Everyone knows that Arizona has hundreds of golf courses and the Grand Canyon, but the state has much more to offer. So, whether its later this summer, fall or even in the coming years, don’t pass on Arizona for its culture, history, trails and culinary experiences. Here’s a primer:
Native Trails
Anza National Historic Trail
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, a 1,210-mile route commemorating Bautista de Anza’s 1775 expedition from Nogales, Arizona to San Francisco. Ready to follow in Anza’s footsteps? Start in Nogales, a southern Arizona border town known for its birdwatching. From there, the trail leads to Tumacácori National Historical Park, home to a 19th-century Franciscan mission and one of the oldest national park sites in the U.S. Continue the journey by walking the 4.5-mile section of the Anza Trail that parallels the Santa Cruz River, connecting to Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. To experience the rich heritage of the tribes impacted by the Anza expedition, visit their cultural centers and museums. Discover traditional clothing at the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Cultural Center/Museum, or admire exquisite pottery at the Huhugam Ki Museum in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Hopi Arts Trail
Found on the Hopi Tribe’s mesas in Northern Arizona, the Hopi Arts Trail invites visitors to watch Hopi artists create a wide variety of handcrafted goods including pottery, baskets and Katsina (Kachina) doll carvings. Visitors are invited into galleries to hear the stories behind artists’ creations, including Iva Honyestewa, one of only two artists in the world who makes pootsaya baskets.
Salt River Arts Trail
Farther South, explore the new Salt River Arts Trail, a self-guided journey through the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Experience the tribe’s culture and learn their stories at each of the trail’s 13 stops while also discovering attractions within the community.
Route 66 Walking Trails
Seligman Walking Trail
Visit Seligman along historic Route 66 to discover this small town’s large role in preserving the path of the original route. Seligman’s Historic Walking Tour is a self-guided 20-minute walking tour showcasing the town’s evolution from a thriving railroad town to a tourist hotspot. Learn how the Delgadillo brothers championed the preservation of the Mother Road while visiting iconic spots, like Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for a juicy burger and The Original Route 66 Gift Shop for the perfect souvenir.
Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In
Walk this Talk Tour
Heading east from Seligman, roadtrippers can stretch their legs in downtown Flagstaff with the Walk this Talk Tour, a self-guided audio experience that follows the original Route 66 alignment through town. Along the way see vibrant murals, the Route 66 Preservation Project and the Flagstaff Visitor Center housed in a historic train station.
Art Trails
Stairizona Trail
See colorful murals while getting your steps in on Globe’s Stairizona Trail, an urban hiking path featuring nine painted staircases and numerous murals that guide visitors through downtown. With each step, learn the mining town’s history, as every painting and artwork highlights part of Globe’s story and the town’s passionate community.
Ajo Art Tour
Head south to Ajo to soak in stunning street art on the Ajo Self-Guided Art Tour where public, community and street art come together to transform the town’s streets into a living gallery. From sculptures made from recycled materials to murals depicting movies filmed in Ajo – stroll the trail to reach Artist Alley, a colorful stretch adorned with vibrant paintings.
Ajo Street Art
Culinary Trails
Salsa Trail
Bursting with flavor, the Salsa Trail in the southeastern city of Safford invites visitors to try both new and classic salsas. Known for its annual Salsa Festival, salsa passport and numerous authentic Mexican restaurants, Safford offers a delicious journey that lovers of all spice levels can enjoy.
Mexican Food Field Guide
Feast on some of the best tacos and sonoran hotdogs in the U.S. with Visit Tucson’s America’s Best Mexican Food Field Guide, a self-guided culinary trail that features trailblazing Mexican restaurants. Notable stops include El Charro Cafe, where the chimichanga was invented and Tumerico, a Latin vegetarian restaurant. Discover Arizona’s thriving agriculture by visiting farms on the Fresh Foodie Trail, weaving through Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek. Visitors can enjoy behind-the-scenes farm tours and seasonal U-pick experiences.
Wine & Beer Trails
Verde Valley Wine Trail
Uncork a bottle of Arizona-grown wine on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, a collection of 25 wineries and tasting rooms in the charming small towns of north central Arizona’s Verde Valley. These stops serve award-winning wines in picturesque settings.
Alcantara Vineyard
Flagstaff Brewery Trail
Explore Arizona’s Craft Brew City with the Flagstaff Brewery Trail. The trail features nine unique breweries located downtown where you can enjoy pints of locally brewed ales, craft beers and zesty IPAs.
Scottsdale Wine and Ale Trails
In Old Town Scottsdale, savor flights of wine and beer along two flavorful routes: the Scottsdale Wine Trail, which includes Arizona wineries, and the Scottsdale Ale Trail, where breweries range from laid-back lounges to lively taprooms.
Other Trails to Try
Arizona Dude Ranch Heritage Trail
Stay at an authentic dude ranch along Arizona’s Dude Ranch Heritage Trail to experience the Western lifestyle. To qualify for the Heritage Trail, dude ranches must have been in business for at least 25 years, contain at least 1,000 contiguous acres and offer guests a wide variety of recreational activities.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, embrace the Wild West at Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, a dude ranch in Southern Arizona offering visitors a taste of ranch life. Or live out your Western dreams at Sprucedale Ranch, located in the small town of Alpine in Eastern Arizona, where families can milk cows, cheer at the weekly rodeo and learn swing dancing. Nestled right at the base of the Salt River, kickstart your day at Saguaro Guest Ranch in Mesa by kayaking and paddleboarding past wild horses, before returning to the rustic ranch to embark on a horseback ride. For a blend of Western adventure and resort-style relaxation, head to Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg. This ranch features both a spa and a golf course, combining cowboy fun with upscale comforts.
Astro Trail
Get lost in the stars along the new Tucson Astro Trail, a self-guided route featuring multiple dark-sky experiences in southern Arizona. From observatories to dark-sky designated parks, follow the trail for unique astronomical attractions. Peer through state-of-the-art telescopes at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory, stay overnight at Kitt Peak Observatory, camp under the night sky in Saguaro National Park or Oracle State Park and learn about aerospace at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
Tucson’s Astro Trail
The Arizona National Scenic Trail
Journey through Arizona’s diverse landscapes on The Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 800 mile non-motorized trail that weaves through deserts, mountains and canyons. Enjoy hiking, biking or horseback riding on the trails’ 43 different passages that range from a couple of miles to 33 miles long. Go beyond exploring the trail, one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S., by helping to maintain it. The Arizona Trail Association offers multiple volunteer opportunities so visitors can help give back to nature.
Photos Courtesy of IT Public Relations