Ever wondered what it’s like to be an extra in a sci-fi blockbuster?
Well, dust off your space boots and grab your sense of wonder, because Arizona’s got some out-of-this-world attractions that’ll make you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set.
1. Biosphere 2 (Oracle)
Imagine a giant terrarium that looks like it crash-landed from outer space, and you’ve got Biosphere 2.
This massive glass-and-steel structure rises from the Arizona desert like a futuristic mirage, complete with its own rainforest, ocean, and desert ecosystems.
As you approach, you’ll feel like you’re walking onto the set of a 1970s sci-fi flick – one where scientists decided to play God and create their own mini-Earth.
And guess what?
That’s pretty much exactly what happened here!
Inside, you’ll find yourself wandering through a humid rainforest, past a coral reef, and into a fog desert.
It’s like taking a world tour without leaving the comfort of air conditioning – which, let’s face it, is pretty important in Arizona.
The best part?
You can actually tour this place and pretend you’re a space colonist preparing for life on Mars.
Just don’t get any ideas about sealing yourself in for two years – that experiment’s already been done, and let’s just say it got a bit… tense.
2. Arcosanti (Mayer)
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if an architect decided to build a Star Wars cantina in the middle of the desert, look no further than Arcosanti.
This experimental town looks like it was plucked straight out of Tatooine and plonked down in the Arizona scrubland.
Arcosanti is the brainchild of Italian architect Paolo Soleri, who apparently thought, “You know what the desert needs? More concrete domes!”
And boy, did he deliver.
The result is a collection of otherworldly structures that seem to grow organically from the landscape.
As you wander through the complex, you’ll find yourself in a maze of circular buildings, arched walkways, and amphitheaters that look like they’re waiting for an intergalactic rock concert to kick off.
The whole place has a retro-futuristic vibe that’s part “Jetsons,” part “Mad Max,” and entirely fascinating.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking the sky for twin suns or listening for the distant hum of a landspeeder.
Just remember: the force may be with you, but sunscreen and water are probably more useful in this particular desert.
3. Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff)
Ever dreamed of peering into the cosmos and discovering a new planet?
Well, at Lowell Observatory, you can channel your inner Galileo and maybe, just maybe, spot the next big celestial body.
Who knows, you might even get to name it! (Dibs on “Planet McPlanetface.”)
This historic observatory, perched atop a hill in Flagstaff, is where Pluto was discovered.
Yes, that Pluto – the one we all grew up thinking was a planet, then wasn’t, and now… well, it’s complicated.
Kind of like your Facebook relationship status after a wild weekend in Vegas.
The observatory’s main telescope looks like it could double as a cannon in a steampunk war movie.
It’s housed in a dome that wouldn’t look out of place in a 1950s alien invasion film.
As you stand there, gazing up at the stars, you half expect to hear, “That’s no moon… it’s a space station!”
But the real magic happens when you look through the eyepiece.
Suddenly, those tiny pinpricks of light in the sky become swirling galaxies, glowing nebulae, and distant worlds.
Related: The Tiny Museum in Arizona Where You Can Relive the Glory Days of Route 66
Related: This Nostalgic Drive-in Theater in Arizona Will Transport You Straight to the 1950s
Related: This Wonderfully Quirky Rock Garden in Arizona is One of the State’s Best-Kept Secrets
It’s enough to make you feel very, very small – and maybe a little hungry for some freeze-dried astronaut ice cream.
4. Pima Air & Space Museum (Tucson)
Imagine a place where you can see more aircraft than you can shake a stick at – not that I recommend shaking sticks at aircraft.
That’s generally frowned upon, especially near airports.
Welcome to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where aviation history meets desert heat in a glorious symphony of aluminum and jet fuel.
As you wander through this aeronautical wonderland, you’ll find yourself face-to-nose with everything from tiny propeller planes to massive bombers.
It’s like someone raided the toy box of a giant aviation enthusiast and scattered the contents across the Arizona desert.
The star of the show is the SR-71 Blackbird, a spy plane so fast it could outrun missiles.
