The West Coast of the United States has Arizona as part of the region. Arizona, located right next to Nevada and California, has a great reputation for being a haven for older individuals to retire. It’s also well-liked by younger generations who are still in the workforce. While several states across America have nicknames inspired by their individualized history, Arizona’s nickname specifically highlights one of the most jaw-dropping and breathtaking natural wonders of the world.
We’re referring to none other than the majestic Grand Canyon. When it comes to scenic views, Arizona isn’t a destination that leaves locals or visitors hoping for something more. There’s much to admire when passing through Arizona at any given moment. As of now, more than 7.276 million people can call Arizona home. These people have figured out that Arizona is a worthwhile place to permanently live.
With so many residents settled down in Arizona, it’s obvious that the Grand Canyon state has a lot to offer. With a climate that remains fairly comfortable all year round, it makes sense that millions of people would gravitate to Arizona each passing year. While we’re on the topic of Arizona, click here to discover the most popular sports teams who currently practice and play there.
To gather this list of 20 things Arizona is most widely known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted several travel websites. These include Visit Arizona, Nomads Unveiled, Travel Drafts, Tourism Teacher, and The Arizona Republic.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is arguably the most recognized natural wonder in the United States. Even people who’ve never been to Arizona in the flesh often recognize the Grand Canyon based on photos and videos they’ve seen of it over the years. The Grand Canyon is more massive than the entire state of Rhode Island with a measurement of 1,904 square miles. It’s filled to the brim with hidden caves, which means there’s still much exploration to still be done.
The Grand Canyon is full of wild animals including rock squirrels, which are known to be a bit dangerous. It’s also full of fossils that have been uncovered by scientists. Studies have shown that none of the fossils come specifically from dinosaurs, though. Despite how much research has been done about the Grand Canyon, scientists don’t know exactly how long it’s been around and visible for human eyes to admire.
Phoenix is Arizona’s state capital
It’s common knowledge that Phoenix is the state capital of Arizona. Since it’s a state capital, people visiting Arizona from out of town, often prioritize it as a stopping point. The metropolitan area of Phoenix is affectionately known as the Valley of the sun. It’s full of upscale, nightclubs, exquisite, restaurants, top-notch, golf, courses, and ritzy spa resorts. The current population of Phoenix is 1.625 million people.
The Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is a hot topic of conversation for Arizona locals since the reservoir from the water is used to supply millions of businesses, farms, and homes. The water is used to satisfy people living in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. It’s the nation’s largest reservoir covering around 248 square miles. For an even more detailed breakdown, it’s capable of holding 28.9 million acre-feet of water at any given moment.
When the Hoover Dam was first constructed, its name was an unfortunate source of controversy. Franklin Roosevelt wasn’t a big fan of Herbert Hoover, but the name was still used anyway. The Hoover Dam became the target of a German bomb plot during World War II and was temporarily closed down after the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. By September 1945, the Hoover Dam was re-opened to the general public once again. It’s remained open ever since.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is another spot worth visiting in Arizona. Monument Valley experiences desert climate and marks the starting point where ancestral Puebloans first settled around 1200 BCE. John Ford movies can steal credit for Monument Valley current level of popularity, by the way.
Ford cast John Wayne in the 1939 flick “Stagecoach” to give movie watchers a glimpse into what life was like in the American west. To this day, Monument Valley is considered one of America’s great natural wonders. It’s often mentioned in the same conversations as the Grand Canyon.
Antelope Canyon
A visit to Arizona would be more complete after making a stop at Antelope Canyon. The wavelike structure of it gives Antelope Canyon one of the most favorable and unique appearances in nature. Antelope Canyon is one of the most commonly photographed canyons in the West Coast of America for this exact reason.
When standing inside the entry ways of Antelope Canyon, it’s impossible not to feel incredibly small in size compared to the walls that rise more than 120 feet above the ground. The separation of Antelope Canyon is something that causes a slight bit of confusion as well. While some might believe Antelope Canyon is one singular canyon, it’s actually made up of two slot canyons that are near each other.
