wonders

Use up those vacation hours with a five-day trip to northern Arizona’s most stunning landmarks

There is a prevalent misconception that Arizona is all deserts and cacti,but as anyone who’s visited northern Arizona knows,this state hosts a diverse selection of ecosystems and landmarks that are sure to surprise any newcomer So,for our final itinerary,we are giving you a weeks-worth of activities which will allow you to see the best that northern Arizona and the natural world has to offer

LEFT: Brandy’s Café sits on South Beaver Street and is the perfect place to grab brunch.

BEN SHANAHAN, ARIZONA DAILY SUN

TOP: During sunrise at Grand Canyon, brilliant orange clouds fill the sky above a vast canyon landscape of colorful peaks and cliffs emerging from nighttime shadows NPS/M.QUINN

Day One

Let’s start in Flagstaff with some brunch at Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery. We aren’t sugarcoating it whenwesaythatBrandy’sisaFlagstaff staple With its homey ambiance and deliciousfood,anyvisitorwillbestoked to start their day at this unpretentious eatery

Flagstaff has loads of natural wonders,butsomanyofthemrequireafull dayofyourtimelikehikingHumphreys Peak,whichisthehighestnaturalpoint in the state of Arizona. So, we’re going to suggest doing two, smaller excursions that are less tiresome. The first beingtheLavaRiverCave.Thismilelongvolcanictubewasformedroughly 700,000yearsagoafterastreamoflava carved its way through the prairie, and to this day, it remains a stunning geological landmark that is a must see for adventurers big and small. Just make sure to bring a flashlight and a jacket because it can get very dark and very cold underground

After hiking through the Lava Cave, we recommend heading out east to Walnut Canyon While the canyon is both large and gorgeous, the real treat is being able to walk amongst the cli dwellings on the canyon walls. The short walk down leads you to a robust pueblo community that was once inhabited by the Sinagua people. It’s a truly special experience as you look across and imagine the canyon walls speckled with light and humming with the sound of voices and laughter.

LEFT: Petrified Forest National Park is filled with thousands of petrified relics from trees that grew millions of years ago.

After these two activities, we recommend that you grab a bite to eat at La Fonda Mexican Restaurant The big portions and protein-packed food will re-energize you before heading out to Winslow for your first overnight stay at the historic La Posada Hotel. Envisioned by the famed architect Mary Colter, erected by western developer Fred Harvey and immortalized by the structure’s beauty and the jet-setting Hollywood and D.C. elite who frequented its rooms, La Posada is not only a cozy place to rest your head but also a can’t-miss landmark of the Southwest. Spend your evening wandering its hallowed halls or grabbing a drink in the

Turquoise Room. Regardless of what you decide to do, your night will be restful and mindful as you prepare for your second day in northern Arizona.

Day Two

You’ve got a lot of ground to cover on day two, so grab an early breakfast at the Turquoise Room and some snacks for the road and begin your trek to the Petrified Forest. Filled with colorful petrified wood and an incredible diversity of fossils, these bad- lands have so much history to offer. If you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend that you park your car and walk down one of the paved trails to visit the petroglyphs at Puerco Pueblo, but if the weather is bad and you’re not feeling like a walk,drive through the forest loop and visit the visitors center where you can look at complete fossils and other geological exhibits

After you’re done there, head up north to Canyon de Chelly. Located in the Navajo Nation,this vast park has been inhabited and utilized by indigenous people for millennia, and if you look closely, you can see traces of their history on the sheer canyon walls It’s a place that you could spend days at, but we recommend stopping at some of the nine overlook spots on the canyon’s rim There are six on the south side and three on the north.

Once you’ve digested the magnitude of the land and its history, head farther north to Monument Valley. It’s a place that’s been immortalized by the silver screen for its distinctive buttes and dusty plains, but it’s impossible to really appreciate the enormity of the valley without visiting in-person Now, the end of the day is fast approaching, so we recommend checking into The View Hotelandstayingthenight Withviewsfrom nearly every window, it’s the perfect place to enjoythevalleywithoutallthehassle;however, we do recommend that you book a stargazing/ moonlight tour to round out the day.If it’s a full moon,thelightwillilluminatethevalleyaswell as the sun, and if the moon isn’t out, the stars will do the work.It’s a breathtaking experience that you have to try while in the park.

