants, shops – all organized in a series of strip malls. That means you’re going to need a car. When you get to where you’re going, we found that parking is rarely an issue.

Please note, Arizona has extremely strict drinking and driving laws. It’s a non-tolerance state. We suggest driving during the day to maximize your time, then considering another method when it’s time for happy hour! Rideshare apps are the way to go in Phoenix if your’re planning on hitting happy hour.

Public Transit

Honestly, there isn’t much public transportation in Phoenix. There are city buses, but a 20 minute journey by car can take hours by bus.

The Valley Metro is the city’s only light rail system. It stretches from Mesa into Downtown Phoenix covering 28 miles. For $2/ride, it’s an economic option, but the track is limited. Don’t expect to see all of Phoenix from the light rail. The ride from Mesa to Downtown Phoenix is about 40 minutes, compared to a 20 minute drive.

However, to cut down on driving costs, Valley Metro offers convenient Park-and-Rides. For example, let’s say you’re commuting into downtown for a sports game like the Arizona Diamondbacks or Phoenix Suns. Drive to a Park-and-Ride, then hop off directly in front of the stadiums in downtown Phoenix.

Ridesharing

If you don’t want to rent a car, ridesharing is extremely reliable in Phoenix.

With plenty of drivers between Lyft and Uber, ridesharing is generally quick and reasonably priced. Phoenix has embraced Lyft and Uber so many venues and public areas have designated areas for pickup.

I hope you have an amazing time visiting Phoenix. If you follow this 2 day Phoenix itinerary, you’re bound to have an unforgettable time.

More Arizona + Utah Travel Guides

If you liked this guide, you’re going to love our other Arizona and Utah travel guides.

Phoenix : Plan a perfect weekend in Phoenix, and figure out where to stay in Phoenix.

The Grand Canyon : Planning a trip that includes the Grand Canyon? We’ve got you covered with a guide on exactly how to plan an amazing Grand Canyon itinerary and how to find the perfect place to stay .

Sedona : Plan the perfect weekend getaway to Sedona , and learn everything you need to know to go hiking in Sedona .

If you’re making your way into Utah , you’ll want to read our guides to:

Zion ( 2 day itinerary and where to stay )
Bryce Canyon (the best hikes and how to spend one day in Bryce Canyon )
Moab ( a perfect itinerary , the best hikes in Arches , and the best places to stay and things to do )

Plus, our 10 day Utah National Parks road trip is a super detailed guide to exploring Utah, if you’ve got the time. Otherwise, save it for later.

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

How to Plan an Epic Arizona Road Trip

Are you planning an Arizona road trip? You probably have a couple of places in mind you’d like to visit. But if you’ve started researching an Arizona itinerary, you’ve certainly discovered just how many things there are to see and do in a state with everything from deserts to Ponderosa Pine forests to epic outdoor adventures and top-notch foodie experiences. How do you fit it all in?!

In this Arizona road trip itinerary guide, you’ll find expert travel advice to help you plan:

THE ultimate road trip route guaranteed to check off everything on your Arizona bucket list,
alternative road trip ideas if your time is limited or you want to do an Arizona Utah road trip, and
tips to navigate Arizona roads with maps and tips for a successful trip.

Planning an Arizona Road Trip? Use this guide to plan your Arizona road trip itinerary with maps, ideas for things to do and places to see, expert travel tips, where to stay, and more! Check off your Arizona bucket list from the Grand Canyon to Tuscon to Horseshoe Bend and Sedona! #travel #Arizona #usa

Planning a trip to Arizona comes with an endless number of variations depending on how much time you have, what you want to see and whether you choose to fly or drive to Arizona. For the purpose of this Arizona trip planner resource, I’ve used the 2 closest airports, Phoenix and Las Vegas, to bookend the itinerary.

As you use this guide to plan, you’ll see it’s easy to do this Arizona trip itinerary in reverse. You can also use parts of this mega route to plan the best road trip in Arizona for your travel plans.

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

There are a variety of car rental companies from which to rent a car for your trip. I always research rental car costs on Kayak because they compare prices from a variety of websites at the same time.

Your rental car doesn’t have to blow the trip budget to bits, either. Save money on your car rental by using my car rental hacks before your trip starts.

Part 1: Southern Arizona Swing

Arizona is one of the states with an endless number of places to see and explore. You can easily plan an itinerary from 5 to 14 days and still not see everything!

But that doesn’t mean you need to skip the beauty of southern Arizona in order to see the Grand Canyon or Horseshoe Bend.

Even if you have one week in Arizona, it’s possible to spend a few days exploring the cities and parks that call the Sonoran Desert home before heading north.

Start your Arizona road trip fun in Tempe.

Tempe is full of surprises(!) which makes it the perfect base to explore the Phoenix-Tempe-Scottsdale area. It has a walkable downtown with shops, a delicious food scene, outdoor activities, and ASU cultural offerings like art galleries and science exhibitions.

From downtown, you can hike A-Mountain, kayak in Tempe Town Lake, or rent an electric scooter to explore the public art around town.

It’s also just a few miles to the Desert Botanical Garden with its amazing display of cactus varieties and to the popular Papago Park where you can hike, bike, and catch a pink-orange-hued Arizona sunset.

Located in the Sonoran Desert also gives Tempe unique access to horseback riding and off-roading desert experiences.

Tempe also hosts a full calendar of events all year long, be it music festivals, Broadway-caliber theater, Ironman Arizona, ASU football, or Cactus League Spring Training Baseball. Check out the Tempe Tourism calendar if you’d like to time your road trip with a specific event.

Best of all, Tempe’s college town vibe comes with affordable hotel choices and easy access to places like the Heard Museum in Phoenix and a day trip to Scottsdale.

Hike Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale.

Pinnacle Peak, towering at 600 feet (183 m.) above the desert floor is hard to miss and beckons you to explore the Sonoran desert. Located less than 1 mile from popular hotels like the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale , Pinnacle Peak Park is open daily from dawn through dusk.

It features 150 acres (60 hectares) of adventure options including a 3.5-mile (5.6 km.) roundtrip trail for hiking and horseback riding.

Three rock climbing areas provide a variety of routes for thrill-seekers of all skill levels. You can see desert plant life, including banana yuccas and jojoba plants. The fauna here includes mountain lions, coyotes and Gila monsters, poisonous 2-foot (0.6 m.) orange and black lizards – not that we saw any says Priya from Outside Suburbia .

You can hear the cactus wren foraging in the morning sun. These guys live in holes dug out in the cacti For a real treat, go for a sunset hike up the Peak to view the desert landscape at its very best.

Don’t leave without exploring Old Town Scottsdale.

Old Town Scottsdale deserves a stop on your Arizona road trip, recommends Jerome Shaw of Travel Boldly . Scottsdale’s historic core was once known as Orangedale and was home to citrus groves planted by the Scott brothers on their 640-acre farm.

The streets where Scottsdale originated now thrive with art galleries, shops, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. Old Town Scottsdale is home to the cultural district along with some of the best restaurants in the state.

Scottsdale, located just 5 miles from Tempe and 12 miles from downtown Phoenix, with a population of over 250,000 is the sixth-largest city in Arizona. It’s made up of four areas: South Scottsdale, Old Town (Downtown), Central Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.

The beauty of the Sonoran Desert is also part of Scottsdale, with the Tonto National Forest just north of town.

Should you chose to base yourself in Old Town Scottsdale, the Bespoke Inn is a bed and breakfast within walking distance of Old Town’s art galleries and museums.

A stay here includes the use of one of their British Pashley bicycles and the attached Virtu Honest Craft, an elegant restaurant voted one of the Best Restaurants in America by Esquire Magazine.

The restaurant’s chef, Gio Osso, has been nominated for several James Beard Awards. Nearby eateries and craft beer breweries like Sel and Two Brothers add to the reasons why Old Town Scottsdale makes a great stop on your Arizona trip.

Day trip to Tortilla Flat.

A remnant of an Arizona Ghost Town, Tortilla Flat is the last remaining stagecoach stop on the Apache Trail. Nestled in the Superstition Mountains, Tortilla Flat makes a great day trip from the Phoenix-Tempe-Scottsdale area at just an hour away by car.

The tiny town that was once for sale on eBay and is a favorite of Jennifer and Tim of Luxe Adventure Traveler. Former residents of Phoenix, a road trip out to Tortilla Flat was one of their favorite things to do in Arizona .

Tortilla Flat has a population of just six people, but every weekend a line stretches out the door of the ghost town’s Superstition Restaurant & Saloon. Their chili is world famous and well worth the wait for a table.

Don’t miss poking around the Country Store, which carries all sorts of local specialties of the Southwest. They also serve up scoops of Tortilla Flat prickly pear gelato, make from the fruit that grows on the prickly pear cactus that dots the landscape.

You can even send a postcard to family and friends back home from the still-functioning Tortilla Flat Post Office, which was established in 1927 and has served the residents of the ghost town ever since.

Drive south to Tucson.

Many of Arizona’s main features are found in the northern part of the state, but Arizona has so much to offer throughout the state.

Drive south to Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city, which shouldn’t be missed. An easy two-hour drive south of Phoenix, Tucson has its own personality and plenty of amazing things to do.

The downtown area hosts many of the well-known restaurants, including one of the oldest El Charro Cafe which sports some authentic and delicious Arizonan-Mexican food.

Corinne Vail of Roving Vails recommends any of their handmade tamales! Tucson is a fantastic place to road trip for all ages and Tucson is one to add to your must-see city itineraries of the region.

Some great museums are also found in the Tucson area, including the Arizona-Sonoma Desert Museum. It’s primarily outdoors, and it highlights the desert animals and plants in the area. It’s informative and fun for kids of all ages.

The Pima Science and Space Museum, which houses planes from all eras of American history, is another favorite! The highlight here is taking the bus tour through the Air Force Boneyard, where retired military aircraft go to die.

