Things to do in Arizona
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Emerald Cove Kayak Tour Las Vegas: Paddle Black CanyonA guided kayak tour on the Colorado River near Las Vegas that starts at Willow Beach Marina, paddles through Black Canyon, and ends at Emerald Cove, a natural grotto where the water glows emerald in the sunlight. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours, includes a guide, kayak (single or tandem), snacks, water and all safety gear; hotel pickup is optional and adds the National Park entrance fee. Minimum age is 12; weight limit is 260 lbs.Is it for me?Book hotel pickup if you want to sleep in a bit longer and skip the drive to the marina—the guide handles the timing and the entrance fee is already paid. Choose self-drive if you're staying outside the usual hotel zone or want to control when you arrive at Willow Beach Marina.
Scottsdale: Old Town Pedal Bar Crawl & Drink SpecialsYou’ll pedal through Old Town Scottsdale on a party bike with friends or strangers who might become friends—enjoying exclusive drink specials at three lively bars (with no waiting in line), coolers full of ice-cold drinks, and desert views of Camelback Mountain along the way. Expect laughter, music, and that feeling you only get when you’re part of something slightly ridiculous—in the best way.
Old Town Scottsdale Party Bike Tour Private Group Up to 14A private party bike tour for groups up to 14 people in Old Town Scottsdale, where you pedal together through the historic district for two hours, stopping at partner bars with exclusive drink specials and cut-the-line entry. The bike carries coolers, ice, and cups; you bring beverages from the on-site store or your own. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and load supplies. Minimum age is 21 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian; minimum six passengers required to book.Is it for me?Most group rides split you into a tour bus or a walking group where the pace is set for everyone. This one keeps your group on one bike, pedaling together through Old Town, so nobody gets left behind and the energy stays in one place.
Verde Canyon Railroad Tickets: 4-Hour Train Through Red RockYou board at the Clarkdale depot, settle into vintage rail cars with appetizers and Champagne, and spend 3.5 hours following the Verde River through a 20-mile wilderness accessible only by train. Bald eagles, red rock formations, a 7,000-foot tunnel and the Perkinsville Ghost Town pass outside your window. A cafe voucher is included to use before or after your ride, and restrooms are on board.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to slow down and actually see the landscape instead of rushing through it. Plan to arrive an hour before departure and expect a full morning or afternoon out — that's what lets the train do what it does best.
Las Vegas: Emerald Cave Kayak Tour & Black Canyon PaddleYou paddle a scenic five-mile roundtrip through Black Canyon with a professional guide, stop to swim and hike at Emerald Cave, and watch for wildlife along volcanic cliffs. The group stays small—twelve paddlers maximum—and includes snacks and water. Optional shuttle pickup from Mandalay Bay removes the need to arrange transport or park entry yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Black Canyon experience—Emerald Cave, wildlife, and the river itself—without arranging a rental car, navigating to the trailhead, or figuring out park entry; the shuttle option from Mandalay Bay handles all three.
Phoenix: Salt River Kayaking & Wildlife FloatYou paddle unguided down five miles of Arizona's Salt River, often spotting wild horses and birds along the way. The trip launches directly from Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch and includes your kayak, paddle, life jacket, and a return shuttle. Expect about two hours on the water, some swift sections, and the real possibility of tipping — so come ready to get wet and comfortable handling yourself if you go over.Is it for me?This works well if you're comfortable paddling on your own, know how to swim, and want a scenic river float without a guide talking the whole time — the unguided format is what lets you move at your own pace and actually hear the river.
Scottsdale & Tonto: Sunset Desert Jeep Tour with LookoutYou’ll bounce through rugged Tonto National Forest trails in an open-air Jeep from Scottsdale, guided by locals who know every saguaro and story. Expect sunset views over Pinnacle Peak, a stop at a panoramic lookout, and small moments—like red dust on your hands—that linger long after you’re back in town.
Grand Canyon & Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix: Small-Group Van TourYou drive through the Sonoran Desert and ponderosa pine forest, stop in Sedona's red rocks for 30 minutes of browsing and photos, then spend 2.5 hours at the Grand Canyon South Rim with a guide, free time to walk viewpoints, and views of the Colorado River. Hotel pickup, park entry for US citizens, and a professional guide are included; the van seats up to 13 and has high ceilings so you're not cramped for eight hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both the Grand Canyon and Sedona in one day without arranging your own transport, park tickets, or timing—the fixed itinerary and small-group van handle all three, leaving you to focus on the views.
Lower Antelope Canyon: Slot Canyon Admission & Navajo GuideYou descend into a narrow slot canyon with a Navajo guide, walking through water-carved sandstone walls on uneven terrain. Your timed entry reservation and admission are included, so you skip the line and start when your group is called. Bring proper footwear (closed-toe shoes), leave bags and camera gear in your vehicle, and plan to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Lower Antelope Canyon's famous slot canyon and light without arranging permits, timing your own entry, or standing in a line — the timed reservation and Navajo guide handle all three, leaving you free to walk and photograph.
Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride: 45-60 minute flightYou float 2,000–5,000 feet above the Sonoran Desert for nearly an hour, watching Camelback Mountain and Downtown Phoenix unfold below, then land to champagne and a plated breakfast served on linens in the sand. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you book that option, so you don't have to arrange transport or worry about timing—the crew handles the logistics and you handle the sunrise.Is it for me?A good fit if you want a sunrise experience without the early-morning scramble—pickup from your hotel means you don't arrange transport, and the fixed timing keeps everything on schedule. The flight is 45–60 minutes, which is long enough to drift and absorb the view without feeling rushed, and the breakfast afterward gives you time to process what you've just done before heading back.
