Top Things to do in Central Arizona
Top Hotels in Central Arizona
- 1. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport
- 3. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley
- 4. Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
- 5. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 6. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- 7. Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass
- 8. The McCormick Scottsdale
- 9. The Wigwam
- 10. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Tempe
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What to do and see in Central Arizona, Central Arizona: The Best Scenic Drives
Home to the Phoenix metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents, Central Arizona offers an amazing array of museums, cultural venues and outdoor adventures. The Valley of the Sun boasts hopping nightlife and a thrilling selection of restaurants, resorts and spas. Discover Old West and Native American history. Hike among the cactus in the Sonoran desert. Try your hand at ranching in Glendale. Drive the Superstition Mountains. Visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Restaurants in Central Arizona
1. Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,151 reviews
The Red Rock Scenic Byway is your Gateway to the world-famous Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona … just 110 miles north of Phoenix, about 40 miles south of Flagstaff, and only a few hours south of the Grand Canyon.
Reviewed By kathyfI6813BE - Big Water, United States
Beautiful drive in the red rocks..we stopped several times to take photos and do a bit of browsing at several arts and craft shows.
2. Joshua Forest Scenic Road
3. Oak Creek Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,381 reviews
Breathtaking in its red rock beauty, the Canyon is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock walls.
Reviewed By 51gloriab - Advance, United States
We hiked the West Fork trail and enjoyed the lush area with a well-defined trail for several miles. Our necks were stretched upward as we noted what we saw in the sandstone rock structures formed by wind over the centuries. At the start of the hike, it was a treat to learn about Mayhew Lodge that once was a retreat for politicians and movie stars. We saw squirrels, salamanders, butterflies, and hawks as they thrive in the riparian community.
4. Oak Creek Vista Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
This overlook combines a scenic view with shopping opportunities for Native American arts and crafts.
Reviewed By davidbF2109QV - Barrie, Canada
Whether this is your destination, or just a stop off between Sedona and Flagstaff, you can’t lose. Amazing views, helpful ranger station, free washrooms and a genuine Navajo market of handicrafts. Many of the friendly stall merchants are very interesting to chat with. I often head up here at 6 AM on my motorcycle and then cruise back down to Sedona for a glorious hour of solitude. Remember you climb 2500 feet so it can be much cooler at the top.
5. Schnebly Hill Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 665 reviews
Reviewed By MarinMatt - San Francisco, United States
Do this. Just don't do it in a regular car. Take a pink jeep tour, rent a jeep, or rent an Razor, which is what we did.
6. Historic Road - US Route 89A
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
One of only three historic Arizona roads recognized by the State of Arizona, Centered in Clarkdale. US Route 89A is plaqued with a historic 89A sign and the historic portion begins in Cottonwood, Arizona south to Clarkdale, Arizona and ends in Jerome, Arizona. All three towns have historic districts (Old Towns) with the road as its center. Clarkdale features a historic 89A road marker near the center of town, which explains the origins of the road as a trail about 600 years ago.
Reviewed By SDPeterson - La Quinta, United States
We took Historic Route 89A on our way up to and from the Grand Canyon. It was a windy road and it was around Labor Day weekend so the road was stop/go all along Oak Creek with people camping and swimming. The road itself had beautiful views bringing you from the high desert to the mountains. Along the way was some vista points which was fun as the Native Americans were selling their beautiful jewelry much to my delight! On the way home we hit some well deserved rain which brought out rainbows in the early evening, it was beautiful! As we got higher on the road we even spotted some elk!
7. Highway 89A Sedona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765
Traveling to Sedona from Phoenix (on the 179), it terminates in the traffic circle at the junction with Uptown Sedona (89A). RIght turn to go to Uptown and maybe Flagstaff but turn left to go all the way to the end of town, on the way to Prescott. There is some impressive scenery along the way. Between Uptown and the end of Sedona on 89A, pass by the post office, Mariposa restaurant, Adobe Jack trailhead, some really great grocery stores (Whole Foods, Basha's, and Safeway), the turn-off to Posse Park, and the really interesting Jameson Memorial Sculpture Park. This is one of our favorite urban-styled walks. The terminus is pretty much where the Sedona High School and the Diamond timeshare Sedona Summit Resort. The High School has some very nice walking paths around it and so does the area around the Diamond property where the sunset views are amazing. In between the round-about (179 to 89A) into town and that left turn, the views of the mountains require a stop and look, if not a hike. Traffic speeds are fleet (as in: high-speed) so look for a turn-out or a stop at a shopping center for some views. Over the years, the Adobe Jack trailhead has matured into a first-class trail loved by mountain biker who politely share the terrain with us two-footed (and no-wheeled) travelers. Take that up to Devil's sinkhole and maybe connect with Jordan Trail to travel back to Uptown, provided that a car isn't involved and, thus, no requirement to return to a specific parking lot. We like to hoof it up 89A and walk the trails back into town. Scenery in Sedona is the main draw to this piece of regional paradise. Route 89A has no shortage of big payouts in this stretch of landscape panorama.
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