Just 30 minutes away from Tucson, you can also visit the Saguaro National Park, which is one of the best places to really enjoy the tall saguaro cactus vistas.

If you plan to visit a few national parks or national monuments along your road trip through Arizona and the American Southwest, save money on entrance fees with the America the Beautiful Pass .

Part 2: The Arizona Desert Meets Ponderosa Pine Forests

If you imagine tall saguaro cacti and hot, open desert when you think of Arizona, this part of the drive will challenge that very notion!

Here you’ll actually see the transformation from cacti and desert red rocks to evergreen trees and snowcapped mountain peaks the further you climb in elevation. It’s one of the most scenic drives in Arizona and while driving it, I couldn’t help but reminisce over my Oregon Coast road trip !

For practical planning purposes, you could drive from the south and stay a night in Prescott or even Sedona.

But for the Grand Canyon and other nearby sights, Flagstaff offers the most bang for your time and buck. Its location is only outdone by all the things there are to see and do in and around Flagstaff.

Circle back north to discover Prescott.

You probably haven’t heard of Prescott, Arizona, but that’s exactly the point. Just an hour north of Phoenix, it’s an easy trip full of natural wonders and charm.

Appointed by President Lincoln to be the first territorial capital of the Southwest before Arizona was even a state, Prescott is a classic Old West town with the world’s oldest rodeo!

Home to 600 historically preserved buildings, you can get lost on Whisky Row, drink at the oldest saloon in the state, visit a meadery, and even stay at a converted brothel.

If history’s not your jam, there are plenty of open places to play. Boasting over 450 miles of trails, Granite Gardens or Thumb Butte are the best places to catch the sunset, but it’s Watson Lake’s 6-billion-year-old rainbow rock formations that’ll really take your breath away.

It makes for one of the best northern Arizona photo-ops , says Lauren Monitz of the DownLO. You can explore by hiking, biking, kayaking or SUPing or by simply meandering the desert-scape.

If you come in the summer, Prescott is home to the largest free bluegrass festival in the U.S., but in the winter it’s Arizona’s official Christmas city so there’s really no bad time to visit. They’ve even been known to get a dusting of snow every now and again. 😉

See Jerome, a former mining ghost town reborn.

The American West is littered with ghost towns, where men (and sometimes women) traveled from near and far to strike their fortunes, only to leave disappointed. A few of these towns have taken on new lives as artists move in to take advantage of the low cost of living and fascinating history.

Jerome, just 40 minutes from Sedona and 2 hours from Phoenix, is one of these intriguing locales, say Jen and Ryan of Passions and Places.

The town’s best-known attraction is probably the Gold King Mine, which is a photographer’s paradise. Once a working gold mine (the headframe is still intact), it has been transformed into an automobile enthusiast’s dream.

Hundreds of cars, motorcycles, farm implements, and pieces of mining machinery litter the grounds in varying states of disrepair. While there’s not much information about any one piece, it’s fun to just wander, snap photos, and take in the owner’s eclectic vision.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll also enjoy Audrey Headframe State Park, which surrounds the eponymous mine shaft. The mine’s vertical shaft is covered in glass, allowing curious visitors to ponder the vast network of tunnels lying beneath their feet.

Jerome State Historic Park is adjacent and preserves the Douglas Mansion, a luxury hotel built for investors and businessmen visiting the mine. This is the best place to learn about Jerome’s boomtown days and its decline.

Jerome also has some interesting shopping if you’re in the market for the strange and mysterious. The Newstate Shops Center towards the end of Main Street is home to several unique stores selling clothing, paintings, and odd knickknacks.

Maynard James Keenan, the elusive frontman of the bands Perfect Circle and Tool, is now a resident of Jerome and has become an accomplished vintner in Arizona. Pick up a bottle of his wine at the Caduceus Cellars, and check out his Puscifer record store just around the corner from the Newstate shops.

Stop to see stunning Sedona.

Sedona is a resort town in Arizona known for its stunning red rock canyon and spiritual vortexes. USA Weekend has rated it as the most beautiful place in America.

Located at the mouth of the Oak Creek Canyon about two hours from both the Grand Canyon and the Tempe-Phoenix area, Sedona is considered Arizona’s second most popular tourist attraction behind the Grand Canyon.

Its climate is often cooler than Phoenix and warmer than the Grand Canyon, making it often the perfect medium. Its beautiful landscapes have been the setting for many Western movies, not to mention all the fantastic hiking opportunities.

Catherine D’Cruz from We Go With Kids spent an idyllic weekend visiting Sedona and recommends it as a perfect stop on an Arizona road trip.

Favorite Sedona activities include watching the sunset at Airport Mesa, hiking Fay Canyon trail, and visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. You can really explore desert plant life and geology while enjoying brilliant views of a red rock canyon which are quite different from the nearby Grand Canyon.

Seven vortexes, cosmic energy fields believed to exude high-octane spiritual energy ideal for facilitating prayer, meditation, and healing, have also been identified in the area.

As a result, Sedona has become a new age mecca and is also known for stargazing and spa retreats.

ProTip: Depending on your route between Prescott and Sedona, you’ll see Montezuma Castle National Monument. These preserved Native American dwellings make for an interesting short historical stop. With even just an hour, you can walk the loop trail and learn about the Sinagua people. Entry is free with an America the Beautiful National Park Pass .

Use Flagstaff as your northern Arizona base and Grand Canyon gateway.

Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon South Rim is just 90 minutes, which is why 5 of the 6 million people who visit the Grand Canyon every year make Flagstaff their base while in the area.

But, Flagstaff is blessed with its own things to see and do making it a must-visit destination all on its own.

Flagstaff is a former railroad and lumber mountain town sitting at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet! This 4-season northern Arizona destination surrounded by Ponderosa Pine forests has outdoor adventures ranging from hiking and biking to skiing and snowshoeing depending what time of year you visit.

It’s home to the world-famous Lowell Observatory and 3 spectacular National Monuments including Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon.

Historic downtown Flagstaff is home to artsy boutiques, incredible public art, and a top-notch, super-trendy food scene making it a great spot to stroll and recharge after a day of outdoor adventure.

Oh, and did I mention, Flagstaff sits along 14 miles of Historic Route 66 and is just 28 miles north of Sedona?!

Depending on your timing, booking a Flagstaff hotel will give you the opportunity to stay in the area for a few days while you take advantage of some of the best Arizona day trips in the state.

Check the Grand Canyon off your bucket list.

Spending the day at the Grand Canyon is simple to do from Flagstaff, especially with your own car.

Flagstaff to the South Rim is just 90 minutes. The Grand Canyon is not just one of the most visited U.S. National Parks but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national treasure.

You can stroll along the rim trail for the perfect Grand Canyon photo-op, venture into the Grand Canyon for a day hike, or use the park shuttle’s and/or your own car to visit the prettiest viewpoints along the South Rim.

The National Park offers free ranger-led programs and makes for an unforgettable place to watch the sunrise or the sunset. At night, you can even stay to stargaze over the vast dark canyon sky.

Remember to have your America the Beautiful Pass to save money especially if you plan to include any of the nearby national parks on your Arizona road trip, including the national parks in Utah.

Take it easy in Winslow.

Route 66 is THE iconic American road trip route with a history dating back to 1926. It was the first major road to connect many of the towns across the Southwestern United States, including Winslow, Arizona.

It makes a great stopping point on your road trip through Northern Arizona including for fantastic Father and Son trips , suggests James Hills of ManTripping.

While there are many towns along this route that boast quirky roadside attractions or natural wonders, Winslow is different. Instead, it was immortalized by the Eagles in 1972 just five years before the I-40 bypass of the town was approved.

As a result, Winslow’s fame is focused specifically on the song “Take it Easy” by the Eagles as the town’s primary attraction. Residents have embraced it with a great park that has a life-size bronze statue of Glenn Frey, a flatbed Ford, and a mural with the reflection of that truck and that girl taking a look at him.

Of course, there’s also a giant Route 66 graphic at the intersection and some great souvenir shops to get your “Standin’ On The Corner” memorabilia.

ProTip: On the way from Flagstaff to Winslow, make a stop at Meteor Crater National Monument. It’s one of the best-proven impact sites on the globe! Both Winslow and Meteor Crater are just about an hour from Flagstaff.

Visit Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest National Park is an interesting national park, about an hour and a half from Flagstaff. Despite the name, Petrified Forest doesn’t have a living forest. Instead, the park gets its name from the millions of fossilized trees found in the area.

Around 225 million years ago, Petrified Forest had an amazing sub-tropical forest. Over the years, the trees fell and were preserved. Today, millions of fossilized logs can be found throughout the park.

Located just off I-40, Petrified Forest National Park is part of the Historical Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The park has one road which starts at I-40 exit 311 and then runs 28 miles to U.S. 180. The road takes about an hour to drive without any stops and is only open from 8 am to 5 pm. This is done to help prevent theft.

Sadly, every year about 2 tons of petrified wood is stolen from the park, which is illegal. Every piece that’s removed is one less piece for future generations to view.

Your Petrified Forest adventure starts in the northern section of the park. This region is called the Painted Desert, a wilderness area with very few marked hiking trails.

Heading down the park road yields more scenic views of the Painted Desert. Stop and visit the historic Painted Desert Inn.

Check out Newspaper Rock and a few of the park’s petroglyphs. Be sure to take the short hikes out to Blue Forest and Crystal Forest. Both of these trails are well-marked and take you past the famed fossils.

There are no accommodations in the park unless you want to backcountry camp. Otherwise, it makes sense to keep Flagstaff as your base or Chinle, Arizona if you also plan to visit Canyon de Chelly.

The park’s wilderness area is divided into 5 backcountry zones, which you must get a permit for from the rangers. Jennifer Melroy of National Park Obsessed says, “My favorite section to backcountry camp and visit is the Black Forest.”

