By James Scott Bankston
Think for a moment about the American West, and the chances are what you are picturing are portions of the state of Arizona---deep, multi-colored canyons, statuesque cacti, wind-shaped buttes. Though Arizona has its share of prosperous cities and residents, it is the natural beauty of the place, linked to Native American and Old West history, that brings in the tourists by the millions.
Monument Valley
This butte-strewn part of North Arizona was made famous in Westerns directed by John Ford. You can tour the valley by means of jeep or horse.
Taliesin West
The winter home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed to conform with the desert landscape, is located in Scottsdale and open for regular tours.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
This park in the Verde Valley includes two cliff dwellings, occupied by Native American tribes centuries ago.
The Titan Missile Museum
Fans of the Cold War and military hardware will enjoy the tour of this underground nuclear missile silo, located south of the town of San Xavier.
Tombstone
This former boom town is best-known as the site of the 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral between the Clantons and the Earps. It's stock in trade now is Old West kitsch, with staged gunfights and souvenir shops.
Petrified Forest National Park
Part of the Painted Desert, this park includes numerous examples of petrified wood, petroglyphs and a few ruined pueblos. The park is popular with hikers and backpackers.
Sedona
This town is home to dozens of expensive New Age resorts of every ideological stripe.
About the Author:
James Scott Bankston, of Austin, Texas, has been a writer and editor since 1985. His work has appeared in Citysearch.com, the Austin Chronicle, and various Demand Media sites. He has a B.A. with a double major in English and history from Sam Houston State University.
