Arizona is filled with national and state parks, nature centers, museums, national monuments, lakes and so much more.
Arizona is easy to get to from the Eugene Airport: fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, or the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and you’re just a few hours away from all types of adventures. Everything is spread out so you will need a rental car and a navigation program to explore Arizona.
Phoenix / Scottsdale / Mesa
There are endless options for activities in Central Arizona, which gets an average of 330 days of sunshine per year. The area boasts over 200 golf courses, and many resorts are based around golf, tennis and amazing swimming pools. There’s a rich history with many ways to learn about Native American culture as well as the Wild West. Outdoor activities are varied including biking, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, hot air balloon rides and jeep tours. A Segway tour of Old Town Scottsdale is
a fun way to see the area and learn some history.
The Grand Canyon
It is an easy four-and-a-half-hour drive from the Phoenix area to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. A great place to stop along the way is the historic Route 66 town of Williams, which looks like the town of Radiator Springs from the Cars movies. Williams is also the location of the Grand Canyon Railway which has been operating since 1901. You can spend the night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and then take the leisurely train trip to the South Rim. The train ride features storytellers, musicians, and an Old West show. It’s a great family experience.
At the South Rim there are many ways to experience the Grand Canyon: you can drive to the look-out points, take a bus tour, hike into the canyon, visit the museums and visitor centers, or rent a bike to ride along the canyon rim. There are pathways along the rim that allow your family to enjoy spectacular views while riding. Whatever you do, don’t miss the daily spectacle of natural beauty at sunrise and sunset.
There are endless options for activities in Central Arizona, which gets an average of 330 days of sunshine per year.
Sedona
Sedona claims to be “the most beautiful place on earth,” and it may be true. It is situated within 2 million acres of pristine national forest lands and only two hours from Phoenix. If you like to be outside and active, this is the place for you. Slide Rock State Park features natural water slides for family fun. Sedona offers some of the most picturesque hiking in the world, and the town itself features over 80 art galleries, top-notch restaurants, wine tasting, spiritual centers and peaceful spas.
Southern Arizona / Tucson
If you want to venture the opposite direction, you can take a day trip or spend a few days exploring the southern part of Arizona. About two hours from Phoenix is the Biosphere 2, operated by the University
of Arizona. You may remember the experiment in the early 1990s when scientists lived within this glass-enclosed science and research center. It is now open to the public for educational tours ($27 for adults/ $15 for children).
South of Tucson is Kartchner Caverns State Park. This has been voted the “Best Cave in the USA.” The caverns are a living limestone cave that was discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1999. Reservations for tours ($23 for adults/ $13 for youth) should be made in advance to visit this natural wonder.
If you want to continue another hour past Kartchner Caverns, you can visit old town Tombstone. This is the location of the OK Corral and it’s cheesy fun. Arrive by about 2 p.m. as they close early. Lots of saloons, little museums, stagecoach rides, cowboy shoot-outs, shops and Old West themed activities.
The next time you’re craving some sunshine and outdoor adventure, make your escape to Arizona. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
An ideal itinerary
Fly into Phoenix or Mesa and rent a car for a week. You can drive to Williams and stay overnight, and the next day take the Grand Canyon Railway into the Grand Canyon and stay for two nights at one of the historic lodges. This should give you time to go hiking, take a bike tour, visit the museums and visitor centers then catch a spectacular sunset and sunrise. After you ride the train back to Williams, you can drive about 90 minutes to Sedona and spend a couple of days visiting Slide Rock State Park, hiking in the Red Rocks and taking a Pink Jeep Tour. Driving back to the Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale area takes about two hours.
A perfect way to end your vacation is a few days relaxing around the pools at one of the resorts in this desert playground. There are gorgeous resorts with expansive pools featuring swim-up bars and waterslides. Order a tropical beverage, and you might think you are in Hawaii.
Meet Vacation MOM
Vacation MOM is brought to you in partnership with Eugene Airport
Donnita Bassinger has been a travel agent for over three decades and is the owner of VIP Vacations. She enjoys sending families on vacations around the world. She is a mom to three and lives in Eugene, and she looks forward to making your travel dreams become a reality.
Contact Donnita at 541-913-5272 or on facebook @VacationMOM
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