These 6 Unique Attractions In Arizona Are An Absolute Must-Visit

When you first see it, this place looks like a cross between a massive greenhouse and the imagined space colonies of the past. Essentially, these are both correct assumptions. Biosphere 2 was originally created as a science experiment to study the interactions humans have with plants, animals, and technology in different biomes on a small scale. While the project was only used twice with human participants (both in the 1990s), the structures still stand and passed through several owners until the University of Arizona acquired the site to study water cycles.

The Bird Cage Theatre was the premier example of entertainment in the Old West. A wild combination of theater, saloon, gambling, and brothel entertainment. The theater was a well-known location that catered to the mining crowd in Tombstone. When the price of silver began dropping in the early 1890s, miners were laid off and much of the town was abandoned, which led to the theater closing in 1892. Today, the theater is a popular tourist site because of its history and as an example of incredible preservation.

Hubbell gets all the glory when it comes to still-operating trading posts because of its historical status but Burnham’s is another popular location that sees a little less tourist traffic. This location is well-known for its high-quality weaving yarn (they have an entire room dedicated to yarn of all colors, blends, and thickness), as well as a regular rug auction. In addition to that, it also operates as a trading post for groceries, jewelry, or even just community ice cream.

This unique location gives you a chilling, close view of the Cold War and its impacts on the nation. Fortunately, the weapon never had to be used and, after the Cold War ended, the site was converted into a museum for education about the era. When visiting, you will have the opportunity to go underground into the launch control center as well as get a view of the silo and missile.

Located within the Canyon de Chelly National Monument on the Navajo Nation, the White House Ruins are one of the best known examples of Anasazi structures although several are located within the canyon. These particular ruins are also well-known because they can be accessed without a guide via the White House Ruins Trail, a short 2.5 mile round trip hike.

An icon from the Route 66 era, this peculiar motel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and features a small museum in the front office. The motel rooms are neither wigwams nor examples of actual indigenous housing of Arizona; instead, the rooms are each large, tipi-shaped, concrete buildings hardly similar to the Plains structures they are based off of. However, they still make for a unique stay that's reminiscent of a different era in American history.