Arizona is the 48th state in USA, having achieved statehood on February 14th, 1912. The state of Arizona is known for the desert climate, meaning hot summers and mild winters. Northern Arizona has mountains, and forests, as well as deep canyons and ski resorts. Apart from the Grand Canyon, there are numerous national forests and parks, many of them with monuments to see.

One quarter of the state is Indian reservation land, housing the 27 tribes of Native Americans. The largest tribe is the Navajo Nation, with a citizenship of over 300,000 people.

The population of Arizona boomed after the introduction of refrigeration soon after WWII, and it is now the sixth largest state in area.

Many people believe that the name comes from a Basque word meaning ‘place of oaks’, while the Papago Tribe translates it as ‘place of the little spring’. Whichever translation you adopt, the state will amaze you with some of the sights and places of interest to explore.

56. Bisbee

This town is far south in Arizona, almost near the border with Mexico. It used to be a mining town, but now it is mostly an artist colony. Many of the houses you see there are in fact, old miners cottages.
You will find a great selection of eclectic shops and cafes, with many different styles of arts and crafts to buy.
For a small town, there are many guided tours and interesting things to see.
This is a good day trip from Tucson.

57. Pima Air & Space Museum

The museum is in Tucson, and is one of the world’s largest aerospace museums. On display are over 300 aircraft over 80 acres. The museum has been home to the AZ Aviation Hall of Fame since 1991.

Many of the aircraft are displayed outside, although there are four hangars which house collections. You will be able to see an A-10 Warthog, an SR-71A Blackbird, and a mock-up of a control tower, to name a few of the exhibits.

Adjacent to the museum is the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which also houses the ‘graveyard of Planes’. Buses leave from the museum several times a day to the graveyard. They run Monday to Friday, but not on holidays.

Allow yourself a full day here, and try to include the tour to the graveyard. There is a restaurant where you can get lunch, and a shop where you can buy souvenirs afterwards.

If you finish early at the museum, you will find the Titan Missile Museum is not far away, and that is also worth a visit.

58. Havasu Falls

This waterfall is on the Havasupai land, and is found in the Grand Canyon, about 2 miles from the town of Supai. There is one main fall which drops about 100 feet into some plunge pools. The vivid green colouring is due to the high calcium carbonate which is found in the water.

The area gets flash floods occasionally and this gives the impression that the pools change in shape.

This is a great area to take a picnic lunch and spend a day. There are tables set out along the side of the creek, and you can easily cross to the other side by following the water line.

You can swim behind the falls and find the little shelter which is behind the water. You must take care if you try this, as people have drowned there. Children should be supervised at all times in case of unexpected flooding.

59. The Chapel of the Holy Cross

You will find this in Sedona. It is an ancient Roman Catholic Chapel. The chapel was completed in 1956. It was voted as one of the 7 man-made wonders in the state, and the church has been visited by many people of all faiths and beliefs.

The chapel itself has been built right into the rock, with the tall cross being visible from quite a distance away.

The interior is simple and not at all fancy, but wherever you sit inside you will find that your eyes are drawn to the cross in the centre. The enormous windows at the back give the most amazing views.

Allow yourself a morning to look at the chapel, then enjoy a walk in the area, and prepare to be amazed at the views, and rock formations.

60. The Titan Missile Museum

The museum is located about 40km south of Tucson. You can see the inactive missile still inside the silo. There are some of the original launch items in the silo.

There are three levels to the silo, with the top level giving views of the missile doors.
Note that the walls are concrete reinforced steel which are 8 feet thick!
The tour of the inside of the bunker is guided, and you will find yourself standing right under the missile at one point.

There is plenty to see on the ground, and there is a lift for people who cannot manage the many stairs up and down.

Allow a half day to see the museum, although you may want to spend longer in the area, and visit other places.