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Travel blogs, photos and features from Arizona

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Arizona Travel Guide

The ultimate guide to the best things to do and see in Arizona

The Grand Canyon State is one of the best in the US Southwest and has everything: cool cities, amazing landscapes, friendly people, fun cultural events and fantastic weather. Start here with my basic Arizona travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Arizona travel blogs.

When to Visit

Weather-wise, Arizona really is a year-round destination, however there are times of the year that are busier with tourism than others. For example, the Grand Canyon sees the most visitors during the summer season, but other parts of the state may be the least busy at that time due to the high heat.

Some places close completely during winter or summer, so it’s worth checking opening times before planning your visit. If you’re coming to Arizona in the summer, just be sure to be prepared for the heat, which can be extreme: dress appropriately, drink plenty of water and don’t stay out in the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

Top Things To See

The Grand Canyon – Without question, Arizona’s most famous sight. The Grand Canyon is actually not the deepest canyon on Earth (that’s in Nepal), but it’s known for being visually very impressive and is surrounded by stunning, multicolored landscape.

Heard Museum – Learn all about the region of the world’s native culture and history at this comprehensive and well laid out museum. Much of it is presented in first person narratives rom Native Americans themselves, and showcases a lot of indigenous art, both historical and contemporary.

MOCA, Tucson – Tucson is undoubtedly the most artistic city in Arizona, and this museum of contemporary art is a must-see. Established only in 1996, it’s a beacon for contemporary art in the city and has seen exhibitions by local and international artists including Takahashi Murakami, Matt Groening and Sharon Wheeler.

Arizona Tours

Save yourself the time and hassle of visiting remote parts of Arizona by booking a tour. Take a look at this selection of recommended Arizona tours. It’s possible to plan your own hikes through Arizona’s countryside, or check out this list of some of the best near Sedona, plus helpful packing tips for what to bring on an Arizona hike.

LGBTQ – Gay Arizona Travel Guide

Arizona, like much of the United States, isa  very easy place to travel as a gay person, though the cities are most certainly the best parts of the state for this. These are a few of the best things you should know about the gay scenes in Arizona’s biggest cities.

Phoenix – Sure, it’s also a bit conservative (hey, Arizona), but the state capital (and largest city) is surprisingly hip and the gay scene is increasingly ranked among America’s best. It’s easy to have a fun weekend there filled with lots of boys, art, late-night romps and wild adventures!

Tucson – As an arty, creative city with a large university population, Tucson is a super gay-friendly location. There are several nice gay bars, clubs as well as special parties that happen irregularly. See here what gay events are going on in Tucson.

Flagstaff – Though it’s a relatively small city, Flagstaff in northern Arizona has its very own (and very fun) gay pride event every June. In addition, there are a few low-key pubs, bars and gay-friendly venues worth checking out.

More gay travel resources here.

Arizona Hotel Deals

Arizona has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. I’ve found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined can be really useful for finding last-minute deals.

Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!

Arizona Travel Blogs