Day Three

You’re nearing the halfway mark, but this isn’t the time to slow down We have a full day planned for you at the crest of northern Arizona, so after having an early breakfast at your hotel, head west to Page for your tour of AntelopeCanyon.Located on private land in Navajo Nation, this sought-after destination requires visitors to reserve a guided tour with one of the outfitters in the area.Lucky for you, there is no shortage of tour groups, so if you book far enough in advance, you should have no problem getting in.

Once you arrive with your group, you will understand why the people who manage the canyon are so particular about how people visit Its beauty is, truly, otherworldly The walls curve and undulate as the light from the passing day bounces off of them, so make sure to bring your camera The colors from the canyon are dynamic and baffling and make for a wonderful photography subject. Upper AntelopeCanyonisthemostpopularbutdonotforget about the lower part of the canyon, which is equally impressive, wrapping visitors up in pristine sandstone walls

After your visit to Antelope Canyon, you’re probably feeling a little hungry, so grab a big bite to eat at Big John’s Texas BBQ A plateful of food in the shade that their large patio provides hits the spot as you prepare to head off to your next stop

Now, you’ve done a lot of traveling recently, so if you want to take the day to just chill a little bit, we highly recommend enjoying Lake Powell. Grab a paddle board, rent a jet ski or simply get roasted by the hot Arizona sun, but regardless of what you decide to do, the lake will offer some solace after an exhausting few days On the other hand, if you still have some juice in you, head out to the Vermilion Cliffs located about an hour outside of Page. The swoopinghillsofthisremote,rockymonument tell a geologic history that is both fascinating and beautiful, but make sure to bring a vehicle that can handle the rough terrain Visitors will need a high-clearanced,four-wheel-drive vehicle to travel through the deep sand and unpaved roads, so keep that in mind as you plan your visit.

Antelope Canyon is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but you cannot see it without a tour So make sure to book in advance

Once you’ve returned to Page, check into your hotel for the night. We recommend the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell. They’re centrally located and have a great dine-in food option for dinner with the Prickly Pear Kitchen Their fresh and locally-inspired food will help settle your stomach as you wind down for an early night in.

Day Four

Over the course of the last three days, you have seen some unique and less-appreciated natural wonders, but today, we’re going to see THE wonder; the thing that puts Arizona on the map and blows the minds of millions of visitors every year. Today, we recommend visiting the Grand Canyon.

Millions of years of erosion have made the Grand Canyon a spectacle that is unmatched on a global scale, and to do it all in a day is impossible. So, we recommend that you spend your time on the South Rim. While it is the most busy out of the park’s four entrances, the South Rim is also the most accessible and visitor friendly with shuttles available to take you to all the historic trails and landmarks, markets and gift shops located conveniently throughout the village and some of the best views from large and safe lookout points

During your time at the Grand Canyon, we recommend you try out a couple things.The first is a hike Now, we understand that some of the hikes at the Grand Canyon are too challenging for some people, so if you’re looking for something easy, give the Trail of Time a try Just a little over one mile, this paved trail offers those who walk it a glimpse into the geologic history of the Grand Canyon With interpretive plaques dotted along the path, the Trail of Time will fascinate and inspire the most rugged of adventurers and the most casual of observers alike If you’re up for more of a challenge, give the South Kaibab Trail a try,and even if you’re a seasoned hiker,do your best to turn around at Cedar Ridge During the summer,this three-mile trail can get absurdly hot,and if you aren’t prepared,you could be putting yourself at risk for heat stroke; however, if you are prepared and stop when you’re supposed to, you will be able to witness some of the most spectacular views in the world.

After your hike,you’ve got to stop by the VisitorsCenter They have a lot of exhibits to check out,aswellasacafewhereyoucanpurchasesome lunch, but make sure to participate in a park ranger program and watch the short,orientation

ABOVE: Day hikers looking out at the Grand Canyon from Ooh Aah Point on the South Kaibab Trail.

LEFT: Sightseers at Yaki Point standing behind a stone guard wall and viewing a vast and colorful mile-deep canyon landscape, filled with peaks and cliffs