Yuma and Arizona Points of Interest
1. Yuma Territorial Prison
Visit the old West original Colorado River Park featuring the 1880’s Yuma Prison in the Arizona Territory.
Where to Stay: Best Western InnSuites Yuma Mall Hotel and Suites
2. Yuma Native American Indian Casinos
Yuma has many Native American Indian Casinos including a casino half in Arizona and half in California.
Where to Stay: Best Western InnSuites Yuma Mall Hotel and Suites
3. Old Mexico
Visit Old Mexico with an easy border crossing only a few miles from the hotel.
Where to Stay: Best Western InnSuites Yuma Mall Hotel and Suites
4. Lake Martinez
Visit Lake Martinez on the Colorado River with water skiing and more!
Where to Stay: Best Western InnSuites Yuma Mall Hotel and Suites
5. Yuma Imperial Sand Dunes
Visit Yuma sand dunes and enjoy recreational vehicles.
Where to Stay: Best Western InnSuites Yuma Mall Hotel and Suites
6. Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon is only a four hour drive from Tempe/Phoenix and an hour and a half from Flagstaff. At more than 1.2 million acres and 277 river miles long, the Grand Canyon has so much to see and do for hikers to campers to rafters and shutterbugs.
200 miles of hiking trails run into, atop and near the Canyon. Hikers and backpackers enjoy the Bright Angel Trail.
Take a walk along the East Rim Trail to the Yavapai Observation Station. Walk to El Tovar Hopi House. Gain terrific views along the South Rim as well as the meandering Bright Angel Trail. Fossil trilobites and dinosaur footprints are there too. Hike down the Hermit Trail to Santa Maria Spring. Enjoy a sense of the wilderness.
Dine at El Tovar Restaurant, with its large dining room. 1-928-638-2526
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen Flagstaff InnSuites Hotel and Suites, Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
River Rafting: This is an exhilarating way to see the Grand Canyon. More than a dozen commercial concessionaires have permits to operate in the Canyon, with trips ranging from three to 18 days in an assortment of paddle rafts, motorized rafts and dories. Reserve ahead.
Take a classic photo of a Grand Canyon sunrise or sunset. Visit the Hopi or Mohave overlooks along the West Rim Drive on the South Rim. Visit IMAX Theater for an unforgettable picture of the Grand Canyon top to bottom.
At Tusayan Museum and Native American Indian Ruins on the South Rim, you can contemplate the culture of the people who once lived in this area. The ruins are the most accessible of the thousands of ancient sites on, in or near the Canyon.
7. Red Rocks of Sedona
Sedona is one of Arizona’s must see wonders. Oak Creek Canyon leads to Sedona known not only for red rock formations such as Coffee Pot Rock, Cathedral Rock and Courthouse Butte, but also for its hiking and biking trails, art galleries and spiritual-energy vortexes.
Stop at the Chapel of the Holy Cross for an indescribable view of Sedona’s Red Rocks. Sedona is a mecca for hikers, climbers and cyclists, as well as shoppers. Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is on Arizona 179 where it crosses Oak Creek.
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits is where you can order rattlesnake or buffalo. Heartline Café- in the cozy main room or outside by an open fireplace offers fresh, organic food.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen InnSuites Hotel and Suites, Flagstaff, just 30 miles north or an easy day trip from Tempe/Phoenix.
8. Phoenix Heard Museum
Native American art since 1930 and hands-on exhibits has wowed Arizonans and out-of-state visitors. Visitors can be exposed to both traditional and contemporary Native American art forms.
“Native People of the Southwest” featuring the finest works from the Heard’s permanent collection of about 39,000 pieces, is a must see. And make time for “Remembering Our Indian School Days:”
Where to Eat: The on-site Arcadia Farms Café serves Southwest influenced dishes such as posole and tamales, plus soups, salads, artisan-bread sandwiches and desserts.
Where to Stay: Hotel Tempe Phoenix/Airport suite accommodations
2301 N. Central Ave. Phoenix. 602-252-8848 or www.heard.org. Heard Museum North, El Pedregal Festival Marketplace, 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-488-9817; Heard Museum West, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise 623-344-2200.
9. Tombstone & Bisbee
Southeastern Arizona location and a legacy (mining), Tombstone and Bisbee are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Tombstone’s rough-and-tumble past appeals to the outlaw in all of us. The shoot out at OK Corral put the town on the map and continues to draw visitors, who can watch daily re-enactments of the gunfight. Tombstone also claims the world’s largest rosebush, along Toughnut Street and Boot Hill. Bisbee, a quirky art town perched along cliffs, embraces its independent spirit and vertical nature (dozens of staircases are among the fastest, and most traveled, routes in town). Enjoy the galleries, and then descend into a copper mine to see how Bisbee came to be.
In Tombstone: Just about everyone stops at the OK Corral (on Allen Street between Third and Fourth Streets) to stand next to the mannequins of gunfight participants.
Where to Eat in Tombstone: The OK Café-this cozy place open for breakfast and lunch is far enough off the tourist path that it’s a great place to rub elbows with the locals. 220 E. Allen St. 1-520-457-3980 6am-2pm daily. Big Nose Kate’s Saloon-this reportedly haunted restaurant is a historic place to have a beer and a buffalo burger. 417 E. Allen St. 1-520-457-3107 11am-8pm daily.
