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.
If you’re using this Arizona Travel Guide to build your itinerary, start with these highlights:
Bucket list–level views that look Photoshopped in real life.
Red rock hikes, vortexes for your mystical side, and the best sunrise scenery in the state.
Experience the famous light beams of Antelope Canyon and the dramatic curve of Horseshoe Bend.
Foodie heaven, relaxing spas, golf, shopping, and resort pools that deserve their own award show.
Cool mountain weather, breweries, and a great home base for Route 66 or Grand Canyon adventures.
An entire park dedicated to giant saguaros — peak “Arizona aesthetic.”
For when you want to feel like you’re inside a movie scene. Because you basically are.
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.
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.
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.
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
A café, bakery, market, and wine shop all in one Phoenix stop 🍊
At La Grande Orange, order the crepes first, they’re the thing I’d go back for. The chicken salad sandwich is perfect if someone wants lunch while you’re still on breakfast, and the red velvet mini cupcake and a chai latte round it out. The sea salt chocolate chip cookie is heartier than gooey, so it’s best for dunkers. It’s counter service with easy parking, and the market has quirky gifts you won’t find elsewhere. Leave time to browse, because you’ll stay longer than planned.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
