There are hundreds of lists of things to do in the USA or individual states like Arizona, but we’ve come up with one thing in every state plus D.C. in 21 different categories. Truly something for everyone, from historic places to foods you have to try, from the downright quirky to amazing museums, and from weird places to stay to fun things to do. Our primary criteria were we have or want to see them, and they are things you can physically visit or try.
A map showing the location of everything on our bucket list for the Grand Canyon state can be found at the end of the post.
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HISTORIC PLACE: O.K. CORRAL
Photo by Jessica Spengler | CC BY 2.0
See Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday’s gunfight with the McLaury’s re-enacted in daily shows. Then explore the historic town and see photos of Tombstone life in the 1880s, including pictures of the famous Apache warrior Geronimo.
Read Reviews for O.K. Corral | 326 E Allen St, Tombstone, Arizona 85638
FAMOUS PERSON: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
The winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, and now the headquarters of his fellowship, the beautiful building of Taliesin West is well worth exploring. Sitting in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains near Scottsdale, it was built almost entirely by his and his apprentices’ hands.
❝ Taliesin West is a look over the rim of the world. ❞– Frank Lloyd Wright, 1943
Read Reviews of Taliesin West | 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259
READ MORE: Guide to Visiting Taliesin West
NATURAL WONDER: ANTELOPE CANYON
The stunning Antelope Canyon can only be visited by organised tour. We chose Antelope Canyon Tours who drive you to the canyon and then escort you through it, showing some of the many features and shapes you can see in the walls. If you can visit in the summer, you could get to see the magical looking shafts of light that drill down into the canyon when the sun is at its highest.
Read Reviews for Antelope Canyon | 22 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, Arizona 86040
READ MORE: Guide to Visiting Antelope Canyon
FOOD & DRINK: CHIMICHANGAS AND CACTUS COOLER
Photos by jeffreyw | CC BY 2.0 & Keenan Pepper | CC BY-SA 2.0
FACTORY TOUR: TEDDY BEARS
Everyone had one as a kid didn’t they? Find out how the cute little critters are designed and made with a behind the scenes visit to Stuffington Bear Factory.
Read Reviews for Stuffington Bear Factory | 1717 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85006
MAN-MADE: LONDON BRIDGE
Whilst the bridge is perfectly pleasant, it’s the story of how it was moved, brick by brick, from across the Thames in London, England to Lake Havasu that’s interesting. The bridge was put up for sale in 1967 and city founder Robert P.McCulloch placed a winning bid of $2,460,000. Every brick of the bridge was then numbered as it was disassembled, shipped across the Atlantic and rebuilt in Lake Havasu, complete with City of London plaques and strafing marks from WWII!
Read Reviews for London Bridge | 1400-1500 McCulloch Blvd N, Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
RECORD-BREAKING: WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR TELESCOPE
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Jim Lowe
Named after Dr Keith Pierce and Dr Robert McMath, the world’s biggest solar instrument is several decades old! Dedicated in November 1962, it is nearly 100 feet (30m) high and the diagonal shaft is 200 feet (61m) long and disappears into the ground.
Sells, Arizona 85634
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
QUIRKY RECORD: WORLD’S LARGEST ROSE BUSH
Photo by Chanel Wheeler | CC BY-SA 2.0
Planted from cuttings sent from Scotland, the “Lady Banksia” began to grow in 1886. Now covering 9,000 sq. feet (836m2) it is a primary attraction at Rose Tree Museum and Books; a museum showing how a home in the area would have looked over 100 years ago.
118 S 4th St, Tombstone, Arizona 85638
ACTIVITY: DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
With five unique trails off the primary loop, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases all kinds of desert plants, trees and cacti. Founded on its present site in 1939, it contains over 21,000 specimens, half of which are cacti and includes over 100 specimens that are endangered or rare.
Read Reviews of Desert Botanical Garden | 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona 85008
READ MORE: Guide to Visiting Desert Botanical Garden
ATLAS OBSCURA: MYSTERY CASTLE
Built by Boyce Gully for his princess (daughter), the mystery castle is built out of all kinds of materials. The 18 room castle ended up with 13 fireplaces along with turrets, odd winding staircases and even a chapel, cantina, and a dungeon.
Read Reviews for Mystery Castle | 800 E Mineral Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85042
MOST VISITED: GRAND CANYON
The first time you see it can’t quite comprehend how enormous it is. If you ever get the chance to fly over it in a helicopter, you can truly appreciate its sheer scale. Maybe one day we’ll land at the bottom for a completely different experience again.
