海角社区

Arizona, known as "The Grand Canyon State," offers visitors and residents ideal destinations to travel for a long weekend getaway. Beautiful in every season, Arizona promises a much-needed reprieve to all who experience its red rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. Whether you are an avid outdoorsman, thrill-seeker, history buff, shopper, or a foodie, Arizona has a small town (or multiple) for you to enjoy and explore. Discover seven perfect destinations for a long weekend in Arizona that you will want to check out for yourself.

Sedona

While Sedona has a population of under 10,000 people, you will find that it offers visitors all the "essential" amenities: wonderful hikes, delicious food, shopping, and more, not to mention the iconic, jaw-dropping views of the red rock formations you will see out your window, along the Red Rock Scenic Byway. A classic activity for most visitors is a Pink Jeep Tours, which entails a bumpy ride through the Scenic Rim or Red Rock Range. Chapel of the Holy Cross is another must-do: The chapel was built in 1954 as both a monument to Christian faith and as "a spiritual fortress so charged with God, that it spurs man鈥檚 spirit god-ward."

When it comes to shopping, you have all kinds of options. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is designed to whisk you away into a traditional Mexican community, with unique stores and restaurants all nestled close together across two stories, each facing toward the center pavilion. There is also a factory outlet center in the Village Of Oak Creek. Plus, there is shopping throughout the town of Sedona, scattered in between restaurants like Cowboy Club. (Make sure to try the fried cactus!) Cathedral Rock is the most photographed site in the Sedona area, and for good reason.

Devil's Bridge Trail is not for the faint of heart, but the view at the end (and the classic picture on the ledge) makes it all worth it. If you visit for a summer weekend, make sure to bring your bathing suit so you can slip down the river in Slide Rock State Park, too. And if you are looking for a sunset spot, check out the Airport Mesa loop and stop by the vortex while you are there!

Tusayan

The town of Tusayan, known as the "Gateway to Grand Canyon National Park," is a resort town located only one mile from the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim Entrance. Entrench yourself in nature by stepping outside your doorstep; after all, the stunning Kaibab National Forest surrounds the town. Hike, bike, camp, and top it all off with unbelievable stargazing. The town also has celebrations throughout the year as well as events like the "Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon" and "Holiday Lights."

Keep your eyes peeled for Rocky Mountain elk, wild horses, mule deer, big horn sheep, and other wildlife roaming nearby. If you visit in the summer, go whitewater rafting; you won't regret it. If you are looking for an indoor activity, be sure to check out the IMAX theater inside the visitor's center.

Tombstone

There is a reason this Arizona town is named "Tombstone," it's known as "The Town Too Tough to Die." The town is rife with history, the now-quaint streets once walked by famous lawmen, cattle rustlers, and horse thieves who fought in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral over 140 years ago.

If you want a glimpse of what Tombstone was like, watch one of the many Western films that have been set there and based on the famous gunfight. Peruse the Western shops and historical attractions around town, including the original silver mine under Tombstone鈥檚 streets, the Boothill Graveyard, and the Bird Cage Theater Museum. Watch a gunfight reenactment at the O.K. Corral or take a stagecoach or trolley tour to fully appreciate the Wild West experience. Then grab a hearty meal at Big Nose Kate's Saloon or finish out the day with a steak at The Longhorn Restaurant.

Bisbee

Bisbee has a unique flavor because this small old mining town is situated on the Arizona-Mexico border. Located just 90 miles southeast of Tucson, it draws many visitors because it is positioned in the heart of the Mule Mountains. The town hosts every kind of event imaginable: a car and bike show, a garden tour, a pirate weekend, a drilling and mucking competition, coaster races, a youth arts festival, a mariachi festival, and more. Feast on a quiche at Le Cornucopia Cafe or blueberry pancakes at Bisbee Breakfast Club before snagging a crab cake for lunch at Cafe Roka.

The small town boasts a surprising number of good accommodations, including Bisbee Grand Hotel and Copper Queen Hotel. Tour historic landmarks like the former copper mine, the Queen Mine, or visit the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum.

Page

Situated on the Colorado Plateau, Page is a town of over 7,000 residents, with over four million visitors annually. One of the biggest pulls to this Arizona town is its proximity to geographical wonders like Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Monument Valley, and Horseshoe Bend. Each of these jaw-droppingly surreal natural landmarks compel people to flock to Page in herds.

Consider changing your perspective for the weekend. Take a rafting trip at the Glen Canyon Dam to see it up close and personal, or fly over the famous Horseshoe Bend to get an aerial shot. Page has several familiar hotels like the Courtyard Marriott, but if you are looking for a more interesting experience, try staying in a sheep wagon or traditional Hogan on Navajo land with Shash Dine鈥� EcoRetreat. Or, if you would rather, you can camp or park your RV nearby. Satisfy your unruly taste buds at the State 48 Tavern while jamming to live music or at Bonkers Restaurant.

Jerome

With a population under 500 people, you might very well think Jerome is a ghost town. What once was a thriving mining town in the early 19th century quickly transitioned into a depleted, almost-empty town after the copper production reached its peak and the Depression hit, and low-grade ore deposits did their damage. If you are picturing vintage vehicles, reenacted gunfights, old buildings, and an even older mine, you are beginning to imagine modern-day Jerome. Though it is not the bustling town it once was, Jerome still provides many fun attractions to visitors.

Explore the Jerome State Historic Park, walk back in time at the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town, learn about the largest facility and wooden mine frame of its kind at Audrey Headframe Park, and discover more about the town's history at the Douglas Mansion. Make sure you visit the haunted Jerome Grand Hotel and sample The Haunted Hamburger joint!

Winslow

Many know Winslow because of its location on Route 66 and the Eagles鈥� songs "Take it Easy" and "Standing on the Corner Park." Regardless of whether or not you are an avid fan of the Eagles, you have to take your photo with the iron statue on the famous 鈥渃orner鈥� of Route 66. Consider planning your long weekend around the "Standin鈥� on the Corner Festival," which runs annually in September, to fully embrace the cultural connections to this small Arizona town.

Winslow鈥檚 aim is that when you come, you eat at a local cafe like Brown Mug Cafe or The Root Beer Stand and stay in a historical hotel like La Posada. If you lean more toward cultural attractions, visit the Hopi Cultural Center, the 9-11 memorials, the Affeldt Mion Museum, or the Winslow Arts Trust. To feel really "out of this 海角社区," you can also explore the Meteor Crater close by or visit the Homolovi State Park to see the ancient Pueblo ruins.

Pack Your Overnight Bag

So what are you waiting for? The weekend is approaching! Pick one of these amazing weekend destinations scattered throughout Arizona and start booking your trip. (Then you can begin to pack your weekend bag.) Arizona is a state filled with absolutely stunning views, invigorating hikes, old-timey towns, and fun waiting to be had by all who venture into the desert. Whether you are looking for an action-packed adventure or a relaxing, slow retreat, Arizona has a destination for you that will leave you filled up and refreshed after only a long weekend.