Sometimes visiting conventional tourist spots can get predictable. You have a general idea of what to anticipate during your visit; the sights you will see, what to expect at the visitor’s center and gift shop, and other typical tourist attractions. If you’re looking to visit someplace a little out of the ordinary (or, in some cases, outright strange), you will want to check out our list of suggestions for some of the most unusual spots in Arizona.
- Biosphere 2, Oracle
MPR/Flickr If building terrariums for fun or creating worlds in Minecraft compose your idea of a good time, then maybe a trip to the second largest biome may be right up your alley. Created in the 1980s as an experiment for living on a different planet, the initial trials had their fair share of failures. This included a growth of invasive species, contamination of the water supply, and scuffles from participants. The site currently exists as a research facility and is open to the public. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- The Boneyard, Tucson
Katie Moore/Flickr Ever wonder what happens to retired aircraft, both military and commercial? Not everything goes to the scrapyard! In some cases, they are placed in long term storage in boneyards where they will evaluated and restored for reuse or to be placed in a museum. This one in Tucson is actually the largest known boneyard, so it’s definitely a sight to see! Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- Chiricahua National Monument, Wilcox
Anita Gould/Flickr What would you do to see hoodoos? In case you didn’t know, hoodoos are tall, thin rock formations that look like the setting for some alien planet. (But really they’re just another example of just how strange the desert can look in these parts.) Chiricahua is an especially unique spot because it holds a large collection of hoodoos to create a breathtaking landscape. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- The Domes, Casa Grande
Monsta’s ink/Flickr These seemingly random domes found in a less inhabited area of Casa Grande look pretty strange, and the urban legends that accompany them seem a bit outlandish as well. That is, until you learn a little more about the history behind the construction of the domes. Currently, the domes are closed with a fence around the property and no trespassing signs posted, but you can still view them and take pictures from the road.
- Flintstones Bedrock City, Williams
Debbie R/Flickr Want to take a trip to the land of a favorite childhood cartoon? Bedrock City was built in the 1970s and has acted as a popular stop for Grand Canyon tourists ever since. Getting your photo in Fred’s foot-driven car is worth the stop! Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- Mystery Castle, Phoenix
Michael Martin/Flickr Made of an eclectic mix of materials and sitting at the base of South Mountain, Mystery Castle was a sick father’s gift to his family, whom he oddly abandoned in Seattle. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- Santa Claus, AZ
Todd Huffman/Flickr Once the vision of a Christmas-themed tourist attraction and potential resort, Santa Claus still stands today along Route 93 in graffiti-covered ruins.
- The Thing?, Dragoon
Jamie Bernstein/Flickr An original tourist trap, this location can be found after dozens of bright yellow signs scattered along Interstate 10 designed to spark curiosity in travelers. Is it worth stopping to see just what this “thing” is? That’s up to you (I won’t reveal what it is) but at the very least, you may want to get a quick photo in front of a sign like this person above. But if you’re looking for weird tourist attractions in Arizona, you must visit The Thing. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- Titan Missile Museum, Sahuarita
Todd Lappin/Flickr A former Cold War missile silo, this is the last remaining of the Titan II missile sites, so getting a glimpse of what life was like for the workers who stayed in these facilities is pretty unusual. This is one of the most underrated places in Arizona that’s worthy of a stop. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
- Sedona Vortexes
Alan Willoughby/Flickr Something that draws the New Agers, straggling hippies, and other alternative spiritual folks to Arizona are the vortexes in Sedona. Some people will claim the vortexes are just a hoax, but others claim to have experienced unreal energy coming from several areas in Sedona. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Are there any other unusual spots in Arizona that should be added to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or on our Facebook page!
MPR/Flickr
If building terrariums for fun or creating worlds in Minecraft compose your idea of a good time, then maybe a trip to the second largest biome may be right up your alley. Created in the 1980s as an experiment for living on a different planet, the initial trials had their fair share of failures. This included a growth of invasive species, contamination of the water supply, and scuffles from participants. The site currently exists as a research facility and is open to the public. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Katie Moore/Flickr
Ever wonder what happens to retired aircraft, both military and commercial? Not everything goes to the scrapyard! In some cases, they are placed in long term storage in boneyards where they will evaluated and restored for reuse or to be placed in a museum. This one in Tucson is actually the largest known boneyard, so it’s definitely a sight to see! Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Anita Gould/Flickr
What would you do to see hoodoos? In case you didn’t know, hoodoos are tall, thin rock formations that look like the setting for some alien planet. (But really they’re just another example of just how strange the desert can look in these parts.) Chiricahua is an especially unique spot because it holds a large collection of hoodoos to create a breathtaking landscape. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Monsta’s ink/Flickr
These seemingly random domes found in a less inhabited area of Casa Grande look pretty strange, and the urban legends that accompany them seem a bit outlandish as well. That is, until you learn a little more about the history behind the construction of the domes. Currently, the domes are closed with a fence around the property and no trespassing signs posted, but you can still view them and take pictures from the road.
