Arizona has no shortage of things to do and places to see. As amazing as places like the Grand Canyon and Sedona are, there are plenty of other places that deserve your admiration and could use more visitors. Let’s take a look at some places that are fascinating examples of all that Arizona has to offer. Who knows? You might discover a new place you’ve never heard of.
- Cool Springs Station, Golden Valley
J.D. Adelmund/Flickr
Dating to the 1920s, Cool Springs Station was once an operating gas station tucked away on a quiet stretch of Route 66 between Oatman and Kingman. It shut its doors in 1964 after the highway was rerouted and was later blown up for the 1991 action film Universal Soldier. In 1997, the gas station was purchased and restored by a real estate agent. Although it briefly closed last year, you’ll find it back up and running.
Details: route66coolspringsaz.com
Location: Google Maps
- Flintstones Bedrock City, Valle
mlhradio/Flickr Looking for something truly unique to see in northern Arizona? You’ll be surprised to find a tiny Bedrock City straight from The Flintstones sitting in the small town of Valle, north of Flagstaff. Check out Fred and Betty’s home, hop aboard a dinosaur slide, and get a picture in the foot-powered car. You’ll even find a little diner set up here to snack on a sandwich or burger. Details: bedrockaz.com Location: Google Maps
- George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, Phoenix
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center/Facebook This cultural center is dedicated to the African American experience in Phoenix over the decades. From 1926 to 1954, it was the Phoenix Union Colored High School and then renamed George Washington Carver High School before ultimately closing following a 1953 hearing that segregation was unconstitutional in Arizona (one year before the Brown v. Board of Education case was decided). Here, you’ll find galleries and exhibits showcasing the former school, life in the area, and Buffalo Soldiers. Details: gwcmccaz.org Address: 415 East Grant Street, Phoenix
- Keepers of the Wild Nature Park, Valentine
Keepers of the Wild/Facebook Don’t confuse this Route 66 animal sanctuary with a zoo; it is home to 150 abused and abandoned animals that would be unable to survive in the wild and it has a strict no breeding policy. The location is remote, so you’re unlikely to find huge crowds here. Plus, when you visit, the money you spend goes right back to care and rehabilitation for the animals. Details: keepersofthewild.org Address: 13441 East Highway 66, Valentine
- Little Colorado River Tribal Park, Cameron
Kent Kanouse/Flickr On your way to the Grand Canyon via the Navajo Nation, you’ll find this little hidden gem that will give you an idea of just how impressive the canyons in Arizona are. The fee is $5 per car and visiting will be a good primer for the Grand Canyon. Details: Navajo Parks & Recreation Locations: Google Maps
- Mesa Grande Cultural Park, Mesa
Mesa Grande Cultural Park/Facebook Most people in the area know of Casa Grande and Pueblo Grande but did you know a similar cultural find exists in the middle of Mesa? A platform mound for the Hohokam dating back about 900 years ago, this is believed to be a ceremonial center for their community. It is open for visitors during the cooler months (from October to May) and is a nice find that few people know of. Details: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org Address: 1000 North Date, Mesa
- Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures/Facebook Get your magnifying glass ready because the items on display at this museum are tiny! Antique and modern dollhouses, room boxes, and other small-scale miniatures are on display at this unique museum. It’s pretty amazing the small and intricate items you’ll find here! Details: theminitimemachine.org Address: 4455 East Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson
- Pipe Spring National Monument, Fredonia
Malcolm Surgenor/Flickr Probably the most remote location on this list, Pipe Spring National Monument is located in the Arizona Strip, north of the Grand Canyon. The monument acts as a marker and museum of Indigenous and settler life in the area, particularly for Mormon farmers who used this as a fort and refuge. Details: National Park Service Address: 406 North Pipe Spring Road, Fredonia
- Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, Yuma
Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park/Facebook If you enjoy learning about military history, this is an underrated spot hiding in Yuma right along the Colorado River. It was a key area for the U.S. Army starting in 1864 since it operated as a supply center and storage spot for military posts scattered around the Southwest. Today, you’ll be able to visit the old buildings to get a sense of what life was like here. Details: Arizona State Parks Address: 201 North 4th Avenue, Yuma
How cool were those places? Are there any other little-known places you would add to this list? We’d love to hear your suggestions!
