Fun Friday
Welcome back to another Fun Friday post where we are headed you may ask? Well I am going to take you on a trip through the amazing state of Arizona. I can't wait to share with you some of the amazing places I have learned about.
1.) South Rim of the Grand Canyon- this is The most developed area of Grand Canyon National Park, the South Rim offers amenities such as bus service, hotels and water stations, but is also more crowded than the North Rim. Scenic highlights include Pipe Creek Vista and Yavapai Point.
If you dare you can also check out the north rim-Word of mouth has that the more remote, harder to get to and therefore less crowded North Rim offers a more authentic Canyon experience and better views. However, there is no bus service on this rim and it is closed during the winter.
2.) Horseshoe Bend- This horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River is just a short hike from the beginning of Grand Canyon National Park. The overlook point, which can be accessed via the town of Page, is particularly popular during sunset when the landscape is at its most vibrant, and the iconic turquoise bend glows against the orange cliffs. Although the desert hike is relatively easy, you won’t encounter much shade, so be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
To maximize your time here, join a tour that includes other picturesque sights like Glen Canyon Dam and Antelope Canyon.
3.) Desert Botanical Garden- located in Phoenix you can Discover the tranquil vibrancy of desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of the Sonoran Desert, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. Scroll through the Garden's calendar so not to miss festive events and dArizonazzling exhibitions. Delve deeper to learn about desert landscaping, nature art, cooking and wellness and more through the Garden's various adult and children's classes.
4.) Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum- The renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is everything you could want in a Sonoran Desert adventure! Mostly outdoors and comprising an AZA-accredited zoo, extensive botanical garden, two art galleries, and a natural history museum, the Desert Museum sits on 98 acres of pristine desert landscape. The Museum showcases the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert region (with over 55,000 plants!) featuring wildlife such as coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep in naturalistic habitats. Bird lovers delight in visiting the Museum's two aviaries, one dedicated to hummingbirds! Kids love the interactive Packrat Playhouse and Stingray Touch exhibits, learning to appreciate our unique environment from a young age. The Museum's gift shops offer a bounty of books, jewelry, crafts, and more. This family-friendly establishment offers something for everyone!
5.) Musical Instrument Museum-The World's Only Global Musical Instrument Museum. Home of the MIM Music Theater--a 300-seat acoustically superb performance space--as well as the award-winning Café Allegro (open 11 am - 2 pm daily) and the MIM Museum Store. The average guest spends nearly four hours at MIM. Please allow plenty of time to fully enjoy MIM's galleries and exhibits. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm; Closed Thanksgiving; Open Christmas, 11 am - 5 pm. General Admission: $20; Teens (ages 13-19): $15; Children (ages 4-12): $10; Children 3 and under: Free. Hours and prices are subject to change.
6.) Red Rock Scenic Byway(SR 179)- The Red Rock Scenic Byway is your Gateway to the world-famous Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona … just 110 miles north of Phoenix, about 40 miles south of Flagstaff, and only a few hours south of the Grand Canyon.
7.) Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson- 400+ aircraft, 80 acres, 6 indoor air-cooled hangars... just plane awesome! We’re one of the world's largest aircraft collections including 3 hangars of WWII planes, the SR-71, the world's smallest biplane, and many other unique private, military, and commercial air & spacecraft documenting the evolution of flight. There’s something for everyone from a “flight simulator” Boeing 720 cockpit, the Women in Flight Gallery, and an all around mecca for the aviation aficionado. We give the only tour of the "Boneyard"/AMARG (M-F, no holidays, 16-day advanced reservations required) plus a tram tour of the museum's 80 acres and one-of-a-kind planes. You can actually touch aviation history like "Freedom One" (that flew American hostages home after 444 days in Iran), presidential planes, others with wingspans the near the length of a football field... ogle helicopters, MiGs, an Oscar, a rare German buzz bomb, a moon rock, and much more!
8.) Sabino Canyon in Tucson- Located in the Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest, this beautiful canyon offers outdoor recreation including hiking, swimming, biking and picnicking. For an overview of the area, take the narrated shuttle bus tour.
9.) Devil's Bridge Trail- This 1.8-mile hike will lead you to Sedona’s iconic sandstone arch, where you’ll get breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and rock formations. Get there early to beat the crowd or expect to wait for up to a couple of hours for a photo op. Walk about a mile along the Dry Creek dirt road to reach the trailhead, but if you can’t find a spot at the Dry Creek Trailhead parking lot, park along the highway instead.
