Wizard of AZ

Places to visit in Arizona (at least 10 days)

The Wizard of AZ has cast an enchanting spell over its hapless sightseers. And just like Medusa's victims, we "freeze" in awe and surrender to Arizona's mesmerizing beauty.

Grand Canyon - Mather Point, South Rim

Entrance fees and days for free passes: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Grand Canyon -  Desert View Watchtower

Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
If can only visit just one scenic spot of Grand Canyon, I highly suggest the Mather Point over the Desert View Watchtower (both spots are one-hour-drive apart).

Page Arizona

If you can choose between Upper Antelope or Lower Antelope, choose the Upper Antelope for safety measures. Once, decades ago, a group of tourists drowned in the Lower Antelope. As a paranoid mother with small children, I will not risk it.

http://archive.azcentral.com/travel/articles/20140208lone-survivor-antelope-canyon-tragedy.html

Sedona

Sedona's charming red-rock buttes are worth visiting, but to add value to your 2.5-hour trip from Phoenix, drop by (or stau for the night) in the Jerome (ghost town)

https://outsideourbubble.com/exploring-sedona-and-jerome-arizona/

Rim Road, Payson

You get what you drive hours for. Rim Road is for serious campers. It gets seriously cold up there even during summer. It's also perfect for family, but I'd suggest to be extra careful. There had been ATV crashes and accidents in the area.

https://www.paysonrimcountry.com/camping

Route 66, Holbrook

We just needed one picture. Luckily, a Li'l Caesar's pizza place was nearby.  This historic route passes through Chicago, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Aizona and ends in California

Desert Botanical Garden

General Admission - $24

Children and members - Free

Check when these two museums have free passes:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/free-museums-in-greater-phoenix-2681694

PHX Children's Museum

Heard Museum

Bonus: AZ State Fair

The state's largest festival happens every October. $10 general admission for adults & $7 for kids ages 3 to 5.

Dragon eye (Upper Antelope Canyon)

The Bear (Upper Antelope Canyon)

Page, Arizona

Desert View Watchtower

South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Mather Point in Grand Canyon

Elks freely graze in the Grand Canyon and sometines even block the road!

We stumbled upon this scenic view 10 miles (15 mins.) away from the south entrance of the Grand Canyon. Entrance is free.

Tourists flock Horshoe Bend for its unique shape. 

Mogollon Rim is not for the faint of heart (or kids!).

The ratings averaged to 4.6 out of 5 stars, so we stopped by for a breath of fresh air.

This is our Sedona view from the Chapel of the Holy Cross built atop red rock buttes.

Saguaros stand tall against a geologic scenery.

Dale Chihuly glass sculpture in the Desert Botanical Garden

Pink buds of the prickly pear cactus

A Native American dwelling is recreated and displayed in the Desert Botanical Garden

The Heard Museum has free general admission from 6 – 10 p.m. every First Friday except March.

Find Native American art & exhibits in the Heard Museum - 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

Small statues of Native American warriors

(Heard Museum)

The 37-foot, 50-ton indoor playground in PHX Children's Museum.

AZ State Fair happens every October.