Cacti
A beloved symbol of Arizona happens to be cacti. They grow in the wild, sprouting throughout desert lands on their own. There are cacti spread throughout most inches of Arizona in nearly every direction. The most common cacti species of Arizona are the Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Barbary Fig, Jumping Cholla, and Echinocereus.
For cacti to thrive, they rely on consistent water consumption and temperature levels. Frost and frigid weather will kill the cacti of Arizona, which is why desert climates are the perfect place for them to thrive. Even when temperatures drop, the cacti will still survive.
Horseshoe Bend
Looking down at Horseshoe Bend from above would potentially feel a bit daunting since this natural wonder of the West Coast is so massive and eye-catching. Interesting enough, Horseshoe Bend is quite accessible for hikers who want to see all its blissful beauty with their own two eyes. The process of Horseshoe Bend’s formation began about 200 million years ago from layers of sandstone, sedimentary rocks, and mineral deposits petrifying.
In total, Horseshoe Bend is about 4,200 feet wide and made of three rock layers consisting of siltstone and limestone. The dark truth about Horseshoe Bend is that accidental deaths and intentional suicides occur there more often than anyone wants to admit. These deaths are a result of the 1,000 foot drop near Horseshoe Bend’s hiking trails.
The University of Arizona and other colleges
Academics are a top priority for some people. College students interested in pursuing higher education are welcome to consider enrolling at the University of Arizona when they’re ready. The University of Arizona is located in Tucson, offering undergraduate and masters programs in subjects like accounting, philosophy, journalism, sociology, art, and anthropology. It has an 87% acceptance rate, which means a huge bulk of applicants will be given the opportunity to get started.
With a 64% graduation rate, tons of young adults can depend on the University of Arizona to create a head start for their careers. Other college campuses Arizona is known for include Northern Arizona University, Arizona Christian University, Embyr Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott College, Grand Canyon University, and the University of Advancing Technology.
The Phoenix Suns and other professional sports teams
The Phoenix Suns is arguably the most beloved and popular sports team in Arizona. The Suns basketball team fits in well with the rest of the NBA lineup thanks to talented players like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Durant is the small forward for the Suns while Booker is the point guard. The Suns aren’t the only sports team in Arizona to attract a massive fan base of dedicated supporters, though.
The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, the Arizona Diamondbacks of the MLB, and the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL are also worth mentioning. Basketball, football, baseball, and hockey are attention-grabbing sports that pull in viewership from millions of Arizona fans every year. To top it off, Arizona is also home to men’s soccer and women’s basketball teams.
Hailey Bieber, Emma Stone, and other famous celebrities
Several famous celebrities were born in the heart of Arizona. Hailey Bieber is a model and skincare mogul who’s married to pop star, Justin Bieber. She was born in Tucson. Emma Stone is a well-liked actress from movies like “La La Land,” “Battle of the Sexes,” and “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.” She was born in Scottsdale.
Joe Jonas is the lead singer from the Jonas Brothers after rising to fame on the Disney Channel as a young adult. He was born in Casa Grande. Stevie Nicks is a singer and songwriter who’s recorded music with none other than Lana Del Rey. She was born in Phoenix. David spade is a comedian who’s been known to make people laugh with movies like “The Wrong Missy,” “Father of the Year,” and “Joe Dirt.” He was born in Scottsdale.
The five C’s
The five C’s are five things that Arizona is recognized for when it comes to economical growth. The five C’s include copper, cattle, citrus, cotton, and climate. There are 27 copper mines located in Arizona, 380 million pounds of beef produced from cattle every year, and upwards of $23.3 billion worth of citrus planted annually.
As far as cotton goes, around 334,000 bales of cotton are weighed out every year and the climate of Arizona is one of the main reasons tourists visit for vacations whenever they have the availability to do so. Vacationers stimulate the economy of Arizona by paying into local businesses, restaurants, and more.
Spanish Missions
The Spanish Missions of Arizona are noteworthy for a slew of reasons. Firstly, they’re undeniably enticing to people who care about historical sites and beautiful architecture. Jesuit and Franciscan priests are the individuals who originally established colonial missions in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Some of the missions visitors will come across in Arizona include the San Xavier del Bac and the Mission San José de Tumacácori. These historical landmarks still stand today.
