20 Spectacular & Free Tourist Attractions in the Southwest
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. Petroglyph National Monument
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you are at all interested in history, then you will want to add this little Albuquerque gem to your bucket list. As one of the largest protected petroglyph sites in the country, it’s definitely worth a look on any visit to Albuquerque. Native American and Spanish settlers carved these rock symbols 400-700 years ago. There are a number of short hikes to enjoy, the best being the 2 mile Rinconada Canyon trail where you will get to see over 300 incredible ancient drawings. Hiking is very rustic with nothing but desert landscapes and occasional wildlife sightings. Bonus – great views of the Sandia mountains!
Check out more ancient carvings at this Albuquerque gem
12. Sunset Wupatki Scenic Drive
Location: Northern Arizona
This 34.5 mile long scenic drive is one of the top attractions in Northern Arizona. After checking out the Grand Canyon and Sedona, you will want to explore some of the hidden gems of this spectacular region of the country. Not only does the drive feature incredible mountains overlooks (including a wonderful view of the San Fran Peaks at Bonito Meadow – pic above and the Painted Desert), but there are many attractions along the route. At Sunset Crater, you will be able to see the remains of the most recent volcanic eruption in Arizona (~1000 years ago). At Wupatki, you will be able to explore various ancient Hopi pueblos including 900 year old Wupatki featuring over 100 rooms!
Check out my Wupatki pueblo viewing guide and Sunset lava trail guide
13. South Mountain Park
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
At 16,000 acres, South Mountain is one of the country’s largest urban parks. There is plenty of space here to enjoy the exotic beauty of the desert. Whether you are into hiking, mountain biking, or simply seeking a scenic drive where you can enjoy the view without the effort, there is an option for you at South Mountain. In addition to 58 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, there is a great drive for those who prefer not to exercise in the hot, dry summer heat. Summit drive is a 5.5 mile road which begins at the entrance. Bonus – on “Silent Sundays” (the 4th Sunday of the month), the park’s main road is closed to vehicle traffic to make way for walkers, bikers, joggers, etc.
Check out my Kiwanis trail hiking guide
14. Allen Street in Historic Tombstone
Location: Tombstone, Arizona
Fans of the Wild Wild West and cowboys will definitely want to plan a visit to “the town too tough to die.” The historic mining boomtown was once the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco. Over 100 saloons operated at one point, with the oldest, The Crystal Palace (est. 1892), still in business. Historic Allen Street still looks the same today as it did in the 1800’s when Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were involved in legendary shootouts. From the O.K. Corral, to the Bird Cage theater, there are many historic sights of interest to explore. Lots of photos to take on Allen Street, plus shops to browse, and old timey restaurants (check out Big Nose Kate’s saloon). History buffs will also want to check out Boothill Graveyard including the 3 men killed at the O.K. Corral gunfight.
A full guide to visiting Tombstone
15. Red Rock Scenic Byway
Location: Sedona, Arizona
This incredibly scenic 14 mile drive runs a beautiful course from I-17 to The Village of Oak Creek. Of course, to enjoy even more beauty you can continue on to the equally beautiful Oak Creek Canyon drive mentioned earlier. Highlights along the drive include The Chapel of the Holy Cross (a mesmerizing church built between 2 massive rock formations), Little Horse Trail (a 3 mile moderately easy trek featuring big red rock views), and Bell Rock Pathway (an easy but long trail that is also a known vortex energy site). Whether or not you stop at any trails or scenic overlooks, dramatic viewpoints of some of Sedona’s most outstanding rock formations accompany you for the entirety of the route. The drive is a bucket list contender all on its’ own.
Guide to driving the Red Rock Scenic Byway