Part 3: Welcome to the Navajo Nation

This northeastern corner of Arizona combines some of the most classic southwest U.S. landscapes with sacred Navajo Tribal lands. Exploring each of the stops on this segment of your Arizona road trip doesn’t require many days.

However, sights, gas stations, and full-service towns are far and few between in this area. Keep reading for more tips about driving in Arizona, but prepare for this part of the drive with a full tank of gas, water, snacks, and a physical paper map of Arizona as phone signals are not always reliable for navigation in this remote part of the State.

Discover Native American traditions at Canyon de Chelly.

Canyon de Chelly represents the living history of human habitation in the American West. People have lived in the canyon for nearly 5,000 years, longer than anywhere else on the Colorado Plateau. The canyon is characterized by dramatic 600 vertical feet of red rock looming over a narrow valley floor.

Carol Guttery of Wayfaring Views recounts how she went for the landscape but really loved Canyon de Chelly for the cultural history. You can find great red rocks and Anasazi petroglyphs elsewhere in Arizona (like near Sedona).

However, the Canyon de Chelly is unique because it is fully managed by the Tribal trust of the Navajo Nation. So, while it’s part of the National Park system, you’re there as a guest of the Navajo.

This means access to the valley floor is restricted to visitors who take a tour with an authorized Navajo guide or park ranger. The tour is worth it because you’ll learn a great deal from your guide about their respect for the Anasazi Navajo traditions and modern farming and ranching life in the canyon.

In addition to touring the bottom of the canyon, you can also drive along the upper cliffs visiting some of the ten overlooks available.

The canyon is about three hours drive northeast of Flagstaff. You can make a loop of Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, and the Petrified Forest too.

There’s a campground on-site at the National Park and a few hotel/motels in nearby Chinle . Staying one night is plenty, as long as you give yourself a full day to visit the canyon floor and the overlooks above.

Be in four states at the same time at Four Corners Monument.

If you are looking at a map of America’s lower 48 states, your eyes may be drawn to one particular spot in the southwest corner of the map.

Four Corners, as it’s called, is a unique spot in the USA where Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico meet at a pinpoint.

Want to visit? You’ll need a car, as this spot is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Four Corners Monument was built as a tourist destination, hoping to attract visitors who wanted to be able to be in four different states at one time!

The typical photo in Four Corners involves contorting yourself so that each hand and foot is in a different state. (By the way, there’s some controversy about the actual state boundaries, but they’re generally accepted as being at least mostly correct!)

Be mindful that Four Corners is located quite far from other tourist destinations. There’s no close airport or convenient public transportation. It’s in the Navajo Nation, and visitors there can also learn about Navajo culture and way of life from locals who staff the park.

There’s a small visitors center to focus on this, as well as small food and souvenir stalls around the monument. Mobile phone connections are extremely limited, so be prepared to not get a good signal for a while…a.k.a. Take your Instagram photos and upload them later. 😉

In addition, Halef and Michael of The Round the World Guys advise, if you’re visiting during the summer months, it can get very hot here. You’re in the desert, after all. Don’t forget to drink lots of water, bring food, and fill up the gas tank before you go.

Don’t miss the iconic mesas and buttes in Navajo Nation’s Monument Valley.

Everything you need to know for an epic visit to Monument Valley

Monument Valley sits along the Arizona Utah border within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation. The orange sandstone rock formations are THE images that spring to mind when imagining the American Southwest.

The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park allows visitors to do a self-guided drive along the main road through the park to see the most famous buttes and mesas. The road is not paved and quite bumpy in certain sections, but if you take it slow, a regular vehicle can manage it.

If you’d like to go beyond the main road to hike or horseback ride, you’ll need a Navajo guide to take you.

Plan to stay 1 night in the area either the day before or the day of your visit. There are a few Monument Valley hotels but otherwise, the area is remote with few services.

Meals are typically available at your accommodations. Gas up on the drive to and before leaving Monument Valley. Gas stations are few and far between.

ProTip: Leaving Monument Valley and on the way to Page, stop to see the cliff-dwellings of the Pueblo people at the “hidden gem” Navajo National Monument.

Part 4: Natural Beauty Beyond the Grand Canyon

Along with the Grand Canyon, photos of the rock formations and canyons in and around Page, Arizona are what inspires travel to this northernmost pocket of the state.

If you didn’t have time for the road trip segment to Monument Valley mentioned above, it’s easy to go from Flagstaff to Page in just about 2 hours.

In addition, if you’d like to connect a Utah Arizona road trip, it’s as little as 2 hours beyond Page to Zion National Park and the other spectacular Utah National Parks.

Think Arizona can’t get any more beautiful? Plan a stop in Page!

Page, Arizona is one of the top spots for your ultimate Arizona road trip. The city of Page is located about 4 1/2 hours north of Phoenix. The small city is filled with world-class destinations such as Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend.

Two of the most Instagrammable spots in Page, Arizona are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons.

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular of the two canyons. The reason for this is due to the canyon’s easy access. People of all ages can easily walk through the canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon is located below ground so you have to climb down to get into the canyon. But, the advantage of Lower Antelope, says Michelle Stelly of The Wandering Queen, is substantially more light.

Lower Antelope Canyon has a larger opening at the top compared to Upper Antelope Canyon. Because of this, photographing Lower Antelope Canyon can be much easier.

In order to view any of the two canyons, you must book a guided tour. There are no self-guided tours.

You can also now visit Canyon X , a more recently opened and somewhat less known slot canyon at the Antelope Canyon site. It was created over millions of years with the help of water erosion.

No visit to Page is complete without seeing Horseshoe Bend.

“I can’t remember the number of times I’ve seen a photo of the Horseshoe Bend in Arizona and wondered if it truly could look as amazing in person as it does in photos,” said Kristin Addis of Be My Travel Muse .

“So when I planned for an epic American Southwest road trip, Horseshoe Bend was naturally included as one of the must-stops in my itinerary.”

It really is as amazing as what you see all over Instagram. Maybe better!

Horseshoe Bend is about 3 hours drive away from the Grand Canyon.

Drive along Highway 89 until you see a sign for Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Turn in, and you should find the parking lot within a short drive. The lookout point is a super easy and quick walk from the parking lot.

Horseshoe Bend is perfect for sunset. Just be sure to get there about an hour early if you want to stake out a good spot.

There are plenty of boulders on the cliff edge that you can perch on until the sun sets. Not sure there are many better places to hang out, either!

Just make sure to be careful when taking photos. Horseshoe Bend is 300 meters tall and every year, fatal accidents are reported. No selfie is worth your life!

If you want an experience with less of a crowd, you can also visit Horseshoe bend for sunrise.

Take in the water views at Lake Powell.

Even though most of Lake Powell is in Utah, there are beautiful parts to see on the Arizona side.

One of the greatest places to observe the beauty of Lake Powell is at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas. The Lake Powell Resort is the only lodging on the entirety of the lake and is absolutely gorgeous.

Stop by to have lunch or dinner with a view or rent a houseboat from this marina for an awesome trip spent on the lake. Make sure to also stop at the Wahweap Overlook where you can see an amazing (almost 360° view) of the river and the marina.

If you’re into camping, there’s a great campground close to the Lake Powell Resorts and Marina called Wahweap Campground. Don’t forget to also check out Antelope Point Marina, where you can rent all different types of boats, as well as kayaks, waterskis, and wakeboards!

Also, to get anywhere to see Lake Powell you’ll have to cross over the enormous Glen Canyon Dam, which is a sight to see in itself!

Go off the grid at White Pocket.

Our pick for the most adventurous Arizona road trip destination is White Pocket and the Paria Canyon Wilderness Area in Northern Arizona,” recommend Lance and Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts.

But it’s more like the ultimate end of the road trip because you can’t go any further than this!

About 10 years ago, Microsoft included a photograph of a wavy rock formation in its Windows operating system and suddenly the world went gaga for it. Known as “The Wave,” it started a flood of tourists to the Paria Canyon Wilderness Area and visitors to the region.

However, not far away, where the road comes to an end, there may be an even more impressive set of formations: White Pocket.

Sitting right on the Arizona-Utah border, White Pocket is a 2 ½ drive from anywhere. The last hour and a half require a 4×4 vehicle and experience driving on tricky sand.

But at the end of the road, White Pocket is like no other place on earth. You’ll see wavy rock formations, beautiful colored striations in the rock, and formations that look like they’ve come from another planet. It is spectacular!

Nearby Page, Arizona makes a great base to explore White Pocket and the Paria Canyon. If your travels take you anywhere near Page, the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or Lake Powell, you’re already in the neighborhood

Part 5: Finish in Sin City

If you’d like to drive this epic Arizona road trip from start to finish, plan on (at least) 2 weeks so you have plenty of time to enjoy everything Arizona has to offer. The drive from Page to Las Vegas, NV is about 4 and a half hours.

And during this last part of the drive, you’ll be so close to Utah’s natural beauty you could easily connect your Arizona road trip and venture into Utah in order to see places like Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks.

Last stop! Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

Hoover Dam looms large on many a southwest road trip itinerary, advises Warren Dobe of Sling Adventures. Wedged in between the steep rocky walls of Black Canyon, it holds back the mighty Colorado River creating Lake Mead, the largest water reservoir in the USA.

Hoover Dam became operational in 1933 and was the largest concrete structure ever built at the time of construction. It provides both a source of irrigation and hydroelectric power for Arizona, Nevada, and California.

Originally named Boulder Dam, it was renamed Hoover Dam in 1947 in honor of the 31 st U.S. President, Herbert Hoover.

Over 1 million visitors a year arrive at Hoover Dam to walk across the dam and take the power plant tour held deep within the dam wall. Tickets are sold on a first come first served basis and can only be purchased on the day at the visitor’s center.

Apart from taking in the imposing dam wall, power plant tour, and impressive Black Canyon, nearby Lake Mead National Park makes a trip to this remote north-eastern corner of Arizona all the more worthwhile.

