Southern Arizona Road Trip Guide: 17 Detour-Worthy Things to Do

Destination 4: Highway 89 South (Sedona to Tucson)

After a few days of running around trying to hit all the iconic hotspots in Sedona, we were on our way. Next stop: Southern Arizona. The plan was to hit all the major cities and attractions, driving through Phoenix, then Tucson, before heading into Southern New Mexico. 

Not as exciting as its northern counterpart with the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Mountains, there were definitely fewer detour-worthy things to see in Southern Arizona overall. As you head south on Highway 89, the scenic drive becomes more and more what you imagine a desert to be, large swaths of emptiness. Then the Saguaros and other cute cacti start to spring up by the droves making for some incredible sunsets. 

Some tourist attractions are still worth adding to your Arizona road trip itinerary. In this guide, find out 17 weird and best things to do in Southern Arizona. 

Best Things to do in a Southern Arizona Road trip

The structure of this post is listed in a north to south route with clusters of things to do in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

1. Montezuma Castle 

Just south of adventurous Sedona with its jeep tours in red rocks, make a short detour at Montezuma Castle National Monument just off Highway Route 17.

See and learn about this historic Native American 20-room “high-rise apartment” snuggled in a towering limestone cliff.

Unfortunately, you can no longer climb to the primary dwellings, but there are smaller ruins you can enter just further down the access path.

Visitor Center Address: 2800 Montezuma Castle Rd, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 

Best Things to Do in Phoenix, Southern Arizona Road Trip

Are you surprised that Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States? Phoenix encompasses more than 1.4 million residents and geographically covers more than 500 square miles, larger than Los Angeles. If you look at a map, many cities and suburbs practically attached to Phoenix aren’t even included in this count. So with such a large city, definitely expect quite a lot of driving. 

So, what should you do as a first-time visitor to Phoenix? Here are a few Arizona highlights from our road trip to showcase some of Phoenix’s best things to do. 

2. Old Town Scottsdale and Riverwalk

Visit Old Town Scottsdale to see a neighborhood blended between modernity and old west charm. The uniqueness of the architecture and urban layout, coupled with its endless galleries and shops, make this area a popular place to put on your Phoenix itinerary. Although, it is not technically part of Phoenix. 

A delightful Riverwalk nearby also adds to Old Town Scottsdale’s charm. We even happened upon an art festival along the banks the day we went. Keep your eye out for any chance special events!

Riverwalk’s Soleri Bridge Address: 4420 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 

3. Taliesin West 

Not having delved particularly deep into the world of architecture, even I know the name Frank Lloyd Wright, considered the father of modern architecture. Nestled in the desert hills of Scottsdale, Arizona, is Wright’s winter home, Taliesin West. Wright and his apprentices all lived and built Taliesin West commune style. Many features of the building took inspiration from its desert surroundings. 

What to Expect: It’s a uniquely designed estate focusing on geometric shapes and super weird distinctive exterior and interior designs.

Nowadays, you can sign yourself up for a guided tour to see the place. Taliesin West changes its tour offers occasionally, with tours occurring almost every day of the year. 

Tip: There is Taliesin, Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Arizona. Double-check that you’re buying the right ticket and enter the correct address in your GPS. 

Address: 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 

4. Roosevelt Row Arts District 

Home to art galleries, awesome graffiti, and the (un)usual hipster restaurants and boutique shops, Roosevelt Row Arts District is a fun, walkable neighborhood to discover in Phoenix, Arizona.

Aside from hosting a few more significant festivities throughout the year, the popular First Friday Art Walk will be in full swing from 6-10pm every first Friday of the month. This free, all-ages event invites a ton of local musicians, artists, and vendors, drawing a few thousand attendees every time.

Address (Several Blocks): 333 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 

5. Piestewa Peak

Go for an active adventure in Phoenix hiking up Piestewa Peak in Phoenix Mountain Preserve. I imagined Phoenix to be in the middle of the desert. But, my expectations were shattered when I found out there were literally mountains inside the city (and around). 

This 2.1 mile out and back trail doesn’t sound that long, but it is pretty challenging as you climb straight up the mountain. It takes on average 1.5 hours to complete, and you are awarded 360 views of Phoenix. Or, if you decide to face this steep rocky hike at night, you feel as if you’re looking at a galaxy of stars below. 

Trailhead Address: 2701 E Squaw Peak Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85016 

6. Phoenix Bat Cave

Watch thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats soar out of an abandoned storm drain at sunset every day right in the middle of Phoenix! Between May and October, 10K – 20K bats flocks to Phoenix on their migration to Mexico. They rest during the day, but every sunset allows visitors to see the bats emerge from their hiding place to fill the sky.

7. Bonus: Her Secret is Patience

Right by Arizona State University in the Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix, the sculpture Her Secret is Patience surreally lights up in the night sky. This public art sculpture is designed by artist Janey Echelman and is a cool drive-by stop.

Things to do on a Phoenix to Tucson Drive

8. Sonoran Desert National Monument 

If you nature lovers haven’t had your fill of desert landscapes yet, head to Sonoran Desert National Monument to find your remote corner of the world. The area within the monument captures a good portion biological desert diversity of North America. But, the most incredible part would be finding the monuments of the Sonoran desert, the massive Saguaro Cactus forests. 

