What is Arizona Famous For?
Arizona is world-famous for the Grand Canyon, but there’s much more to see.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- What is Arizona famous for?
- What is Phoenix famous for?
- What is Flagstaff famous for?
- What is Tucson famous for?
- How to save money on car insurance in Arizona
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Yes, yes, it’s hot. But stunning natural beauty, haunted Wild West towns, and some phenomenal food can also be found in Arizona. Plus the London Bridge, skiing, and…maybe aliens? It’s quite the state.
Behold, state 48: the last state in the continental US to be admitted to the Union, all bets are off in the best possible way in
Arizona
. A mixture of urban sprawl and wide open spaces, the posh cutting edge meets the Wild West in a manner that’s uniquely ‘Zona. From the sprawl of Phoenix to the cool pines of Flagstaff to the amazing cuisine of Tucson, you’ll find something here that you weren’t expecting, like a scorpion in your shoe. Car insurance
comparison super app Jerry
is here to guide you through some of the best, brightest, and oddest of what Arizona has to offer. What is Arizona famous for?
The Grand Canyon
Seeing the Grand Canyon is on many bucket lists, and including it here seems like an obvious choice. It’s not to be missed. The massive
Grand Canyon National Park
encompasses almost 300 miles, and you can experience the canyon and surrounding areas in multiple ways. Take a stroll,
white water raft
down the Colorado River, just stand and stare for a while, or if you really want an experience, hike down in and back out
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And also the home of many other stunning natural wonders
The mind-blowing beauty of AZ doesn’t begin and end at the Grand Canyon, either. Here are a few other gorgeous works of natural art:
- Havasupai Falls: access is extremely limited and permits are required, but this strenuous hike to a surreal blue-green waterfall is like something out of a movie.
- Antelope Canyon: You’ll also need to get a permit to get a look at these wind-carved slot canyons. The site of many well-known pictures, the play of light on the sweeping rocks is a magical thing to behold.
- Sedona red rocks: come for the vortexes, stay for the jaw-dropping majestic red mountains lit up at sunset.
It’s hot. Really, really hot.
Yeah, but it’s a dry heat, right? Trust us—it doesn’t matter.
Phoenix
is the hottest city in the US, and summers here can reach a blistering 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Speaking of blistering, mind the metal buckle on your seat belt. We’re not kidding. Florida
may have the official name of the Sunshine State, but Arizona actually gets the most sun of all the 50 states. Nobody in AZ seems to want to quibble about it though, as everyone who lives in the desert areas is too busy endlessly driving around looking for a parking spot with shade. Yuma
, Arizona is actually the sunniest place on earth, and there is a lot of sand there, but think less “beachy fun” and more “Mad Max apocalyptic wasteland.” Pro Tip We joke, but if you visit the Arizona desert and decide to do any hiking or outdoor adventuring, make sure you are prepared and bring plenty of water. Heatstroke can happen quickly.
It’s where Sauguaros come from
The Saguaro cactus has become a ubiquitously popular design for everything from tattoos to home decor, but Arizona is the only place in the world where saguaros grow.
Saguaro National Park
is in the southern part of the state, but the massive cacti can be found all over the desert. Take care not to disturb them, though. They’re protected by state law, and it’s illegal to move or damage them. They’re also really poky, and a full-grown saguaro can weigh over a ton. In 1982, a man was shooting and jabbing at a saguaro cactus in a surly attempt to topple it over. An arm came loose off the cactus, fatally crushing him and totaling his car. Cactus one, vandal zero.
The actual London Bridge is here. Seriously.
Originally built in the 1830s in, uh, London, the London Bridge was purchased by an AZ land developer in 1968. The bridge was dismantled, moved to
Lake Havasu
, and painstakingly rebuilt. It was meant as a tourist attraction and a way to get other developers interested in building in the area. We can’t say if the bridge had anything to do with it, but Lake Havasu is a popular recreation area now, especially for spring break. Daylight Savings Time? Yeah…no.
Though the rest of the country dutifully springs forward and falls back every year, Arizona says no thanks. The state hasn’t observed Daylight Savings Time since 1968, although the Navajo Nation in the northeast corner of the state does. Why not? The heat. In the summertime, the very last thing most Arizona residents want is an extra hour of sunlight.
What is Phoenix famous for?
Most populous state capitol: 1.5 million residents, metro area has almost 5 million
Record-breaking temperatures: Hottest city in the US
One of the top 10 US cities for: Dehydration
The Phoenix Lights
On the evening of March 13, 1997, a series of widely seen light formations were reported over the Phoenix metropolitan area. Seen by thousands and causing a massive flood of 911 calls, the football-field-sized V-shaped formation was even witnessed by the governor, who called it “otherworldly.”
