Destination: Arizona
Don Vaughan
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One of Arizona’s hallmarks is the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Arizona is a land of many surprises. For example, first-time visitors are often stunned to find that the state is much more than just mile upon mile of cactus-dotted desert. In reality, the Grand Canyon State is home to an immense variety of landscapes and natural attractions, including lofty peaks, pine forests, and stunning multi-hued canyons and vistas. Many of these amazing natural wonders can be found in Arizona’s 27 state parks and 29 national parks, monuments, recreation areas, historic sites, and conservation areas.
Another surprise to many is how cosmopolitan Arizona is. Though the state works hard to maintain its distinctive historic and cultural legacy (which includes Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Wild West influences), its largest cities boast an exciting and eclectic array of dining experiences, entertainment, attractions, and nightlife. This modern metropolitan mix, coupled with some of the finest weather in the nation, make Arizona a very popular tourist destination. They also make the state a welcome destination for nurses looking for a change of scenery.
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Hot air balloon rides are an exciting way to explore the stunning ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert and enjoy its pristine splendor.Courtesy of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau |
A Little History
According to archeological evidence, primitive hunter-gatherers arrived in the region now known as Arizona approximately 12,000 years ago. Ten thousand years later, the Ancient Pueblo People settled in the plateaus of northwestern Arizona. Other groups followed, including the Mogollon, who lived in the mountains of eastern Arizona, and the Hohokam, an agricultural people who established themselves in the river valleys of central Arizona. The Navajo and Apache also eventually called Arizona home.
It is believed that the first Europeans to set foot in Arizona were members of a Spanish expedition led by Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca that was shipwrecked off Texas in 1528. Of that party, only Cabeza de Vaca, a Moroccan slave named Estevanico, and two others survived the eight-year journey to Mexico City, a trek that brought them in contact with a wide variety of indigenous peoples.
Tales of a kingdom of amazing wealth brought more Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. While no great riches were found, members of Vásquez de Coronado’s party were the first Europeans to see the Grand Canyon and the lower Colorado River.
In the ensuing years, Spain claimed the region and slowly established settlements there. However, in 1824, Arizona passed from Spanish to Mexican rule. It was around this time that the first American trappers and traders entered the region, part of an expansionist movement that eventually led to war against Mexico in 1846. Two years later, as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, all of Arizona north of the Gila River was ceded to the United States. In 1853, the United States purchased from Mexico approximately 29,640 square miles of land south of the Gila River, making all of Arizona a U.S. territory, which it remained until achieving statehood in 1912.
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A rainbow arches over Sedona, which is surrounded by the towering red sandstone cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon. Courtesy of the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Phoenix
Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is located in the state’s central desert region. Its vast metropolitan area encompasses more than a thousand square miles and is home to an estimated 3.4 million people.
If sunshine brings a smile to your face, you’ll love Phoenix, which enjoys an average of 300 sunny days a year. As a result, the Phoenix metropolitan area is a year-round haven for golfers and other outdoor enthusiasts. But Phoenix also offers a remarkable range of other activities, including museums, art galleries, and some of the finest restaurants in the Southwest.
A highlight of the Phoenix metropolitan region is the stunning Sonoran Desert. Visitors can hike, bike, or take a horseback ride throughout the many recreational areas that make up the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, including Papago Park, North Mountain Park, and more. South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the world, and in north-central Phoenix, Piestewa Peak Park Recreation Area sees more than 750,000 visitors each year. In addition, hikers can climb Camelback Mountain, the city’s highest point.
Those who want to know more about the region’s unique desert landscape are encouraged to visit the Desert Botanical Garden. And nearby you’ll find the Phoenix Zoo, which is home to more than 200 species.
Art and culture are an integral part of metropolitan Phoenix, and the city is home to several outstanding museums. The arts scene here ranges from Native American artifact collections and classical European art to pieces depicting life in the West and more contemporary creations.
Of particular interest to art lovers is the Heard Museum, which possesses an internationally acclaimed collection of art and artifacts from regional Native American cultures. And you won’t want to miss the Phoenix Art Museum, which boasts a collection that ranges from classic to contemporary, as well as a variety of traveling exhibits.
For those with an interest in prehistoric wonders, there’s the Pueblo Grande Museum, where an ancient Hohokam Indian community has been preserved, and Heritage Square, where several of the city’s early homes have been lovingly converted into shops and restaurants. These homes, along with the Phoenix Museum of History and the Arizona Science Center, create a unique matrix of entertainment and educational venues for the downtown visitor.
