Arizona’s dramatic burnt-orange terrain is dotted with the emerald greens of world-class golf courses and the aquamarine blues of suburban swimming pools. But beyond the artificial elements of this Southwestern state, there is a palpable authenticity, from the iconic giant saguaro scattered across its landscape to the rich cultures of its Indigenous peoples. In the north, the Grand Canyon cuts a majestic swath, the deep azure of Lake Powell spectacularly interrupts the arid terrain and the red-rock monoliths of Sedona lure outdoors lovers as well as those in search of spiritual enlightenment.
Central Arizona’s aspen forests glow burnished gold in fall, while in the south, the Tucson region is a gateway to the stark beauty of the Sonoran Desert. There, naturalists and stargazers delight in the area’s abundant wildlife and dark nighttime skies. The sprawling metropolis of greater Phoenix provides galleries and museums, plus shopping and dining oases, which offer respite from the searing summer heat