Native American culture
It’s totally possible to visit American Indian tribal lands when visiting Arizona. For this reason, Native American culture is something Arizona is known for. The art and culture of Arizona are both heavily influenced by the Native American community. This is because indigenous people inhabited Arizona over 12,000 years ago. As of now, there are 22 American Indian communities still in existence across different sections of Arizona.
Navajo tacos and other iconic foods
When traveling to Arizona, there is plenty of delicious foods to chow down on. Fry bread, Chimichangas, Sopapillas, and Sonoran hotdogs are just a few of the beloved foods Arizona’s known for. As far as fruits, nuts, and vegetables go, lemons, pecans, and dates are thought of his prized export products from Arizona.
Cheese crisps, Mesquite flour, and Route 66 beer should be added to your personal food list while spending time in Arizona as well. Last but not least, Arizona visitors definitely shouldn’t skip out on enjoying Navajo tacos. They’re traditionally made with tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, sour cream, beans, and ground beef.
Turquoise jewelry
Turquoise jewelry is beyond popular in Arizona. Most gift shops that tourists come across in Arizona are full of turquoise jewelry in the form of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, anklets, and more. Turquoise jewelry naturally displays a beautiful teal color that plenty of folks consider aesthetically pleasing.
After all, the colors are reminiscent of the open ocean. An added benefit to wearing turquoise jewelry is that this stone has a spiritual history of being associated with good fortune, success, healing, and protection from external dangers.
Petrified Forest National Park
How adventurous do you consider yourself to be? Folks with adventurous spirits have a lot to get excited about regarding the Petrified Forest National Park. The Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona and widely recognized for having Triassic fossils to examine and analyze.
There are tons of exhibits inside Petrified Forest National Park as well. Exhibit options include the Rainbow Forest Museum: Blue Mesa Room and Painted Desert Inn Tap Room Gallery. Tourists hanging out in Arizona will benefit from spending time there, but so will locals who have any interest in the scientific richness that Arizona has to offer.
The Red Rocks of Sedona
There are already tons of natural wonders in Arizona to explore and adore, but that doesn’t mean the Red Rocks of Sedona don’t also deserve their time to shine. The breathtaking desert landscape is full of unique red rock formations that are crisscrossed by jaw-dropping hiking trails.
The flowering cacti and other visible greenery in the area is picturesque enough for any pictures visitors and locals might want to take. The Red Rocks of Sedona span across 286 acres in total. This is land people are welcome to explore on foot, on bicycles, and on horseback.
The Four Corners
The Four Corners of America consist of four separate states – and Arizona is one of them. The other three states happen to be Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. This is the one place in America where four states touch each other at once. Since all four of the states meet at one connected point, the Four Corners has become a monumental destination for tourists to visit. Other states across America touch one or two other places on the map. This is the only photo-ready destination where four states equally meet in the middle.
Majestic waterfalls
Is there a better word to use when describing the waterfalls of Arizona than “majestic”? The waterfalls of Arizona are blissfully beautiful and unforgettable. Some of the most alluring waterfalls in Arizona are Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Havasupai Falls, Grand Falls, and Navajo Falls.
Water Wheel Falls, Tanque Verde Falls, Arizona Falls, Allison Creek Waterfall, and Cibecue Falls are also worth mentioning. Most of these waterfalls can be reached at the end of gorgeous hiking trails. Plenty of Arizona locals can agree that long walks and challenging hikes are far more worthwhile when they end with impressive views of scenic waterfalls.
“Forrest Gump” and other major movies
Several major movies have been filmed in Arizona. It makes sense that producers would use Arizona for its flawless backdrops in regards to visual storytelling. One of the most iconic movies to be filmed in Arizona happens to be “Forrest Gump,” which hit theaters back in 1994. The movie, starring Tom Hanks in the titular role, was filmed at Monument Hill.
In 1983, “Star Wars VI, Return of the Jedi” was filmed at human desert in Arizona. In 1968, “Planet of the Apes” producers filmed many of the scenes at the Grand Canyon. In 1960, “Psycho” was filmed at the Jefferson Hotel in Downtown Phoenix. Arizona is highly respected on the West Coast, and so are its neighboring states like California. For a similar read, click here to uncover 20 things California is known for.