Whether you’re visiting Phoenix for a convention, a business trip, or to check out the Grand Canyon, there’s always something to do in Arizona. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Phoenix or the surrounding cities, this guide to the best things to do in Arizona will help you make the most of your time. You’ll find ideas for things to do in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, and more! Arizona is a state known for its natural beauty, but it’s also a great place to visit for cultural and historical sites. The Grand Canyon is the most popular tourist destination in the state, but if you’re looking for something with a little fewer crowds, consider these five alternatives, which seldom see the kind of traffic the Grand Canyon does.

When to Go to Arizona

As you can probably guess, there is no one answer to the question of “when is the best time to visit Arizona.” There are a lot of things that play a role in whether or not the weather will cooperate with your plans (as well as other factors like the level of crowds and prize of hotel deals). A lot of folks assume that visiting the state in the winter is the best way to ensure sunny days and mild weather. However, winter does bring its own set of challenges, like chilly temperatures (and, if you visit the northern part of the state, snow).

Arizona Museum of Natural History

The Arizona Museum of Natural History is your perfect place to take your children if they are keen to learn more about animals. The museum is known as a place that combines an amazing experience with the best of learning. The museum has an excellent cast of the dinosaurs that were found in the area and has become one of the most popular museums to visit in Arizona. Many people come to the museum for its incredible collection of minerals and fossils.

Arizona River Runners

It’s true, there’s a lot to do in Arizona. You can hike, bike, fish, raft, swim, or just enjoy the mountains. But, maybe what you’re looking for is a little less peaceful – like a white-water river rafting adventure. On the lower stretches of the Colorado River, near the town of Laughlin, you’ll find a company that takes out rafters on an exciting stretch of river that’s perfect for beginners. It is not just a leisurely float down the river, however. The rapids are thrilling, so it’s not a trip for those who aren’t in good health. Even if you’ve never been rafting before, Arizona River Runners will provide you with guides who have.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is an 85-acre park located in Tucson, Arizona. It was established in 1963 and has since become an outdoor museum of art and nature, with 13 exhibits displaying both native and non-native animal species, and a wide range of plants. Paved trails, an amphitheater, a small aviary, and a nature center are all open to the public. The park, which covers a range of different climates, is open year-round, and admission is free.

Bentley Gallery

The Bentley Gallery is a charming museum in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona, that showcases a large collection of art, as well as a variety of historical exhibits. Many of the items on display are from Bentley’s own collection, which includes many works by contemporary Native American artists, as well as rare ancient artifacts. Visitors are welcome to take photos inside the museum, and can even borrow a digital camera to shoot their own pictures. Many of the works on display are for sale, and all proceeds go to helping future exhibits.

Biltmore Fashion Park

The Biltmore Fashion Park is a high-end shopping center in Phoenix, Arizona, and one of the largest malls in the city. The mall features a wide variety of retailers, including high-end luxury stores. It is also home to many high-end restaurants, including a Cheesecake Factory, a Fleming’s Steakhouse, and a Mikado Japanese Cuisine, among others. (Note: The “Biltmore Fashion Park” is a reallocation. Arizona is a real place.)

Bluewater Jet Boat Tours

Bluewater Jet Boat Tours offers 1-hour, 4-hour, and 8-hour jet boat tours of the famous Arizona rapids of the Colorado River. The tours are operated out of the famous Glen Canyon National Recreation Area which is a natural wonder of the world. As you read this I’m somewhere around the Colorado River, flying down the river on a jet boat, and smiling. I’m in a river canyon hundreds of feet deep, surrounded by stunning red cliffs and sandstone layers that rise and fall in a beautifully painted pattern that stretches as far as the eye can see. More than likely, I’m on one of the tours operated by the Bluewater Jet Boat Tours which offers 1-hour, 4-hour.

Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. Construction began in 1931 and was completed in 1936. It was conceived as a project to provide hydroelectric power, flood control, and water supply for Arizona and California. Today, however, the Hoover Dam is a popular tourist destination, attracting over 1 million people per year.

Tucson skyline

Tucson is the second-largest city in Arizona, and you can’t really talk about the city without starting with the most obvious landmark: the downtown hotel that’s shaped like a cactus. It’s the tallest building in the city, and the tallest cactus in the world at about 20 stories high. The city is also known for its University of Arizona, which is the state’s oldest university and one of the top centers for astronomy. But if stargazing isn’t your thing, you can check out the downtown area, which features some interesting historical sites, including the Tucson Museum of Art, which is housed in a historic Spanish-style building that dates back to 1891.