History

Arizona State Capital Museum Analyze artifacts; trace the territorial history of the state; meander through the halls of the state capitol; linger on the front lawn at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, which features the anchor from the U.S.S. Arizona (sunk at Pearl Harbor in 1941). 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ; +1 602 926 3620.

Coronado National Memorial Pretend you're a Spanish explorer; crawl through Coronado Cave; try on armor; visit the memorial for Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, the Spanish explorer who sought the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola in 1540. 4101 E. Montezuma Canyon Rd., Hereford, AZ; +1 520 366 5515.

John Wesley Powell Museum Learn about the man who first descended the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon; investigate the lake's dam construction; survey tribal artifacts from Arizona Indians. 6 N. Lake Powell Blvd., Page, AZ; +1 928 645 9496. Fee.

London Bridge Cross the British bridge that once spanned the Thames River in London, England, but now calls Arizona its home. The best spot for viewing the bridge is from the English Village off of London Bridge Rd. Follow signs from Interstate 95, Lake Havasu City; +1 800 242 8278.

Phoenix Museum of History Survey the growth of Phoenix from the 1860s to the 1930s; see a beer bottle sidewalk; glimpse photos of the founding members of the city; visit a recreation of an authentic general store. 105 N. 5th St., Phoenix, AZ; +1 602 253 2734. Fee.

Pima Air & Space Museum Survey the hangar's 275 airplanes; hunt for history buried in "The Boneyard," near the museum, the final resting place for 4,200-plus planes; view the presidential aircraft used by John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. 6000 E. Valencia Rd., Tucson, AZ; +1 520 574 0462. Fee, Boneyard Tours extra; depart from the museum.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park Linger at Phoenix's only national landmark; walk the Ruin Trail; dig into archaeological history; explore Hohokam culture. 4619 E. Washington St.; +1 602 495 0901. Fee.

Queen Mine Tours Disappear into the depths of a mineshaft on a small mining train; unearth mining history as you descend 1,500 feet. 478 Dart Ave., Bisbee, AZ; +1 520 432 2071. Fee.

San Xavier del Bac Mission Contemplate the history of this beautiful mission, one of the oldest practicing missions in the United States. Behold baroque and Spanish architecture and fascinating frescoes. 1950 W. San Xavier Rd., Tucson, AZ; +1 520 294 2624.

Walnut Canyon National Monument Descend 185 feet to examine the cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, created around 1125 A.D.; hike the Island Trail to see original and restored ruins. Ranger-led (summer) or self-guided tours offered. 3 Walnut Canyon Rd., Flagstaff, AZ; +1 928 526 3367. Fee.

Window Rock Tribal Park and Veterans' Memorial Wonder at the beauty of the Window Rock red-stone arch formation; visit the memorial honoring Navajo Code-Talking soldiers, who aided the army in World War II; shop for handmade jewelry and crafts from Navajo vendors. Window Rock, AZ; +1 928 871 6647.

Wupatki National Monument Survey 800-year-old pueblos; learn how the native cultures thrived in their dry, dangerous landscape; follow one of the short trails that lead to Wupatki and Lomaki pueblos. 22 miles north of Sunset Crater off of Highway 89; +1 928 679 2365. Fee, includes Sunset Crater.