15 Reasons Why Arizona Will Always Be Home

Have you ever taken a few minutes to listen to “Arizona” by Rex Allen, Jr.? It was adopted as our alternate state song in 1981 and for good reason. The sleepy-sounding song somehow manages to capture our state’s culture, landscapes, and history in its three-minute tune. It presents an idyllic view of Arizona but it also depicts the sentimentality that we feel for home whenever we’re away. Whether you’re away from Arizona for the summer—or for a much longer duration—you might relate to some of these reasons as to why this land will always feel like home.

First and foremost, nothing says home like our beautiful landscapes.

Scott Taylor/Flickr

You can’t find views like this anywhere else.

Schyler Q./Email submission So gorgeous!

And those views look incredible throughout the year, during the warm months…

Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr

…and the cold ones.

Michael Seljos/Flickr

Plus, seeing those fall colors naturally scattered around the state means you don’t need to leave the state to experience four seasons.

Bill Morrow/Flickr

Nothing quite beats finding serenity in the wide, open landscapes shaped by time.

Elizabeth Haslam/Flickr

Our favorite childhood memories exist here.

Kevin Spencer/Flickr Playing in the dirt, visiting Legend City, watching episodes of Wallace and Ladmo,” and seeing commercials from Peter Piper Pizza beckoning us to “come on over.”

No matter where you go, you’re guaranteed to come across some tasty Mexican food.

Alyson Hurt/Flickr For example, nothing says “home” to me like a hot bowl of posole and warm tortillas!

Don’t listen to those naysayers! Arizona has a culture deeply associated with the West, like rodeos…

Katie Moore/Flickr

…Indigenous cultures…

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

…and Mexican cultures.

peppergrasss/Flickr

Plus, you can find all the modern cultural experiences not typically associated with the West.

Ballet Arizona/Flickr

The stars always shine brighter here.

Steffo photography/Flickr

And the forests are truly captivating.

Coconino National Forest/Flickr

The monsoon season is often a beautiful, dramatic time of the year.

John Hunnicutt II/Flickr

We live in one incredible state! Looking for other reasons to think about your home state? Check out this article on things you can only experience right here in Arizona.

Scott Taylor/Flickr

Schyler Q./Email submission

So gorgeous!

Wolfgang Staudt/Flickr

Michael Seljos/Flickr

Bill Morrow/Flickr

Elizabeth Haslam/Flickr

Kevin Spencer/Flickr

Playing in the dirt, visiting Legend City, watching episodes of Wallace and Ladmo,” and seeing commercials from Peter Piper Pizza beckoning us to “come on over.”

Alyson Hurt/Flickr

For example, nothing says “home” to me like a hot bowl of posole and warm tortillas!