9 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In Arizona
Renowned for its other-wordly landscapes, Arizona offers a range of unique adventure opportunities for any kind of traveler. If you are looking for some of the most awe-inspiring terrains in the world to explore during your next three-day weekend, this Mountain State is the ideal place to take advantage of that extra day. Whether you are looking for a more active adventure, or a more relaxing stay, Arizona offers a diverse range of possibilities. Visitors can savor the vibrant colors and sights of nature during breathtaking hiking experiences, or opt to enjoy the views from the comfort of world-class lodgings. Paired with the state’s array of natural beauty, there are also endless restaurants, museums, and historical sites waiting to be discovered during your next three-day weekend.
Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon Village is nestled on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, making it the ideal destination to enjoy awe-inspiring views during a three-day weekend. Visitors often favor the option to stay in El Tovar, a historical hotel that first opened in 1905 and earned its legendary status due to overlooking the Grand Canyon. Located directly on the rim of the canyon, this world-class travel destination offers a unique array of inviting rooms, each representative of the hotel’s historical charm. Alternatively, for travelers looking to turn their Grand Canyon visit into a camping trip, Grand Canyon Village includes Mather Campground, a dreamy campsite offering cozy tent plots and pull-through RV sites for families and road trip enthusiasts.
Mesa
Situated in south-central Arizona, Mesa is the state’s third largest city and offers a perfect balance between the leisures of bustling urban life and the serene sights of sprawling desert trails. The city offers a range of unique restaurants and cafes to discover, each offering their own inviting atmospheres and flavors. Blue Adobe Sante Fe Grille, Crackers & Co Cafe, and Red White and Blue are just a few local favorites. After grabbing a bite to eat, visitors can explore Mesa’s thriving art scene, including one of the city’s many museums, galleries, or even the Southwest Shakespeare Company to view a classic performance. To witness the wonders of some of Arizona’s dazzling landscapes, Mesa is also a gateway to countless hiking trails, with routes to places like the Sonoran Desert and Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Tucson
The city of Tucson is brimming with incredible restaurants, picturesque sights, and so many other luxurious experiences to explore, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind on a three-day weekend. The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa is a Tuscan treasure for those looking for indulgence; their on-site restaurant, Sabino’s Pool Bar and Grill, offers exciting flavors to enjoy poolside, including casual yet delectable finger foods and refreshing, flavorful cocktails. Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, this elegant and luxurious hotel gives visitors the chance to view the wonders of the Sabino Canyon and Santa Catalina Mountains. The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa is the ideal vacation spot for those who want to savor the natural beauty of Arizona with comfort and luxury.
Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City is a popular vacation destination for families due to its stunning beaches, parks, outdoor activities, local events, and other exciting attractions. For those looking to pack a full schedule over their three-day weekend, this city is the ultimate Arizona destination. The city is famous for its possession of the London Bridge, purchased and relocated from London England in 1967 by Robert P. McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu City. The bridge now spans the shimmering Colorado River, connecting to Lake Havasu City, and serves as a popular tourist attraction. Throughout the year, visitors and residents enjoy a range of local customs and festivities, such as the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair, classic car shows, and Desert Storm, a world renowned boat race with several thrilling competitions that welcomes boat enthusiasts from all over. If you happen to visit on a slower weekend, the city still offers a wide range of restaurants and shops to enjoy, as well as water activities such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Sedona
Famous for its iconic and visually stunning red rock formations, Sedona is a gorgeous city definitely worth visiting over a three-day weekend for the sights alone. The bright ruby rocks offer a statuesque backdrop that mingles with the Arizona sun for a vivid, picturesque scene, ideal for capturing the perfect photo. These enchanting sights can be enjoyed while hiking the desert terrain, and for those feeling extra adventurous, there is the Sedona Secret 7: a tourism initiative led by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau that highlights the wonders of lesser-known hiking locations and trails. These seven mysterious spots are an intriguing and exciting attraction for those wishing to get in touch with nature and explore sights not often seen.
Bisbee
Once a thriving mining town, Bisbee Arizona is now a hot tourist spot, adored by locals and visitors for its pleasant year round climate, charming historical architecture, and picturesque mountain views. You can find Bisbee nestled in the magnificent Mule Mountains, whose highest peak towers 7,400 feet high above the city. Once mined for copper, these mountains are home to forests that are now commonly explored and hiked; Bisbee offers various trails, such as Old Bisbee and Juniper Flats Loop, a trail offering complete immersion in the local flora, consisting of a 4.9 mile round trip hike. For those fascinated by the city’s rich history, mine tours and city tours are also available.
Wickenburg
Wickenburg is a beautiful desert community that welcomes visitors to enjoy its vibrant art scene, charming local ranches, and exciting Wild West experiences. Named for its founder Henry Wickenburg, a prospector who struck gold in 1863, this quaint, hospitable town pays homage to its history and welcomes guests to go back in time, whether by visiting their Desert Caballeros Western Museum, or hiking the same trails walked during the Wild West. If you are looking for an authentic Wild West encounter, Kay El Bar offers horseback rides through the heart of the Sonoran Desert, with spectacular mountain views and sights of the Hassayampa River. Kay El Bar is an accommodating dude ranch that comfortably fits up to 25 guests and has an on-site swimming pool, making it an excellent option for a three-day weekend.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is the perfect three-day getaway destination for hiking enthusiasts looking to find stunning views and dependable weather. With an average of 294 sunny days per year, this quaint oasis is next to the famous Camelback Mountain bordering the southern side of the town. Named for its resemblance to the hump of a camel’s back, the mountain is a beloved hiking spot for tourists and residents alike and is an exciting challenge for serious hikers. Its two trails, Cholla and Echo Canyon, are noted as being difficult but well worth the effort for their breathtaking views overlooking downtown Phoenix. For visitors looking to relax or skip the hiking, Paradise Valley also offers an array of exceptional shopping, lodgings, and luxury spa experiences.
Page
Page Arizona is an amazing destination for those looking to spend their three-day weekend outdoors exploring some of Arizona’s most iconic landscapes. The city is located in northeastern Arizona and is a popular choice for visitors looking to take advantage of its convenient location. The town has a remarkable amount of famous natural attractions nearby, including Monument Valley, a stunning desert region known for its vivid red sand and remarkable sandstone towers. The town also neighbors the famous Horseshoe Bend, a favorite photo spot in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The horseshoe shaped attraction is in fact a natural bend in the Colorado River, and serves as one of Arizona’s most well known scenic locations due to its sublime beauty.
When people think about visiting or vacationing in Arizona, Phoenix is often the place that comes to mind. Even though the city is famous for a reason, Arizona has so many other equally spectacular cities and towns to explore and experience. Whether you are looking to unwind poolside with the family, or experience the vast and wondrous Arizona landscapes on an adventurous hike, these towns and cities offer something for every type of traveler. Three-day weekends are the perfect opportunity to discover the different parts of Arizona you may not normally visit, and you may just find your next favorite vacation spot!
