There’s no denying the desert mystique of the American southwest. The erratic combination of development, culture, city, and human history and such rare, untamed kinds of wilderness is a recipe for an unforgettable road trip. We’ve compiled a short list of some of the best cities to pass through on your next adventure!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque seems to be the definition of that alluring contradiction of city and wilderness. The city itself boasts over half a million residents, while the entire metropolitan area nearly breaks the full million. The best things to see are its natural and cultural history—ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to get a magnificent view of the desert plains or check out the Petroglyph National Monument to see indigenous art stained upon the rocks. The sunsets are famously stunning here, and there are any number of events, concerts, and activities to participate in; depending on when you go, the New Mexico State Fair may even be hosted there.
Phoenix, Arizona
With more than a million and a half residents, Phoenix comes in as the fifth-most populated city of the US. It sits smack dab in the Sonoran Desert, which actually is one of the lushest, greenest deserts in the country due to its higher-than-average rainfall. Another cultural center, Phoenix has several museums, parks, botanical gardens, and the famous Phoenix Zoo for your viewing pleasure. That unique desert is absolutely worth exploration, as well. Try checking out Camelback Mountain if you want to see the natural world of Phoenix at its finest. Also, plan in advance what time of year you’ll go! Because of the hot weather, Phoenix is a great destination during the winter.
Las Vegas, Nevada
While perhaps the most obvious pick on this list, Vegas offers so much more than casinos and clubs. Lying on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert, it offers similarly stunning natural exploration. The most striking is likely the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Historic and state parks abound, and the National Atomic Testing Museum and the Hoover Dam lie right around the corner. Finish up your trip by taking a walk on the iconic Las Vegas Strip and soaking in the sights!
So grab your chapstick and hop in the car! The culture and mountains of the southwest beckon. These carefully preserved bastions are some of our few remaining pockets of untamed nature and deserve our reverence. The cities themselves are unending labyrinths of a history and a blended people that extend back through time. What are you waiting for?
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