7 Ideal Arizona Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
Arizona has so many remarkable places worth experiencing that it’s basically impossible to fit them all into one weekend getaway. But if you do have an extended weekend to enjoy some quality time off the usual grind, Arizona certainly has some inviting options. If you simply need some time and space to relax, it’s hard to beat a magical wonderland of red rocks and world-class spa resorts. When you’re more in the mood to pursue some thrilling adventures, try some hikes at one of the world’s most famous natural landmarks. Or, for something much more out of this world, try an Old West town that’s reinvented itself as a curiously cool artists’ village.
No matter if you’re coming to see it all, or if you just want an extended weekend to get away from it all, these seven ideal Arizona destinations for a three-day weekend can help you check it all off your wishlist.
Sedona
Nestled in the northern reaches of the Verde Valley, about 38 miles south of Flagstaff, Sedona might be the perfect destination for an extended weekend getaway if you value unique natural beauty, artistic creativity, and serene spa resorts. To access some of Sedona’s most captivating natural beauty, hike the Margs Draw Trail to reach the iconic Snoopy Rock and enjoy grander views of the region’s other massive red rock formations. For an even deeper journey into Sedona’s sandstone-adorned wilderness, take the Boynton Canyon Trail to discover a cypress and manzanita forest where you can spot local wildlife like mule deer and canyon wrens. This canyon is also considered a prime vortex that some locals consider an epicenter of healing spiritual energy.
When you’re ready to experience another side of Sedona, head Uptown to peruse the local boutiques and art galleries, including the non-profit Sedona Arts Center that has the largest selection of works by local artists, as well as a calendar full of creative workshops and other interactive programs. There’s also the brewpub for Sedona Beer Co., where you will find some of Northern Arizona’s finest craft beer and a menu full of tasty pub fare. And from there, it’s just a few blocks to reach L’Auberge de Sedona, a boutique resort on the banks of Oak Creek with the supremely soothing L’Apothecary Spa, an on-site working art studio, the incredible Duck Pond pool complex, and artfully appointed rooms and suites.
Page
Around 158 miles east of St. George (Utah), Page serves as a welcoming gateway to much of Northern Arizona’s most spectacular public land preserves. When you’re down to explore on open water, head to Antelope Point Marina for boat rentals and charter sails to experience the unique scenery of Lake Powell. Or, if you want to see the Colorado River south of Glen Canyon Dam, make your way to Horseshoe Bend (part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) to see one of the state’s most photographed natural landmarks for yourself. From there, it’s a fairly short drive to Antelope Canyon, a spectacular slot canyon on Navajo Nation land with curiously undulating sandstone rock formations.
If you’re up for more of a road trip, drive west to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument for even more astounding and unique geological wonders, such as the towering red rock walls at Paria Canyon, and the many curious curves of The Wave. Once you’re ready to call it a day, return to town and enjoy a pleasant night at Grandview Inn B&B.
Grand Canyon Village
Situated on the South Rim of the world-famous Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Village is the ideal launchpad for amazing excursions in and around Grand Canyon National Park. For the ultimate canyon experience, try hiking the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon and towards the Colorado River. But if you prefer an easier walk, stay on the Rim Trail and look out for special landmarks like Hopi House, which was built in 1905 and modeled after the region’s 10,000-year-old Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. (It also has a gift shop that’s regularly stocked with indigenous-made artisan goods that make for great gifts and souvenirs.)
Continue east on the Rim Trail to discover more of the South Rim’s dazzling treasures, including the Yavapai Museum of Geology, where you can dig deep into the Grand Canyon’s backstory and its rock layers formed over millions of years. You can also drive a little farther east to reach the Desert View Watchtower, the easternmost developed area of the South Rim, with the iconic 1932 tower that provides the best views of the Colorado River basin as it transitions from the narrower Marble Canyon to the deeper and wider Grand Canyon. Whatever you end up doing at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, it’s always a good idea to complete your trip with a stay at the historic El Tovar Hotel, a 1905 original that delivers classic European-style elegance with unique Desert Southwest flair.
