ENTERTAINING OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS

Arizona offers so much to see and do, every proud Arizonian wants to show off our wonders. We’ve put together the best places to show your guests and activities to share. Each one has an exclusive AAA member discount, so you’ll save a bundle, too. Plus, we have some common-sense guidelines so guests are a pleasure and not a pain.

Common-sense Tips When Winter Visitors Are Coming

We are blessed to live in one of the best states for winter fun, attracting millions of winter visitors. Our days are balmy when the Midwest and East are covered in snow. Who wouldn’t want to come and bask in our warm sun? I’m sure you all have had requests from distant cousins you’ve never met and friends-of-friends-of friends. Most often, it’s our cherished friends and family from the frigid winter states who want to visit for a week or two. It can be a welcome joy or a minefield of problems, especially if you work full time and are raising a family. You love to see them, but think there are times it’s just too much to handle. Follow these tips for a more relaxing and happy time with your winter friends and family.

• Fish and Visitors Smell in Three Days – Benjamin Franklin’s 1736 quip in Poor Richard’s Almanac, is as true today as it was then. Depending on the nature of your relationship with your visitor, it’s advisable to let everyone know that crashing at your place for more than three days is off limits. Compile a list of nice, moderately priced hotels close by and make those available. Of course, the amount of room you have in your home may not accommodate guests.  Even if you have the room, keep it to three days.

• Your Time is Limited– If you are working and raising a family, your time is very limited when visitors come and want to be entertained. If you’re retired and have lots of time, it’s still a good idea to let your visitors know that you won’t be able to entertain every day and they will need to plan activities on their own.  

• Plan Your Schedule – Look at the available time you have and plan what will be best to do with your visitors. If you work Mon. – Fri., you may only have the weekend to get together. If that’s the case, plan something fun for the days you have so you can spend quality time together. There’s so much to see and do in Arizona, an outing to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Prescott, Tombstone, Bisbee, might be perfect. If you like taking trips in your car, plan a driving trip to some of our top spots.

• Expenses – Entertaining out-of-town guests can bust your budget. If you go out to dinner, choose a place everyone can afford and split the bill. Don’t pick up the tab unless it fits into your budget. If you’re cooking in, ask your guests to provide a dish like dessert to defray costs.

• Hospitality – Of course you want to be a hospitable host and show off everything there is to see. There is nothing wrong with giving your guests a list of suggestions that they can do on their own and even help out with arrangements to get them started. A trip to Disneyland for a couple of days might be perfect for them.  

TOP 10 ARIZONA TRIPS AND ATTRACTIONS

Grand Canyon with Grand Canyon Railway

If your visitors haven’t seen the Grand Canyon, it’s a must-do, the states top attraction. The best way to visit the canyon is on the Grand Canyon Railway, departing from Williams, Arizona daily. The train ride is full of wild-west fun, and when you arrive at the canyon, you’re only steps away from the Rim. AAA’s Rails to the Rim 2- and 3-night member packages are a great deal, especially before March 1. You can also get discounted rail tickets.

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Verde Canyon Railroad

Only 25 miles SW of Sedona, this four-hour trip on the famed railroad shouldn’t be missed. You amble through the Verde Canyon’s towering red rocks, Indian ruins, and so much more.

AAA members get a 10% discount.   

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Sonoran Desert Drive Trip to Rocky Point

» Get drive trip instructions

Sedona

Sedona is said to be mystical. When you visit for the first time, you can understand why, with her famed red rocks climbing to the sky. Sedona’s shopping and art galleries are another big draw.

» Find everything on Sedona

Arizona’s Ghost Towns

With a rich and notorious wild-west past, Arizona has left behind some surprising places on the dustbin of history. We call them our Ghost Towns because the ruins can conjure up ghosts from the past. They’re also a cameraman’s delight.

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Prescott

Preserved from our rootin’, tootin’ cowboy past, Prescott is a place you shouldn’t overlook. The downtown square will bring back memories of Midwestern small towns, with a Courthouse square surrounded by shops. Of course, Prescott’s square is dotted with notorious saloons, too. This vibrant modern-day community hosts many events, so it worth checking their calendar to see what’s happening. 

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Spectacular Golf

With so many world-class resorts, each with designer courses, it’s no wonder visitors are drawn to our desert in the winter. There is no shortage of country clubs and courses. You might not know that AAA members get great discounts at many of our best golf courses.   

» Find member golf discounts on entertainment discount page

Kartchner Caverns State Park®

160 miles south of Phoenix, this cavern is a world-class attraction, with displays of ageless limestone beauty. Located in the state park, it’s only 9 miles from Benson, Arizona which is worth a look as well. There are tours of the cavern available, and there are hiking trails for the more adventuresome throughout the state park.

» Learn about Kartchner Caverns

Arizona Day Trips with Detours

This Phoenix-based company specializes in guided group tours to the state’s best attractions. There are plenty of single-day and multi-day tours that are the easiest way for your visitors to get out and see Arizona. AAA members receive a 20% discount

» See member discount details and check out the tours

Heard Museum

This world-renowned museum showcases Arizona’s Native American past. The exhibits will transport you back in time and give you an appreciation of Arizona’s miraculous heritage.  AAA members get a discount.

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Important:

Information is subject to change.