Controversy remains about what they actually were. Aliens? Activity from a nearby Air Force base? The old weather balloon excuse? Disagreements abound, but it’s definitely one of the weirder things to happen in a state that’s already a bit prone to oddities, and some of the people who saw them have some pretty wild tales.
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Great dining and drinking
Phoenix
has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades and is home to some fantastic restaurants, bars, and breweries. Here are a few icons to check out:- Cornish Pasty Co: You might not think that Cornish Pasties and Arizona go together, but you’d be wrong. Founded in 2005 and now grown to multiple locations, the CPC’sextensive menuoffers vegetarian and vegan options as well.
- MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain: This 7th Street icon has been slinging sodas since 1937, and the decor hasn’t changed much. It’s currently temporarily closed and its future is uncertain, but if you get the chance you should swing by.
- Carolina’s: The original location is anything but fancy, but the tortillas at Carolina’s will change your life. Pronounce it like a local: Caroleena’s.
- Chelsea’s Kitchen: A great spot for brunch, Chelsea’s Kitchen is a celebration of elevated yet accessible cuisine of the Southwest.
- Breweries galore: Arizona is bringing some great game to the craft brewing industry, with places likeHuss Brewing CompanyandWren House Brewing Companycombining great beer with an AZ twist. Pop open a Papago Orange Blossom, kick up your feet, and watch the sun go down!
What is Flagstaff famous for?
Pluto was discovered here: Lowell Observatory, 1930
College mascot: The Lumberjack
One of the top 10 US cities for: Snow, beer, and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle
It snows up here
If you tell someone that you went skiing in Arizona, chances are good they’d look at you funny. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Northern Arizona gets its fair share of snow in the winter.
Arizona Snowbowl
is a great place to get in the powder and offers stunning views of the surrounding San Francisco Mountain Range. In the summer months, a ride on the ski lift will give you a great panoramic view of the whole area. Get your kicks on Route 66
Historic Route 66 runs through
Flagstaff
, and it’s a great little town to get both a dose of Wild West history and old-school road trip cool. - Hotel Monte Vista: This haunted vintage hotel has been host to old celebrities and historical figures like John Wayne and Bing Crosby.
- Macy’s European Coffee House: Flagstaff’s original coffee house, Macy’s opened in 1980 and has served as a watering hole and hangover repair shop for generations of students atNorthern Arizona University.
- Historic Downtown Flagstaff: restaurants, breweries, galleries, and charming historic buildings make for a great way to spend a day.
What is Tucson famous for?
El Jefe: one of the only wild jaguars in the country lives in the surrounding area
Clean air: some of the cleanest air in a major US city can be found here
One of the top 10 US cities for: killer food—especially Mexican cuisine
Incredible food
The unlikely town of Tucson was made a
UNESCO Capital of Gastronomy in 2016
, the first American city to receive this honor. Deep roots in multicultural history, a commitment to local ingredients, and incredible talent and innovation among the restaurateur community have led to some of the most amazing food to be found anywhere in the country. From stellar fine dining to street food and everything in between, Tucson takes its title as a
City of Gastronomy
and runs with it. There are simply too many fabulous choices, but here are a few gems: - El Charro Cafe: founded in 1922, this is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Tucson. It’s also where chimichangas were invented!
- The Cup Cafe: located in the historic Hotel Congress, the Cup Cafe serves up old-school favorites and new creations as well.
- Maynards: a focus on seasonal local ingredients means that the menu changes daily, but you’re sure to find something globally inspired yet uniquely Tucson here.
It’s surrounded by Wild West history
Tucson and the surrounding southern Arizona region are teeming with old mining towns and Wild West history. Here are a few great spots to check out:
- Jerome: Once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West”, this old copper mining town has now become a thriving tourist and artistic hub. Wineries,haunted hotels, andhistorical toursare all great ways to get to know Jerome.
- Tombstone: Yes, it’s pretty high on the cheesy-tourist scale, but you kind of have to go if you’re in the area. Cringey gun-show reenactments aside, there are some creepy and coolold buildings and artifactsin Tombstone.
How to save money on car insurance in Arizona
Before you wander off into the sunset or go looking for the Lost Dutchman’s Gold, make sure your car insurance is up to the task. The Arizona heat can be rough on cars, and you want to make sure you’re prepared for any contingency.
Fortunately, it’s fast and easy to make sure you’re getting the best insurance coverage possible. Just download the
Jerry
app, enter a bit of info, and you’ll be browsing a selection of great car insurance
policies chosen just for you. All you have to do is pick the one that works best for you, and Jerry will take care of the signup process entirely through the app. The average Jerry user saves more than $800 a year!
“I have been with the same insurance provider for over 10 years.Jerryfound me a new policy with Travelers that is $107/month cheaper. The pandemic has made finances tight, but Jerry helped me out.” —Gabriel T.
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