Can’t wait for your vacation time to roll around? If you’re itching to get out of the city and into the wilds of the Grand Canyon state ASAP, then you might want to consider taking a quick day trip this weekend. Today, we’re checking out some easy day trips from Arizona’s three major cities (Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson) so that you can explore a little more of this lovely state. Here are some of the best day trips in Arizona you can do from the bigger cities:

1. From Flagstaff: Travel Route 66
Rodrigo Paredes/Flickr
Since Flagstaff is located right along Route 66, you have the option of traveling east or west for this day trip! When heading east, be sure to stop by Two Guns, Meteor Crater, Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Holbrook, and the Painted Desert National Park. When heading west, you’ll want to visit Williams, Seligman, Grand Canyon Caverns, and the Hackberry General Store. Either way, you can expect to spend at least half a day driving and exploring these places before heading back home. Check out all the small towns, too.
2. From Flagstaff: Visit the Verde Valley’s wine country
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Arizona has three different wine-producing regions, and one is located about 1.5 hours south of Flag. Small towns like Jerome, Clarkdale, and Cornville are home to sprawling vineyards and enough award-winning wineries to keep you busy for a whole week! However, we suggest finding a designated driver and selecting one to three tasting rooms to visit during a day trip here so that you’re able to enjoy Arizona’s homegrown wines. Here's an example of an epic Arizona wine trail you can take!
3. From Flagstaff: Learn about Arizona’s ancient history
Jared/Flickr
There’s no doubt Arizona is home to some beautiful country, but did you know you’ll find quite a bit of history all over the landscape? This short road trip will take you on the Volcanoes and Ruins Scenic Loop Drive, a route that covers Sunset Crater National Monument and Wupatki National Monument. Expect to spend 3-4 hours on this trip traveling and sightseeing. Learn more about Sunset Crater in this article.
4. From Phoenix: Explore Arizona’s Western history
RightBrainPhotography/Flickr
Arizona’s Old West identity still survives today thanks to ghost towns, historic towns, museums, and dude ranches. For an easy day trip that incorporates this aspect of the state’s identity, pay a visit to Vulture Mine, located near the ghost town, Vulture City. Here you can find the old mines, buildings that have somehow managed to continue standing decades later, and the town’s old hanging tree where 18 miners met their demise. After visiting Vulture Mine, stop by Wickenburg, which is one of the best places to experience Arizona’s Western culture. You’ll find Desert Caballeros Western Museum, the historic Henry Wickenburg home, or participate in a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Learn more about Wickenburg in this article.

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5. From Phoenix: Escape the heat for Rim Country
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
The drive from Phoenix to Rim Country, through towns like Payson, Pine, Strawberry, or Star Valley, can be done in just under two hours. This centrally located area of the state is home to some beautiful forested areas, peaceful lakes, and refreshing creeks, making it an ideal spot to visit in the summer months. You can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, like hiking, fishing, kayaking, and camping, as well as visiting the small towns for antiquing or enjoying a cup of tea on the porch of a historic home.
6. From Phoenix: Visit "ghost town" attractions
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Before the temperatures get too hot, you’ll want to check out a couple of central Arizona’s ghost town attractions: Goldfield and Tortilla Flat. Both have roots as actual small towns but are better known as tourist attractions with restored and rebuilt buildings. Plus, both areas have some stunning landscapes surrounding the "towns" that make the romance of the Wild West even more entrancing. Here are more ideas for awesome ghost towns to explore.
7. From Tucson: Travel up to Mt. Lemmon
Monica D. Spencer/Flickr
When the temperatures begin to flare up, one of the easiest and most refreshing day trips to take is up the Santa Catalinas to Mt. Lemmon. You’ll find yourself miles from Tucson in the pines where you can fish, hike, camp, or even ride a ski lift in the cooler mountain air. Just be sure to visit on a weekday when the roads and recreation areas are much less crowded. Read more about Mt. Lemmon and its amazingness in this article.
8. From Tucson: Visit actual and revived ghost towns
mlhradio/Flickr
Southern Arizona is filled with ghost towns in varying states of decay and neglect. Some of our favorites actually happen to be clumped together south of Tucson along Ghost Town Trail and near Sierra Vista. Towns like Fairbank, Charleston, and Gleeson are abandoned and slowly deteriorating under the harsh desert sun. Meanwhile, Tombstone narrowly escaped ghost town status, thanks in part to its notorious history, but is still an incredible place to visit. Check this article out to learn more about Tombstone.

Those seemed like some pretty easy and fun trips, don’t you think? What other day trips ideas do you enjoy from Arizona’s big cities? What would be your picks for the best day trips in Arizona? Tell us in the comments!

Do you prefer significantly longer travel opportunities in the state? If road trips taking up an entire weekend in Arizona sounds just like your cup of tea, you are going to enjoy reading 6 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In Arizona Before You Die.

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Best Day Trips in Arizona

Tori Jane | March 06, 2022

What are some unique things to do around Arizona?  

Arizona is a beautiful state with so much to do, see, and experience; it’s amazing for everyone from outdoorsy folks to those who prefer big cities and metropolitan areas that don’t feel crowded. Some truly unique things to do in Arizona that you’re not likely to find anywhere else (or just straight-up won’t) include awesome things like the bizarre but totally intriguing Mystery Castle, up on South Mountain in the Phoenix metro area. The Grand Canyon is, of course, the #1 most Arizona thing most people can think of, and it truly is a gem. We also love Petrified Forest National Park, in far northeastern Arizona, which is one of only a small handful of petrified forests in the entire state. Another uniquely-Arizona thing to do is appreciate the incredible red rocks and cliffs of Sedona or the ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona in general. There are plenty more awesome, unique things to do around Arizona, but these are great ones to start with!  

What kinds of Arizona day trips can I do?  

Basically, if you can dream it up, you can probably do it. Arizona can be a road tripper's paradise if you know how to go about it. For example, take an awesome ghost towns road trip (the Copper State is home to more than 300 ghost towns, dontchaknow) or head up to northern Arizona and check out amazing places like Sedona or Jerome (which is a good town to add to that ghost town trip, by the way). You can dip way down south and see the incredible beauty that is Saguaro National Park and learn about the mighty saguaro cactus, which calls Arizona home and not a whole lot of other places. Do an epic foodie road trip or trek along the entirety of the portion of Route 66 that goes through the state. The possibilities are endless! Need more ideas? Check out this list for additional inspiration. 

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