The Grand Canyon State, State Forty-Eight, the Copper State, the Wild Wild West – the young state of Arizona has garnered many nicknames in its lifetime. It is an amazing state known for the five C’s; cattle, citrus, climate, copper and cotton. Arizona is a wild one, but the one describing factor missing from all of the above is how beautiful mother nature made this state. Here are the ten reasons why The Colibri Collective is obsessed with our beautiful home state.
1. The Diversity – Arizona is one of the most geographically diverse states in the U.S. From mountains, to fields, forests, canyons and desert this state really has it all. Just driving a few hours north or south of Phoenix will have you thinking you are in a different state.
2. The Climate – On the tails of the geographic diversity, comes a diverse climate. At first many think that Arizona is unbearably hot, and while it may be true for four months out of the year, the other eight are perfect. And if those four months are a deal breaker, you can again go a few hours north to cooler temperatures. As a bonus, we get snow in many parts of the state during the winter months and there’s plenty of powder for the skiers.
3. The Sunsets – Very few things can rival an Arizona sunset. The sky turns into an absolute work of art with brilliant colors and rays of sun peeking through. With amazing views of these sunsets from anywhere in the state, you will surely be left breathless.
4. The Small Towns – From mountainside ghost towns, to vortexes, Arizona’s small towns are just what you’re looking for, with “haunted” hotels and world-famous dive bars, the mining towns of Bisbee and Jerome are sure to ‘wow’ you. Then there’s Sedona, and it is simply breathtaking. The red of the mountains with the peaceful and spiritual vibes of the place are indescribable. We can’t forget about Tombstone, the ‘town too tough to die’. Stepping foot into this town is like going back to the wild west, before Arizona was even a state.
5. The Quirkiness – Every corner of Arizona is quirky and different. The best part is we love it! In every town and city, you can find something unique that you can’t find anywhere else. From the people, to the traditions and vibes – Arizona is quirky. Arizona was even home to Flintstones Bedrock City, which unfortunately is now closed.
6. The Grapes and Barley – Bet you didn’t know Arizona is home to some of the best wineries and breweries around? Arizona has two distinct wine regions, the south has Sonoita and Willcox and the North-Central part of the state has Verde Valley. Either place you choose, you will find the perfect wine for your palette. Boasting more than 70 craft breweries throughout the state, Arizona is a beer lovers paradise. From Four Peaks, Dragoon Brewing and San Tan who have long been in the game to newcomers like Wren House. We have the beer for you.
7. The Food – With some of the best pizza joints in the country to authentic Mexican food, Arizona has the culinary scene down. The Mexican food is hands down the best in the U.S. It’s not Tex-Mex or New-Mex, this is the real Mex-Mex. The proximity to the border is partly responsible for influencing the quality of the food but so is the culture. As a state with a large population of people with Mexican descent, Arizonans love them some authentic tortillas, tacos and Sonoran hot dogs. All we’ll say is, Arizona is home to some of the best restaurants and you won’t be disappointed.
8. The Culture – Arizona has culture. Arizona is diverse. Arizona is welcoming. With people of all walks of life calling this state home, Arizona is the place to be for a serious dose of culture. There are art museums, festivals, live-music venues, sporting events, murals, artists, writers, performers, we have it all.
9. The Border – You know what really makes Arizona great, the border. That imaginary line between the U.S. and Mexico is great. It allows for the exchange of ideas, food, relationships and business. The many small towns along the border will all agree, that the geographic closeness to another country is what keeps their towns alive. Besides, who doesn’t love going to Mexico’s beaches and experiencing the beauty that country itself has to offer.
10. The Land – Did you think we forgot about the fact that we are home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world? Nope, we just save the best for last. The Grand Canyon is magnificent, it is truly natures work of art, but it isn’t the only wonder. Ready to be mind-blown – Arizona is considered a tropical desert 🤯🤯🤯 and is home of the Saguaro cactus. Then there’s Antelope Canyon, the canyons and red-rock buttes of Sedona, the insta-famous Havasupai Falls, Sabino Canyon…we really could go on and on, but words could never do it justice.