With Labor Day coming up, it’s a good idea to start exploring your options for how to spend the long weekend. Here are some of the best labor day weekend getaways in Arizona. Locals will love how these destinations are all driveable in just a few hours and can be the perfect way to spend the long weekend and learn what else the state has to offer.
Sedona
Sedona is thought to be one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., as it’s home to several drop-dead gorgeous red stock structures, which give the whole area a very peaceful feeling in its environment. This is the ideal place for anyone who’s looking for a quiet place to relax and reflect, enjoy the finer things in life with tons of upscale restaurants, or wind down in a spa. If you’re looking for some adventure over the long weekend, try booking one of their pink jeep tours that take visitors out to see some of the region’s most wild and astounding natural desert terrain.
Yuma
Yuma’s most commonly known for two things: being super hot and also a filming location of some of the older Star Wars movies’ scenes. However, there are a lot of things going on in Yuma that would be fun for anyone to take part in, especially over a couple of days! The most popular thing to do in town is to visit the Yuma Territorial Prison Historic Park and see what some of the criminals went through during the time they were serving and what they did to get in. The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is another great place to visit, take photographs, and admire some of the desert’s most beautiful scenery. For those who enjoy unique activities, check out Martha’s Gardens Medjool Date Farm and try one of their amazing date shakes!
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is the perfect city to point your car towards if you’re in search of a break from some of the hot weather this time of year. There are lots of pine trees, campgrounds, and trails to hike, and you may even forget that you’re in Arizona for a minute! “Flag” also has a pretty neat historic downtown area with lots of great restaurants and breweries, and they’re always fun to check out, no matter what the weather is. Not only that, but Sedona is just under a one-hour drive away, and many road-trippers like to split their time between the two cities.
Phoenix
As the sixth most populous city in the United States, Phoenix can be a large place to digest in just one day. Spending a long weekend here can provide plenty of entertainment, whether you go to a Diamondbacks game or just take a stroll in the city center. If you’re into finding somewhere to wine and dine, Phoenix has some of the most highly-rated restaurants in the country. Or if you’re more of an outdoors person, there are plenty of beautiful nature places to immerse yourself in, such as the Superstition Mountains or Roosevelt Lake, or any of these incredible golf courses.
Tucson
The former capital of Arizona, Tucson, has been said to be one of the best places to go biking, as well as one of the country’s best music cities. Ever since they completely remodeled its downtown area, the city’s businesses and bars have evolved into an incredibly spectacular and inviting environment. Take half a day to ride the light rail through town and see what’s new, or stop by El Charro for a meal, the birthplace of chimichanga. Another fun activity would be to take a short ride up to the top of Mount Lemmon to have a picnic by Rose Canyon Lake.
Bisbee
Bisbee might be one of Arizona’s smallest towns, but they have a huge passion for arts and culture. It’s a great place to stop and smell the roses. There are many intriguing antique stores along the way, lots of breweries to sample beverages, and quite often, there are musical events in town. Be sure to stop by the famous Copper Queen Hotel for a ghost hunt or a drink at their haunted bar!
Tombstone
This world-famous, tiny southern Arizona town is a fun place to spend a few days. You could easily spend a lot of time walking up and down the main drag of Tombstone, window shopping for hours while watching the gunfight reenactments that happen fairly often. There are also mine tours at the edge of town and plenty of places to grab some good old-fashioned cowboy-style meals. In addition to that, don’t forget to visit the Boot Hill Cemetery before leaving town. It costs nothing and has one of the best gift shops in town!
Pinetop
Pinetop is located up in the White Mountains and is well-loved by Arizona residents because it’s just a short drive for them to escape the desert heat and emerge into some refreshing mountain air. This part of northern Arizona is a fail-safe location for finding some great camping, fishing, hiking, and just about any outdoor activity that your heart desires. Come back during the colder months to see a winter wonderland!