Debbie R/Flickr
Want to take a trip to the land of a favorite childhood cartoon? Bedrock City was built in the 1970s and has acted as a popular stop for Grand Canyon tourists ever since. Getting your photo in Fred’s foot-driven car is worth the stop! Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Michael Martin/Flickr
Made of an eclectic mix of materials and sitting at the base of South Mountain, Mystery Castle was a sick father’s gift to his family, whom he oddly abandoned in Seattle. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Todd Huffman/Flickr
Once the vision of a Christmas-themed tourist attraction and potential resort, Santa Claus still stands today along Route 93 in graffiti-covered ruins.
Jamie Bernstein/Flickr
An original tourist trap, this location can be found after dozens of bright yellow signs scattered along Interstate 10 designed to spark curiosity in travelers. Is it worth stopping to see just what this “thing” is? That’s up to you (I won’t reveal what it is) but at the very least, you may want to get a quick photo in front of a sign like this person above. But if you’re looking for weird tourist attractions in Arizona, you must visit The Thing. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Todd Lappin/Flickr
A former Cold War missile silo, this is the last remaining of the Titan II missile sites, so getting a glimpse of what life was like for the workers who stayed in these facilities is pretty unusual. This is one of the most underrated places in Arizona that’s worthy of a stop. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
Alan Willoughby/Flickr
Something that draws the New Agers, straggling hippies, and other alternative spiritual folks to Arizona are the vortexes in Sedona. Some people will claim the vortexes are just a hoax, but others claim to have experienced unreal energy coming from several areas in Sedona. Click here to learn more about this unusual Arizona attraction.
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Address: 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Tucson, AZ 85739, USAAddress: 2720 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85707, USAAddress: East Bonita Canyon Road, E Bonita Canyon Rd, Arizona 85643, USAAddress: The Domes of Casa Grande, 8109-7467 S Thornton Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85193, USAAddress: 101 US-180, Williams, AZ 86046, USAAddress: 800 E Mineral Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042, USAAddress: Santa Claus, AZ 86413, USAAddress: 2631 Johnson Rd, Dragoon, AZ 85609, USAAddress: 1580 W Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614, USAAddress: Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unusual Spots In Arizona March 13, 2021 Melissa Mahoney What are the best little-known attractions in Arizona? There are many little-known attractions in Arizona that are often overlooked for the more popular ones but they are worthwhile to visit and won’t be overrun with tourists. The experimental town of Arcosanti was designed by architect Paolo Soleri in the 1970s and is a fascinating spot. Today, this town has a few dozen residents and offers tours throughout the week as well as workshops in photography and ceramic silt casting. You may even choose to spend the night in one of the guest suites or camp on the property. It’s quite a unique place to spend some time! Grand Canyon Caverns are often overlooked in lieu of the Grand Canyon itself, but you should take the time to visit. Located along historic Route 66, these caverns sit 300-feet below the surface and include walkways that are accessible to most. You will also find an underground restaurant and hotel here. What are the most unique towns in Arizona? When thinking about unique towns in the Grand Canyon State, two immediately come to mind: Jerome and Bisbee. Sitting high atop a 5,200-foot hill is Jerome, a former mining town that has turned into more of an art village. In town, you can check out the 1,900 mine shaft that was once used to mine copper, silver, and god between 1915-1938. There is also a jail, ghost town, and plenty of shops and restaurants to visit here. Bisbee is another former mining town that has many restored businesses that preserve a bygone era. One feature of note in town is its use of stairs to get around town. There are so many stairs that each year a fitness challenge stair-climbing event known as the Bisbee 1000 is held. Here, you can also explore an old copper mine, dine at any one of the top-rated restaurants, and stay at any one of the unusual accommodations like the Shady Dell vintage trailer park. It’s a quirky town just full of history! What are the most well-known attractions in Arizona? The Grand Canyon is the most well-known attraction in the Grand Canyon State with millions of visitors flocking to the park each year. There’s plenty of hiking to do around here but most people come just to look at the breathtaking canyon. Saguaro National Park in Tuscon is 91,000 acres of saguaro cactus, mountains, petroglyphs, and wildlife and is a popular tourist destination that’s worth a few days to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unusual Spots In Arizona
