New Arizona attractions and experiences
This year promises to be a landmark 12 months for Arizona tourism.
With America 250 and 100 years of Route 66, plus spring training just around the corner, there is much to look forward to all year long
Beat the crowds and experience what’s new in Arizona in early 2026:
New on Route 66
Highway Hot Dog Opens On Route 66
Road trippers can enjoy all-beef hot dogs at the newly opened Highway Hot Dog in Seligman. Grab a hot dog, sandwiche, latte or gelato before exploring Seligman’s history and gift shops. Located in a historic building that was a theater and a sweet parlor, Highway Hot Dog is owned by the same restaurant entrepreneurs of Seligman’s well known Westside Lilo’s Cafe.
GPS Guided Route 66 Audio Tour
The recently launched GPS Guided Route 66 Audio Tour provides road trippers historic information and driving instructions as they cruise along Arizona’s Route 66. Created by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and developed by Guide Along, the audio tour offers interesting tidbits and tips. Visitors can purchase the tour for $26 from the Guide Along website, App Store or the Play Store. Drivers can also purchase additional tours for area attractions including the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim and the Petrified Forest National Park.
Sports
2026 Cactus League Spring Training
The 2026 Cactus League Spring Training season starts in late February with baseball games occurring daily across central Arizona through late March. Watch 15 Major League teams compete with affordable ticket prices. Post-game, fans can explore Metro-Phoenix or extend their stay to explore Northern and Southern Arizona.
Anniversaries
Flagstaff Celebrates 25 Years as the World’s First International Dark Sky City
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff being designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City. To celebrate, Flagstaff is hosting stargazing events year round. Stargazers can glimpse into the galaxy at International Dark Sky Week in April, dance under the stars at the Full Moon Concerts in Buffalo Park held throughout the summer and participate in the 25th Anniversary Celebration events occurring on October 24, 2026. Space enthusiasts can observe Flagstaff’s dark skies anytime by visiting Lowell Observatory and the Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell.
Arizona Dude Ranches Celebrate Centennials
There are two dude ranches in Arizona celebrating their centennial anniversaries this year: Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia and Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg. Circle Z Ranch is tucked away in the Sonoran Desert at the base of Sanford Butte, surrounded by dramatic landscapes. At Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, visitors can discover saguaro forests and slot canyons along rocky mountain trails.
New airlift
Porter Airlines now offers Canadian visitors new seasonal routes to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Vancouver, British Columbia, and will soon launch routes from Ottawa, Ontario. Porter launched its first-ever transborder service from Vancouver on February 2, 2026, a nonstop flight to Phoenix that operates daily until April 19, 2026. The upcoming Ottawa service marks the first nonstop route between Phoenix and Canada’s capital city, with the flight operating three times a week until April 18, 2026.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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