Prescott
About 106 miles north of Phoenix, it’s possible to experience a different kind of Arizona trip in Prescott. Head out to Thumb Butte Recreation Area for a magical hike into a ponderosa pine and oak forest crowned with the namesake Thumb Butte that tops out around 6,500 feet above sea level, where peregrine falcons often find refuge during nesting season. A short drive north from Thumb Butte lies Spence Springs, another great wilderness trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. And a little farther north at the Granite Mountain Wilderness, you can hike amidst a series of ragged boulder-adorned hills and ascend to the main mountain’s summit at 7,626 feet above sea level.
If you can use a break from the wilderness trails, head into town to reach the Museum of Indigenous People, the area’s only museum dedicated to preserving local indigenous culture and sharing the stories of Native American communities with a variety of fascinating exhibits. Then, make your way to Prescott Pines Inn, a lovely boutique hotel tucked in a pine grove by the creek, and one with its own Vino Wine Bar stocked with a nice variety of local Arizona wines and fine wines from all around the world.
Lake Havasu City
Near the southern edge of the Mojave Desert, around 155 miles southeast of Las Vegas (Nevada), you will find the curious “beach town” of Lake Havasu City and its famous imported bridge. Yes, really, the old London Bridge that was built in the 1830s was sold by the United Kingdom’s City of London to make way for a stronger replacement, and the new owner, Robert P. McCulloch, Sr., had it transported and rebuilt brick-by-brick in its present-day location in Havasu. On the east side of the bridge, you can tee off with incredible views of the bridge and the Colorado River at the Bridgewater Links Golf Course. A little farther south, Body Beach is a local hotspot for jet skiing.
If you fancy a more relaxing beach day at the river, cross the bridge to reach London Bridge Beach with its buoyed swimming area, wide array of beach volleyball and basketball courts, multiple picnic areas, and designated boat launch points. Right by this beach is where you will find Heat Hotel, a sleek and cool boutique hotel with its own private boat slips, along with on-site pontoon rentals, a fun and funky patio bar, and a stylish collection of rooms and suites.
Paradise Valley
Tucked right in between the much larger cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale, the town of Paradise Valley offers a quieter and more relaxing way to experience the best that the Valley of the Sun has to offer. At the south end of town lies Camelback Mountain, perhaps Maricopa County’s most famous natural landmark, with two exceptionally challenging trails that draw ambitious hikers from around the world. Meanwhile, to the northwest of town sits Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, another beautiful park that includes the region’s second-tallest mountain at Piestewa Peak and a larger network of trails traversing through diverse Sonoran Desert landscapes.
If those hikes sound too strenuous for you, rest assured that Paradise Valley has plenty more laid-back amenities. If you fancy a tee time with a view, book a golf outing at the 18-hole Short Course at Mountain Shadows, or try the par-71 Phoenician Golf Course for a phenomenal Troon-managed 18-hole course that sits right at the foot of Camelback. Whatever you end up doing around town, feel free to retreat to the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, a refreshing oasis with 185 spacious bungalows and suites, three resort pools, the full-service Palo Verde Spa, and a prime location near Camelback Mountain and Old Town Scottsdale.
Bisbee
Located about 96 miles southeast of Tucson, Bisbee is a Southern Arizona mining town that secured a whole new lease on life. To dig deep into Bisbee’s past, book a tour of the historic Copper Queen Mine that operated from 1877 to 1975 and was once one of the region’s most lucrative mines. For even more mining history, stop at the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that provides in-depth looks into the growth and evolution of Bisbee as a copper, silver, and gold mining hub.
In the mid-20th century, Bisbee fell hard with the decline of local mining operations, but the onset of the 1960s counterculture brought in a new wave of hippies and artists to town. Today, you can see the indelible marks they’ve been leaving on Bisbee at galleries like Sam Poe and Belleza Gallery Fine Art that showcase the amazing works of local contemporary artists. And for another wondrous treasure that perfectly blends old and new, check into The Carrick Hotel, a former YMCA building that’s been transformed into an artsy all-suite hotel with a unique mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings in each suite.
The Copper State Takes the Gold for the Perfect Extended Weekend
Arizona may be known as the Copper State, yet this state deserves a gold medal for its top-tier destinations that make for the ideal weekend getaway. Go to Grand Canyon Village to experience one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Escape to Sedona for an abundance of healing energy and captivating beauty. Try Paradise Valley for a new perspective on Arizona’s most classic landmarks. And for a cool artists’ village, it’s hard to beat the town of Bisbee. With so much to see and do across the state, it might be hard to limit yourself to merely one three-day weekend in Arizona.
