Sightseeing

El Malpais National Monument

When it comes to pure scenic beauty and iconic landmarks, no other area of the country compares to the Southwestern United States.  This diverse part of the country is often referred to as the Grand Circle.  Within its boundaries are 11 national parks including Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Zion, Bryce and many others.  These are gracefully linked by roadways that command almost as much attention as the destinations! 

Our best advice?  Don’t try to visit every national park in a week. Choose two or three major stops such as Grand Canyon or Arches National Park and branch out to the lesser known gems you’ll find nearby.  You’ll enjoy more solitude to offset the sometimes crowded viewpoints at major parks.  (Hint: Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you receive a monthly getaway trip plan.)   And one more thing, get out of your car!  You’ll never do justice to the breathtaking Southwestern landscape from a car window. Anyone willing to walk even a short distance will experience far more than most fellow travelers. Come on, the fresh air will do you good.

Essentials: 

Several major airports serve as gateways to this area including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque.  Regional airports such as Flagstaff, Arizona, Grand Junction and Durango, Colorado or Farmington, New Mexico make for shorter driving distances but possibly at the cost of higher airfare.

You may be driving long distances between major cities, so remember to fuel up (both your car and yourself) when you have the opportunity to do so. No need for fast food. Check out our “foodies” section for great local restaurants.  Weather extremes are not unusual. Pack layers of clothing, water, snacks and good footwear.  Don’t forget sunscreen, a cap or hat and camera. One of our favorite recent finds is the Flip Video Camcorder.  It’s a great, simple to use video camera with USB to attach directly to your computer. Built in software helps you make a movie from your video clips even if you’re not techno savvy. Another indispensable item is the Indian Country map.  This is the best region-wide map for traveling through the heart of the Southwest. We never travel without it. 

read more Sightseeing articles