Boating, camping, hiking, and fishing are all notable pursuits in what is considered one of the USA’s most diverse wilderness areas. In particular, there’s plenty of birdlife such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon to spot soaring overhead.

UPDATE: Sadly, Lake Mead’s water levels are dangerously low. Please check current conditions there before planning any water activities in the area.

Hoover Dam is also only 40 miles from Las Vegas McCarran Airport and makes sense as the last stop on your Arizona road trip. That is unless you’d like to spend a couple of days celebrating your epic Arizona road trip in Sin City!

Tips for Driving in Arizona

Driving in Arizona and throughout the Southwestern U.S. is not like driving in a lot of other states. Yes, there are major highways and well-traveled routes through cities and towns with any amenities a traveler might need.

But, there are also remote roads with few services and spotty (at best) cell phone signals. Lucky for you, I’ve made plenty of road trip mistakes so you don’t have to.

Keep water and snacks in the car. Plenty of areas will have services for road trippers, but when you’re driving along without these road trip essentials without a place to stop, the road will feel endless!
Always keep your gas tank full. For the same reasons as above and even if you don’t really need it, the next gas station could be hours (and hours) away.
Have an Arizona paper map for when your cell phone signal drops out…and it will drop out.
Know who to call if your car breaks down. Have your rental car roadside emergency number handy and ask any questions about this service before leaving the car rental office.
If you’re road tripping in the summer , make sure your vehicle’s AC is functional before driving off the car rental lot.
If your road trip is during the winter , remember northern Arizona locations like Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon experience winter. Be sure you have what you need to clean off your car and drive in the snow.
Lastly, search for the best prices on your car rental using a site like Kayak that pulls in prices from different sites at the same so you can compare your options.

So, what are your questions about planning an Arizona road trip?

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17 thoughts on “how to plan an epic arizona road trip”.

I am planning 3 days trip to AZ to see Antelope canyon. I am flying in to Las Vegas on next Wednesday 10 AM, staying 3 nights in Page planning to drive from Vegas and going back to Las Vegas to catch flight on Saturday @ 3 PM.

Besides Antelope what would you recommend to add to my trip.

Thanks for reading. You have so many options from Page. Monument Valley, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon are all about 2 hours from Page. Grand Escalante in Utah is just a half hour and if you were even more ambitious, Zion NP is just 2 1/2 hours by car. It’s just a matter of what’s most interesting for you or what you haven’t seen yet.

Happy Road-Tripping! 🙂

Can you do this itinerary in a week? I have from April 28 until May 7 to visit what you mentioned in your guide. I am so excited for my first road trip in America!

Thanks for reading, Dominic. 1 week would be tough to do everything in this guide. I’d focus on either the northern or southern portion of the state to make sure you get the most out of your visit. Enjoy your first U.S. road trip! 🙂

Can all of these places be seen in a two-week road trip of Arizona? If not what would be the most important places to focus upon in two weeks?

Thanks for reading, Gail. 2 weeks is a good timeframe for many of the places in this guide but all of them could be a tight squeeze. I’d focus on Tempe/Phoenix area and go north from there. Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Sedona are all musts. Good luck and enjoy Arizona! It’s a great state for a road trip.

Jackie need help for an itinerary feom vegas to do 5 days of roadtrip in Arizona includes sedona, other areas mostly we are looking to have plunge on natural swimming holes on the way especially in sedona and also wnated to inclide .monument valley.

Wanted some suggestions or recommendations on ranch stays..we are group of 20 to 30 including kids

Thanks so much for reading, Siju. Unfortunately, I don’t have any tips on ranch stays. I would definitely include the Grand Canyon/Flagstaff/Sedona areas for your trip. There’s plenty to see and do without having to travel far distances in just 5 days. Have a great trip!

I will being needing some help for an 3 day itinerary from Dec 11-13. We are a party of three, one male and two females. What is going to be the best way to plan this trip. We are deciding to fly to either Flagstaff, Vegas or Phoenix. Which will be the most convenient airport (flying from LAX or LGB) . Our bucket lists are grand canyon south rims, horseshoe bend, and antelope canyon. Can you also recommend the hostels/restaurants as well? I also do noticed that during the winter it will be cold, what should be included in or items list.

Thank you so much

Thanks for reading, David. You could possibly do a loop in and out of Las Vegas. It would be about an hour less driving overall if you flew into Phoenix and out of Las Vegas. Flagstaff is a very small airport and flights in and out are likely not ideal given your short window of time. Keep in mind from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas to the Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend area are roughly 4 1/2 hour drives. If starting and ending in Las Vegas, go to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend area first. Then visit the South Rim before returning to Las Vegas. From Phoenix, the South Rim would be first. Flagstaff is a great city for a night stay. There are lots of hotels and great eating. Check out this Flagstaff guide for more info. I stayed at the DoubleTree in Flagstaff and had a great stay. The weather will likely be chilly. I visited the Grand Canyon South Rim at the end of November and wore a fleece with a puffy vest and a winter knit hat. Hope you enjoy your time at these amazing sights!!

Dear Jackie,

I have planned first day arrive at Vegas, rent the car, head to White Pocket and stay at Page for the night. Second day, visit the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, head to Flagstaff for the night. Last day, head to Grand Canyon and head back to Vegas to catch the 8:30 flight.

Is it too rush, or maybe I have some extra time to spend at other places. Also what are the websites for booking the tourist for those places?

Thanks for reading, David. Your timeline is a bit tight. The drive from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is 4+ hours from the South Rim. I’d be nervous to time everything right to return the car rental and catch my flight on time. If you’re able, I’d definitely add some extra time. The Flagstaff area has so many amazing things to do, including some fantastic National Monuments in the area. That guide has information about hotels and activities so you can book. Have a great trip! 🙂

Hello Jackie !

At my opinon, Colorado and Arizona are really the two most beautiful states in the US, in fact, i considers some landscape of this states like “magic” (when i look documentary which take place in this regions my mind seem whisper “how its possible to nature to be so well made !”). I project to go in the US for a photo trip ( in the national parc), but there are so many natural sites to discover that an entire human life will not sufficient ! In particular, Monument Valley is a site which have a “soul”.

I must say that’s you makes an excellent work with this blog and your head is surely full of amazing landscapes !

Thanks for reading, Charly. Arizona and Colorado are just gorgeous states. I will have more information about Colorado soon. I hope you can do your National Park project! It will be the trip of a lifetime, for sure.

Hi. I’m trying to plan a 5 day trip from Vegas to Gtand Canyon. We want to fish and horseback ride. I also want to visit Antelope and Horseshow. Any suggestions where to stay along the trip?

And how many days to stay in each area? We are flying into Vegas on Sat, spend the night, then head out Sunday morning. Come back to Vegas on Friday then fly home Sat

Thanks for reading, Emily. For Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, I’d look at hotels in Page, AZ. I highly recommend the South Rim of the Grand Canyon if you can make it work. Flagstaff is the most popular base for the South Rim because it’s a destination in its own right with history (Route 66), great food, and shops. There are also other things to see and do in the Flagstaff area. It all depends on what you want to see and do. But it’s possible to do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in 1 day leaving more time to explore the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff.

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The Ultimate Road Trip to Arizona’s National Parks and Monuments

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated: April 23, 2024

There are no fewer than 24 National Park Service (NPS) units in Arizona, including 3 national parks and 12 national monuments , and a number of other Arizona national monuments managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Collectively, they protect a wide variety of landscapes and sites, ranging from massive canyons and imposing rock formations to unique biotopes, ancient cliff dwellings and Native American pueblos.

While Arizona’s best known for its desert scenery and Wild West history, let’s not forget that people have called this region home for many thousands of years.

The state’s wild, ancient and mysterious landscapes inspired Native Americans to create some of the most fascinating legends and myths in North America.

You can discover and learn about these centuries-old cultures by visiting one or more of the various tribal lands in the state.

The most popular and convenient one to visit is the Navajo Nation , which is very tourist-friendly and manages a number of parks in Arizona. We’ll talk about two specific tribal areas in the Arizona national parks road trip itinerary below.

Road in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

This Arizona national parks road trip itinerary contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here .

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

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In this Arizona national parks and monuments road trip itinerary, I’ll focus more on the natural landscapes that make Arizona such a fantastic destination, rather than man-made and cultural sites.

A road trip in Arizona is virtually impossible without stumbling upon a ruin or historic site every once in a while anyway. Even when prioritizing natural parks in Arizona, there are always historic places present, or at least situated in the near vicinity.

This is an itinerary for adventurous people who’d like to do some scenic driving , hiking, camping and wildlife watching, with the occasional historic site thrown in for good measure.

When you follow the itinerary outlined below, you’ll drive from the iconic deserts of the south, via ancient Native American sites, to the massive canyons and iconic valleys in the north.

You’ll literally see what makes every Arizonan proud, according to the state’s license plates, which depict saguaro cacti and the state’s nickname, the “Grand Canyon State.”

You can start this epic Arizona drive in each of the state’s three major cities— Phoenix , Flagstaff or Tucson . This particular route passes by or through all of them, so you can start and end your road trip wherever suits you best.

The following Arizona national parks road trip itinerary takes in no fewer than eight amazing parks and runs in a counterclockwise direction.

This leaves the arguably best national park in Arizona, if not in the entire United States, for last, ending your road trip with a bang. You are, of course, free to do it the other way around, too, or to start in the middle. In this case, we’ll start in Phoenix and head south first.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona - Photo credit NPS

An International Biosphere Reserve, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument may not be the most famous of all national monuments in Arizona, but it has more than enough to offer to make this a worthy start of your road trip in Arizona.

Located in the far south of the state, bordering Mexico, it’s quite a drive from Phoenix to get there. But no worries, there’s plenty of time to stretch your legs in the park once you’re there.

What sets this park apart from literally any other park in the USA is that this is the only place in the country where organ pipe cacti grow in the wild. And there are countless of them.

Similar to other desert parks in Arizona, as you’ll see later in this post, the most popular things to do in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument are scenic drives, hiking and camping, and horseback riding.

