Perhaps I’m a bit biased but I think that as a state overall, Arizona is the cream of the crop. We have an unlimited number of places to find natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, plenty of places to find delicious food, and plenty of pretty cool cities and towns.
We’ve listed some of our favorite small towns and cities before but today we’re going to focus on one that we think could be considered the absolute best in the country. That’s a pretty hefty title, however, if we think about the combination of things like great schools, housing, employment, recreation, and a relatively low crime rate, then we can definitely narrow that list down to just a handful of contenders. Which would you choose?
Well, we decided on Scottsdale! The Phoenix suburb routinely tops national lists for education, safety, entertainment, and so much more that it’s difficult to ignore Scottsdale and its influence on Arizona’s national perception.
Although Scottsdale is a pretty big city—it has a population estimated to be over 236,000 and is ranked the 92nd most populated city in the country—it is a fairly safe place to visit and live!
It’s a pretty obvious choice since Scottsdale has a large number of resorts, spas, and other luxurious retreats to help you relax and enjoy the simple act of living.
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As for restaurants? You'll find some of the best in the state sitting in this city.
You'll find old time favorites like Los Olivos in Old Town and new restaurants like Citizen Public House that are making their mark.
Scottsdale is also well-known for its art scene—both visual and performing. You’ll find a good number of museums and galleries dedicated to showcasing the best of the Southwest. You can also find concerts happening in town on a regular basis and some are even free!
Let's not forget that Scottsdale is surrounded by gorgeous scenery! The McDowell Mountains sit right at the edge of Tonto National Forest, perfect for a morning hike before heading off to brunch.
There are more than 30 state parks in Arizona, but some are more popular than others. Iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park draw thousands of visitors every year, but what about Arizona’s lesser-known parks? I will always opt for a quiet trail over a popular tourist destination, and if you’re anything like me, you do too. Here are some of the quietest parks in Arizona and some of the best trails to take to escape the crowds.
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Log into your AllTrails + account and let’s hit the trails!
Known for its Triassic fossils, the Petrified Forest National Park is a perfect place to escape the crowds. It’s one of the least visited parks in Arizona, but don’t let that deter you—there are plenty of stunning sights to see. There are several trails within Petrified Forest National Park, and all of them are under five miles. The Crystal Forest Trail is a short and sweet paved trail that’s both family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, try the Historic Blue Forest Trail (2.4 miles) the Painted Desert Rim Trail (1.2 miles), or even the Onyx Bridge Trail (4 miles).
You can also drive straight through the park! The Petrified Forest Scenic Drive is a 28-mile scenic drive from the north entrance to the south entrance.
Sitting pretty right on the Arizona/California border, Buckskin Mountain State Park is a surprisingly underrated state park in Arizona. The park is nestled along the Colorado River between the Parker and Headgate Dams, and it’s a perfect spot for some aquatic adventure.
If fishing, boating, or swimming isn’t in the cards, check out one of the many hiking trails at Buckskin Mountain State Park. The Buckskin Trail, in particular, is a 1.5-mile loop that you might find you have all to yourself!
As its name would suggest, River Island State Park is a great park for all things water-related. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all favorite pastimes here, and it’s also one of the best places for tubing in Arizona.
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The Wedge Hill Trail is an easy one-mile hike overflowing with scenic lookouts. There are a few steep sections, but overall, this is a fairly easy trail just about anyone can accomplish. The trail is dog-friendly; just make sure to keep your dog on a leash.
Homolovi State Park is a hidden gem. Boasting more than 300 Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites, this 4,500-acre state park offers the chance to view two of the seven Homolovi ruins.
Six miles of dirt roads meander throughout the park. Hikers, cyclists, and equestrians are welcome to explore these trails, just keep in mind that there is no shade.
Visitors to this remote state park in Arizona are likely to come across pottery shards, flint scrapers, and other remnants of the past. We’d like to remind you that removing or damaging any artifacts or rock art is prohibited by State and Federal laws. Leave it alone.
Lyman Lake State Park is known for its waterfront activities. The 1,500-acre lake is a great spot for boating (there is no size restriction on boats), but there are plenty of opportunities to ditch the crowds. The Buffalo Trail is an easy out-and-back trail that’s just shy of two miles long, and it’s dog-friendly!
There are some rocky steps and generally steep sections, so make sure you’ve come prepared with the proper footwear. As you’re on the trail, keep an eye out for petroglyphs. If you’re looking for a place that makes you feel like you’re the only one for miles, this is the trail for you.
Share this article with someone you want to tackle one of these quiet state parks with. Read on to check out our ultimate guide to state parks in Arizona.
When I was offered the opportunity to take a scenic train ride in Arizona, I jumped at the chance. After all, it’s quite a rare event to travel by train in certain parts of the U.S. I have lived in New York and have visited Washington D.C. and Boston throughout my life, and rode trains in each of those cities. But I’ve never ridden a train out West.
