If you’re visiting Arizona this spring, there are many places to visit while you’re there. You can check out the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, see the Neon Sign Park, and even see Navajo ruins. There are also many museums and historic sites to check out.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located in extreme southern Arizona and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is home to senita cactus and organ pipe cactus, two cactus species that can only be found in this region.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a unique place in the Sonoran Desert and is a fantastic way to experience the desert’s unique plants and animals. It is also home to dramatic plains-and-mountains scenery. During a visit, be sure to take a scenic drive through the monument and be prepared for brief and violent thunderstorms.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a vast desert preserve and UNESCO biosphere reserve located on the border of Arizona and Mexico. It is just south of Ajo, AZ, about 15 miles south. Yuma is 140 miles north. The monument is bounded by the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation and adjacent to the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. It covers approximately five hundred and seventy square miles (1,339 square kilometers).
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a 517-square-mile park that preserves the natural habitat of the Organ Pipe Cactus. The monument also features a fascinating cultural history and diverse plant communities. There are scenic drives, hiking trails, and overnight camping to enjoy. The park offers the perfect setting for a romantic retreat, or a quiet evening by the fire.
Casa Grande Neon Sign Park
If you’re in the market for a fun day trip from Phoenix, check out the Neon Sign Park in Casa Grande. Nestled on the edge of the historic downtown, these colorful signs flicker to life in the twilight. A $144,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Express Foundation helped the city restore and install a collection of vintage neon signs. The signs’ hypnotic glow transports you back to an age when people communicated with signs in a different way.
The park contains a collection of vintage signs that were once erected on various locations around the city. Most of the signs are located on Hwy. 84, also known as the Gila Bend Highway or the Old Tucson Highway. This road was first designated as a state highway in 1927, and it extended into Casa Grande in 1928. The signs are accented with vintage license plates and tailgate benches.
Navajo ruins
For visitors interested in the Native American history of the Southwest, a visit to the Navajo ruins in Weldoona, Arizona, would be an interesting experience. These ancient ruins are thought to date back hundreds of years, before recorded history. The ruins are well preserved, offering clues about daily life of these Indigenous groups.
The Navajo ruins are part of the Navajo National Monument, located just off Hwy 160 between Kayenta and Tuba City. The site features two 13th-century ruins and the largest prehistoric cliff dwelling in Arizona. The ruins are accessible by foot or horseback, and there are three self-guided trails and two guided tours. The most popular trail is the Sandal Trail, which gives you the chance to explore the ruins without a guide.
After viewing the ruins, visitors can pick up a map and explore the visitor center, which has a gift shop and a small museum. Afterward, they can walk along the 1/3-mile partially shaded trail to the ruins. Though it is not allowed for visitors to climb inside the ruins, they can still see a 5-story structure with twenty rooms, a scale model replica of the interior, and smaller dwellings. They can also read informational signs that help visitors visualize life in the ancient villages.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax after a busy day on the road, or a challenging hike, a trip to the Navajo ruins in Weldoa, Arizona is sure to be a memorable one. The Navajo people, who were the last inhabitants of the area, still live in the canyon and continue to cultivate the land in the area. A visit to the park is recommended in the morning before you begin your journey to the ruins.
The ruins are located about 40 miles from Phoenix. It is difficult to get to the site, however. Many of the roads were originally built for defensive purposes, but today they have become impassible. There are also interpretive trails to learn more about the ruins.
Grand Canyon
When visiting the Grand Canyon, you may want to consider a helicopter tour to get a bird’s eye view of the canyon. This scenic flight leaves from the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, which is less than 10 miles from the South Entrance. It takes you over the Dragon Corridor, which is the widest section of the canyon, and over several key attractions.
You can also visit the Kolb Gallery, an historic Victorian home that was once owned by the Kolb Brothers, early explorers of the Grand Canyon. The building is now an art gallery and is close to the Bright Angel Trail. The home was constructed in 1905, and is now an art gallery.
The Grand Canyon is a beautiful and exciting place to visit. It’s an incredible expanse of gorges, ridges, and rock formations. While you’re there, take a helicopter tour or a hike along the rim. It’s best to start your hike early, so you can experience the sunrise or sunset.
If you don’t feel up for a 10-mile hike, you can always opt for a mule trip. These trips are popular but require some serious physical fitness. For instance, you’ll need to be able to carry a backpack for 10 miles and negotiate the rugged terrain. Aside from hiking, you can also enjoy the beauty of the Grand Canyon from a vantage point.
For accommodations, you can choose from two nearby properties: the Red Feather Lodge, which accepts pets, and the Canyon Plaza Resort, which has a restaurant on-site. The Holiday Inn Express is also a good choice. All three hotels are within walking distance of restaurants and the Grand Canyon.
The South Rim and the Grand Canyon Village have plenty to offer visitors. The Rim Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Canyon. Hiking along the Rim Trail is the best way to see these attractions. The trail is a mostly paved walking path with stops at favorite lookouts.
Another attraction near the Grand Canyon is the Hermit Road. This seven-mile long route is accessible via the Grand Canyon Shuttle red and blue lines. It is an excellent choice for families with children.