Southwest USA
Arizona
Discover grand adventures in Arizona
Like its most famous natural landmark, the Grand Canyon, Arizona is also vast and ancient, a tapestry of stunning color and fascinating geology. The state is rich with rushing rivers, snow-capped mountains, stands of ponderosa pine, pristine lakes and sandy lakefront beaches. It’s a destination that offers an easy combination of outdoor adventure and urban sophistication. Hike the red rocks and alpine forests. Drive across the desert on Historic Route 66. Indulge in a spa day. Whether you’re looking for a lesson in Old West history, to perfect your golf game or to browse designer outlets and high-end boutiques, you’ll find unforgettable delights in Arizona.
Outdoor Exploration
Start an outdoor adventure in Arizona at Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. If you’re flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX), it’s about a three-and-a-half hours by car to the canyon’s South Rim, the park’s most visited area. Stop at one of the visitor centers here or at the Yavapai Geology Museum to learn about the area’s unique topography. Enlist the help of an experienced adventure company or outfitter for a tour of the canyon, as well as the state’s many natural beauties: from Jeep tours in Sedona to float trips on the Colorado River to horseback treks in Monument Valley.
Travel Back in Time
Arizona’s history is defined by Native Americans, larger-than-life adventurers and Old West tales. Today, populations from 22 American Indian communities live in Arizona. Visitors can tour tribal lands, visit American Indian-operated museums and cultural centers, and purchase jewelry and artwork created by American Indians at a variety of shops and boutiques. Journey back to the Old West with a trip to one of the state’s ghost towns to learn about Arizona’s mining history. Or, explore the roadside attractions of old Route 66, the historic roadway known as the Mother Road. In Arizona, Route 66 winds through Petrified Forest National Park, Kaibab Plateau, Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon Caverns and more.
Urban Charms
Arizona’s big cities offer plenty of cosmopolitan attractions. Whether you’re a lover of wine and food, luxury spas, art galleries or boutiques, you’ll find it here. Stroll one of the state’s award-winning wineries. Book a table at one of the many fine-dining restaurants in Phoenix, the state’s largest city. Plan an unforgettable spa day in Sedona, a city well-known for its wellness offerings and new-age vibe. Or spend a day enjoying Western artwork at the Tucson Museum of Art. Golfers will love playing some rounds on one of the state’s 300 courses.
New Mexico
Adventures, culture and incredible scenery
New Mexico’s ancient-yet-living cultures, awe-inspiring landscapes, uncharted outposts and authentic characteristics have made it a haven for artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It’s a place where simple activities become life-altering experiences. New Mexico is the place to come for adventures steeped in culture to feed your spirit and fill your soul.
Drying red chili bunches hanging in bright doorways, adobe pueblos and charming casitas: Authentic New Mexico is everywhere. Mesa country, with its wild caves and yawning caverns, reflects an unspoiled landscape, while museums and galleries showcase Native American culture. Events like Gathering of Nations Pow Wow introduce ancient rituals and ceremonial dances to the uninitiated against the backdrop of ancestral ruins and settlements.
New Mexico’s inspired landscape includes painterly skies, snow-like drifts of sand and the Rio Grande’s true blue. This state has soaring mountains as well as Blue Hole, a 24-meter-deep, crystal-clear pool. From caves to mineral springs, New Mexico’s majesty offers horseback riding, skiing, hiking or healing mineral spring soaks year round.
Towns like Taos and Truth or Consequences maintain New Mexico’s creative heritage. From turquoise jewelry and folk art to Concho belts and pottery, take home a piece of culture rather than a souvenir. Don’t leave without having a tortilla-and-banana or pine nut pancake for breakfast and a green chili burger, all real Mexican-Southwestern culinary delights.