There are a number of amazing (gravel) roads through the park, while a variety of hiking trails let people of all ages and abilities enjoy the wonderful desert scenery.

Spend at least: 2 days / 2 nights
Do this: scenic driving, mountain biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding
Stay here: Twin Peaks Campground
More information: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm

Saguaro at sunrise in Saguaro National Park, Arizona

The first American national park ever to be named after a plant, photogenic Saguaro National Park protects two sections of the Sonoran Desert home to millions of saguaro cacti.

This particular type of cactus dominates this part of the state in such numbers that references to “saguaro forests” are quite common.

Symbols of the American West, saguaros can grow up to 40-50 feet (12-15 meters) tall and reach an age of 150 years. They are the star attractions of Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona.

The park, in fact, is split up into two different districts—the Tucson Mountain District (TMD) and the Rincon Mountain District (RMD), situated respectively on the west and east side of Tucson.

If you’re looking for the best Arizona national parks near Tucson, this is the obvious choice. You should spend at least two full days here, one day minimum in each district.

I suggest starting in the TMD for the perfect introduction to this extraordinary landscape. There, just outside the park boundaries, is also where you’ll find the Gilbert Ray Campground , arguably the best campground near Saguaro National Park .

Once you’ve pitched your tent or parked your RV, head out for some amazing hiking , scenic driving, and sunrise and sunset watching.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, too. This may be a desert park, but life thrives here. Don’t be surprised to come across a tortoise, rattlesnake, coyote or javelina.

Do this: scenic driving, hiking, camping, sunrise and sunset watching, stargazing, wildlife spotting
Stay here: Gilbert Ray Campground
More information: https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

Petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Red-colored badlands, blue-banded rock formations, historic Route 66, Native American sites and fossilized trees make up the remarkably varied landscape of Petrified Forest National Park , a half-day drive northeast of Tucson.

Named for its huge density of petrified logs, this is one of the world’s best places to see fossils from the Late Triassic, which was basically the dawn of the dinosaurs. That’s how old this place is.

Petrified Forest National Park allows you to walk where dinosaurs roamed and to stand where ancient forests fell.

You’ll explore an ancient river system that would’ve put every other river in the world today to shame. These arid landscapes may seem desolate and empty, but a closer look reveals an age-old geological and natural experiment that’s still ongoing to this day.

There is only one road through this Arizona national park, conveniently leading you past all its major attractions.

Absolute Petrified Forest National Park highlights are the Crystal Forest and Long Logs Trails , the Blue Mesa, Puerco Pueblo and camping in the Painted Desert wilderness.

Additionally, Petrified Forest is the only national park that preserves a section of Historic Route 66 , another major attraction.

Spend at least: 2 days / 1 night
Do this: cultural exploration, (wilderness) hiking, horseback riding
Stay here: overnight backpacking trip in the Painted Desert
More information: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

Aerial view of Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona - Photo credit NPS

There are plenty of cliff dwellings all over the Colorado Plateau , from Chaco Canyon to Mesa Verde , but nowhere have people live for as long as they have in Canyon de Chelly.

For almost 5,000 years, people have called this canyon home, from the Ancestral Puebloans to the Najavo who still raise livestock and grow crops in the canyon.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument lies only about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Petrified Forest National Park. They’re both among the best northern Arizona national parks.

The park protects three major Arizona canyons and, as one of the lands that are part of the Navajo Nation, is one of the best places in Arizona to immerse yourself in Native American history.

Do this: hiking, canyon touring with a Navajo guide
Stay here: Thunderbird Lodge
More information: https://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm

Another hour and a half north of Canyon de Chelly lies Monument Valley, arguably the most iconic place in the entire American West.

Although this is technically not one of the American national parks , it is a designated Navajo Tribal Park, which is essentially the Navajo Nation equivalent of a national park.

Thing is, though, that there’s no way I could leave Monument Valley out of a national parks of Arizona road trip itinerary, especially if the route would take you within two hours from this magnificent valley.

Located on the Arizona-Utah border, Monument Valley’s landscapes are renowned around the world, made famous by Hollywood Westerns. This wide valley dotted with buttes, rock formations and sandstone towers is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Spend a day hiking, join a 4WD tour with a Navajo guide or explore the area on horseback. I mean, if there ever was a place to go horseback riding, this is it. Make sure to stick around for a night, too—the night skies are sensational.

Spend at least: 1 day / 1 night
Do this: hiking, scenic drives, guided tours, horseback riding, stargazing
Stay here: The View Hotel
More information: https://www.visitarizona.com/uniquely-az/parks-and-monuments/monument-valley-navajo-tribal-park

Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona - Arizona National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

A huge area of federal lands, comprising everything from lakes to canyons, deserts, geological formations and cliffs, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is one of Arizona’s most varied and popular holiday destinations.

The number of highlights is immense in this wonderful region, which is so large that it borders Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park , Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Canyonlands National Park in the north, and Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park (see both below) in the south.

It also shares a border with the Navajo Nation. This region is absolute heaven for a Utah and Arizona national parks enthusiast.

The main feature of Glen Canyon is Lake Powell, a man-made lake created by the Glen Canyon Dam in 1966. This winding lake with countless arms is literally a flooded canyon and has almost 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) of shoreline.

I don’t have to tell you that fishing and boating are a tremendously popular pastime in this national recreation area, one of the main purposes of which is just that—recreation.

You’ll also like to know that the very southern tip of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is where you’ll find Horseshoe Bend, a world-famous bend in the Colorado River.

When you’re in the area, definitely also take the time to visit Antelope Canyon , one of the world’s most beautiful slot canyons. It lies on Navajo land just east of the town of Page, the main hub in the region.

Spend at least: 3 days / 2 nights
Do this: boating, fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking
Stay here: Lake Powell Resort
More information: https://www.nps.gov/glca/index.htm

The Wave at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona - Photo credit BLM

A quick and scenic drive west of Page lies Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, as opposed to the National Park Service, this remote and pristine area protects Paria Canyon and Paria Plateau, Coyote Buttes and Vermilion Cliffs.

Characterized by towering rock formations, impressive canyons and other geological curiosities, this is a superb destination for day hiking and multi-day desert treks.

If you’re planning a hike, remember to get a permit. You’ll need one for overnight trips in Paria Canyon and day hikes in Coyote Buttes South and Coyote Buttes North, which is the location of the area’s most well-known feature, The Wave.

When you go on a hike in these rugged lands, it’s critical that you’re aware of potential hazards and dangers, including overexertion, flash floods, extreme heat and wild animals.

Be aware of your surroundings, check the weather forecast, bring plenty of water and watch where you step.

Spend at least: 2 days / 1 night
Do this: (wilderness) hiking, camping, wildlife watching, stargazing
Stay here: Stateline Campground
More information: https://www.blm.gov/visit/vermilion-cliffs

Backpackers in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

As far as famous national parks in Arizona go, none are more revered and visited than Grand Canyon National Park.

Nothing can prepare you for your first view of the Grand Canyon. No matter how many pictures you’ve seen or documentaries you’ve watched, the immense scale of this place needs to be seen in 3D, not on paper or a screen.

Arizona’s nickname is “the Grand Canyon State” for a reason—it’s something to be proud of. This is the ultimate end of your once-in-a-lifetime Arizona national parks road trip.

The Grand Canyon overwhelms everyone. I can’t imagine anyone not being impressed by it. It’s spectacular, its dimensions are mind-boggling. Really, it’s almost impossible to grasp the sheer size of this thing.

This is a canyon that’s 277 river miles (446 kilometers) long, 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide at its widest point, and a mile (1.6 kilometers) deep.

It’s the obvious centerpiece of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park , which encompasses a section of the Colorado River and both the North and South Rims.

Often considered to be one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which indicates its awesome significance to the world and humankind.

While many people spend only a day here, I think that’s just ridiculous. This is an enormous park and you should really do it justice by spending two or three days.

Beyond the many popular Grand Canyon overlooks , there’s plenty to see and do. Hike down into the canyon and along the South Rim—that’s two days right there —and spend day three driving the scenic Desert View Drive, one of America’s greatest national park roads .

Spend at least: 3 days / 2 nights
Do this: scenic driving, hiking, camping, stargazing, horseback riding, cycling, wildlife watching, river trips
Stay here: El Tovar Hotel
More information: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

To properly visit all the three Arizona national parks and five other parks and national monuments of Arizona included in this attraction-packed itinerary, you will need at least three weeks .

The suggested number of days for each park is the absolute minimum to get a real sense of what they are all about.

Grand Canyon National Park, for example, deserves three days, while Monument Valley can be experienced in one day.

Adding it all up brings us to a total of 17 days just in the parks alone. Include the necessary driving time and travel days to and from Arizona, and you’ll see that three weeks is an appropriate amount of time for this Arizona national parks road trip.

If you have less time available, however, it’s possible to leave out a few parks and focus on the major ones. For a two-week road trip around Arizona, I suggest the following itinerary:

Saguaro National Park (2 days) – Petrified Forest National Park (2 days) – Monument Valley (1 day) – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (3 days) – Grand Canyon National Park (3 days)

To summarize, this is a quick overview of all the national parks and monuments in Arizona mentioned in this itinerary, including how long I suggest you stay there.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument — 2 days / 2 nights
Saguaro National Park — 2 days / 2 nights
Petrified Forest National Park — 2 days / 1 night
Canyon de Chelly National Monument — 2 days / 1 night
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park — 1 day / 1 night
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — 3 days / 2 nights
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — 2 days / 1 night
Grand Canyon National Park —3 days / 2 nights

As mentioned earlier in this post, you can start (and end) this Arizona national parks road trip in the state’s three major cities, whichever one is more convenient for you. This will most likely depend on available and affordable flights.

After you arrive in Arizona, you might want to rest up for a night before you kick off your road trip. Or vice versa, you might like to get a night’s sleep in first before hopping back on a plane afterward.

