Make sure you get to see the ruins such as Tuzigoot or Montezuma’s Castle. Also, Jerome on Hwy 89 between Prescott Valley and Cottonwood is fascinating, especially the grounds where the former mine manager lived.
I like Payson, too, and the drive down the Mogollon Rim from Pinetop to Payson is unforgettable. So is the drive from Pinetop to Flagstaff along St. Mary Road.
I’d also recommend Tubac, on I-19 south of Tucson; San Xavier del Bac, a beautiful mission on the grounds of an Indian reservation just southwest of Tucson; Tombstone; Bisbee, and the Chiracahua Mountains.
I miss Arizona so much. I lived there nearly 20 years.
Is good...also, from Heber to Payson. My wife made that drive on a learner's permit in a thunderstorm. Her Dad figured if she could handle that, she could handle anything.
Oh and Arizona is the best state in the union, despite my husband’s loyalty to and love for California.
Thanks for the suggestions, we’ll look into them.
Many years ago I drove into Sedona from a parking lot off the interstate, across a cattle bridge. Ran accross a longhorn that grunted at us for a bit before deciding to yield the trail. after a bit more driving we appeared at the top of a mountainside with the sun setting in my eyes and driving on the cliff edge side of the road. We passed large RVs on their way up as well as jeep tours.
I had no idea where we were and thought we might be tresspassing even though we had been told that was the shortcut in from the east.
We saw folks camping in tents along the roadside and a lot of beautiful views!
Having a fear of heights didn’t help much! LOL
I forget the names of the roads but traced it on Google Earth not too long ago.
THAT was an advendture!
The Chiracahua Mountains are a treasure.
My favorite place.