The Grand Canyon State is home to numerous alluring places that are perfect for your next daring adventure: hiking the length of the Mogollon Rim, spelunking in one of the state’s many caverns, and white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. While you can find heart-pounding opportunities for adventure all around Arizona, you can find just as many that are family-friendly and light on walking. If those easy adventures are the kind you’re looking for, check out these suggestions for a fun-filled day in Arizona.
- Go on a driving tour of a lifetime at Bearizona.
Walker S./Yelp Located in Williams, Bearizona is an adventure the entire family can enjoy without having to leave the comfort of your vehicle. Roll up your windows and embark on a driving tour through the park. This will give you a chance to safely see native Arizona wildlife roam in a natural environment. Details: bearizona.com
- Blazin’ M Ranch
Blazin’ M Ranch/Facebook This Western-themed attraction sits in Cottonwood right along the banks of the Verde River. Check out the frontier town, complete with shops, a shooting gallery, and museums. Afterwards, you’ll get to enjoy an incredible dinner theatre inside a saloon while chowing down on a delicious cowboy-style. Details: blazinm.com
- Spend a cool afternoon in the mountains by riding a chairlift at one of the ski resorts.
Kenneth Hagemeyer/Flickr When out in the mountains during the summer, one easy and slightly thrilling adventure is to take a ride on a chairlift at one of the ski resorts. Get an incredible view from above while enjoying the cool air.
- Hop aboard the Dolly Steamboat for an incredible tour of Canyon Lake.
The Dolly Steamboat/Facebook Want to enjoy the Arizona desert from a different point of view? A boat tour is a great way to become acquainted with nature without having to hike. Aboard the Dolly Steamboat, you’ll get to enjoy a cruise on a historic boat with a wonderfully narrated tour. Details: dollysteamboat.com
- Get an unusual history lesson while on a ghost tour in your favorite Arizona town.
jason shultz/Flickr Whether or not you believe in ghosts, we bet you will love heading out for one of these truly interesting tours. Learn about the seedy history of places like Prescott, Jerome, and Bisbee, as well as places that may be haunted. These are done at various times of the day (although, night tours are always spookiest) and you can opt for a walking or van tour for most. Details: What You’ll Find On These 7 Ghost Tours In Arizona Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
- Experience the old Arizona at Goldfield Ghost Town.
Mary M./Yelp Want to experience a bit of the Old West that’s also close to home? Goldfield Ghost Town was built on top of an actual ghost town and you’ll get a chance to see what life may have been like here. Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine, pan for gold, and watch a gun fight. Details: goldfieldghosttown.com
- Enjoy a fun-filled day and a unique tour on the Grand Canyon Railway.
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel/Facebook Want to make your trip to the Grand Canyon unforgettable? The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the coolest day trips you will ever take. Start by boarding a historic train from Williams and ride the rail up to the Grand Canyon. A quick walk will take you to the South Rim and you’ll get a chance to see some of the best views before heading back on the train. Details: www.thetrain.com
- See what’s going on underground at Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Robert Shea/Flickr One of Arizona’s best attractions just happens to be underground near Benson. This cave was discovered fairly recently and is a stunning example of what life is like under our feet. Cave tours are approximately 1.5 hours long and are wheelchair accessible. Details: azstateparks.com
- Or embark on a safari at Out of Africa Wildlife Park.
Out Of Africa Wildlife Park/Facebook Want to see some of the world’s most exotic animals up close without traveling halfway across the world? You can enjoy a safari tour at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde where you can watch a variety of animals roaming the land.Details: outofafricapark.com
- Go for a ride of a lifetime on the Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona.
Kari Nousiainen/Flickr If you want to enjoy the beauty of Sedona but are unable to go for a long hike, then you’ll want to consider going for a ride on Sedona’s Pink Jeep tour. You’ll get to go on an adventure to one of several places in the Sedona area, such as Chimney Rock, Capitol Butte, or the Honanki Heritage Site. Details: www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com
- Head underground for an unforgettable tour in the historic Queen Mine.