Upper Antelope Canyon guided slot canyon tourUpper Antelope Canyon is a guided tour through a narrow slot canyon in Page, Arizona, where natural sunlight illuminates the rock walls and shifts color throughout the seasons. The tour lasts around 80 minutes inside the canyon itself, followed by a 15-minute exit hike with 21 steps up and 112 steps down. Children must be at least 8 years old, and the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness due to the elevation changes and step count.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the slot canyon's light effects without arranging your own guide or worrying about the route—the single-direction path and included hike mean you move through it as a group and exit the way it's designed, not by backtracking or figuring out the way down yourself.
Grand Canyon Day Trip: Ruins, Lava Fields & Peaks from SedonaYou’ll travel from Sedona or Flagstaff in a small group with a local guide, walking ancient ruins at Wupatki, crunching over lava fields at Sunset Crater, tasting Navajo tacos at Cameron Trading Post, and finally standing on Grand Canyon’s rim as afternoon light shifts across endless cliffs. It’s more than just sightseeing — it’s layers of history you can actually feel.
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour: 45-Minute Flight & North Rim ViewsYou fly 45 minutes over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter with wraparound windows, following the Colorado River from the South Rim north to Point Imperial (8,803 feet), then through the Dragon Corridor — the Canyon's widest section — before returning. All taxes and fees are included. Bring original photo ID and know that seating is assigned by weight distribution after check-in.Is it for me?This works if you want to see the Grand Canyon's scale and depth without a full day of hiking or a ground-based tour — the helicopter covers terrain in 45 minutes that would take days on foot, and the wraparound windows mean you're not fighting for a view. The trade-off is that seating is assigned by weight distribution, not by group preference.
Lower Antelope Canyon Page: Slot Canyon Ladder TourYou descend 1.5 hours through narrow sandstone slots using ladders, with a Navajo guide explaining the geology and cultural history of the canyon. Light filters in throughout the day, and smaller group sizes mean you move at your own pace without crowds. Admission and the Navajo Nation permit are included; wear comfortable shoes and bring water.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see the slot canyons near Page without the crowds of Upper Antelope, and who's comfortable with ladder climbing and uneven terrain — the smaller groups and light throughout the day are what make the longer canyon exploration possible in a single afternoon.
Sedona: Red Rocks, Chapel & Vortexes Half-Day TourYou’ll ride through Sedona’s iconic red rock landscapes in an open-air vehicle with a local guide who actually knows their stuff. Expect stops at spiritual spots like Amitabha Stupa and Rachel’s Knoll vortex site, plus time to wander Tlaquepaque Arts Village and grab lunch in Uptown. You might leave feeling lighter — or just sunburned (bring sunscreen).
Sedona Vortex Jeep Tour: Energy Sites with HikingA 2.5-hour guided Jeep tour of Sedona's vortex energy sites with hiking on uneven terrain to lesser-known locations. A professional guide explains the history and spiritual beliefs surrounding each site, discovered in 1981 by medium Page Bryant, and you decide for yourself whether you feel the energy. Bottled water is included; moderate fitness required, and children under 5 are not recommended.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the commentary at a pace suited to hiking on uneven ground, so you can follow the history and spiritual context without rushing. This works best if you're comfortable walking roughly a mile on desert terrain and genuinely curious about the vortexes—skeptics and believers alike find something to think about here.
Sedona: Guided ATV Tour Red Rock Canyons & Skeleton Bone MountainYou drive your own ATV through West Sedona's backcountry for three hours, with a local guide choosing trails based on your skill level and interests. The tour includes helmets, goggles, water, and stops at viewpoints like Skeleton Bone Mountain—terrain and views that standard tour buses cannot reach. Arrive 30 minutes early with a valid driver's license or learner's permit, wear long pants and closed shoes, and plan for a moderate physical effort.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to ride your own ATV through Sedona's backcountry without planning the route yourself or worrying about getting lost. The guide handles navigation and customizes the trails to your ability, which is what makes this work for first-timers and experienced riders alike. Plan for a moderate physical effort over three hours, and arrive 30 minutes early with a valid driver's license or learner's permit.
Grand Canyon: Hummer Tour with Multiple Viewpoints & SunsetYou’ll ride through Grand Canyon’s South Rim in an open-air Hummer with a local guide who knows all the best viewpoints (and stories). There’s time for photos at each stop, plus an option for sunset if you want those wild colors. Expect laughter, some good-natured teasing from your guide, and moments where you just have to stand still and take it all in.
Las Vegas: Emerald Cave Kayak Tour & Black Canyon PaddleYou paddle the Colorado River through Black Canyon to Emerald Cave, with a guide who knows the canyon's history and geology. The tour includes premium kayaks, water, snacks, and scenic stops. If you book the shuttle option, pickup is from your Strip hotel 90 to 110 minutes before departure, and you're back by evening.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying on the Strip without a car, or anyone who wants to paddle to Emerald Cave without arranging their own transport and gear. Expect a few hours on the water at a relaxed pace—that's what makes the canyon and the cave feel unhurried.
ATV Riding in Scottsdale: Small Groups in Tonto National ForestATV riding in Scottsdale puts you behind the controls of a late-model Honda Talon UTV for a 2-hour off-road run through Tonto National Forest. You drive over 25 miles of desert terrain following a professional guide, with groups capped at five vehicles to keep the experience personal instead of crowded. The operator provides the UTV, helmet, goggles, head sock, neck gator, bottled water and snacks; the office contacts you after booking to confirm your 8am start time and meeting location.Is it for me?Choose this ride if you want to be the one in control of the machine rather than a passenger, and if small groups matter to you—the five-vehicle cap means you're not part of a dust-choked convoy and the guide can actually see and respond to the group instead of just herding it forward.