Otherwise, Sedona offers a free shuttle service from downtown to two of the five trailheads, Mescal and Dry Creek Vista. – Tripadvisor
10.) Oak Creek Canyon located in Sedona- Take one of America’s most scenic drives—the 30-mile route from Flagstaff to Sedona—to Oak Creek Canyon. You can get a detailed map from the ranger station before you set off. Watch as towering red cliffs give way to lush forested canyons along the drive. There’s so much to do once you’re there: cool off at the swimming holes, fish for your own meal, hike the popular West Fork trail, ride a jeep or ATV, or hop on a hot air balloon ride. Pick up some Native American crafts at Oak Creek Vista.
Visit in the fall to see the stunning colors of the changing leaves and for fewer crowds. – Tripadvisor
11.) Mission San Xavier del Bac located in Tucson- Built in the 1700s, this recently restored white adobe church, representing a wonderful example of Spanish colonial architecture, is beautiful inside and out, with colorful frescoes, sculptures and carvings.
12.) Heard Museum located in Phoenix- The foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the U.S., the Heard Museum reveals the cultures of tribes in the region through exhibits, demonstrations and live performances and displays the work of contemporary Native American artists. Artists demonstrate their work during the week and musicians perform on most weekends.
13.) Old Town Scottsdale- This quaint neighborhood in greater Phoenix is a shopping galore with a charming Old West feel. Old Town Scottsdale is the perfect spot for snatching gorgeous turquoise jewelry, but make sure you browse all the unique boutique shops in the area—you'll find a variety of items from high-end pieces to trinkets. Visit the trendy art galleries and the weekly farmers’ market, and pick your favorite diner to get a plentiful meal while walking around the well-preserved streets of the district. They also say that the streets are haunted but will you stay after dark and experience yourself?
Baseball fans can swing by the Scottsdale Stadium to watch the San Francisco Giants spring training.
14.) Walnut Canyon National Monument located in Flagstaff- See millions of years of history unraveled in the geology of the rocks at this popular scenic and historic hiking area, once populated by the Sinagua Indians.
15.) Southwest Wildlife COnservation Center located in Flagstaff-Tours by appointment only. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility specializing in wild mammals. Over 70% of the animals that come into our center are returned to the wild. For those that cannot be released, we offer a home for life in our sanctuary. We conduct guided tours of our sanctuary by appointment only. Reservations are required and can be made on our website under the Visit Us tab.
16.) O.K. Corral- Actual site of the famous 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Subject of numerous Hollywood movies. See Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday in daily reenactments. Stand where the legendary Gunfight began. Visit Doc Holliday's room. View over 100 photos of 1880s Tombstone and the Apache taken by famous Tombstone photographer C.S. Fly. Open daily 9-5.
17.) Kartchner Caverns State Park located in Benson-In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. They were looking “for a cave no one had ever found” and found it. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their awesome discovery. Since unprotected caves can be seriously damaged by unregulated use, they knew the cave had to be protected. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave themselves. Some members of the Kartchner family lived in Tucson and were very impressed with the development and operation of Catalina State Park by Arizona State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency was interested in acquiring this outstanding resource
18.) Slide Rock State Park located in Sedona- This state park in Oak Creek Canyon is one of Arizona’s most visited tourist attractions. Apart from the abundant plant and wildlife, Slide Rock State Park is also home to a 43-acre working apple farm, one of the few homesteads preserved in the canyon.
Tackle the hiking trails to enjoy great views of sandstone bluffs, explore rustic cabins from the 20th century, and cool off by swooshing down the 80-foot-long natural water slide that the park is named after. If you're planning for a swim, note that temperatures in Oak Creek can drop to near-freezing in winter and spring. –
19.) Lowell Observatory located in Flagstaff- Established in 1894, Lowell Observatory is a leading astronomical and planetary science research institution, National Historical Landmark, and one of the most popular nighttime destinations in Arizona. Our astronomers and planetary scientists work to reveal our universe with advanced instruments, such as the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope, the 5th-largest optical telescope in the continental US. State-of-the-art public telescopes provide incredible views of the cosmos, and our historical telescopes offer a look into our history of scientific progress. Admission includes constellation tours, exhibits, and access to our Giovale Open Deck Observatory. See why we are recognized as the world’s first International Dark Sky destination. Effective Monday, March 7th, 2022, Lowell Observatory has lifted our on-campus mask requirements to match new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
20.) Titan Missile Museum located in Sahuarita-now this location is a must see for all military history lovers because this guided tour shows visitors how ready the U.S. was for war with the Soviets.
