Ancient ruins and red rocks along Oak Creek Canyon

Start your Arizona adventure out right by staying in a teepee at the Flagstaff KOA! These teepees sleep up to four people and are the perfect unique camping experience for anyone wanting to make the trip extra special. The Flagstaff KOA offers some awesome amenities as well, including volcanic hiking trails, a filling and tasty breakfast to prepare you for a long day of exploring, a bounce house for the kids, and much more. If teepees aren't up your alley, RV and tent sites, as well as cabin rentals, are available, too.

Ever heard of a dwarf planet called Pluto? (Yeah, I called it a planet. We still appreciate you, Pluto.) Way back in 1930, a man by the name of Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in Lowell Observatory, just outside of downtown Flagstaff. It's open 10 AM-10 PM, and you can observe the night sky through telescopes, roam the grounds and learn from the various exhibits on asteroids and meteors, or take a daytime guided tour... the choice is yours! Lowell Observatory was even named one of "The World's 100 Most Important Places" by TIME back in 2011. This is a must for anyone even remotely fascinated by space.

Open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 AM-4 PM May through September, history and military buffs will want to be sure to include Fort Tuthill Military Museum on their trip. Fort Tuthill is just a few miles south of Flagstaff, and was constructed in 1929 as a National Guard training facility. The museum housed here now is located in two of the original buildings, and is jam packed with history from decades ago. Soldiers of the 158th Infantry are highly celebrated and remembered here, and it show in the museum's efforts to preserve our military history. Although the museum is small, give yourself some time to soak in all of the artifacts and reading material the knowledgeable staff provides.

Even the history of the construction of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic landmark, is one of interest. Sculptor and chapel commissioner Marguerite Brunswig Staude was inspired by the then-recent construction of the Empire State Building, and was planning to build a church in Budapest, but after World War II broke out, she decided to stick around her hometown and build an inspired church there. Religious or not, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is an architect's heaven as well as a photographer's dream. Anyone of any religious affiliation is welcome to visit, and there's even a little gift shop!

Right outside of Sedona, Red Rock State Park (rightfully named), features strikingly beautiful red sandstone. Sedona is an area famed for its natural beauty, so experiencing it for yourself at a spot like Red Rock State Park is a must. Five miles of hiking trails allow for an afternoon in the fresh air, with some picture taking opportunities and even some educational ones too, with exhibits in the visitor center!

Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located right on the Verde River and spans over 400 acres! While in Dead Horse, water activities such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are available in addition to campground facilities and miles of hiking trails. This is a perfect base for park adventures around the area and caters to the outdoor lover's every need. And don't be freaked out by the name... the ranch located here before it was a park was called "Dead Horse Ranch,” because the family that owned it found a dead horse on the property when they were looking to buy it. They actually do have horses that you can ride here!