Here are some current deals on accommodation in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson.

Phoenix Accommodation Deals
Flagstaff Accommodation Deals
Tucson Accommodation Deals

Alternatively, many people choose Las Vegas as their Southwest road trip starting point.

Situated in the southern tip of Nevada, “Sin City” is not only a gambler’s and partier’s paradise, but there are also several major American national parks near Las Vegas , such as Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park .

If you decide to fly to Las Vegas and begin your Arizona national parks road trip there, here are some deals for you.

Las Vegas Accommodation Deals

Have You Ever Been on an Arizona National Parks Road Trip? Which Parks Did You Visit? Tell Us About It in the Comments Below!

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Sunday 3rd of May 2020

Dag Bram, we went on a group tour last year to visit Southwest States and I must say I have learned a lot about where we were through your blogposts. I recommend them for travellers looking for tips and knowledge. Dankjewel and blijf gezond ! Groeten, Judy

Thursday 29th of August 2019

Starting in Tucson, what is your suggestion for an ideal start date to avoid heat and crowds? Thanks for this cool itinerary!

Bram Reusen

Thursday 7th of November 2019

Hey Deb! I think the last weeks of winter would be a great period to start this road trip. Sometime in March should be ideal!

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These are the 10 best gas stations in the US. How did your Arizona favorites rank?

Sorry, Circle K .

The 10 best gas station brands in the United States have been announced and the chain, which has been in Arizona for more than 60 years, did not make it onto the list.

However, several other chains with gas stations in metro Phoenix — including a cult favorite and one still under construction — did make the list and were noticed for their food offerings, too.

USA TODAY released its 10 Best roadtrip rankings , so before you hit the highway for a summer road trip , check out the best gas stations for bathroom and snack breaks.

Believe the hype: Why this adorable historic Arizona town is a top summer getaway

10 best gas stations in the US

Kwik Trip : Kwik Trip has more than 800 locations. None are located in Arizona.
HyVee. HyVee has more than 285 stores in eight states. None are located in Arizona.
Casey's : Casey's has gas stations in 16 states. None are located in Arizona.
Royal Farms : Royal Farms is in the northeast. None are located in Arizona.
RaceTrac : RaceTrac has gas stations mostly in the south. None are located in Arizona.
Maverik : There are more than two dozen Maverik locations in Arizona. The Salt Lake City-based company has locations mainly in the western U.S.
Rutter's : Rutter's just has locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
TravelCenters of America : There are 10 TravelCenters located in Arizona. While most are outside the Valley, there is a location in Phoenix and one in Tonopah .
QuikTrip : Arizona has the second most QT locations with 145 gas stations in the Grand Canyon State . Georgia has the most at 167 locations.
Buc-ee's : Buc-ee's, which is located in Texas, is known for its big travel centers and clean bathrooms. There is one location under construction in metro Phoenix.

What to know about Buc-ee's new Arizona store

Buc-ee's has locations throughout the South and Southeast, where it is known for its large selection of food and goods, as well as its clean bathrooms.

According to documents submitted to the city, the company plans to open a Buc-ee’s Travel Center in Goodyear . The retail store is planned to be about 75,000 square feet, according to plans submitted to the city. For context, a 75,000-square-foot retail building is larger than some full-size grocery stores.

It is unclear when the gas station will open.

Arizona Republic reporter Corina Vanek contributed to this article.

Need to get out of the Phoenix heat? Cool off with these 10 easy getaways

Attention road trippers! These apps play vacation planner, make life on the road a dream

For many people, the classic American road trip is a rite of passage.

The 48 states on the continental U.S. are home to rolling hills, mountains, rivers, oceans and countless other attractions. And thanks to modern technology, planning the perfect road trip is easier than ever.

Just juice up your phone, make sure your car is ready to roll , grab your go-to road snacks, and let your smartphone do the hard work.

Apps, like Roadtrippers or InRoute, can do most of the route planning for you.

Begin by inputting your starting and ending point, then let it suggest fun places to check out, whether you're taking the direct route via the highways or the winding roads less traveled.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Watch this video to learn more about some of the apps you need for your next road trip.

Roadtrip essentials

A good road trip needs these three things: Good snacks, an excellent playlist, and plenty of gas.

If you’re driving through an unfamiliar area, fill up your gas tank sooner rather than later to reduce the risk of getting stranded on empty.

Check out these apps to keep your car juiced up along the route:

Gas Buddy

Gas Buddy helps you find gas stations near you and tells you how much the gas costs.

Prices are put in by other users, so there is a chance prices may have changed by the time you arrive. If that happens, you can report the price change in the app.

PlugShare helps you locate EV charging stations that are compatible with a variety of electric vehicles.

And just in case you need it, because you almost certainly will, Toilet Finder can help you find a nearby facility to take a comfort break.

The app also tells you if the toilet can be used without charge and if it's wheelchair accessible.

Taking a road trip with a pet

If your copilot has fur and paws, BringFido will help you find dog-friendly places to stay, eat, visit, and more.

It even includes reviews from other users to help you make the best decision for you and your pet.

On the road again

By the way, before you hit play and take the wide-open road, download your car insurance app on your phone.

Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it can make it much easier to file a claim or call for roadside assistance.

Reviewed-approved car recommendations

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Woman speaks out after husband electrocuted in hot tub at Rocky Point resort

PUERTO PEÑASCO, MX — It was supposed to be paradise for Texas couple Lizette Zambrano and her husband Jorge but little did she know it would become hell -- ending in her coming home full of grief and without the love of her life.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Lizette Zambrano has spoken out for the first time about the tragedy that happened at the Mexican resort town of Puerto Peñasco when they were both electrocuted, killing Jorge and seriously injuring Lizette.

“I feel that this could have been prevented,” Lizette Zambrano said tearfully. “I still can't believe it. A very good man was taken away.”

Zambrano is now suing the resort for wrongful death due to what she alleges was faulty wiring sending a live current into the water.

I want somebody to take accountability for what happened to my husband and myself,” Zambrano said in the interview on “Good Morning America” on Friday morning. “The last thing I remember him saying is Oh s---. And it's the same time that I felt the first electric shock and then it happened over and over and over and I didn't hear him again.”

The suit alleges that bystanders attempts to rescue the couple were hampered, stating “the metal from the objects carried the electrical current and began shocking the rescuers.”

“A lot of people jumped in, but they kept jumping out because the shocks were so strong,” Zambrano said.

Lizette Zambrano said she was pulled out of the hot tub with no pulse but was given CPR and medically evacuated to a hospital where she eventually regained consciousness.

Her lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages from Casago, the facilitator of the vacation rental, claiming “Jorge was being electrocuted and drowned under water for 10 minutes” and at no time prior to this did the defendants seek to engage the emergency shut off for the jacuzzi.

Meanwhile, Casago has denied all responsibility, saying in a statement in part that “the Sonoran Sea is a condo resort and the homeowners association is responsible for all common areas, including the maintenance of the swimming pool, hot tubs, and grounds. Casago, a vacation rental company, is not involved in any management or maintenance of the resort.”

“What policies, policies and procedures do they have in place? And what's the point of those policies and procedures if they're not doing anything to enact them,” Zambrano's lawyer questioned.

ABC News has asked the homeowner's association for comment but has not heard back.

While electric shock is rare, experts say if you think you are being shocked while in the water, move away from the source and try to get out of the water immediately but without touching metal railings or ladders which may increase the shock.

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Best for customer satisfaction
Best for older adults
Best for long-term care
Best for high returns
Best for agent support
Best for term life
Why you should trust us

Best Life Insurance of June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Life insurance is as complicated as the policyholders and beneficiaries who use it. That means there's no single "best" life insurance company. Instead, you can find the best option based on what you want or what you prioritize.

Summary of the Best Life Insurance Companies

Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm Life Insurance
Best for older adults: Prudential Life Insurance
Best for agent support: New York Life Insurance
Best for long-term care: Columbus Life
Best for high returns: Allianz Life
Best for term life: North American Company

Best Life Insurance Companies of 2024

While there is no such thing as the objective best life insurance policy, you will be able to find the best insurance policy for your specific needs. Here are our picks for the best life insurance companies, whether you want to use your life insurance policy to build wealth through cash value or you're just looking for a term life insurance policy .

Best Life Insurance for Customer Satisfaction

State farm life insurance.

State Farm Life Insurance gets the best life insurance ranking in J.D Power's Individual Life Insurance Study, with a score of 843/1,000. The company is also ranked A++ with AM Best for its financial stability with term, universal, and whole life insurance options.

All State Farm policies have to be purchased through a State Farm agent. Your agent can help you bundle and save or buy one policy. State Farm is also among the companies offering "survivorship universal life insurance ," which means the policy covers two people, and it kicks in after the second person dies. Couples looking to maximize their death benefit for beneficiaries with one premium payment each month may enjoy lower overall costs.

State Farm agents can run quotes and compare options to find the right plans for each applicant. The range of options, discounts, and familiar name all contribute to the popularity of State Farm's life insurance.

Read our State Farm Life Insurance review .

Bundling is standard, and agents often quote with multiple discounts.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Best in JD Power customer service ratings
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a range of different insurance products to meet buyer needs
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Agents are knowledgeable about its products
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Life insurance products are conservative and limited
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may be subject to multi-year waiting periods before they qualify for full payouts on life insurance policies
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. State Farm agents cannot offer alternative options if State Farm is unable to bind a life insurance policy

State Farm is one of the insurance industry's most prominent insurers offering auto, home, and other insurance. Bundling is standard, and agents often quote with multiple discounts. Its term, universal, and whole life insurance products are no exception.

Life insurance products include term and permanent life
Ranks highly for customer satisfaction

Best Life Insurance for Older Adults

Prudential vul protector life insurance.

