Stunning places every Arizonan should visit at least once
From the Grand Canyon to Sedona’s red rocks to dramatic views of Havasupai Falls, here are some must-see places every Arizonan should check out.
Before I moved to Arizona, I lived in the mountains of North Carolina. I had moved there from one set of mountains in Virginia, where I went to college. I moved there from my home in yet another set of mountains in Virginia.
My idea of beauty involved a lot of green, in other words.
When I moved to Arizona, I moved to Kingman. Craggy rocks and brown-yellow desert were not exactly high on the stunning-beauty scale for me. It looked kind of like someone put a big chunk of land into an oven and left it on too long.
I came around.
I mean, I knew about the Grand Canyon because everybody does. And I have to say, it does not disappoint. Grand indeed.
So when The Arizona Republic had a contest to find the most beautiful places in the state, I thought, how can that lose?
Turns out it can’t. But I’m getting ahead of things. When I voted in the poll, I scrolled through the choices and thought, dang, Arizona really is beautiful. The photos prove it.
In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: What’s the most beautiful place in Arizona? Actually, readers answer it. I spoke with Michael Salerno, the Republic’s consumer travel reporter, and Roger Naylor, a travel writer and photographer who has been just about everywhere.
I really enjoyed talking with them, and I think you’ll like our conversation. And maybe it’ll inspire you to visit a few. I know it did me.
Listen to the episode:
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This episode was produced by Abby Bessinger. You can reach her at abby.bessinger@gannett.com or follow her on X, formerly Twitter @abby_bessinger. Amanda Luberto assisted on production and you can reach her at aluberto@gannett.com.
Catch up on past episodes of Valley 101: