5.Tucson
With an average of more than 350 days of sunshine per year, Tucson draws sun-seekers in droves. When you’re not lounging by the pool, you can spot native animals like coyotes and prairie dogs at the 98-acre Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or take a drive along the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway for stunning photo-ops. When you’re ready to satiate your appetite, take advantage of all this UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy has to offer. Tucson’s location less than 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border means you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving authentic Mexican eats.
6.Petrified Forest National Park
If you want to spend your next vacation outdoors, head to Petrified Forest National Park. In this more than 200,000-acre park, you’ll discover one of the world’s largest concentrations of petrified wood, plus rocky cliffs and animal fossils. To make the most of your time here, plan on incorporating several activities into your visit. Popular in-park pursuits include hiking, horseback riding and biking. Don’t forget to also leave time for checking out some of the park’s historical exhibits, such as those found at the Rainbow Forest Museum and the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.