Prudential Life Insurance is available in all states except New York. New York residents can buy the Pruco Life of New Jersey VUL Protector plan. This plan allows buyers to pull money out of their plan to pay for nursing home expenses. Cash value policy premiums are fixed, so you won't have to worry about extra costs later on. Internal costs are low, which minimizes risk. Due to age, many older adults want a safe investment option for their money. Prudential VUL Protector invests to avoid loss. That also means you're not as likely to see big increases in your available funds outside of what you deposit.

Read our Prudential Life Insurance review .

Offers aggressive financial plans.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states (New York residents may have different plans)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can withdraw money to pay for nursing home bills due to severe illness or disability
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Knowledgeable agents who can walk you through your options
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Financial returns are limited
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited policy options for seniors and other groups who might struggle to find life insurance

The aggressive financial plans offered by Prudential may appeal to many younger buyers and those with a stable income. However, those with lower income or buyers who aren't sure about the financial system may be more hesitant to engage with Prudential. Like many other industry giants, Prudential is working to change this perception.

Best Life Insurance for Long-Term Care

Columbus life insurance.

Columbus Life offers a wide range of riders to customize your policy with affordable premiums. The company also allows you to convert term policies to whole life insurance policies until the end of your term (generally around age 70). For this and many other reasons, customer satisfaction is high.

When using living health benefits (otherwise known as accelerated death benefits), buyers are allowed to pull money from policies early to pay for medical bills, living costs, etc. under certain circumstances. Most companies use a discounted death benefit, which reduces your final payout using two models. Columbus uses the lien method, which makes it easier to calculate the financial impact of pulling money out early.

Offers lien method to makes it easier to calculate the financial impact of pulling money out early.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Buyers can pull money out for medical and other bills in the event of disease or disability
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Columbus uses lien method to simplify accelerated death payments
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Company offers a wide range of riders to customize policies
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may be higher than competitors
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Term policies are not guaranteed to be converted to whole

Best for long-term care and accelerated death benefits.

Best Life Insurance for High Returns on Income

Allianz life insurance.

Allianz Life plans are geared towards high-income adults looking for more tax-free income. Allianz offers a 40% multiplier bonus with a 1% annual assets charge. In short, the professionals managing your investments take 10%. Overall, your investments would pull in an extra 14%-1% asset charge. This means you end up with 3% more than what you deposit every year your life policy is active. This plan offers strong returns when using a life policy to supplement your retirement savings. Allianz also offers specialized plans to grow your income by as much as 20% according to some estimates.

Of note: Allianz also offers plans for foreign nationals, including those with H-1B visas.

Offers life insurance policies for foreign nationals with H-1B visas.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans offer high returns on investment
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great for investment and long-term retirement planning
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. May increase your income by as much as 20%
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Allianz offers plans for foreign nationals including H-1B visas
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans are meant specifically for high-income adults, alternatives may not be offered

Best for investing and high returns on income.

Best Life Insurance for Agent Support

New york life insurance.

New York Life Insurance agents go through extensive training before they ever hit the sales floor. What does this get you? Policies vary widely, and New York Life offers both large and small payouts. Some policies have significant penalties for early withdrawal, but taking a loan offers more options. Whatever your questions, New York Life agents are trained to offer comprehensive support giving you accurate information about its policies every time. The company comes in at position eight in J.D. Power's latest life insurance customer satisfaction study.

Read our New York Life Insurance review here.

Offers aggressive financial products and extensively trained agents.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong life insurance options for financial planning and wealth building
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policies available nationwide
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Knowledgeable life insurance agents
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. May require a medical exam
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers looking for more modest policies may not find the most competitive pricing

If you're preparing for a comfortable retirement or looking to build generational wealth, New York Life is one of the strongest options. If you have questions or genuinely want to understand your life insurance options, New York Life agents are among the most qualified professionals in the business.

Life insurance provider with policies available across the US

Best Life Insurance for Term Life

North american life insurance.

North American Company offers term policies alongside accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses and more. The company allows one conversion on a 20-year policy at 15 years or 70 years old (whichever is earlier). The conversion cannot happen later than the five-year marker regardless of which policy you choose or the length. North American Company also offers a term policy with a lower premium renewable up to the age of 95 for qualifying insureds.

Sammons Financial North American Company

Offers term policies alongside accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses and more.

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers accelerated death benefits for critical, chronic, and terminal illnesses
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers conversion for life policies up to 70 years old
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Term policies can be renewed up to age 95 for qualifying applicants
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all term policies qualify for renewal or conversion

Best Term Policy.

Types of Life Insurance

While there's many different types of life insurance policies , broadly speaking, there are two types of life insurance: temporary and permanent. Let's go over each in detail.

Temporary life insurance

Temporary life insurance is often called term life insurance. This type of policy covers you for a set amount of time before expiring, usually between 10-30 years. If you pass away after your policy expires, your family won't receive any benefits. Additionally, your policy won't accrue cash value like a permanent policy. That said, some term life insurance policies offer a conversion from term to whole life insurance, so you can extend your coverage.

Because its benefits aren't guaranteed, term life policies are generally cheaper than permanent life insurance. That said, the vast majority of term life insurance policies never pay out. on

Permanent life insurance

Permanent life insurance is an umbrella term for a variety of life insurance policies that will insure you indefinitely and guarantee a payout as long as you maintain your policy. Policy types that fall under permanent life insurance includes:

Whole life insurance
Universal life insurance
Variable life insurance
Variable universal life insurance
Simplified life insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance

These policies vary widely in purpose and intended buyers, but all guarantee death benefits to your loved ones. Some permanent life insurance policies, like whole, universal, and variable have a cash value component , which you can use as a savings tool or to leave your heirs a larger death benefit.

How to Pick the Best Life Insurance Policy for You

Finding the right fit in life insurance starts with finding a trusted insurance agent. Because there are so many state regulations, shopping for homeowners or auto insurance can be easily done online. Life insurance is not required. So it's a voluntary purchase. Many buyers don't know what they need or when they need it. Before making your selection, consider a few things:

Some companies will sell you a policy for your child as soon as they're born. While this may seem morbid, early sign-up means lower rates for a policy your child could enjoy in the future. Regardless, early sign-up equates to more policy for lower premiums and a higher likelihood of acceptance. At 20, you may be healthier and be able to pay into the policy for a longer period compared to when you're 50 with more age-related conditions.

As a general rule, never agree to more than you can afford. For the average life insurance agent, their job is to sell you a large policy with a large commission. Consider not only how much you make now, but how likely your current income is to continue. If you work on a project basis and your project is scheduled to end in 12 months, you may want to reconsider a policy premium outside your monthly savings.

How much are you prepared to buy? Some people only want a small policy to cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses. Others build a life policy into their retirement plan. Whatever direction you're going, involving a financial planner could help you make the right decisions. Depending on the carrier, customers can also compare set limits with index universal life policies, which set no limit. These policies never expire, and the value builds over the entirety of your life.

Living Benefits

Life happens unexpectedly. You could be healthy one day and in the hospital the next. Many life policies offer living benefits. These allow you to draw a limited amount out of your policy to cover medical and other bills you cannot pay while sick.

Much like a 401(k), many life insurance policies have penalties for early withdrawal. No matter what policy you want, this question is critical to an informed decision. It's a question of how early you can withdraw and how much you'll lose from the total to have the money in 10 years instead of 30 or after death.

Some policies require insured parties to pay premiums for at least one year before any significant payout would be available. Suicide exclusions are common. Even with no medical exam policies, the company may still do a check for known conditions. An insurance company has to mitigate its risk.

Flexibility

Once you've been denied a life insurance policy, a mark goes on your record. No matter the reasons, other insurance companies may deny you coverage based on the first denial. So consider your whole situation and choose your policy carefully before you submit any applications. Some policies have greater flexibility if you lose your job or otherwise can't make payments. Others will lapse if you miss even one payment.

Payment Type

Even within whole life or term life insurance policies, customers have the option to choose guaranteed fixed or variable rates. Some have guaranteed payouts, but you'll need to ask your agent for details.

What is your intended use? Why are you shopping for a life insurance policy in the first place, and what are your goals? Many successful financial planners also have a background in life insurance. So while they may not be able to find you a specific life insurance policy, financial planners can help you set out a blueprint for your purchase.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Life Insurance Companies

In life insurance, it's easy to get "sold a bill of goods." Many life insurance agents pass a state test to be thrown into the deep end. Agents sell the company product, but not all know the products. In this vein, we look at the products each company offers. We also look at agent training.

A good life insurance agent may not volunteer all facts upfront. But a company's agents should answer questions about its products accurately and in a way the average consumer can digest. Agents should be able to inform you about the long-term benefits and limitations. This will help customers find the right policy for their long-term plan.

We consider affordability, policy sizes available, and performance for a comprehensive assessment in our life insurance rating methodology . If you can, we recommend also working with a financial advisor to make a plan for your future with life insurance.

Our Expert Panel for The Best Life Insurance Companies

To inform our choices for the best life insurance companies, we spoke with the following experts:

Paul LaPiana , head of product at MassMutual
Barbara Pietrangelo , CFP, CLU, and chair of the nonprofit Life Happens
Wykeeta Peel , Corporate Vice President and Market Manager, African American Market Unit at New York Life

The Experts' Advice on Choosing The Best Life Insurance for You

How much life insurance coverage do you believe the average buyer should have.

Paul LaPiana, Head of Product at MassMutual

"There are different approaches to determining how much life insurance you need. One is the 'human life' approach, which estimates the current value of your future earning potential. Another is securing specific coverage to pay off debts such as a mortgage or provide for the education of children. A comprehensive protection plan should provide the right amount of coverage over the course of your working life and into retirement."

Barbara A. Pietrangelo, Chair of Life Happens

"There is no one-size-fits-all life insurance policy because everyone is different. One way to get a rough estimate is to multiply your income by 10 to 15; another is adding $100,00 to that amount, should you have a child and anticipate college education expenses.

