3 Arizona Tourist Spots I Tried to Hate (But Ended Up Loving)

Sometimes, tourist attractions are popular for a reason. I don't usually like to follow the crowd, but it's important to realize when I'm letting my stubbornness hold me back from once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I was hesitant to visit some of the top must-see attractions in Arizona (even the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, for crying out loud), but I'm so glad I got out of my own way and did it anyway. I guess one person's tourist trap is another person's treasure.

1. Sedona

I tried to hate Sedona. I really, truly did. I thought the city was full of pseudo-spiritual grifters just looking to make a buck off of naive tourists, but I put my preconceived notions aside anyway and visited for the first time in 2015. Some of the stereotypes are true, but the wellness retreats, crystal shops, and aura readers are eclipsed by the most stunning natural beauty I’ve ever seen. Pictures don’t do justice to Sedona’s iconic red rocks, and I was in awe from the moment I arrived. If you’re looking for world-class hiking trails and scenery that’s almost too breathtaking to be real, this is the place to go. Being here feels like magic.

2. Grand Canyon South Rim

When I was planning my first trip to Arizona in 2015, the Grand Canyon was obviously at the top of my list of places to visit. However, I initially wanted only to see the North Rim because it’s much less crowded — in fact, it accounts for just a tiny fraction of the park’s total tourist traffic. But the truth is, the iconic views you see in pictures are from the South Rim, so instead of being a contrarian just for the sake of it, I relented. Yes, it was crowded, but I don’t think any number of people could take away from the magnificence of the natural wonder before me. (I did visit the North Rim as well, but I actually ended up preferring the South Rim!).

3. Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, Winslow

Not all Route 66 tourist attractions are gimmicks, as I believed until I visited the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark in Winslow. I wasn't aware that it's the best-preserved meteorite impact site on the planet (read: I didn't do my research), so I had no idea just how impressive it would be. The 50,000-year-old crater is nearly three-fourths of a mile across and 560 feet deep, and you can take guided tours along the rim or enjoy the view from several lookout points. I also wasn't prepared for the extreme winds. I felt like I was walking through a hurricane, but it made for a really cool picture (that's me in the photo above).

Have you visited all of these must-see attractions in Arizona? What other destinations in the Grand Canyon State are totally worth the hype?

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.