March 13, 2021
Melissa Mahoney
What are the best little-known attractions in Arizona? There are many little-known attractions in Arizona that are often overlooked for the more popular ones but they are worthwhile to visit and won’t be overrun with tourists. The experimental town of Arcosanti was designed by architect Paolo Soleri in the 1970s and is a fascinating spot. Today, this town has a few dozen residents and offers tours throughout the week as well as workshops in photography and ceramic silt casting. You may even choose to spend the night in one of the guest suites or camp on the property. It’s quite a unique place to spend some time! Grand Canyon Caverns are often overlooked in lieu of the Grand Canyon itself, but you should take the time to visit. Located along historic Route 66, these caverns sit 300-feet below the surface and include walkways that are accessible to most. You will also find an underground restaurant and hotel here. What are the most unique towns in Arizona? When thinking about unique towns in the Grand Canyon State, two immediately come to mind: Jerome and Bisbee. Sitting high atop a 5,200-foot hill is Jerome, a former mining town that has turned into more of an art village. In town, you can check out the 1,900 mine shaft that was once used to mine copper, silver, and god between 1915-1938. There is also a jail, ghost town, and plenty of shops and restaurants to visit here. Bisbee is another former mining town that has many restored businesses that preserve a bygone era. One feature of note in town is its use of stairs to get around town. There are so many stairs that each year a fitness challenge stair-climbing event known as the Bisbee 1000 is held. Here, you can also explore an old copper mine, dine at any one of the top-rated restaurants, and stay at any one of the unusual accommodations like the Shady Dell vintage trailer park. It’s a quirky town just full of history! What are the most well-known attractions in Arizona? The Grand Canyon is the most well-known attraction in the Grand Canyon State with millions of visitors flocking to the park each year. There’s plenty of hiking to do around here but most people come just to look at the breathtaking canyon. Saguaro National Park in Tuscon is 91,000 acres of saguaro cactus, mountains, petroglyphs, and wildlife and is a popular tourist destination that’s worth a few days to explore.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are many little-known attractions in Arizona that are often overlooked for the more popular ones but they are worthwhile to visit and won’t be overrun with tourists. The experimental town of Arcosanti was designed by architect Paolo Soleri in the 1970s and is a fascinating spot. Today, this town has a few dozen residents and offers tours throughout the week as well as workshops in photography and ceramic silt casting. You may even choose to spend the night in one of the guest suites or camp on the property. It’s quite a unique place to spend some time! Grand Canyon Caverns are often overlooked in lieu of the Grand Canyon itself, but you should take the time to visit. Located along historic Route 66, these caverns sit 300-feet below the surface and include walkways that are accessible to most. You will also find an underground restaurant and hotel here.
What are the most unique towns in Arizona?
When thinking about unique towns in the Grand Canyon State, two immediately come to mind: Jerome and Bisbee. Sitting high atop a 5,200-foot hill is Jerome, a former mining town that has turned into more of an art village. In town, you can check out the 1,900 mine shaft that was once used to mine copper, silver, and god between 1915-1938. There is also a jail, ghost town, and plenty of shops and restaurants to visit here. Bisbee is another former mining town that has many restored businesses that preserve a bygone era. One feature of note in town is its use of stairs to get around town. There are so many stairs that each year a fitness challenge stair-climbing event known as the Bisbee 1000 is held. Here, you can also explore an old copper mine, dine at any one of the top-rated restaurants, and stay at any one of the unusual accommodations like the Shady Dell vintage trailer park. It’s a quirky town just full of history!
What are the most well-known attractions in Arizona?
The Grand Canyon is the most well-known attraction in the Grand Canyon State with millions of visitors flocking to the park each year. There’s plenty of hiking to do around here but most people come just to look at the breathtaking canyon. Saguaro National Park in Tuscon is 91,000 acres of saguaro cactus, mountains, petroglyphs, and wildlife and is a popular tourist destination that’s worth a few days to explore.