Copper Queen Mine Tour/Facebook Located in Bisbee, this mine was once the primary economy of the town until its closure in 1975. A year later, it was opened to visitors for tours. Hop aboard the old mine cart and receive a personalized tour from a retired miner. Details: www.queenminetour.com
- Ride a tram through Sabino Canyon in Tucson.
Bill Morrow/Flickr Sabino Canyon is one of the many pretty areas in the Tucson area and one of the many ways to enjoy it is by tram. A tour on Sabino Canyon Trail is 45 minutes long and is narrated so that you can learn more about the area and its history. Details: www.sabinocanyon.com
What’s your favorite Arizona adventure! Let us know in the comments!
Walker S./Yelp
Located in Williams, Bearizona is an adventure the entire family can enjoy without having to leave the comfort of your vehicle. Roll up your windows and embark on a driving tour through the park. This will give you a chance to safely see native Arizona wildlife roam in a natural environment. Details: bearizona.com
Blazin’ M Ranch/Facebook
This Western-themed attraction sits in Cottonwood right along the banks of the Verde River. Check out the frontier town, complete with shops, a shooting gallery, and museums. Afterwards, you’ll get to enjoy an incredible dinner theatre inside a saloon while chowing down on a delicious cowboy-style. Details: blazinm.com
Kenneth Hagemeyer/Flickr
When out in the mountains during the summer, one easy and slightly thrilling adventure is to take a ride on a chairlift at one of the ski resorts. Get an incredible view from above while enjoying the cool air.
The Dolly Steamboat/Facebook
Want to enjoy the Arizona desert from a different point of view? A boat tour is a great way to become acquainted with nature without having to hike. Aboard the Dolly Steamboat, you’ll get to enjoy a cruise on a historic boat with a wonderfully narrated tour. Details: dollysteamboat.com
jason shultz/Flickr
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, we bet you will love heading out for one of these truly interesting tours. Learn about the seedy history of places like Prescott, Jerome, and Bisbee, as well as places that may be haunted. These are done at various times of the day (although, night tours are always spookiest) and you can opt for a walking or van tour for most. Details: What You’ll Find On These 7 Ghost Tours In Arizona Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
Mary M./Yelp
Want to experience a bit of the Old West that’s also close to home? Goldfield Ghost Town was built on top of an actual ghost town and you’ll get a chance to see what life may have been like here. Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine, pan for gold, and watch a gun fight. Details: goldfieldghosttown.com
Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel/Facebook
Want to make your trip to the Grand Canyon unforgettable? The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the coolest day trips you will ever take. Start by boarding a historic train from Williams and ride the rail up to the Grand Canyon. A quick walk will take you to the South Rim and you’ll get a chance to see some of the best views before heading back on the train. Details: www.thetrain.com
Robert Shea/Flickr
One of Arizona’s best attractions just happens to be underground near Benson. This cave was discovered fairly recently and is a stunning example of what life is like under our feet. Cave tours are approximately 1.5 hours long and are wheelchair accessible. Details: azstateparks.com
Out Of Africa Wildlife Park/Facebook
Want to see some of the world’s most exotic animals up close without traveling halfway across the world? You can enjoy a safari tour at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde where you can watch a variety of animals roaming the land.Details: outofafricapark.com
Kari Nousiainen/Flickr
If you want to enjoy the beauty of Sedona but are unable to go for a long hike, then you’ll want to consider going for a ride on Sedona’s Pink Jeep tour. You’ll get to go on an adventure to one of several places in the Sedona area, such as Chimney Rock, Capitol Butte, or the Honanki Heritage Site. Details: www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com
Copper Queen Mine Tour/Facebook
Located in Bisbee, this mine was once the primary economy of the town until its closure in 1975. A year later, it was opened to visitors for tours. Hop aboard the old mine cart and receive a personalized tour from a retired miner. Details: www.queenminetour.com
Bill Morrow/Flickr
Sabino Canyon is one of the many pretty areas in the Tucson area and one of the many ways to enjoy it is by tram. A tour on Sabino Canyon Trail is 45 minutes long and is narrated so that you can learn more about the area and its history. Details: www.sabinocanyon.com
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