18 Adventures for Curious Minds

Architecture

Tours of Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights in Phoenix book up years in advance. But if you plan ahead, a visit to this special place is worth it. The 44-acre, four-story, 5,000-square-foot “castle” — complete with strange and beautiful architecture — was built in the 1920s and has been home to a cast of interesting characters over the years.

At Taliesin West, the Scottsdale winter home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, guests can opt for a self-guided audio tour of the astonishing property or join the Shelters in the Desert tour, a 90-minute hike that takes visitors to shelters built by Wright’s apprentices — a way to truly appreciate the commitment Wright made to building in balance with nature.

Nature and Wildlife

Bearizona in Williams gives visitors a chance to drive through a wilderness park rife with animals in their natural habitats. The VIP Experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at the property, including a training session with wolves.

The Arizona Sonora-Desert Museum, just west of Tucson, spans more than 98 acres and is less museum and more a fusion of zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum and art gallery. Plus, it serves as an important research and conservation center for desert flora and fauna.

With Hualapai River Runners, discover the culture of the Hualapai on a whitewater rafting tour of the Colorado River in Northern Arizona. Tribe river guides educate adventurers as they explore the Grand Canyon from the vantage point of the rushing river rapids.

History

In Southern Arizona, the Ajo Historical Society Museum steps visitors through the unique history of Ajo, from the town’s early mining days (the museum sits adjacent to the New Cornelia Mine) to its modern arts and culture scene. Peruse digital archives and check out educational presentations.

Looking to pair a history lesson with a spooky supernatural experience? Then sign up for the Historic Ghost Walk hosted by Bisbee Ghost Tours. It explores Bisbee’s mining roots, colorful history and its ghostly characters said to haunt the town’s storied streets.

Arts and Culture

The fashion design collection at Phoenix Art Museum spans some 500 years and shows off close to 9,000 objects of clothes and accessories from such influential designers as Halston, Dior and Chanel, as well as a special look at mid-century haute couture.

In Phoenix, the renowned Musical Instrument Museum has curated an extensive collection — one of the largest in the world — of 7,500 instruments from 200 countries and territories. In the Experience Gallery, guests can even play instruments like those on display.

The American West is a place of legend and lore, and one of real people and lived experiences. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West gives guests a chance to immerse themselves in all things Old West and New West through art, workshops, special programming and festivals and events.

Indigenous Culture

The astounding beauty and sacred space of Canyon de Chelly in Northern Arizona is appreciated the world over. And it’s only accessed by a guide from the Navajo Nation. Nearly a dozen tour operators offer detailed tours of the canyon, including hikes, helicopter rides and jeep excursions.

Backpacking trips. Sunset photography outings. Rim walks and geology hikes. People are drawn to the Grand Canyon for so many reasons, and the Grand Canyon Conservancy facilitates tours for all of them, no matter if your interest leans science and history or sustainability and conservation.

Science and Technology

At Tucson’s Biosphere 2, scientists and researchers from the University of Arizona advance humans’ understanding of natural and human-made ecosystems — and welcome visitors to soak in the science while exploring the recreated habitats on a 75-minute tour.

The Titan Missile Museum just outside Tucson provides an eerie reminder of the not-too-distant past, showcasing one of the United States’ largest nuclear weapon sites. The museum displays the last of the 54 Titan II missile sites that stood on alert across the country from 1963 to 1987.

Puzzle Rides upends the standard escape room with its Hijacked by Science tour. Guests must solve a complex science experiment while on an adventure through Old Town Scottsdale to “prevent a mad scientist from unleashing a powerful mind control gas.”

Mining

In Apache Junction at Goldfield Ghost Town, visitors enjoy a glimpse into an 1890s mining town, including a tour of the Mammoth Gold Mine and a chance to pan for gold. The on-site museum features a collection of memorabilia from famous Western movies filmed locally.

Castle Dome Mine Museum, situated between Yuma and Quartzite, invites visitors to embark on a day in the life at an historic Arizona mining town. Join the two-mile walking tour of the recreated 1870s-era town, then go deep underground into the Hull Mine.

Bookend a trip to Bisbee with a stop at the Copper Queen Mine Tour, where guests don hard hats to descend into the infamous copper mine, and a tour of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that deep dives into Bisbee’s rich mining history