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My children get a week-long break from their Arizona schools in October each year, so this year, I decided to take them on a Grand Canyon train vacation adventure with the Grand Canyon Railway. Leaving Williams, Arizona, a town known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon," we boarded a train that took us to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. And what an adventure we had!
Per journalistic integrity, we disclose that the writer of this piece was invited on this trip to the Grand Canyon by Grand Canyon Railway and Percepture PR, with expenses covered. However, all opinions and thoughts expressed in this piece are their own.
First thing first - the night before our train ride was spent at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams, which was built in 1995 to resemble the original property, the Fray Marcos Hotel. After checking in at the front desk, we went across the courtyard to the Williams Depot to pick up our reserved tickets. There were a few old-fashioned-style ticket counters, a large gift shop with all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs, and a coffee shop inside. My son and daughter were delighted to explore as I waited in a short line for our train tickets.
The Grand Canyon Railway has been in operation since 1901. The train station in Williams, Arizona, was built in 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic nature of the railway helped to make our train-themed vacation even more memorable than we anticipated.
After dropping our luggage off at the room, we spent time at the hotel pool before grabbing dinner at Pine Country Restaurant in downtown Williams. The food and service were great, and apparently, this local eatery is known for its pies, but we were all too stuffed after dinner to try a slice. Maybe next time!
Back in our comfortable hotel room, we went to bed early to rest up for the next day's train excursion. In the morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at the railway station and then headed to the pre-boarding show. As part of the experience, the Grand Canyon Railway has a performance at its makeshift Old West town, complete with actors and a reenactment of a gun fight. After the show, it was time to board.
We had first-class tickets for the Yavapai car, and a woman named Mary Ellen was our train car attendant. After our car was boarded, she gave us some background on both herself and the Grand Canyon Railway, as well as what to expect on the ride. The train ride from Williams to the Grand Canyon takes a little over two hours, and the train travels between 38 and 41 m.p.h.
The scenery is lovely along the way, but there's more to do than just stare out the window the entire time. On the way to the Grand Canyon, a musician came through with a guitar and sang a few cowboy and country songs before moving on to the next car. Both our train car attendant and the train conductor would jump on the intercom to tell us about points of interest we were passing. And, at one point, a photographer came through to take pictures of individual groups onboard - a great way to commemorate the trip!
Each group of seats had a small table and newspapers that offered further information about the train. My kids enjoyed reading the history of the train and how it all started.
The train has several classes of service, including Pullman Class, Coach Class, First Class, the Observation Dome, the Luxury Dome, and the Luxury Parlor. As I said before, we had first class tickets, and in first class, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water were included. Cocktails were also available for purchase in our car.
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Upon arrival at the national park, we were able to see the historic Grand Canyon Depot. It was constructed between 1909 and 1910 and is a designated National Historic Landmark. It sits within the Grand Canyon National Park Historic District, a preserved village where the famous El Tovar hotel is also located.
Speaking of El Tovar, that's where we headed for lunch. The El Tovar first opened in 1905 and is a beautifully constructed hotel, as well as a National Historic Landmark. As much as we would love to spend the night here one day, we were happy to at least have lunch in its elegant dining room with wood-beamed ceilings, wood-paneled walls, and dimly-lit chandeliers that make the space feel cozy. My son ordered the Traditional Navajo Taco (frybread with ground beef, tomato, lettuce, and other fresh toppings), while my daughter and I split a charcuterie board. Everything was delicious, and I highly recommend dining here when visiting the South Rim.
After lunch, it was time to walk around and marvel at the Grand Canyon! We had visited before but were still awed by this natural wonder of the world. With nearly three hours before we had to be back on the train for the return trip, we took a walk, went inside several of the village's historic buildings, and took hundreds of photos, as one does when visiting this world-renowned national park.
Aside from the train ride and seeing the Grand Canyon again, my favorite part was getting to share this extraordinary experience with my son and daughter. What an incredible way to create family memories that will last a lifetime!
There’s something so alluring about riding a train, especially in this country. It’s no wonder that train travel is so romanticized! While it’s a daily part of life for other parts of the world, like Asia and Europe, it’s become more of a novelty here in the western U.S. And I will take a train ride any chance I get, no matter where I am in the world. My kids and I had such an amazing time taking the train to and from the Grand Canyon, dining at El Tovar, and exploring the park. I am so grateful we had this opportunity.
If you haven't yet experienced a Grand Canyon train vacation, I urge you to put it at the top of your Arizona bucket list. To book your train tickets to the Grand Canyon or a ticket package with a night at the hotel, head to the Grand Canyon Railway website.
Taking a road trip to Williams, Arizona, in order to explore the town and take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway? Check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for everything you need before hitting the road!
