Arizona National Monuments

Jan thinks it’s hard being a Brady? Try being a national monument in Arizona for a few minutes and she will have her attitude adjusted in a jiffy.

The Grand Canyon & Marcia may be the grooviest looking girl in the whole school, (*whining* Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon!) …but it’s far from Arizona’s only natural wonder! From red cliffs cut through by blue ribbons of water, to towering rock formations that defy belief, to a massive living cave beneath your feet, Arizona is full of incredible monuments worthy of your visit.

The Grand Canyon

A national Park since 1919, the Grand Canyon is much more than just “a big hole in the ground.”  Unique combinations of geologic color and eroded forms, decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, and up to 18 miles wide in parts. It’s also up to a mile deep!

Places to explore:

• The North Rim
• The South Rim
• Havasupai Falls
• Phantom Ranch

Arizona Architecture

From ancient American Indian cliff dwellings, to mid-century modern marvels designed by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright, Arizona’s architecture has always surprised visitors with its variety. The Mission San Xavier del Bac, south of Tucson, is the oldest European structure in Arizona, combining the native culture of the nearby Tohono O’Odham Nation with the Mission’s Catholic heritage.

Places to explore:

• Arcosanti
• Taliesen West
• Hopi House
• Historic Architecture at Arizona’s State Parks

Arizona Dark Sky Parks

Arizona has more International Dark Sky communities than anywhere else in the world. Flagstaff was the world’s first designated community, and it has since been joined by Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, Fountain Hills, Camp Verde, and the Thunder Mountain Pootseev Nightsky community on the Kaibab Paiute Reservation.

Take in the sights and gaze up at the stars:

• Mount Graham International Observatory
• Lowell Observatory
• Kitt Peak Observatory
• Stay & Stargaze

Famous ROUTE 66

There are few drives as iconic as Route 66. Running nearly the full width of Arizona’s northern half, Route 66 takes travelers on a journey through quirky small towns, historic roadside attractions and motels, and breathtaking scenery courtesy of nearby parks, the Petrified National Forest and the Grand Canyon.

Get your kicks on Route 66:

• Kingman
• Winslow
• The Mother Road – Route 66