J.D. Adelmund/Flickr
Dating to the 1920s, Cool Springs Station was once an operating gas station tucked away on a quiet stretch of Route 66 between Oatman and Kingman. It shut its doors in 1964 after the highway was rerouted and was later blown up for the 1991 action film Universal Soldier. In 1997, the gas station was purchased and restored by a real estate agent. Although it briefly closed last year, you’ll find it back up and running.
Details: route66coolspringsaz.com
Location: Google Maps
mlhradio/Flickr
Looking for something truly unique to see in northern Arizona? You’ll be surprised to find a tiny Bedrock City straight from The Flintstones sitting in the small town of Valle, north of Flagstaff. Check out Fred and Betty’s home, hop aboard a dinosaur slide, and get a picture in the foot-powered car. You’ll even find a little diner set up here to snack on a sandwich or burger. Details: bedrockaz.com Location: Google Maps
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center/Facebook
This cultural center is dedicated to the African American experience in Phoenix over the decades. From 1926 to 1954, it was the Phoenix Union Colored High School and then renamed George Washington Carver High School before ultimately closing following a 1953 hearing that segregation was unconstitutional in Arizona (one year before the Brown v. Board of Education case was decided). Here, you’ll find galleries and exhibits showcasing the former school, life in the area, and Buffalo Soldiers. Details: gwcmccaz.org Address: 415 East Grant Street, Phoenix
Keepers of the Wild/Facebook
Don’t confuse this Route 66 animal sanctuary with a zoo; it is home to 150 abused and abandoned animals that would be unable to survive in the wild and it has a strict no breeding policy. The location is remote, so you’re unlikely to find huge crowds here. Plus, when you visit, the money you spend goes right back to care and rehabilitation for the animals. Details: keepersofthewild.org Address: 13441 East Highway 66, Valentine
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
On your way to the Grand Canyon via the Navajo Nation, you’ll find this little hidden gem that will give you an idea of just how impressive the canyons in Arizona are. The fee is $5 per car and visiting will be a good primer for the Grand Canyon. Details: Navajo Parks & Recreation Locations: Google Maps
Mesa Grande Cultural Park/Facebook
Most people in the area know of Casa Grande and Pueblo Grande but did you know a similar cultural find exists in the middle of Mesa? A platform mound for the Hohokam dating back about 900 years ago, this is believed to be a ceremonial center for their community. It is open for visitors during the cooler months (from October to May) and is a nice find that few people know of. Details: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org Address: 1000 North Date, Mesa
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures/Facebook
Get your magnifying glass ready because the items on display at this museum are tiny! Antique and modern dollhouses, room boxes, and other small-scale miniatures are on display at this unique museum. It’s pretty amazing the small and intricate items you’ll find here! Details: theminitimemachine.org Address: 4455 East Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson
Malcolm Surgenor/Flickr
Probably the most remote location on this list, Pipe Spring National Monument is located in the Arizona Strip, north of the Grand Canyon. The monument acts as a marker and museum of Indigenous and settler life in the area, particularly for Mormon farmers who used this as a fort and refuge. Details: National Park Service Address: 406 North Pipe Spring Road, Fredonia
Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park/Facebook
If you enjoy learning about military history, this is an underrated spot hiding in Yuma right along the Colorado River. It was a key area for the U.S. Army starting in 1864 since it operated as a supply center and storage spot for military posts scattered around the Southwest. Today, you’ll be able to visit the old buildings to get a sense of what life was like here. Details: Arizona State Parks Address: 201 North 4th Avenue, Yuma
If you want to read about more hidden gems around the state, be sure to read 10 Spectacular Hidden Gems In Arizona That Are Completely Free To Visit.
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