Read Reviews for Grand Canyon
STATE/NATIONAL PARK: RED ROCK STATE PARK
Photo by sk | CC BY-ND 2.0
Stunning red rocks, rich with colour in the sun, and Oak Creek Canyon are the main attractions in this park. Well worth a visit if you are in the beautiful Sedona area.
Read Reviews for Red Rock State Park | 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, Arizona 86336
EVENT: WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO
Photo by jason shultz | CC BY-ND 2.0
Prescott Frontier Days claims the title of ‘World’s Oldest Rodeo’ at over 130 years old and going strong. Watch bareback riding, cattle roping, barrel racing and of course, bull riding.
Read Reviews of Prescott Frontier Days | 840 Rodeo Dr, Prescott, Arizona 86305
DIFFERENT PLACE TO STAY: GRAND CANYON CAVERNS
Grand Canyon Caverns is an interesting stop in its own right, especially if you are getting your kicks on Route 66. But as part of the tour, you will see a fully equipped, hotel suite-like, living space. And yes, you can stay the night deep down in a cavern. Turn off the lights to experience TRUE darkness.
Read Reviews for Grand Canyon Caverns | Route 66, Seligman, Arizona 86337
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
DIFFERENT PLACE TO EAT: MINING CAMP RESTAURANT
Photo reproduced with kind permission of Kelley Diwan
From family-style dining, through “Dutchman’s Hide Out” to their “Hello Arizona!” dinner show, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the food at Mining Camp Restaurant. With some mining equipment outside and long tables inside, you can pretend you’ve just come back from a hard day’s mining, or just enjoy the atmosphere and food.
6100 E Mining Camp St, Apache Junction, Arizona 85119
HAVE SOME FUN: HELICOPTER TO THE TOP OF TOWER BUTTE
This will probably be one of the most expensive things we suggest, but it’s worth it if you can afford it. Taking off from Page airport, you fly in a state of the art helicopter to Tower Butte and LAND on top of it. You then have about 20 minutes (which is plenty) to explore the top of this tower standing tall amongst the desert. Take in the views, walk the rim and just marvel in the beauty and inaccessibility of your surroundings. Top Tip: If your pilot asks you if you want the exciting take-off or the normal one – say exciting. Seriously, don’t question it, just say exciting, sit back and enjoy the ride…
TOP TIP: If your pilot asks you if you want the exciting take-off from Tower Butte or the normal one – say exciting. Seriously, don’t question it, just say exciting, sit back and enjoy the ride… Check out the video for an idea of what to expect.
READ MORE: Guide to Visiting Tower Butte
FILM LOCATION: CONTACT
Canyon de Chelly is where ‘Contact’ ends with Jodie Foster’s character sitting and contemplating the events of the film. Don’t look for the “nearby” radio antennas though – they are actually over in New Mexico! The magic of the movies right!
Read Reviews of Canyon de Chelly National Monument | Chinle, Arizona
FUN FACT
The amount of copper on the roof of the Arizona Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies. 
Read Reviews for Arizona Capitol Museum | 1700 W Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
SOMETHING DIFFERENT: STANDIN’ ON THE CORNER
Photo by QuesterMark | CC BY-SA 2.0
A throwaway line in a song made into a reality. So we can all now actually be “Standin’ on a corner in Winslow Arizona” and there’s even “a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford”! You can’t help but sing along to ‘Take it Easy’ by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey whilst you are there.
Read Reviews of Standin On The Corner | Old Hwy 66, Winslow, Arizona 86047
MUSEUM: TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM
Photo by Patrick Finnegan | CC BY 2.0
How can you resist seeing a REAL Titan missile in its silo? A weapon that, if ever launched in anger, could have decimated a city. Learn about the last Titan II missile site, how it, using the MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction) principle, helped deter a nuclear conflict and how it would have been launched if it came to it.
Read Reviews for Titan Missile Museum | 1580 Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, Arizona 85614
READ MORE: See what we found in the rest of the USA
SCENIC DRIVE: APACHE TRAIL
The Apache Trail heads out from Apache Junction east of Phoenix towards Roosevelt Dam. Unpaved for much of its distance but don’t let that put you off – this is a stunning drive which we did in a convertible Mustang with no issues. Don’t miss Canyon Lake Vista – a great overlook of Canyon Lake.
READ MORE: Guide to Driving the Apache Trail
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RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ARIZONA
To book flights, rental cars, accommodations, and activities for your trip, please check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites.
These are a few tours we would recommend for your trip to Arizona, USA.
Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission but this does not affect the price to you. Please read our full disclosure policy here.
