Forget everything you know about tours. In Arizona, guided adventures not only offer a behind-the-scenes look at the state's treasures—winemaking, dark skies, ghost towns—but they also range from quirky to epic, cheap to extravagant, one-hour to multi-day. This handy guide helps you pick the tour that's right for you.
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Lowell Observatory Lunar Legacy Tour
Go where a select few have gone before. Here, you'll learn about the observatory's role in astronaut science training, instrument development and lunar mapping in preparation for the historic 1st Apollo mission. Tour also includes access to Lunar Legacy exhibits.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Flagstaff • Perfect for: Families, history buffs, outer space junkies • Adventure level: Safe to move about the cabin • Duration: 1 hour • How to book: (928) 774-3359, lowell.edu/lowells-lunar-legacy
Tucson Bike Tours
Pedal on lightweight city bikes alongside knowledgeable guides as you pass through historic and revitalized neighborhoods and vibrant barrios in downtown Tucson. See a restored train depot, a Spanish fort, colorful adobe homes, spiritual shrines, a historic farming center, artful murals, quirky shops and collegiate life all on this informative, casual 9-mile to 11-mile bicycle ride for all ages.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Tucson • Perfect for: Active families and urban sightseers • Adventure level: Easy rider • Duration: 2.25 hours • How to book: (520) 488-4446, tucsonbiketours.com
Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee
Arizona owes a great deal to its mining past. Travel 1,500 feet below the surface on an ore train with your hard hat, headlamp and yellow slicker into the famous copper mine of Bisbee, a town literally built on mineral production. Retired miners turned tour guides share the history, techniques, dangers and drama of working in subterranean tunnels in this historic mine experience.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Bisbee • Perfect for: Families, Old West fans, historians • Adventure level: Adrenaline lite • Duration: 1 hour • How to book: (866) 432-2071, queenminetour.com
Sedona Pink Jeep Tours
Buckle up in a famous, state-of-the-art Pink Jeep® Wrangler for an off-roading adventure amid the craggy backdrop of the Sedona red rocks. The backcountry tours provide diverse day trips to ancient tribal ruins and other scenic outposts. You'll have opportunities to hike, observe wildlife and native plants, view panoramic vistas and visit vortex sites.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Sedona • Perfect for: Families and outdoorsy folk • Adventure level: Scenic outing meets bumpy, winding roads • Duration: 1.5 hours to 6 hours • How to book: (800) 873-3662, pinkadventuretours.com/tours/sedona-tours
Page Springs Cellars' Vineyard Tour
Credit: Page Springs Cellars
Learn about winemaking at the source—literally—during this viticulture-focused tour at Page Spring Cellars' House Mountain Vineyard in the small town of Cornville near Cottonwood. Guests get a ground-level lesson in terroir wine operations: what soil types are the best for grape growing, canopy management, pruning and farming practices. Tour fee covers ground transportation to the vineyard from Page Springs' tasting room, a peek inside the cellar and barrel room, flight of five select wines and gourmet food.
Greet the morning with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the majestic Sonoran Desert, plus incredible aerial views of Phoenix, Tucson and surrounding landscape. Pilots are FAA-certified and your post-flight celebration may include a Sonoran sunrise breakfast with a signature prickly pear mimosa and local Arizona treats. Bonus: The fly-over comes with a commemorative flight certificate.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Phoenix and Tucson • Perfect for: Couples, wildlife-spotters, early risers • Adventure level: Thrilling with a side of relaxation • Duration: Varies • How to book: (800) 725-2477 / rainbowryders.com or (800) 831-7610 / hotairexpeditions.com
Chiricahua National Monument ranger-led walking tour
The 12,000-acre wonderland of unusual rock formations and amazing plant and wildlife is a hidden gem in southeastern Arizona. The national park is home to a ranger-led tour of the pioneer homestead Faraway Ranch, a 1800s cabin at the mouth of Bonita Canyon where Swedish immigrants Neil and Emma Erickson raised their family. The house contains authentic artifacts and provides a glimpse into life on the Western Frontier.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Willcox • Perfect for: Families and nature-lovers • Adventure level: Parks-and-rec meets the Old West • Duration: 1 hour • Cost: Free • How to book: (520) 824-3560, nps.gov/chir
Grand Canyon West Rafting
Shoot the Colorado River rapids in an exciting whitewater rafting adventure with experienced guides from Hualapai River Runners. As an alternative way to see the Grand Canyon, the one- or two-day rafting trips offer activities such as hiking Travertine Cavern Falls, seeing local wildlife, dining on the banks of the Colorado and camping at Spencer Canyon. Fees include transport to the Skywalk, lodging at Hualapai Lodge and a helicopter ride out of the Grand Canyon to Hualapai Ranch. There, you can take part in additional activities like ziplining and horseback riding.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Kingman • Perfect for: Fitness buffs, active families, once-in-a-lifetime vacations • Adventure level: Adrenaline squared, times 10 • Duration: 1-day or 2-day trips • How to book: (888) 868-9378, grandcanyonwest.com/explore/colorado-river-rafting
Ghostly Hunting
Look for signs of paranormal activity in quirky Jerome, (unofficially) the world's largest ghost town. A blend of history and mystery, the walking/shuttle tours include readings done with ghost detection meters and visits to unsolved murder sites, as well as tales of haunted hospitals, ghostly guestrooms and present-day spirit sightings in the "West's Most Wicked Town." Should you fail to encounter any apparitions you can still get your fill of spirits at any one of the tasting rooms serving award-winning wines.
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Jerome • Perfect for: Ghost-chasers, thrill-seekers, dare-devil families • Adventure level: Ready for mountain elevations and meeting strangers with a past • Duration: 1 hour to 2+ hours • How to book: (928) 634-6118, ghosttowntours.org
Paolo Soleri's Cosanti
Cosanti, a designated Arizona historic site, is the brain-child of architect Paolo Soleri, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wrights, and an early proponent of sustainable urban landscapes integrated into the natural world. Located in mid-town Scottsdale, guests can take guided tours of the property 7 days a week which includes a visit to Cosanti’s foundry where guests can view a live bronze pour of the hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind Cosanti bells (weekdays only).
Quick Facts
• Nearest city: Scottsdale • Perfect for: Architecture and sustainability enthusiasts, art lovers, designers • Adventure level: Cultural pedestrian • Duration: 1-2 hours • How to book: (480) 376-2600, Cosanti Tours
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, discover Frank Lloyd Wright's desert laboratory, architectural studio and winter home, Taliesin West. Scottsdale's only National Historic Landmark is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for visitors to the Valley of the Sun. Special exhibitions, events, guided tours and programming are offered, and reservations are strongly recommended.
Quick Facts
Nearest city: Scottsdale
Perfect for: Architecture and design enthusiasts, couples and families with older children
Walking tours and guests with special requests and needs should contact - (480) 627-5375
About the Author
Sally J. Clasen
Sally Clasen is a Phoenix-based writer who thrives on coffee, world-class sunsets and meeting colorful characters along the travel path. Her work appears in local and regional publications celebrating Arizona and southwest living.