Where to Stay: Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites Conference Suite Resort
In Bisbee: Queen Mine Tour-ride into the depths of the mine, where you’ll be given a hat, slicker and lantern. A mine car takes you 1500 feet into the man-made tunnel, where it is always 47 degrees. 1-866-432-2071 or www.queenminetour.com. Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum.
Prickly Pear Café-a solid selection of soups, salads and wraps makes this a popular choice with visitors as well as locals.105 Main Street. 1-520-432-7337 11am-8pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 11am-9pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday, 11am-2pm Tuesday. Café Roka-take a seat inside this brick building built in 1907 and enjoy a four-course gourmet meal. 35 Main St. 1-520-432-5153.
10. Route 66 (Flagstaff)
Historic Route 66 has been described as the “world’s longest small town”. Millions of drivers who have followed the route since it was commissioned in 1926 have discovered the flavor of America as this two-lane road linked early highways, farm-to-market roads and city boulevards in states from Illinois in the Midwest to California and the Pacific Ocean. Visiting a few towns along Route 66, which generally follows present day I-40 across northern Arizona, is an easy, practical alternative to traveling the entire length of the “mother road” from Chicago to Los Angeles. Here are things to do in the towns along the route.
Holbrook was a small, sleepy village in 1927 when Route 66 came to town. After 1946, tourism and the local economy picked up again. Not far from Holbrook is Petrified Forest National Park, which includes the Painted Desert. Visitors can see colorful vistas, huge petrified logs, petroglyphs and an Anasazi ruin. 1-928-524-6228 or www.nps.gov/pefo. Visit historic downtown Flagstaff on Route 66 near InnSuites Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. Near Seligman, about 60 miles west of Flagstaff, visit the Grand Canyon Caverns. Explore the natural limestone caverns 210 feet underground during a 45 minute tour. 1-928-422-3223 or www.gccaverns.com. In Kingman, take a walking tour of downtown. A guidebook of 27 places to see is available at the Powerhouse Visitor Center and Mohave Museum of History and Arts. Or hike or mountain bike on nearby trails, including the Camp Beale Loop Trail 1-866-427-7866 or www.kingmantourism.org.
Joe & Aggie’s Café-a small family owned Mexican-American restaurant. 120 W. Hopi Dr. Holbrook. Snow Cap Drive In-a fun little burger joint with lots of charm. 301 E. Historic Route 66, Seligman. 1-928-422-3291. Mr. D’s Route 66 Diner-an old gas station converted into a soda shop. 105 E. Andy Devine Ave. Kingman. 1-928-718-0066.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen InnSuites Hotel and Suites Flagstaff/Grand Canyon at 1008 E. Route 66 with PJ Rt. 66 Café and Pub.
11. Desert Botancial Garden in Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale
This Arizona treasure hosts events from the annual Music in the garden concert series to winter holiday evenings that feature thousands of candle lighted luminaries, located in Tempe/Phoenix/Scottsdale.
12. South Mountain Park
South Mountain Park, the world’s largest municipal park is adjacent to Tempe, is one of the great recreational resources of the Phoenix Valley and Hotel Tempe/Phoenix Airport Hotel and Suites visitors. With more than 50 miles of multiuse trails crisscrossing more than 16,000 acres of rugged desert beauty, the park is adored by hikers, bikers and horseback riders alike.
13. El Presidio Tucson Historic District
Walking through El Presidio, Tucson’s historic, geographic and psychic center, you’ll see vibrant reminders of a past that is still celebrated. Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites Conference Suite Resort is located in this historic area.
14. San Xavier Mission Southern Arizona’s White Dove (Tucson)
Nine miles south of Tucson, the towers of San Xavier del Bac Mission rise unexpectedly from the sun-baked desert floor. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Valley, the mission is one of the state’s gems.
15. Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle is a five level Native American cliff dwelling in a limestone alcove above Beaver Creek near Camp Verde. The structure was home to Sinagua people more than 600 years ago. It’s one of three well known ruins in the Verde Valley, about 90 miles north of Tempe and Phoenix and 30 miles south of Flagstaff on I-17: visit Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot National Monument
16. Monument Valley Towers in Lore
We know it from the movies, yet Monument Valley feels like the most foreign of places with beautiful red rock structures.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen Flagstaff/Grand Canyon InnSuites Hotel and Suites.
17. Petrified Forest National Park
Visitors to the vast park will see the petrified remains of trees that grew here millions of years ago.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen Flagstaff InnSuites Hotel and Suites.
18. Canyon de Chelly Awes
There are several ways to view the historical canyon labyrinth. The canyon is one of those spectacular creations that have no bad side.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen Flagstaff InnSuites Hotel and Suites.
19. Underground Fantasy
Katchner Caverns State Park is 2 ½ miles of nearly unrivaled wonders and magnificent near Tombstone and Tucson.
Where to Stay: Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites Conference Suite Resort.
20. Jerome Strikes it Rich with Art
Jerome, ghost town, draws visitors with its Old West history and sends them away with a healthy appreciation as home to artists, writers, merchants, hippies and restaurateurs. Near Verde Valley between Flagstaff and Phoenix/Tempe.
21. Relaxing Trains
The Grand Canyon Railway and the Verde Canyon Railroad offer a step to the past and something different to see.
Where to Stay: Hotel Aspen InnSuites Hotel and Suites Flagstaff, just 22 minutes east of William Grand Canyon Railroad Terminal.
These are Yuma and Arizona Points of Interest. Enjoy Yuma and the wonderful and diverse state of Arizona!
