Arizona State Tourism

Arizona State Tourism

Lake Powell (photo by author)

Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, offers a huge array of recreational options. If you slice the state into specific "zones of interest," you'll find a broad selection of things to do and see based on your personal preferences and the time of year you're looking.

Northern Arizona

Every year, tens of thousands of visitors take advantage of outdoor attractions in the state's northern regions. The Grand Canyon is one of the most prominent and most visited sites. Lake Powell, upstream from the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, is a fantastic playground for boaters. And in winter, snow lovers take advantage of downhill skiing at Snow Bowl and cross-country trails around Flagstaff.

Arizona Copper Country

Copper mining has been an important economic force in Arizona since the 19th century. Visitors who want a taste of the past will enjoy the state's historic mining towns, beginning high on the hill at Jerome in north-central Arizona and extending east and south through Globe and Miami to Morenci, a modern open-pit giant. The rustic mining town of Bisbee in the extreme southeastern corner of the state attracts mining nuts and artsy types.

Urban Treks

The trail system at South Mountain Park south of Phoenix leads to a variety of lovely vistas overlooking the city and the desert. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum west of Tucson is a gorgeous backdrop for a stroll or a hike. Golf enthusiasts will find courses in Phoenix and Tucson. In addition, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. hosts its famous car auction at Scottsdale's Westworld in January.

Colorado River Country

The Colorado River exits the Grand Canyon in the northwest corner of Arizona and runs down the state's western border. Lake Havasu is legendary at spring break. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts find ample opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors at the Kofa Wildlife Refuge.

Pro Sports

Sports fans have come to the right place when they visit Arizona, particularly the Phoenix/Glendale area. From the NFL (Cardinals) to the NHL (Coyotes) and the NBA (Suns) to MLB (Diamondbacks), the city has something for everyone.

Article Written By Colleen Morrison

Colleen Morrison has been writing professionally for two decades. She holds an M.A. from the University of Wyoming and a Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University. She ghostwrites articles, blogs and Web content for her clients. Articles under her name appear at M&M, eHow, Golflink and other sites.

Write for Trails.com
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