Beyond the Grand Canyon

Do you like the "road less traveled?" Are you yearning for a vacation experience beyond looking at "the big hole in the ground" known as the Grand Canyon? If so, then read on for five alternative adventures in Arizona.

Don't get me wrong, the Grand Canyon is one of those breathtaking, must-see-in-your-lifetime destinations, and well worth the trip. But millions of visitors each year make the same trip as you, take pictures from the same spots, and pretty much all have the same experience. So after you're satisfied with peering over the edge and watching the sunset create brilliant colors along the canyon wall, head out to some other, lesser-known destinations in Northern Arizona.

1. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park

Two parks in one, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert offer a lot, whether for the hurried visitor or the time-taking adventurer. Hit the Painted Desert either at sunrise or sunset for a display of bright oranges, pinks, blues and purples streaked across the desert badlands. Get out and walk some of the trails in the Petrified Forest and marvel at the prehistoric fossils, the quick-moving desert wildlife, or the ancient ruins of a Native American civilization. The short hike through Blue Mesa is well worth your time, and its location at the convergence of the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert gives you the best of both parks.

The Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park is located along Interstate 40, 20 miles east of Holbrook, Ariz.

2. Walnut Canyon

Located about 10 miles east of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon allows visitors to get within touching distance of ancient cliff dwellings. The hike into the canyon isn't difficult if you take your time, but for those who want to stay on a level path, there's also a short walk around the top of the canyon where you can learn more about the ancient people who once lived in the canyon. The vegetation and canyon views are also stunning. Even at the height of summer, the "tourist season" in Northern Arizona, the canyon is rarely crowded.

3. Route 66

The Mother Road passes right through Northern Arizona. In fact, Interstate 40 follows much of Route 66's path, sometimes crossing right over it. Most towns along the way have at least one or two historic Route 66 sites, but one of the most well-known is the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook. Here you can rent a Wigwam for the night at a reasonable rate. The Wigwams were recently featured in the Disney movie "Cars" and on Oprah Winfrey's road trip. If you want to drive on old Route 66, portions of the original road still exist. The downtown corner in Holbrook is the only 90-degree turn on Route 66, or you can drive a less developed part of the old Mother Road by exiting at Jackrabbit (another Route 66 icon with a giant jackrabbit standing guard in front of the store), and continuing east past the Jackrabbit store and into Joseph City. The drive is about 15 miles, and the road is fairly well maintained.

4. Homolovi Ruins

The Homolovi Ruins, about 10 miles north of Interstate 40, just outside of Winslow are perhaps the most under-advertised, under-rated ruins in the country. Most visitors just don't know about them, so you can have the park, and the Rangers' undivided attention to answering questions, to yourself. Here you'll find intricate housing structures believed to be built by the ancestors of the Hopi Tribe. Amazing displays of pottery, jewelry and other ancient artifacts can also be seen here. If you have any interest at all in ancient dwellings or people, this is a must-see destination.

5. Hubbell Trading Post

History lives on at Hubbell Trading Post, which has been continuously operating since 1878. Orignally a 160-acre homestead, the post has been a center of Navajo economics ever since. Here you will find not only some of the best Navajo, Hopi and Zuni artwork in the country, you will also get to meet the artists themselves, as they visit the post to sell or trade their work and socialize with other artists.

The Hubbell Trading Post is north of Interstate 40, on Highway 191.