GPS Location General Area: (32.8487, -112.29668) 

9. The Domes 

Calling all urbexers to The Domes near Casa Grande, Arizona. The Domes, which stretch out in a caterpillar-like line, were originally built to manufacture computers in the late 1970s but were left unfinished. Locals talk of the place being used for ritualistic witchcraft and sketchy worship. “Don’t go into the tunnels,” they say. 

Disclosure: Technically, there are “no trespassing” signs as the domes are on private property. 

Note: I wouldn’t consider this a must-see thing to do in Southern Arizona, just a weird thing if it happens to be on your way and you’re into that stuff. 

GPS Location: (32.8128, -111.7733) 

Bonus Stop: If you’re driving through at night, why not stop by the Casa Grande Neon Sign Park too.

Best Things to do In Tucson, Southern Arizona Road trip

Visit the last of Arizona’s main attractions as you head into southeastern Arizona, right up to the city of Tucson AZ and the Mexican border.

Note: There are 290 days of sunshine on average in this part of Southern Arizona. It was 90 degrees in November, so I can only imagine how unbearable it may be in the summer months time of year.

10. Saguaro National Park 

Saguaros are the most cactus-looking cacti there is, you know, with the giant trunk with two arms poking out. A symbol of the American west, Saguaro’s are the largest cacti in the world, with Saguaro National Park being one of the best places to view them. I would consider this park not only one of the best things to do in Tucson, but one of the best places to visit in Arizona.

There are two separate sections of the park with a 1hr driving time in between:

1. East section: Rincon Mountain District
2. West Section: Tucson Mountain District

Recommendation: If you only have time to go to one, then the western section has a denser population of cacti and is more popular. Drive the Bajada Loop for sure.

Fun fact: Saguaros grow insanely slow; it can take a saguaro 10 years to reach 1 inch in height. 

East – Rincon Visitor Center Address: 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730 
West – Red Hills Visitor Center Address: 2700 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 

11. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Very close to Saguaro National Park, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is the perfect place for the whole family to learn more about the desert ecosystem through various exhibits and hang out with desert animal friends, like a zoo. 

Address: 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743

12. Titan Mission Museum 

A pretty fun thing to do in Tucson – at the Titan Missile Museum, you can learn and imagine what it was like for a crewman in charge of a nuke aimed at Russia during The Cold War. This Titan II missile site, which used to be one of America’s top-secret places, now gives guided tours every day at the top of the hour. 

I learned a lot, so here are some remembered fun facts 

1. There are checks and balances to get into the building (espionage) and so many more steps to execute the missile (no going back from that). Like doing an escape room.
2. If the missile launched, the entire site would’ve blown up except hopefully the control center that the crewman would be in.
3. The crewmen spend hours every single day checking all the bolts and whistles to make sure that nothing is out of place or broken.
4. For psychological reasons, the crewmen don’t know the coordinates the missile aims at.
5. The coolest coincidence, I later met in Marfa, Texas, the daughter of an ex-crewman of the Titan II missile the museum houses!

Address: 1580 W Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614 

13. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

If you’re a fan of roadside attractions, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures would be right up your alley. Set in the northeastern part of Tucson, Arizona, this museum exhibits a collection of over 500 miniature sets, from antiques to contemporary dollhouses.

Address: 4455 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712

14. Pima Air & Space Museum

Pima Air & Space Museum features ~400 historic aircraft in six indoor hangars. Roam around to see what a Wright Flyer looks like, as in the og plane model from the Wright Brothers.

Address: 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756

15. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a great place to partake in outdoor activities in beautiful natural areas close to the heart of Tucson.

16. Mission San Xavier del Bac

A beautiful example of Spanish colonial architecture, Mission San Xavier del Bac is covered inside and out with intricate frescoes and detailed carvings. Sitting 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, this historic site is one of the top Tucson attractions.

Address: 1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746

17. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument 

South of Tucson, one of America’s hottest, driest places, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, is crazy remote. In this never-changing landscape, cacti dot all over the landscape, including the one which the national monument is named after, the Organ Cacti. I would only recommend this if you are looking for a real escape from society or are on your way to Mexico, and definitely don’t go in the summer. 

Visitor Center Address: 10 Organ Pipe Dr, Ajo, AZ 85321 

Bucket List Worthy? Things to Do on a Southern Arizona Road Trip

Between the major cities, empty stretches of road may bore you to sleep on your Southern Arizona road trip. At least Phoenix and Tucson break up the monotony a bit. 

If you plan to drive right on through this area, these are the few notable spots that I would add to your Southern Arizona road trip: 

• Taliesin West (only if you’re interested in architecture)
• Piestewa Peak
• Saguaro National Park
• Titan Mission Museum

Where to Next?

If you’re interested in other posts about Arizona, check out these other activities, road trips, and tour posts!

• 11 Heart-Stopping Adventurous Things to do in Page, AZ
• 17 Adventures On A Las Vegas To Page AZ Road Trip
• A Champion’s Northern Arizona Road Trip Guide: 15 Best Detours
• Southern Arizona Road Trip Guide: 17 Detour-Worthy Things to Do
• 11 Best Sedona Jeep Tours For Adventure Seekers
• What Is Arizona Known For? (25 Things It’s Famous For)
• 6 Best Day Trip Grand Canyon Tours From Sedona