🇺🇸 Arizona 3-Day Road Trip Guide & Tips!

Arizona is incredibly beautiful and unique! Its landscape and culture are completely different from California’s. As the heart of Native American heritage, AZ’s reddish-brown canyons and vast cactus forests make you feel connected to nature’s grandeur 🌵🏜️. I drove from LA to Phoenix and Sedona for a long weekend—only 2 hours apart, yet each offers distinct vibes. Sedona’s intense red rock formations feel like Mars! Here’s a detailed guide (+ what to avoid): 🌵 Phoenix Must-Visits: 1️⃣ Old Town Scottsdale A trendy historic district with dining, entertainment, and an epic art gallery street 🎨. Hot but worth it! Wonderspace is also recommended. 2️⃣ ASU Area Visit ASU campus and the art museum 🏫. Don’t miss Chen’s Noodle for their delicious mouthwatering chicken! 3️⃣ Papago Park Home to the botanical garden, zoo, and Hole-in-the-Rock 🪨. Spend half a day here! 4️⃣ Goldfield Ghost Town A fun Wild West-themed town 🤠. 5️⃣ Canyon Lake & Tortilla Flat My biggest surprise! Absolutely stunning 🏞️. Tortilla Flat is a dreamy small town—highly recommend! 🔴 Sedona Must-Visits: 1️⃣ Arcosanti Book in advance! Though quirky, it’s harmless and offers breathtaking views 🌄. 2️⃣ Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village Feels like Spain! Try the rose tea at Chai Spot 🌹. 3️⃣ Blue McDonald’s The only one in the world 🍟🔵. Great spot to grab water and snacks. 4️⃣ Devil’s Bridge & Subway Cave Easy hikes with epic photo opportunities 📸. 5️⃣ Chapel of the Holy Cross A world-famous spiritual site ✝️. ⚠️ Tips & What to Avoid: 1️⃣ Speed traps near the CA-AZ border 🚔 — stick to the speed limit! 2️⃣ Check hotel parking — some charge $40/night extra 🅿️. 3️⃣ Food in AZ is generally mediocre and overpriced compared to LA 🍽️. 4️⃣ Park indoors when possible — my tire was slashed near ASU 😱 (thankfully tire shops are everywhere). 5️⃣ Gas is cheaper in AZ — around $3.40/gallon ⛽. 6️⃣ Sedona is crowded — parking is tough, especially at the Chapel. Consider a Jeep tour! 🚙 7️⃣ Bring masks & sunglasses for hiking — sandstorms are no joke 😷🕶️. #ArizonaTravel #SedonaHiking #LosAngelesWeekend #Phoenix #USATravel 🇺🇸✨