21.) Standin' on the Corner- Welcome to Standin' on The Corner in Winslow, Arizona, a legendary landmark that has captured the hearts and imaginations of music lovers and road-trippers alike. The historic Corner, made famous by the Eagles' hit song "Take it Easy," is a must-see for anyone traveling Route 66 or exploring the American Southwest. The corner is in the heart of Winslow's downtown, a once bustling hub that thrived on Route 66 traffic before the interstate construction. Today, it is a tribute to the past, a reminder of the glory days of American road travel. Visitors can stand on the corner, snap a photo with the iconic statue, and soak in the nostalgia of this beloved cultural landmark. The Standin' on The Corner Foundation works tirelessly to preserve the history and legacy of the iconic Corner, throwing one of Arizona's longest-running music festivals during the last weekend of September.
22.) Red Rock State Park located in Sedona- Red Rock State Park is a 286 acre nature preserve and environmental education center with stunning scenery. Trails throughout the park wind through manzanita and juniper to reach the rich banks of Oak Creek. Green meadows are framed by native vegetation and hills of red rock. The creek meanders through the park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife. This riparian habitat provides the setting and the opportunity for the park to offer a focus on environmental education. Red Rock offers a variety of special programs for school groups and private groups. There are a number of daily and weekly park events. The park offers a visitors center, classroom, theater, park store, ramada and hiking trails.
23.) Lake Powell-This man-made reservoir, located in northern Arizona and southern Utah, is a great spot for travelers seeking nature and outdoor adventure. Embark on a boat tour from either Wahweap Marina or Antelope Point Marina and witness the magnificent rock formations along the lake, like Navajo Canyon and the Toilet Bowl. It is also a haven for fishing and water sports, including boating, jet skiing, and kayaking. You can even camp in the area and explore other natural landmarks, like the iconic Horseshoe Bend.
Plan your visit from summer through early fall to enjoy longer days and breathtaking sunsets. – Tripadvisor
24.) McCormick- Stillman Railroad Park located in Scottsdale-Climb aboard the miniature replica of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad to explore this park that features famous railroad cars and an antique carousel.
25.) Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park- On July 1, 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. Today at Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, walk through the actual strap iron cells and solitary chamber of Arizona Territory’s first prison. Now a museum, the prison houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed there and the harsh life they had to endure.
26.) London Bridge located in Lake Havasu City- The original bridge from England was purchased by the founder of Lake Havasu City and reconstructed at Lake Havasu in 1971.
27.) The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures located in Tuscon-Discover the magical world of miniatures at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, where visitors are seemingly transported to different lands and times through the stories told by over 300 miniature houses and roomboxes, expertly displayed in over 10,000 square-feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space. The Museum’s permanent collection boasts antique dollhouses dating to 1742, contemporary fine-scale miniatures and enchanting collectibles. Frequent temporary exhibits, special programs and events mean there is always something new to see. The Chicago Tribune has claimed; “The magic of this place cannot be overstated.” For a truly memorable experience, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind collection in a world-class setting.
28.) Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West- Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West celebrates the art, history and unique stories of the 19 states comprising the American West. The rotating exhibitions feature hundreds of Western artworks and rare historic artifacts on loan from some of the world's foremost collectors and institutions. The contemporary, 43,000-square-foot building is an architectural gem that meets the highest standards for sustainability and conservation of natural resources. Visitors also will enjoy the informative video kiosks, beautiful outdoor sculpture courtyard,museum store, and inspirational film "Spirit Is." Located in downtown Scottsdale's arts district, Western Spirit is within easy walking distance of numerous art galleries and restaurants. Nearby attractions include Old Town Scottsdale,Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale Stadium (Cactus League Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team), the Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Scottsdale's Museum of the West is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, and was selected 2016 Best Western Museum in the nation by True West magazine.
29.) Sharlot Hall Museum- The Sharlot Hall Museum, two blocks west of Prescott's Courthouse Plaza, is one of Arizona's premier history museums. Its four-acre campus tells Arizona's story through exhibits, gardens, and historic buildings, including the 1864 Territorial Governor's Mansion. Events and programs include the annual Prescott Indian Art Market, monthly Living History Adventure days, and more.
30.) Jerome Grand Hotel- Historic former general surgical hospital overlooking Jerome and The Verde Valley. A National Historic Landmark Building offering fine dining in the separately owned/operated Asylum Restaurant (Wednesday-Sunday) and exquisite views. The Jerome Grand Hotel is close to shopping, galleries, numerous restaurants of varied cuisine, wine tasting rooms as well as The Jerome State Historic Park.
I really hope that you enjoy the blog and let me know if you visit any of the places on the list and come back next friday for the next adventure.
Written by: Beautifulchaos318
