August might be the last month you’d pick to visit Arizona, unless sweat lodges are your jam.
Dry heat may beat humidity, but 115 degrees is 115 degrees any way you slice it.
With the A/C blasting, driving through Arizona is one of the most beautiful states in the country, where some regions’ landscapes resemble Mars, and others boast seemingly endless canyons lined with quintessential cacti.
Located outside Arizona’s largest city, Phoenix, is the trendy suburb of Scottsdale.
Oddly enough, many would argue it’s even more of a draw – a rare place where the ‘burbs outshine the metropolis.
While the pretty mountain town is brimming with world-class cuisine, shopping, resorts, and nightlife, there’s an element of cheesiness that can’t go unnoticed.
I mean, how many turquoise trinkets could you possibly need in Old Town?
However, further south in what seems like the middle of nowhere lies the hip city of Tucson, a more authentic, less crowded destination, and without a doubt, Arizona’s most underrated getaway.
Swap Luxury For Authenticity This Fall
As I’m typing this sentence, Scottsdale’s thermostats read 109 degrees, while Tucson isn’t far behind at 105.
As summer winds down, and not fast enough in Arizona, fall is a great time to visit the ‘Grand Canyon State’.
Statewide temps drop like flies once summer comes to a close, making the desert an enticing destination once again.
But before you pull the trigger on a ritzy Scottsdale resort, consider what Tucson has to offer. They’re a lot alike in some ways and total opposites in others.
Scottsdale tries to be authentic the same way Cabo does by showcasing pieces of the past in San Jose del Cabo’s city center, a near-desperate plea to tourists essentially saying, “Ignore the shiny resorts! We didn’t forget our roots!”.
Scottsdale built all these nice things ranging from globally renowned restaurants to lavish resorts, but then perusing Old Town becomes somewhat of a cornball, exuding the sense they’re simply trying too hard.
Tucson on the other hand is more than just a college town and doesn’t have to try, living up the nickname of the ‘Old Pueblo’ with centuries-old missions and longstanding saloons.
Scottsdale would define itself as a luxury getaway while Tucson embraces a what-you-see-is-what-you-get attitude, yet still offering grand hotels, astounding nature to explore, and remnants from the Old West.
Tip: Tucson’s JW Marriott is the perfect place to vacation, home to resort-style pools and a lazy river backdropped by picturesque mountains
Avoid Grand Canyon Crowds: Explore Arizona’s Overlooked Saguaro
Scottsdale and the Grand Canyon gotta be in the top 2 most visited destinations in the state.
But southern Arizona seems to be forgotten on the maps of many.
Those who’ve skipped this part of the state are doing themselves a disservice.
No, there may not be the same epic views the Grand Canyon offers, but Saguaro is no snoozefest.
If you’re unaware, saguaros are a type of cactus, and this park lives up to the name with endless rows of cacti perfect for photo-ops.
Just be wary that despite these cacti looking like they’re posing for a hug, that’s a great way to put your first aid kit to use.
Saguaro National Park is less than 30 minutes from Tucson and perfect for enjoyable scenic hikes, wildlife spotting, and stargazing come nightfall – all without fighting for space.
Entry fees range from $15-25 depending if you drive in or walk in.
An Under-hyped Foodie Heaven
Tucson may fly under the radar, but it goes neck and neck with Scottsdale’s food scene. Although, yet again, the argument being Tucson is more authentic.
Located just an hour north of Mexico’s state of Sonora, it aims to showcase local Southwest flair blended with a heavy influence on Mexican cuisine, including cheap eats like Sonoran Hot Dogs.
But the incredibly flavorful cuisine goes way deeper than that. So much so the food scene as a whole has received UNESCO recognition.
Hole-in-the-walls, food festivals, wineries, breweries, you name it, and Tucson has it.
Tip: Check out Tumerico – Yelp’s #1 restaurant in America.
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