Staying warm in winter doesn’t always have to mean grabbing your passport.
The United States is a large enough country to have many of its own excellent sunny winter hideouts including Florida and California.
There’s one state that might not be first that comes to mind, but on closer inspection, perhaps it should – and that is Arizona.
Here are 7 great reasons why this state could be the perfect winter trip for you while you’re waiting for spring to arrive.
Great For Winter Sun Seekers
The very south of Arizona is a perfect place to escape the winter blues.
Temperatures here feature rather comfortable daytime highs of around 65F in the very dead of winter, but in early spring, they will quickly shoot up to 75F.
Naturally, it does get a little chilly at night due to the desert climate, but that’s nothing a good sweater or puffer jacket can’t handle.
Also Great For Snow Lovers
If you are a lover of more traditional winter conditions, Arizona has you covered.
There are actually a few ski resorts in the state, with perhaps the most prominent being the Arizona Ski Bowl, which is located just to the north of Flagstaff.
The snow here isn’t always as reliable or guaranteed as more traditional skiing locations like Colorado, but it is a genuine option.
There’s also some great winter hiking to be had here and in some of the National Forests.
Can Be Cheap
It’s true that Arizona is not necessarily known for being a budget-friendly destination. However, it is possible to have an affordable vacation here.
Visiting iconic destinations such as the Grand Canyon in the off-season is a great way to see them for less – and without the usual crowds.
Data from Budget Your Trip shows that the average budget hotel in Arizona costs around $86 per night.
There are plenty of hotels in this price range, but if you can step it up to $100 per night, you’ll have even more to choose from.
So Much Happening In 2024
There are a lot of cool things happening in the state of Arizona in 2024 according to the local tourism body, not to mention the opening of a new state park in Camp Verde.
Rockin’ River Ranch promises amazing hiking, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.
Meanwhile in Glendale, the first-ever Mattel Adventure Park is set to open later this year – a great day out for kids, and for the adults to relive childhood memories.
2024 will also be the 100th anniversary for the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior and Chiricahua National Monument.
Some Of The Country’s Trendiest Destinations
You may have noticed the hype around some of Arizona’s destinations in the last few years.
Sometimes it’s hard to spend any amount of time on TikTok or Instagram without seeing mention of Sedona.
And perhaps it should be no surprise, as the city was recently voted the most loved destination by American travelers – in part thanks to the stunning and unique red rock scenery around it.
Meanwhile down in the south of Arizona, the city of Tucson was recently bestowed with honors including being one of the best places to go in North America according to Conde Nast, and recognized in Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Family Travel Awards.
The entire state of Arizona also made the list of best destinations to travel to in 2024 from tour operator Abercrombie & Kent.
Star Gazer’s Paradise
One thing you can certainly find easily in Arizona are dark skies.
Get out into the more remote parts of the desert and look up in amazement at the stunning skies above – the lack of light pollution makes it easy to pick out constellations and even the Milky Way.
You can also enjoy stargazing in more urban areas – Saguaro National Park in Tucson was recently named as the newest Urban Night Sky Place.
Well Connected
You can get to Arizona from almost everywhere in the United States very easily, thanks to airports in Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, and Yuma.
In the winter, these flights can come as cheap as $50 per person, depending on where you’re flying from – at least according to Skyscanner.
You can also drive into the state on I-8, I-10, and I-40.
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