Ready to take a family vacation to historic Arizona? Excellent! Arizona is full of historic adventures! All you have to decide is what flavor you want your family vacation to be!
Explore Arizona Natural History
Arizona was under water during those pre-historic dinosaur days and so has some amazing fossils and stories to tell. Honestly, in Arizona one can learn a ton about the Earth’s history…approximately 1.8 billion years worth. Of course now, Arizona is mostly desert but one rich in all sorts of rocks, cool iconic formations, and a remarkably diverse flora and fauna. If dinosaurs are your jam, or iconic backdrops, or earth history…these are the stops for your family vacation in historic Arizona!
Arizona Museum of Natural History
The Grand Canyon
Petrified Forest National Park
Sedona Red Rocks
Monument Valley
Canyon de Chelly
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Saguaro National Park
Antelope Canyon
Murray Springs Clovis Site
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Travel Native American Arizona
Modern Arizona is home to 27 federally recognized tribes that make up one quarter of the state. The rich cultural heritage of Arizona goes back well before the Mexican American War when the land hosted many tribes that called the desert area home for over a thousand years. That’s Historic! Their history is unparalleled and you can experience some of it. Ways to Experience Native American Culture in Arizona on your family vacation.
Casa Malpais Arcahaeological Park
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Honanki Heritage Site
The Heard Museum
Fort McDowell Adventures
Besh-be-gowah Archaeological Park
Hopi House
Kinishiba Ruins
Navajo Paintbrush
Hopi Cultural Center
Montezuma Castle National Monument
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Discover Native America
Proper Pow Wow Etiquette
Discover Historic Spanish Arizona
In 1775, Tucson became the first European city in what would become Arizona. From the middle of the 1500’s up to this point, Spanish missionaries were a heavy influence on the area but really didn’t travel north of the Tucson area. The other group of Spaniards were seeking gold, thus the stage was set for what would become he Wild West.
Tumacacori National Historical Park (one of Kino’s first missions)
Mission San Xavier del Bac (oldest intact European structure in Arizona)
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Historic 1800’s Arizona
Arizona was a part of northern Mexico in the 1840s. In 1849, the California Gold Rush led as many as 50,000 miners to travel across the region, leading to a boom in Arizona’s population. Copper was discovered in 1854, and copper mining was Arizona’s premier industry until the 1950s. Silver was found as well and BAM it was ON! Arizona’s “wild west” reputation was well deserved. Tombstone was a notorious mining town that flourished longer than most, from 1877 to 1929. Like mining and cowboys? Outlaws and gun slingers? This is your family vacation all over Arizona!
Take a Family Vacation to Historic California
Fort Bowie
Queen Mine Tour
Gold King Mine and Ghost Town
OK Corral and Tombstone Historic District
Hubbell Trading Post
Slaughter Ranch
Pioneer Living History Museum
Fort Huachuca
Historic Jerome
Verde Canyon Railroad and historic Sedona
Yuma Territorial Prison
Whiskey Row Prescott
Historic Bisbee
Town of Ruby
Wild burros of Oatman
Lost Dutchman Gold Mine
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10 things to do at a Chuckwagon Dinner
Historic 1900’s Arizona
After World War II, the widespread availability of refrigeration and air conditioning caused Arizona’s population to boom and Phoenix to become one of the fastest growing cities in America. History has been made all throughout the twentieth century. Check these monumental (literally) stops on your family vacation to historic Arizona.
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff
Hoover Dam
Mary Jane Colter Buildings
Navajo Code Talkers National Monument
Navajo Code Talkers Museum
Grand Canyon National Park
London Bridge
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Wild West Legends
Arizona boasts many legends from American West icons like Geronimo, Poncho Villa, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. If the wild west legends don’t do it for you, perhaps this will. Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman is also from Arizona, Phoenix to be exact. You are welcome.
Geronimo Surrender Monument
The Gadsden Staircase
Historic Tombstone
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Hollywood History in Arizona
It’s no surprise that a great many westerns have been filmed throughout Arizona. I had the privilege of working on a handful of projects that took me to places like historic Old Tucson Studios were I relived a great many of my favorite epic Western moments. There are some other iconic scenes filmed in Arizona and if hollywood history is your thing, here’s a few memorable stops for your family vacation.
Old Tucson Studios (Just about every great Western)
Monument Valley (Forest Gump and tons more)
Coronado High School (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure)
Desert Dunes in Yuma (Star Wars)
University of Arizona (Revenge of the Nerds)
Gammons Gulch
The corner of Winslow Arizona
More resources to plan family vacation to Hollywood in historic Arizona
Historic Arizona Resorts
One thing Arizona does exceptionally well is the resort experience. We’ve been to several and they do a lovely job of blending local history with modern luxury. No two visits are the same.
Cibola Resort Day One, Day Two, Day Three
The Biltmore
Connor Hotel
Copper Queen Hotel
The Gadsden
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Pin it to Plan it later!
Final Notes…Our Arizona
Josh and I have made our own history having worked in Arizona many times on various film sets. We’ve stood in the real Tombstone and where they filmed the iconic film, Tombstone.
I worked on a couple Randy Houser videos. Josh worked at the Super Bowl. I even got to work at Coronado High School. Yes, I absolutely did a Bill and Ted impression in front of the mural.
We’ve toured and stayed at some amazing resorts there. We have fond memories of the state and with the exception of that one time when Josh was bitten by a snake, it’s all been rather epic.
Just so you know, he was fine. I wore tall boots the remainder of the trip.
I was just in Arizona when I hiked the Grand Canyon a 3-day camping trip. I was amazed at the beauty but also surprised I didn’t run into any “critters!” It was never a state I was interested in visiting before my hike, but now I can’t wait to go back and explore more!
Arizona really is a fascinating place. So many little treasures and remarkably unique! Yeah critters like to keep to themselves really. There are some amazing hikes throughout Arizona for sure!!! Some even Historic! I did a couple of historic recreations while on vacation there.
I’ve lived in Arizona my entire life and have only seen a rattlesnake once. It was a baby, and we were in the mountains, not the desert. We’ve seen plenty of other snakes, including kingsnakes, gopher snakes, and a rosy boa. I’ve even seen a gila monster crossing the road one time! We are actually a territorial family, since my grandfather was born in Tombstone prior to 1912. My mother and grandmother were both born in Bisbee before the family moved to the Valley of the Sun. I love this state and can’t imagine living anywhere else!
I LOVE THIS! Yeah, I have never run into a snake either and I lived there for a while and traveled all over the state on vacation. Tombstone and Bisbee are amazing places! I hope they never lose their historic charm!!! I also love that you know your family history. SPECTACULAR! I’d love to hear more…
I loved my last trip to Arizona! Being from the Midwest I felt Arizon did a great job off blending modern city amenities with “western” attractions to really experience the dessert life and culture. Thankfully there were no snakes!
I feel the same way. I have a dear friend who has worked for Tuscon area tourism for years and they have it down to a science! Arizona is just great for family vacation fun. Not just historic.
We have not made a trip to Arizona yet. Definitely on my list though. I will have to follow you so I can get all of the good info and tips. Thank you!
Please do! Happy to give you vacation tips and tidbits! (I know tons of Arizona history and historic places to visit). Insert family rolling their eyes at me here)