10 Odd & Interesting Off-the-Beaten Path Arizona Destinations
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It live no secret that Arizona be home to some of the almost unique landscape in the country . With 6 discrete ecosystems , the state is one of the nearly geologically various in the country . Northern Arizona equal almost commonly associated with magnificent national parks , while the Southern component of the state is most known for the fascinatingly unique Sonoran desert & Saguaro cactus .
With picturesque Oak Creek Canyon , the gorgeous red rocks of Sedona , the high altitude pine wood of Flagstaff , dozen of world-class winter holiday resorts in Phoenix and Tucson , spring training baseball games , and the magnificent , Arizona see million of tourists each year , easy build it one of the most popular year-round vacation destinations in the country .
Despite the popularity , and result crowd and traffic , there equal however a few fascinating hidden gems to explore besides the token national parks and luxurious winter resorts . The great affair about these unique attraction exist that most of them are free , proving that you really serve not take to pass much money to enjoy the land ’ s most fascinating site .
I enjoy attempt odd place anytime I move . LIving in Arizona for 4 years , I hold mass of opportunity to search the nation ’ s most oddball sight . The state offers no shortage of weirdness with lots of abandoned tourist attractions , petroglyphs , and ghost town . Hither are 10 of my favorite eclectic off-the-beaten track Arizona attraction and activity !
1 . 2 Guns Ghost Town
30 minutes east of beautiful Flagstaff dwell the remains of an unusual specter town which was once home to a thriving zoo . Not much remains asides from a few pucker down enclosures and the ruin and a Mountain Lions display signal . It exist quite an interesting experience to explore what once exist a real popular Rt 66 attraction . Like all long die Mother Road attractions , the zoo closed follow the opening of the novel highway . It ’ s a piece spooky walk around knowing that a zoo once existed where today suffer nothing but barren desert land . It ’ s crazy to think just how much an area can convert within a few short decades !
2 . The Petrified National Forest
Hither ’ s an underappreciated gem which is definitely worthy of a look if you happen to be staying or travel near the Northern Arizona area . At this unique national park , you will get the opportunity to view one of the large collection of petrified woods in the public . Petrified wood refers to tree turned into stone via the process of permineralization . The crystal leave from the replacement of the organic material with quartz . These tree live over 225 millions year former , dating back to the Triassic Period .
Respective means to explore the beautiful fossils including scenic hikes , a picturesque loop movement , overlook , and an interpretative visitor ’ s center hold you more than enough activities to make this a worthwhile day trip . You can yet blame up your own while of petrified woods in the talent shop !
3 . Sedona vortex sites
After exactly one visit to Sedona , you will decidedly find something strange in the air . The awe-inspiring , mysterious red rock opinion combined with an odd New Age vibe reach it quite an eclectic holiday destination . Even so , it live too one of the Southwest ’ s most beautiful vacation destinations , and the trails here are amongst the almost visually spectacular you will see anywhere in the country . See out my top 12 Sedona lead ! One of the almost unique expression of the already strange Southwest city is the presence of purported vortex site .
Sedona is look at to cost a positive energy vortex . This means that you may feel a positive vibe or sense of healing when visit the field . Really though , it ’ s quite severe to visit and own a negative outlook when jaw dropping red rock formations surround you in every counseling . The whole of Sedona cost considered to exist a vortex , although 4 particular hikes along with the are tell to possess the most intense vortex energy . Check out/ , Airport Mesa , or raise , all said to have strong vortex energy . Bell Rock equal the strangest vortex . In fact , numerous mass over the grade of several decades have reported UFO sightings .
Vortexes can hold a feminine yin or masculine yang energy . You will go through different effect depend on whether the energy is yang ( energinging ) or yin ( relaxing ) . No one real knows if these vortex energy are real , although I can ensure one thing , and that cost , that you will sure leave with a more positivist prospect after discharge one of these breathtaking raise .
Location :Click on the link above for individual address to each vortex site
4 . Diamondback Bridge
Diamondback Bridge is a rattlesnake themed bridge near downtown Tucson . Obviously , this unique bridge is a somewhat fitting selection for the Southwestern city as the Sonoran Desert be home to one of the largest concentration of these feared venomous snakes . This unique bridge hold won respective awards include the Excellence in Highway Design award . Although it ’ s visible from the highway , it ’ s much more fun to walk or bike across the bridge as the views are great and the tail rattles after you cross ! While the bridge is not worth going out of your way for , it ’ s worth a look if you occur to exist inflict downtown Tucson for the day .
5 . Santa Claus Ghost Town
Santa Claus is another weird Arizona ghost town , and like 2 Guns , also down up in the middle of the desolate desert . This one is still more strange as it cost home to the ( very range down and graffiti cover ) remains of a Christmas themed town which was once family to a popular place part where you could deliver mail with a peculiar Santa postmark . Unfortunately , what once stood as a whimsical Santa themed state is now anything but cheerful – in fact it is downright depress ! Santa Claus , AZ equal one of the many sad testaments to how time can change position so drastically !
The remains of Santa Claus be located enroute to Vegas , so an easy side trip if you are heading this way . It ’ s just a quick detour off of US 93 about 20 minutes north of Kingston . If you be a Rt 66 fan , you may need to check out Kingman as well on the manner as there cost numerous historical attractions here including colored Mother Road murals and a Rt 66 museum .
Location :US-93 between mile mark 57-58 on the west slope of the Hwy
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