Want to get away, but don’t have the time to plan a vacation? Then a short, fun day trip is the perfect option. Check out this list of northern Arizona attractions to plan a great day trip.

  • Aravaipa Canyon
    BLM Safford Field Office: 711 14th Ave., Safford
    928-348-4400
    Home to unique plant and fish communities, mountain lions and bighorn sheep, the canyon is protected by the Nature Conservancy and is a federal wilderness area. Historic sites left from thousands of years ago still exist, so visitors should respect any archaelogical sites and artifacts.


  • Canyon de Chelly
    Chinle
    928-674-5500
    Cultural resources of Canyon de Chelly include architecture, artifacts and rock imagery.


  • Grand Canyon National Park and Monument
    Grand Canyon
    928-638-7888
    One of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the most popular attractions in the nation.


  • Grand Canyon Railway
    233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams
    800-THE-TRAIN (843-8724)
    Following tracks constructed 100 years ago, the Railway offers four classes of daily train service between Williams and the Grand Canyon. Covering 65 miles of high desert plains, small arroyos and portions of the world’s largest Ponderosa pine forest.


  • Hon-Dah Resort & Casino
    777 Hwy. 260, Pinetop
    800-929-8744
    Play indoors while in the White Mountains area at Hon-Dah Resort-Casino. This casino has 600 of the newest slot machines, Blackjack, poker, dining and accommodations are offered. The Indian Pine Restaurant, located in the casino, offers a full-service menu with a variety of tasty selections. From wood-fired pizzas to gourmet dinner entrees, there is something for everyone.


  • Lake Havasu
    314 London Bridge Rd., Lake Havasu City
    800-2- HAVASU (242-8278)
    Home to the world-famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu offers more than 400 miles of stunning coastline that is perfect for watersports, fishing, skiing, houseboating, camping, golfing and hiking.


  • London Bridge
    314 London Bridge Rd., Lake Havasu City
    800-2-HAVASU (242-8278)
    In 1962, the 130-year-old London Bridge was discovered to be sinking into the Thames. In 1968, the bridge was put up for auction and Robert P. McCulloch was the winning bidder. He spent $7 million to move the bridge to Lake Havasu City, which took three years.


  • Montezuma Castle
    Camp Verde
    928-567-3322
    A multistoried, 20-room ancient Indian cliff dwelling built more than six centuries ago.


  • Out of Africa
    3505 Camp Verde Bridgeport Hwy., Camp Verdea
    928-567-2840
    Call us wild! Call us crazy! Just don’t call us a zoo. At Out of Africa, you get a different view of wildlife. Here, exotic animals roam in spacious habitats, so you can see their natural behavior up-close. And, with exciting shows like Tiger Splash and the Predator Feed, Out of Africa is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


  • Painted Desert/Petrified Forest
    One Park Rd., Petrified Forest
    928-524-6228
    A 160 million-year-old prehistoric flood plain. The largest and most colorful find of petrified wood in the world.


  • Payson
    303 N. Beeline Hwy., Payson
    928-474-5242
    Considered the Festival Capital of Arizona and situated in the world’s largest group of Ponderosa pines.


  • Red Rock State Park
    4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., Sedona
    928-282-6907
    Arizona’s famous Oak Creek meanders through this scenic park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife.


  • Sedona
    331 Forest Rd., Sedona
    800-288-7336
    Surrounded by magnificent Red Rock formations, Sedona offers the best in accommodations, dining and shopping. Visitors come here for outdoor activities/adventures and top-notch galleries and arts.


  • Slide Rock State Park
    6871 N. Hwy. 89A, Sedona
    928-282-3034
    The park is named after the famous Slide Rock, a stretch of slippery creek bottom adjacent to the homestead. Open every day.


  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
    Wupatki Loop Rd., Flagstaff
    928-526-0502
    A once-active volcano, the crater is located 12 miles north of Flagstaff on Sunset Crater off Wupatki Loop Road.


  • Tonto National Monument
    Roosevelt
    928-467-2241
    Shallow caves overlooking the Tonto Basin in southeastern Arizona shelter masonry dwellings nearly 700 years old, which were home to the prehistoric Salado people.


  • Verde Canyon Railroad
    300 N. Broadway Clarkdale
    800-320-0718
    Offering one of the most beautiful views of Arizona you’ll ever see. Take a picnic or splurge for first-class cars with appetizers and drinks. However you go, this four-hour train ride takes you through a piece of “natural Arizona” that will take your breath away.