Speaking of downtown Phoenix, Copper Square has blossomed in recent years into an impressive cultural center with an astounding array of performing arts venues that are sure to please the most jaded patron. Concerts, films, lectures, and other events can be seen at the striking Orpheum Theatre and the modern Dodge Theatre. In addition, the Herberger Theater Center is home to the Arizona Theatre Company, Center Dance Ensemble, Actors Theatre, and Childsplay, among others.
Some of the nation’s finest dining can be found in the Phoenix area. Those with a hankering for zesty Southwestern cuisine are encouraged to visit the Sierra Bonita Grill, Rennick’s Southwestern Bistro, Sam’s Café, and Vincent Guerithault on Camelback. Meanwhile, great barbecue can be found at A&J Chicago Style Bar-B-Q, Bobby-Q, Dusty’s BBQ, and Hap’s Real Pit BBQ.
With the exception of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, who play their home games in Glendale, all of Arizona’s professional sports teams are based in Phoenix. They include the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), the Arizona Rattlers (AFL), the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), and the Phoenix Suns (NBA).
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Mission San Xavier del Bac, one of Tucson’s most famous historic edifices, is considered the finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States. Photo by Gill Kenny, courtesy of Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Scottsdale
Just a short drive from Phoenix is Scottsdale. Because it also sits in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale offers adventurers a wide variety of outdoor activities, as well as a delicious taste of Arizona arts and culture.
For those who wish to visit the desert up close and personal, Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and McDowell Mountain Regional Park both offer guided hikes and nature walks, as well as shared-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Off-road Jeep and Hummer tours, hot air balloon rides, and river float trips also are exciting ways to explore the desert’s unique ecosystem and enjoy its pristine splendor.
Art lovers, meanwhile, will enjoy exploring the city’s 125-plus galleries, studios, museums, and performing arts centers, including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Cosanti in nearby Paradise Valley, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. In addition, the Heard Museum North and the Native American Learning Center at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch provide outstanding collections of Native American art and artifacts.
Meanwhile, those wishing to test their inner cowhand will want to visit the Arizona Cowboy College, where cowboys- and cowgirls-in-training can learn the basics of riding, as well as advanced skills such as herding and roping.
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Folklorica dancers are part of Arizona’s distinctive cultural legacy, which includes Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Wild West influences. Courtesy of the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Mesa
The Grand Canyon State’s third-largest city with a population of more than 452,000 people, Mesa is a popular family destination spot, thanks to its many fun outdoor activities, emphasis on the arts, and numerous museums and attractions.
Family oriented and value priced, Mesa added “arts mecca” to its reputation with the 2005 premiere of the Mesa Arts Center, a $94.5-million, 212,755-square-ft. complex where patrons can enjoy an eclectic array of performances, gallery exhibits, classes, and special events.
Mesa also offers much for those who enjoy a good museum. The Mesa Southwest Museum displays one of the West’s largest dinosaur exhibits and showcases the area’s history. And for a glimpse into Mesa’s pioneer past, the Mesa Historical Museum features monthly lectures and special events, including an annual quilt exhibit. The authentically restored flying World War II B-17 bomber “Sentimental Journey” can be seen at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum, while the newly expanded Arizona Museum for Youth focuses on art exhibits of specific interest to young people.
Sports are another important part of the Mesa experience. Area baseball fans flock to Hohokam Stadium to enjoy Chicago Cubs spring training games, while golfers take their pick from several challenging local courses. Other popular outdoor pastimes include hiking, biking, and horseback riding in the nearby Superstition Mountains and Usery Mountain Recreation Area, boating on Saguaro and Canyon lakes, and summertime tubing on the Salt River.
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The University of Arizona in Tucson is a picturesque home to more than 35,000 students. Photo by David Jewell, courtesy of Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Tucson
Encompassing a 500-square-mi. valley, Tucson is Arizona’s second-largest city and a frequent destination for national and international fun-seekers. One of the city’s most unique attractions is Mount Lemmon, which boasts, amazingly, a ski resort. Located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski resort in the United States. During the summer, Mount Lemmon attracts a large number of hikers and picnickers.
Tucson is also home of the Saguaro National Park, which boasts the world’s most recognizable cactus. Forests of the huge cacti dot the park, and visitors can enjoy their beauty as they walk along more than 150 miles of hiking trails.
Sabino Canyon, which hosts more than one million tourists a year, features a narrated nine-mile round-trip tram ride that crisscrosses Sabino Creek. Private vehicles are prohibited, but visitors can visit the recreation area on foot or horseback or via shuttle.
The famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum contains naturalistic enclosures for desert dwellers such as mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. And both Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park offer natural desert garden exhibits and regional cultural displays.
Amateur archeologists will enjoy the Colossal Cave Mountain Park east of Tucson. The cave, which was used for centuries by settlers and Native Americans, is home to seven species of bats and various crystal formations.
Arizona’s Native American, Mexican, Spanish, and Western pioneer influences are especially evident in Tucson. One of the city’s most famous historic edifices — the Mission San Xavier del Bac — is a wonder to behold. Built by Franciscan missionaries in the 18th century, “The White Dove of the Desert” is considered the finest example of Spanish mission architecture in the United States. In downtown Tucson, the Barrio Historico district features beautifully painted adobe homes, some of which have been converted to business use.
A vibrant arts and entertainment scene thrives in Tucson. Musical, dance, and theater companies perform regularly, including the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Folklorico Arizona, the Arizona Opera Company, and the Arizona Theatre Company.
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The University of Arizona in Tucson is a picturesque home to more than 35,000 students. Photo by David Jewell, courtesy of Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is one of the largest cities in northern Arizona, and a tourist’s paradise. This picturesque mountain town has a four-season climate, and the dramatic San Francisco Peaks offer a stunning backdrop to the area’s many activities and attractions.
Surrounded by the world’s largest Ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 7,000 feet and located just 80 miles south of the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff offers exciting outdoor adventure, including three national monuments: Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, and Sunset Crater Volcano. Walnut Canyon features ancient cliff dwellings built in steep canyon walls where ancient pueblo residents lived nearly 1,000 years ago, and Wupatki was once home to the Ancient Pueblo People and the Sinagua people. Sunset Crater was born more than 900 years ago as lava flowed from a fissure in the ground.
But that’s not all. Flagstaff also boasts The Arboretum at Flagstaff and the Arizona Snowbowl. The Arboretum is a 200-acre botanical garden that is home to more than 100 species of birds and has one the largest collections of high-country wildflowers in the United States. The Snowbowl, which sits atop Arizona’s highest point, Humphreys Peak, offers fun all year round. In the summer, the skyride carries visitors up to an 11,500-ft. scenic view. In winter, the resort’s 2,300-ft. vertical drop and 32 trails provide a picture-perfect playground for thousands of skiers and snowboarders.
Flagstaff is also the home of the Lowell Observatory, where the “planet” Pluto was discovered in 1930, and the Museum of Northern Arizona, which contains nearly five million objects in its anthropology, biology, fine art, and geology collections. Other attractions of note include the Riordan Mansion, Pioneer Museum, and Route 66.
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London Bridge isn’t falling down, it’s one of the most popular spots in Lake Havasu City. Courtesy of Arizona Office of Tourism. |
The West Coast
No profile of Arizona would be complete without a look at the state’s gorgeous West Coast, formed as the Colorado River rushes south from Hoover Dam to Mexico. Cities of interest within this region include:
- Yuma. Thanks to the rivers that converge there, Yuma is a surprisingly lush community and home to 13 excellent golf courses. In fact, the sport attracts so many tourists that Golf Digest designated Yuma the seventh-best golf city in the United States. The city is also home to several national wildlife refuges.
- Lake Havasu City. Dubbed the “Personal Watercraft Capital of the World,” Lake Havasu City sits on the shores of the Colorado River and is one of the Southwest’s premiere water-sport locations. The lake after which the city is named is 45 miles long, with 450 miles of shoreline, sandy beaches, and secluded coves, which make it a coveted destination for boaters and jet-ski enthusiasts.
- Bullhead City. Located north of Topock Gorge and Interstate 40, Bullhead City offers a wide variety of scenic wonders and an eclectic array of entertainment options, including the casinos of Laughlin, Nev., which is located just across the river. And like Yuma, Bullhead City and its surrounding areas cater to the serious golfer, with eight magnificent courses of varying difficulty.
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Can green grass grow in the desert? The lush links in Phoenix and elsewhere in the state prove that it can. Courtesy of Arizona Office of Tourism. |
Arizona is a state of scenic and cultural contrasts, where parched desert, cool lakes, and snowcapped mountains are all within a day’s drive of each other. It’s a state where the past and the future work hand in hand, and a welcoming destination for nurses and other health care professionals in search of new career vistas.
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Arizona is home to many saguaro cacti, pictured here against a breathtaking sunset sky. Photo by Bruce Griffin, courtesy of Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. |
