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LOCATION
GRAND CANYON: The most-well known sight in the state is the fabulous Grand Canyon. The canyon is a colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in northern Arizona. The canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is largely contained in the Grand Canyon National Park-one of the first national parks in the US. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauties of the park by foot, air, river, mule, and train. But, if you want to see the Grand Canyon in its grandeur, opt for helicopter and airplane tours.
Though the Grand Canyon is one of the most-popular spots of the state, missing the other destinations of the state would be a folly. The state boasts of a wide variety of national parks and is a land steeped in legends.
Other interesting visits areas are:
Agua Fria (national monument): There are at least 450 prehistoric sites that were occupied between AD 1250 and1450.
Canyonde Chelly (national monument): These are the Anasazi Indian ruins.
Casa Grande Ruins (national monument): Hohokam Indian ruin occupied from 900-1450 AD.
Chiricahua (national monument): Spires and oddly shaped rocks, including the Totem Pole.
Coronado (national monument): This place marks the first European exploration of Arizona.
Fort Bowie (national historical site): Check out the remains of a frontier Army fort.
Glen Canyon (national historical site): Over 1.2 million acres of fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.
Grand Canyon (national park): One of the largest canyons in the world. Go for the breathtaking scenic beauty, hiking, rafting, mule rides.
Grand Canyon-Parashant (national monument): Enjoy the geological features, which tells a story of 11,000 years of human history.
Hubbell Trading Post (national historical site): The oldest continuously operating trading post on the Navajo Reservation.
Other interesting areas are:
Ironwood Forest (NM)
Lake Mead (NRA)
Montezuma Castle (NM)
Navajo (NM)
Organ Pipe Cactus (NM)
Petrified Forest (NP)
Pipe Spring (NM)
Saguaro (NP)
Sonoran Desert (NM)
Sunset Crater (NM)
Tonto (NM)
Tumacacori (NHP)
Tuzigoot (NM)
Vermilion Cliffs (NM)
Walnut Canyon (NM)
Wupatki (NM)
THINGS TO DO IN ARIZONA
The state has almost single-handedly shaped what we know as the Wild West. And, Arizona to its credit has kept alive this image in communities, guest ranches and historical parks by paying homage to famous lawmen and notorious gunslingers. A glimpse of the cowboy life can be gleaned from a visit to almost any part of the state.
Roam through the small towns of southern Arizona like Brewery Gulch, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson and others for a feel of the way the West was.
The state is also known for being a sports lover's paradise. There are 325 golf courses and their numbers are increasing everyday. Phoenix is home to the World Champion Arena Football League Arizona Rattlers.
Other than these there are hundreds of indoor and outdoor malls, antique stores, clothing boutiques, gift shops, and art galleries. There are plenty of nightspots, theaters, and other places to relax, and plenty of good places to enjoy wonderful meals.
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