Your best bet is to talk to a financial professional or use the Life Insurance Needs Calculator on LifeHappens.org to analyze what's right for you."

Wykeeta Peel, Corporate Vice President & Market Manager African American Market Unit at New York Life

"As you consider what policy best meets your needs, it can help to answer four key questions: First, how much death benefit do you need? Second, how long will you need that coverage? Third, what is your budget (or how much monthly premium can you afford to pay?), and finally, what is your investment risk tolerance?

To determine how much death benefit makes sense, it's helpful to think beyond using life insurance to cover funeral expenses and consider whether anyone is relying on the policy owner's income to maintain a lifestyle, pay rent or a mortgage, or fund a child's education and for how long.

There are various rules of thumb regarding the right amount of Life insurance coverage. Some tips can be found online, but they only provide an estimate and don't necessarily factor in an individual's specific needs. In my opinion, human guidance, powered by technology, is required. Basically, it comes down to how much money your loved ones would need to remain on firm financial ground if your earnings were no longer in the picture and that is different for everyone."

What is the biggest opportunity you see for improvement in the life insurance industry?

"Increased accessibility through digital and other channels as well as through underwriting enhancements. Increased tailoring of products and features. And an increased emphasis on health and wellness programs."

"Having enough qualified insurance professionals to walk potential buyers through the multiple benefits of life insurance will be pivotal to the growth of the industry. Education is a key factor here, as professional agents also need to be able to explain life insurance and its benefits in an easy, digestible way, especially when there are so many misconceptions about life insurance."

"The need for life insurance is greater than ever. In fact, a recent New York Life Wealth Watch survey found that 37% of adults have been thinking about life insurance more often these days – and half of adults report that financial products that provide protection (50%) and reliability (50%) are more important now compared to last year. This may be especially true for middle-market and Cultural Market families.

Our organizational structure of having Cultural Market agents embedded in the communities where we live and work allows us to understand the needs of diverse communities and develop solutions that resonate with them."

What advice would you give to buyers who are debating whether or not to buy life insurance?

"It is difficult to say with any certainty how healthy you will be years from now. That's why securing life insurance, and insuring your insurability, today, when you are the youngest you'll ever be again, and perhaps your healthiest is a wise decision."

"Do you love someone? If the answer is yes, then life insurance is certainly something you should consider. Many buy gifts and experiences to express their love, but haven't considered that life insurance is just another way to say I love you. Nothing says support like ensuring your family's financial security and peace of mind."

"If you have someone depending on your income, you should consider purchasing life insurance. A death benefit from a life insurance policy can replace income from the loss of a breadwinner, ensure a family can stay in their home, fund educational or retirement expenses, address debt and so much more.

A life insurance policy can also help you grow your family's wealth over time. Once the risk of an unexpected loss has been managed, you can begin to think more broadly about your family's financial future. Life insurance can enable your mindset to shift from death to growth."

What's the most important thing buyers should look for when choosing a life insurance agent/company to buy from?

"With life insurance, you are securing a future commitment that may be decades away. Research the company behind the policy to ensure it has high financial strength ratings, longevity, and an excellent track record of paying claims."

"When looking for an insurance agent or company, be sure to do your research. When comparing companies, be sure to remember that the policy features that fit you and your loved ones best is the most important factor. Don't automatically assume you should buy from the higher-rated company.

If the policy from the other company has more of what you're looking for, it might be the better choice. If you're unsure where to start, try the Life Happens Agent Locator to find an insurance professional in your area."

"The insurers' track record: At its core, life insurance is protection - a hedge against the unexpected - and you are paying premiums in exchange for the promise that the insurer will be there when you need them, so the financial strength and track record of the company backing your policy is critical.
Customer service: Are service professionals available by phone and digital channels? Is there is an online dashboard where you can manage your policy? Beyond ensuring assistance is available after you purchase a policy, it's also critical to ensure you have access to trusted advice and guidance before you buy.
Flexibility in conversion: How easy is it to change? Life can be unpredictable and while term insurance can cover your loved ones through a critical period of time, you may decide that access to cash value is an important piece of your strategy.
Accelerated online applications : Online applications are convenient but don't replace human guidance. Keep in mind that accelerated online applications may have a maximum coverage amount, meaning that you may not be able to get all the coverage you may need exclusively through an online process.
A range of payment options: It's important to understand how often you're required to make premium payments and whether and how often you can change the frequency of payments."

Best Life Insurance FAQs

According to JD Power's 2023 life insurance study, State Farm is the highest-rated life insurance company when it comes to overall customer satisfaction. However, you still may want to shop around for quotes from various insurers if you're looking to purchase a new policy.

There isn't one best life insurance company, because the best option for you will depend on the type of policy you're looking for. It's best to work with a qualified insurance agent to help you find the best coverage. If you're deciding between multiple similar options, it's also worth consulting J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction study . The latest study ranks State Farm as the top pick for individual life insurance, outpacing Nationwide by three points.

The best type of life insurance policy for you will differ from someone else's, as your policy should be tailored to your needs. The best policy for you will be affordable and will offer the benefits best suited to your situation. For example, some policies are only meant to cover end-of-life expenses such as burial and funeral arrangements, whereas others include living benefits like a cash value insurance plan , which you can borrow against during your lifetime.

Some life insurance policies are advertised as "no medical exam." This doesn't mean the insurer won't ask you about known conditions or look at medical records. Policies with no medical exam also tend to offer lower benefits with higher premiums. Most companies have a network of medical examiners, some of whom can come to your home. You can find our guide on the best no exam life insurance here.

Each situation is different and requires a knowledgeable life insurance agent to assess your best options. Bring all your questions and the coverage you're looking for to an insurance agent near you to explore your options.

Main content

This former mountain mining community earned the nickname “The Wickedest Town in the West” during its heyday, when rich copper ore deposits attracted miners, merchants, madams and more to Yavapai County.

More than a century later, Jerome's rough-and-tumble spirit has been tempered but not completely tamed, which helped the town narrowly escape a fate that befell many others that fell to ruin after their linchpin mines closed. Today, Jerome is known for being a hillside destination for visitors eager to discover more about the Verde Valley’s mines, wines, fine arts and spectral spirits. This town serves up its history with a side of humor: There’s still a Bordello on Main Street, for example, but the modern incarnation is meant to sate guests’ appetites for burgers only. Read on to discover more about what to enjoy on your visit to Jerome.

Vintage shops

Downtown Jerome’s streets and stairways wend past several tasting rooms and bottle shops that showcase the viticulture of the Verde Valley. At least a half-dozen offer curated lists of wines or ciders, available by the glass, flight or bottle. Jerome’s restaurants tend to include at least one local brand on their menus, too.

Exceptional exhibitionists

It’s not exaggerating to say that artists and craftspeople saved Jerome. The town’s former high school, for example, houses the Jerome Art Center, where more than 30 artists rent studio space. Throughout town, galleries are tucked in former houses and storefronts, showcasing furniture, photography, fine art, jewelry and more.

A haunting good time

The catastrophic fires and violent deaths from the town’s early days have led to Jerome’s “ghost town” status. Over the years, there have been several accounts of ghosts and apparitions that roam the town’s historic buildings and neighborhoods. Evening ghost tours and spirit walks introduce visitors to the local hotels, houses, hospital and high school that former residents are said to haunt.

Dig deep into the history of Jerome

The copper mines may have closed, but they’re by no means forgotten. Just above the former Little Daisy mine, what once served as the Douglas family mansion has been converted into the museum and visitors center for Jerome State Historic Park , which contains displays, demonstrations and tours related to the town’s mining boom. And throughout Jerome, placards share the history of both ruins and remaining buildings, inspiring renewed appreciation for the renaissance the town’s residents have been able to craft themselves. Turns out, all that rough tumbling revealed the gem that had been lying underneath all this time, ready to shine once again.

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The Ultimate Arizona Itinerary for 2024

Where You’ll Go:

Day 1-3: Sedona

Day 4-5: Havasu Falls

Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim

Day 7: Horseshoe Bend

Day 8: Antelope Canyon

Day 9: The Wave & White Pocket

Day 10: Monument Valley

Day 11: Canyon de Chelly

Day 12: Painted Desert

Bonus: Spend Days 13-14 in Tucson

What to Pack

The Perfect American Southwest Road Trip

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5-Day Arizona Itinerary: Phoenix to Sedona to Grand Canyon

Planning an Arizona Road Trip

5-Day Arizona Itinerary

Day 1: Phoenix

Where to Stay in Phoenix

Day 2: Phoenix to Sedona

Day 3: Sedona

Where to Stay in Sedona

Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon

Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon

Day 5: Grand Canyon

Have More Time?

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The Ultimate Road Trip From Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

Day 1: Phoenix to Scottsdale

Where to stay in Scottsdale

Keep an eye open for . . .

Don’t miss . . .

Day 2: Scottsdale to Sedona

Where to stay in Sedona

Detour worth taking

Day 3: Sedona

Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim

Where to stay near the Grand Canyon

Day 5: Grand Canyon South Rim

Trip extensions from the Grand Canyon South Rim

Start in Tucson instead of Phoenix

Head north to Lake Powell

Head east to Canyon de Chelly

7-DAY ARIZONA ITINERARY: PHOENIX, GRAND CANYON & SEDONA

Phoenix — Day 1-3

Best Things to Do in Phoenix, AZ

Where to Stay in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix → Grand Canyon National Park

Jerome – Day Trip

Grand Canyon National Park — Day 4

Best Things to Do at the Grand Canyon

Where to Stay Near the Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park → Sedona

Sedona — Day 5-7

Best Things to Do in Sedona

Where to Stay in Sedona

Sedona → Phoenix

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Everything You Need to See, Do, and Eat on an Arizona Road Trip

Day 1: Start in Tucson

Day 2: Drive From Tucson to Scottsdale

Day 3: Drive From Scottsdale to Sedona

Day 4: Drive From Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Day 5: Drive From the Grand Canyon to Page

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