Montezuma Castle: Perched 70 feet above the ground and built into the recess of a white limestone cliff, the National Monument of Montezuma Castle is an ancient dwelling constructed around the 14th century by the Sinagua Indians. The ruins have been well-preserved because of their protection from the rain and sun, and due to the relatively early designation of this site as a National Monument. At approximately 90 miles from Phoenix, this magnificent and historically important ancient monument is well worth visiting.
Jerome: Around a two-hour drive from Phoenix, on a mountainside high above the desert floor, is an old mining town, turned ghost town, turned tourist attraction. Jerome is unusual to say the least, and boasts many quirky sites. Although this hill-top town is now a treasured tourist magnet, comprised of artists, writers, unique boutique shops, wine bars and breathtaking views across the Verde Valley, Jerome’s appearance has hardly changed over the last century. A photographer’s paradise, many of the old buildings from the late 1890s are still standing — apart from the ones that slid down the 30-degree slope, such as the old jail.
Havasu Falls: Although Havasu Falls is approximately 200 miles from Phoenix, visiting this magical landscape is highly worthwhile. The pools at the base of the 100-foot cascading waters have a bluish-green colour, and the fall is forked — giving the appearance of two falls when the river is flowing heavily. In the canyon of this tributary of the mighty Colorado River, the Havasu Indians have carved out basins in the travertine rock which formed attractive bathing pools.