It looks less like an aircraft and more like something Batman would use to commute to work.
Standing next to it, you can’t help but feel a little inadequate.
I mean, your car probably can’t go Mach 3, can it?
But the real gem is the ‘Boneyard’ tour.
Picture a desert graveyard, but instead of headstones, it’s filled with retired military aircraft.
It’s like a retirement home for planes, where old F-4 Phantoms swap war stories and complain about the younger jets with their fancy stealth technology.
5. Titan Missile Museum (Green Valley)
Ever wanted to feel like you’re in a Cold War thriller, complete with the looming threat of nuclear annihilation?
No?
Well, too bad, because that’s exactly what you’re getting at the Titan Missile Museum!
This decommissioned missile silo is like stepping into a time capsule of Cold War paranoia.
As you descend into the underground complex, you half expect to see Dr. Strangelove wheeling around a corner, ranting about precious bodily fluids.
The star of the show is the Titan II missile itself, standing tall in its silo like a 103-foot-tall middle finger to mutually assured destruction.
It’s both awe-inspiring and terrifying, kind of like your grandma’s holiday fruitcake – you’re amazed it exists, but also slightly scared of what it could do.
The control room looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1960s sci-fi movie, complete with big red buttons that you’re definitely not allowed to push.
Sorry, wannabe supervillains – your plans for world domination will have to wait.
As you leave, blinking in the Arizona sunlight, you’ll find yourself grateful for two things: that these missiles never flew, and that you live in an era where the biggest threat to humanity is… well, let’s not open that can of worms.
6. Meteor Crater (Winslow)
Imagine you’re an alien.
You’ve traveled across the galaxy, and you’re looking for a parking spot on Earth.
Suddenly, you see it – a massive hole in the ground that looks like it was made just for your flying saucer.
Welcome to Meteor Crater, the cosmic pothole that put Winslow, Arizona on the map!
This massive hole in the ground is what happens when a chunk of space rock decides to pop in for an unexpected visit.
It’s like Mother Nature’s version of a doorbell ditch, except instead of running away, the meteor left behind a 550-foot deep, nearly mile-wide calling card.
Standing on the rim, you can’t help but feel a little… small.
It’s a humbling experience, realizing that at any moment, the universe could decide to play cosmic darts with our planet.
Suddenly, your problems seem a lot less significant.
Forgot to do laundry?
Hey, at least a giant space rock didn’t obliterate your neighborhood!
The visitor center is a treasure trove of meteor-related goodies.
You can touch an actual piece of the meteor, which is cool until you realize it’s basically a very expensive rock.
But hey, how many people can say they’ve fondled a piece of outer space?
7. ASU Mars Space Flight Facility (Tempe)
Ever dreamed of going to Mars but can’t quite afford the SpaceX ticket price?
Well, buckle up, space cowboy, because the ASU Mars Space Flight Facility is the next best thing!
Tucked away on the Arizona State University campus, this facility is where the real Martian magic happens.
It’s like Mission Control for the Red Planet, minus the 1960s hairdos and ever-present cigarette smoke.
Here, scientists pore over data from Mars rovers and orbiters, trying to unravel the mysteries of our rusty neighbor.
It’s like CSI: Mars, but with fewer dramatic sunglasses removals and more excited pointing at rock formations.
The facility offers tours where you can see actual Mars rocks (spoiler alert: they look a lot like Earth rocks, but redder), and learn about the ongoing search for signs of past or present life on Mars.
Who knows, you might even be there when they discover the first Martian microbe!
Just don’t expect it to look like a little green man.
As you leave, you’ll find yourself looking at the Arizona landscape with new eyes.
Those red rocks and dusty plains?
Suddenly, they look a lot like… Mars.
Maybe we don’t need a spaceship after all – turns out, the Red Planet was in our backyard all along!
So there you have it, folks – seven slices of sci-fi right here in the Grand Canyon State.
Who needs Hollywood when you’ve got Arizona?
Now get out there and explore… just watch out for any suspicious-looking meteorites!