With picturesque beauty and natural charm, Arizona is a state where there are endless appealing aspects. Whether it be the road trips through the vast ways blanketed by skies or the historical depth of the Southwestern charm, the state is here to fascinate and appall you.
The cities of this state offer sophisticated capital, tons of activities, tourist attractions, national parks, desert, natural wonders and more. With Phoenix being the capital of Arizona, other cities each have their own unique essence.
If you are wondering which cities would offer the most diverse area and attractions, check out this list of the biggest cities in Arizona.
1. Buckeye
An outdoors and wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, Buckeye is a desert city in Arizona located 30 miles west of Phoenix. A 14-foot-wide, 133-foot-long bridge connects mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers to several miles of picturesque trails at Skyline Regional Park.
Visitors to the park will be able to view several wildlife species, including the Sonoran Desert tortoise, raptors, desert fox, and javelina. Copper Canyon Golf Club, and Sundance Golf Club. The city also features Buckeye Aquatics Center – an aquatic facility outdoors with pools, slides, and splash pads.
2. Phoenix
Phoenix is a place where big-city sophistication seamlessly mixes with its beautiful desert landscape. Situated in the heart of the Desert, the city is 3.5 hours from the state’s iconic Grand Canyon, one of the World’s Natural Wonders. Phoenix’s metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the Valley of the Sun.
The city offers a diverse array of attractions such as world-renowned museums, historic neighborhoods, luxury spas, upscale boutique shops as well as popular outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing.
3. Arcosanti
Arcosanti is a census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 US Census the population of Arcosanti was 832. It lies at an altitude of 5,994 feet (1,827 m), at the junction of U.S. Route 180 and State Route 64. Its attractions include the Valle Airport (40G), the Planes of Fame Air Museum, and Birds of Prey formally Flintstones Bedrock City amusement park. Drivers often stop at the town on their way to the Grand Canyon from either Williams or Flagstaff, as it is approximately at the halfway point.
Check out the best cities to live in Arizona.
4. Tucson
An Arizona hub of activity, the city of Tucson is situated in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five minor mountain ranges that include the Tortolita Mountains, Santa Catalina Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Tucson Mountains, and the Rincon Mountains.
Proudly listed as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Tucson is known globally for its plethora of divine restaurants and culinary traditions. For some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine north of the border, you will want to explore The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food. Tucson is also known for its historic sites, museums, boutique shops, and premier outdoor recreational activities.
5. Goodyear
Situated in West Valley, Goodyear is a Sonoran Desert city located approximately 19 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. Named after the founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Charles Goodyear, the city is home to Estrella Mountain Regional Park as well as Goodyear Ballpark.
During Major League Baseball’s spring training, droves of baseball fans fill Goodyear Ballpark to watch games. Estrella Mountain provides the perfect location for outdoor recreation where visitors can hike the Rainbow and Baseline Trails, mountain bike, and enjoy scenic horseback riding.
6. Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a beautiful desert city in the state of Arizona located approximately 13 miles east of Phoenix. Situated in the picturesque Sonoran Desert, this city is known primarily for its luxury spa resorts and championship golf courses, including the famous TPC Scottsdale.
With popular attractions like the Tonto National Forest and Superstition Mountains nearby, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities that include guided hiking tours, camping, and mountain biking. Scottsdale has also been known to provide residents and visitors alike with a vibrant arts and culture scene, award-winning gastronomy, and high-end shopping districts.
Take a look at our list of the cheapest cities to live in Arizona.
7. Peoria
Peoria is a charming Sonoran Desert city in the Salt River Valley situated northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The first facility of its kind in the country to be shared by two Major League Baseball teams, Peoria Sports Complex is the proud home of the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres for spring training and player development.
Peoria has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy that include horseback riding along Lake Pleasant, going for a scenic hike up Sunrise Mountain, and taking a glider ride with Northwest Sky Sports over the picturesque mountains and desert.
8. Parks
Parks is a census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,188 at the 2010 census. Parks is a census-designated place (CDP) in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,188 at the 2010 census. Slide Rock State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Arizona. Set in a beautiful valley with Oak Creek rushing through the center, the park is one of the best spots to head to on a hot, sunny day.Oct 28, 2021
9. Sierra Vista
With a temperate four-season climate and picturesque mountain views in every direction, Sierra Vista invites visitors with a fascinating history, clear skies, and world-class birding. Surrounded by marvelous 10,000-foot mountains and recognized as the Hummingbird Capital of the U.S., this desert mountain city is located about 80 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona. Sierra Vista is primed for outdoor recreation surrounded by Dragoon, Mule, and Whetstone mountains that offer visitors beautiful panoramas and scenic hiking trails.
10. Vicksburg
Vicksburg is a census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. Its population was 418 as of the 2020 census. The community was named for Victor E. Satterdahl, who applied for its post office and served as the first postmaster once it opened in 1906.
11. Mesa
Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Mesa is situated approximately 18 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona. From innumerable outdoor recreation opportunities to Native American artist displays to farm-to-table dining, Mesa is a city rich with culture and natural beauty. Mesa is also home to Sloan Park where two Major League Baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland A’s, conduct their annual spring trainings. There are two rivers and three lakes within 30 minutes of the city where visitors can enjoy water activities that include boating, fishing, and jet skiing.
12. Bouse
Bouse is a census-designated place and ghost town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1908 as a mining camp, the economy of Bouse is now based on tourism, agriculture, and retirees. The population was 996 at the 2010 census. It was originally named Brayton after the store owner John Brayton Martin. Camp Bouse, 20 mi (32 km) east in Butler Valley, is the former site of a World War II US Army tank training camp. The history of Bouse, Arizona, stretches back to the late 1800s when it began as a mining camp known as Brayton.
13. Marana
Marana is a fast-growing desert town in the state of Arizona located approximately 23 miles northwest of the city of Tucson. Visitors will appreciate Marana’s thriving local brewers’ scene alongside an equally impressive farm-to-table culinary scene. Exquisite culinary dishes and interesting libations are as innovative as they are delicious. Historically home to orchards and cattle ranches, the city primarily served as the breadbasket of Tucson for a time. Marana has since become a cutting-edge epicenter for farm-to-bottle, farm-to-table.
14. Yuma
Situated in Southwest Arizona bordering California and Mexico is the historic desert city of Yuma. The city’s location along the dramatic Colorado River is where much of its storied past comes from. In the early years it provided the easiest passage across the river, making it a central hub for travelers. There are several museums and parks for visitors to explore the city’s history that include the Colorado River State Historic Park, the Cocopah Museum, and the Castle Dome Mine Museum. Visitors should also explore the Imperial Sand Dunes.
15. Eloy
Eloy is a city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States, approximately 50 miles northwest of Tucson and about 65 miles southeast of Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census estimates in 2019, the population of the city is 19,625. Eloy is known as one of the best places to go skydiving or ride a hot air balloon for a reason.
Eloy is a small community that has potential to be bigger and better. The city is friendly, but it needs more housing and retail options. While not the most pleasing place to live in terms of excitement and activities, low crime rates and affordable living expenses make the location tolerable.
16. Show Low
A city in Arizona’s Navajo County is called Show Low. It is situated at an altitude of 6,345 feet in east central Arizona on the Mogollon Rim. The town was founded in 1870, and it became a city in 1953. 10,660 people were living in the city as of the 2010 Census.
Home to Saguaro National Park, Sonoran Desert and more, the cities of Arizona offer you a diverse land of beauty and adventure. With this list of the biggest cities in Arizona, you can decide which ones to head to next!