From painted deserts to petrified forests, and of course the world famous Grand Canyon, Arizona has been named one of the best values in travel by Lonely Planet. The south western state’s consistently dry and warm climate makes it an ideal travel destination for people looking to escape the chilly winter months while offering a range of hiking trails, historic landmarks and some of the most beautiful and unique natural scenery in the world. Not only is it cheap to travel across Arizona by bus, but the plethora of budget motels and convenient shuttle trips to key local attractions make a vacation around the state extremely affordable.
Key Attractions in Arizona
The Grand Canyon
As one of the most widely visited natural attractions in the world, no trip to Arizona would be complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon. The canyon was formed over generations of ebbing and flowing from the Colorado River. Explore the canyon’s south rim to take some of the best photographs, and consider taking a helicopter ride to get a bird’s eye view of the canyon. There are shuttles that travel directly to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff, Arizona
Closest Bus Stop: Flagstaff, AZ
The Hoover Dam
Built in 1935, the Hoover Dam stands at an impressive 700 feet tall and spans over 1200 feet, keeping the Coloarado River at bay and connecting Arizona and Nevada. The site is one of the most impressive manmade structures in the United States and creates many wonders itself, such as the nearby Lake Mead. Just 40 minutes away from Las Vegas, Hoover Dam is a frequent stop for bus tours in the area.
Closest Bus Stop: Las Vegas, NV
The Monument Valley
A familiar sight in several films, such as the 1939 western, Stagecoach, Back to the Future Part III and Thelma and Louise, the Monument Valley park is well worth a visit. Straddling the Arizona and Utah border, the park offers beautifully unique scenery with sharp red rock formations, and a matching desert scenery punctuated with various cacti. In the words of film critic, Keith Phipps, “it’s five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West.” Flagstaff Arizona, offers shuttles that travel from the city to the park, which sits within the borders of the Navajo Nation.
Closest Bus Stop: Flagstaff, AZ
The Petrified Forest National Park
With nearly 350 Native American sites, an abundance of prehistoric artifacts and the largest collection of petrified wood, the 200-million-year-old Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert are filled to the brim with prehistoric wonders. If you need to step inside for a bit after exploring the vast park, the 800-year-old Puerco Pueblo houses an impressive collection of prehistoric fossils to pursue.
Closest Bus Stop: Holbrook, AZ
Saguaro National Park
For a livelier view of the region’s flora and fauna, the Saguaro National Park showcase’s towering cacti and indigenous wildlife. The park’s proximity to the Mexican border is made obvious with the variety of authentic Mexican salsas, baked goods and cactus cocktails throughout the surrounding area.
Closest Bus Stop: Tucson, AZ
City-Break in Phoenix, Tucson or Flagstaff
If you’ve seen your fill of the natural beauty of Arizona, the cities of Tucson, Flagstaff and Phoenix offer plenty of metropolitan attractions for visitors.
Phoenix
The state’s largest city, Phoenix constantly offers free admission to a variety of venues such as The Phoenix Art Museum, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Mesa Arts Center, the Arizona Capitol Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden. Phoenix also offers a lively night life that doesn’t slow down during the week with tons of local bars and trivia nights.
Closest Bus Stop: Phoenix, AZ
Tucson
Arizona’s second largest city is surrounded by beautiful desert scenery and views. Prominent sights within the city include the Old Tucson Studios, where many old western films were produced, The Arizona-Senora Desert Museum, The University of Arizona Museum of Art, the Yume Japanese gardens and the city’s historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood.
Closest Bus Stop: Tucson, AZ
Flagstaff
The closest city to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff has plenty to offer tourists passing by. The Lowell Observatory is a major research center where astronomers discovered the existence of Pluto, and offers regular tours and events. The Museum of Northern Arizona offers a look at Native American culture, history and art, and the Arizona Historical Society-Pioneer Museum houses a collection of historical artifacts throughout the state.
Closest Bus Stop: Flagstaff, AZ
