- Destination -

Arizona

Welcome to Arizona — the land of red rock drama, big-sky sunsets, saguaros posing like they’re in a Western movie, and road trips that turn into core memories. This Arizona Travel Guide is your starting point for planning everything from a weekend getaway to a full-blown desert adventure. Whether you’re chasing slot canyons, hiking epic trails, relaxing at a spa in Scottsdale, or finally seeing the Grand Canyon with your own eyes (trust me… photos do not prepare you), Arizona has that perfect blend of scenic, outdoorsy, foodie, and “wow did nature really make this?” moments. Use this Arizona Travel Guide to map out your dream itinerary, find where to go, and know exactly what to expect before you ever hit that desert highway.

Best Time to Visit

Arizona is a choose-your-own-weather adventure, which is why I love using this Arizona Travel Guide to plan trips by season:

Spring (March–May): Chef’s kiss. Perfect hiking temps, wildflowers blooming, pool weather in Scottsdale, and the kind of sunshine that makes you want to extend your trip forever.
Fall (September–November): Another all-star season. Fewer crowds than spring, still warm, and ideal for Sedona, Flagstaff, and national parks.
Summer (June–August): HOT. And I mean “don’t touch your rental car seatbelt” hot. But it’s great for lake days, water activities, early-morning hikes, and snagging luxury resort deals. The higher elevation towns (Flagstaff, Williams, the Grand Canyon) stay surprisingly cool.
Winter (December–February): Mild in Phoenix and Tucson (hello, golf and sunshine), but snowy and magical up north. If you want a two-season vacation in one trip, this is your sign to visit in winter.

Top Things to Do

If you’re using this Arizona Travel Guide to build your itinerary, start with these highlights:

Grand Canyon National Park

Bucket list–level views that look Photoshopped in real life.

Sedona

Red rock hikes, vortexes for your mystical side, and the best sunrise scenery in the state.

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ)

Iconic slot canyon beams + a curve in the Colorado River that will make you gasp out loud (I did).

Scottsdale

Foodie heaven, relaxing spas, golf, shopping, and resort pools that deserve their own award show.

Flagstaff

Cool mountain weather, breweries, and a great home base for Route 66 or Grand Canyon adventures.

Saguaro National Park (Tucson)

An entire park dedicated to giant saguaros — peak “Arizona aesthetic.”

Monument Valley

For when you want to feel like you’re inside a movie scene. Because you basically are.

Blogs & Itineraries

Travel information

Getting There

Flying into Arizona is super easy, and this Arizona Travel Guide breaks down the best options:

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): The main hub with endless flight options, rental cars, and quick access to Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe.
Tucson International Airport (TUS): Perfect for Southern Arizona trips (Tucson, Saguaro NP, Bisbee).
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG): A smaller airport, but incredibly convenient for Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon.
Las Vegas (LAS): Believe it or not, it’s a popular starting point for Grand Canyon, Page, Lake Powell, and Monument Valley road trips.

Travel Tips

A few things I always tell people (and now they’re officially in this Arizona Travel Guide):

  • Hydrate like you’re training for the desert Olympics. Seriously — bring electrolytes.

  • Start hikes early. Sunrise will be your new best friend.

  • Don’t rely on cell service. Download offline maps before you go.

  • Pack layers. Arizona can swing 30 degrees in a single day—desert drama.

  • Respect tribal land rules. Places like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley are Navajo Nation lands and require guided tours.

  • Sun protection is not optional. Hat, SPF 50, sunglasses, the whole kit.

Getting Around

This Arizona Travel Guide recommends renting a car — and I mean strongly recommends. Arizona is built for road trips, scenic drives, and hopping between destinations at your own pace.

Options include:

  • Rental Car: Best flexibility for all major regions.

  • Rideshare: Fine for Phoenix/Scottsdale but not designed for national park days.

  • Tours: Great for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Grand Canyon day trips if you prefer not to drive.

The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos don’t capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they don’t know they’re in the most photogenic country on earth.

The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But that’s also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.

Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. 🌷

#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.

First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. 🌷

#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.

Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️

✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty

This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list. 

Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅

Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.

✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown

Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗

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My Exact Packing List

I use this packing list for every trip — grab it and make packing way easier.

Embark. Explore. Eat.

Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.

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