Top Destinations for a Weekend Getaway in Arizona

One of Earth's most photographed areas, Monument Valley features vast barren landscapes that suddenly break out into towering red spindles that reach up 1,000 feet. Take your camera to capture the scores of walled mesas (secluded flat-topped hills) surrounded by windswept clouds, buttes, and desert shrubbery. You may also want to join a guided tour to learn more about the area and sample Navajo cuisine at Haskenneini Restaurant.

Arizona's indubitable showstopper encapsulates the grit and wondrous beauty of the Wild West. You can descend into the canyon's depths, walk along the rim, or just relax at an outcrop – wherever you are, the vistas are mind-blowing. The Geology Museum and the Trail of Time installation at the South Rim are must-sees for curious travelers.

This college town, a culture tripper's paradise, has been a film set for countless movies. Tucson (pronounced too-sawn) seamlessly blends Spanish, Mexican, Anglo, and American Indian elements. It boasts fascinating murals, funky dive bars, vintage shops, art galleries, and cultural centers that host opera, ballet, and concerts. Lastly, don't forget to savor the potent combination of Tucson's sunset-and-saguaro landscapes.

This favorite hiding place of Apache warriors is now home to extraordinary desert wildlife: bears, bobcats, deer, raccoons, rattlesnakes, and box turtles, among other species. Photographers will want to capture the ancient natural bridges and precariously perched boulders, all carved by millennia of erosion.

Nicknamed the “Valley of the Sun,” this thriving desert metropolis offers vacationers 300 days of sunshine. Stop at the Heard Museum for beautiful displays on American Indian cultures, the Phoenix Art Museum for its fashion design, art, and photography exhibits, and the Musical Instrument Museum, where you can check out instruments played by the likes of Elvis Presley and Carlos Santana.

Many believe that Sedona's vortexes radiate earthly energy, which explains the profusion of spirituality seekers here. Satiate your curiosity as you dip into the world of alternative medicines and practices, crystal shops, energy healers, yoga sessions, past-life workshops, and vegan meals, all enjoyed against a backdrop of rust-colored mesas and buttes.

For snacks, try cheese crisps, which are essentially tortillas laced with cheese and then baked. Or dine on chimichanga, a kind of deep-fried burrito stuffed with veggies, seafood, or meat. The perfect cure for a hangover according to locals is menudo soup, made from slowcooked beef stomach.

Carry long-sleeved, light-colored, and loose cotton clothing, a good pair of sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. A wide-brimmed hat will serve you better than a regular cap.

Those who plan to hike should carry a sturdy daypack for essentials, a refillable water bottle, insect repellant, granola bars, and a GPS device. Temperatures drop at night, so a light jacket is always a good idea.

This might be the right time to invest in a GoPro. Take along extra memory cards, chargers, adaptors, and a selfie stick to capture the sweeping landscapes.

A comfortable pair of walking shoes is perfect for Arizona's cities and towns. Hikers should invest in waterproof hiking boots with a grip to navigate wet trails. They could also protect you from cacti and desert snakes.