After a long wait, the Arizona Republic has finally posted more of their picks for the top 50 places in Arizona. Giving credit where credit is due – please find the original article at azcentral.com

Don’t see your favorite spot on the list? Check out the top 50 – 30 and the top 10. If you can’t find it there, feel free to leave your comment here telling us where you think we should visit next.

No. 29: Apache Trail to 3 Lakes

The trail’s saguaro-covered hills and deep canyons stretch for miles, broken by red-rock cliffs and hoodoos. The area remains a favorite among local sightseers, boaters, hikers and anglers.

No. 28: Petrified Forest National Park

Visitors to the vast park (its boundaries, extended in 2004, encompass 218,533 acres) will see the petrified remains of trees that grew here millions of years ago.

No. 27: Grand Canyon’s Phantom Ranch

Nestled along Bright Angel Creek at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Phantom Ranch is one of the world’s premier destinations. And for good reason.

No. 26: Picacho Peak

The redundantly named Picacho Peak (“peak” in Spanish is picacho) rises abruptly from the desert floor between Phoenix and Tucson and for centuries has served as a landmark for explorers.

No. 25: Havasu Falls, a watery gem

Little else matters, especially not the lawn that needs mowing or office desk buried with work, as I recline against a warm, smooth rock after a swim in the turquoise-hued pools of Havasu Creek.

No. 24: Monument Valley towers in lore

We know it from the movies as John Ford’s favorite stage. And yet Monument Valley feels like the most foreign of places, even exotic – if such things still can be said about a large piece of our map.

No. 23: Desert Botanical Garden rewards patient visitors

This 67-year-old Arizona treasure hosts events from the annual Music in the Garden concert series to winter holiday evenings that feature thousands of candlelighted luminaries.

No. 22: Canyon Ranch Spa

Voted best spa by Condé Nast Traveler magazine 10 times, Canyon Ranch may be the best-known resort of its type in America. It’s been a leader among destination spas in combining health and fitness, and it employs 3 staff members for every guest to ensure that customers leave happy.

No. 21: Offbeat Sedona

Had enough of viewing Sedona’s red rock beauty and searching for bargains at Tlaquepaque? Don’t leave yet. There are lesser-known, hidden-away places that are well worth exploring. And they don’t cost nearly as much as a foray into the upscale attractions.

No. 20: The sky’s the gimmick at Benson inn

At the Astronomers Inn in Benson, stargazers can stay all night and examine the heavens through a variety of telescopes, then enjoy a hearty breakfast the next morning.

No. 19: Globe-Miami renaissance

The twin mining towns of Globe and Miami are becoming destinations for Valley travelers, not just a passage to the White Mountains. The communities lay claim to spectacular views in the foothills of the Pinal Mountains and provide a glimpse into the state’s rich mining history.

No. 18: Sabino Canyon

There’s no off-season in Sabino Canyon, a desert oasis and spectacular canyon at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson.

No. 17: Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle, a five-level cliff dwelling in a limestone alcove above Beaver Creek near Camp Verde. The structure was home to Sinagua people more than 600 years ago. It’s one of three well-known ruins in the Verde Valley, about 90 miles north of Phoenix. Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot National Monument make a scenic and informative day trip from the Valley.

No. 16: Old West comes alive in Wickenburg

Wickenburg is near the Hassayampa River, a rich riparian area that has sheltered the Yavapai Indians, lured there by its fertile planting ground. Gold wooed miners. Clear skies, uncluttered mountain views and the Sonoran Desert lure Valley visitors, who can escape urban life, journey into the state’s historic past and still make it home before sunset.

No. 15: Delightful bookshop in Benson

For more than 20 years, Singing Wind Bookshop has been delighting its visitors, not just from Arizona but also from around the world. Charmingly, the bookstore is plunked in the middle of a cattle ranch just north of Benson.

No. 14: Southern Arizona’s ‘White Dove’

Nine miles south of Tucson, the towers of San Xavier del Bac Mission rise unexpectedly from the sun-baked desert floor. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Valley, the mission is one of the state’s gems.

No. 13: Lake Havasu hums year-round

Forget London Bridge and spring break. The real fun of Lake Havasu lies, surprise, in the lake. From boating to scuba diving to wakeboarding, visitors to Lake Havasu have myriad choices when it comes to water-related activities.

No. 12: Old West meets art scene in Scottsdale

Downtown Scottsdale covers a lot of territory historically, from remnants of the Old West farming community founded in 1888 by Army chaplain Winfield Scott to the contemporary art interspersed with traditional pieces in galleries around Main Street and Marshall Way.

No. 11: El Presidio Historic District

Walking through El Presidio, Tucson’s historic, geographic and psychic center, you’ll see vibrant reminders of a past that’s still celebrated.

Miss the rest of the list? Check out the top 50 – 30 and top 10 places in Arizona.

Update: Come see our recent 2009 post for updated fall events!

It’s nearly October in Arizona and along with fall foliage, Halloween tricks and treats and cooler temperatures, there are lots of family-friendly activities happening all over the state. Here’s a list of the best fall activities for families in Arizona:

1. Prescott-area: Young’s Farm Annual Pumpkin Festival…October 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23 in Dewey – Young’s Farm Young’s Farm is closing–don’t miss this final year’s fall event! Pick your very own Halloween pumpkin right out of the patch. Hayrides and activities start around 9:00 a.m. and go until 4:00 p.m. The restaurant will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kids can enjoy games, wagon and train rides, pumpkin bounce, pony rides, a petting zoo and so much more. Dozens of beautiful craft booths for your shopping convenience, home-cooked meals of BBQ chicken, and beef, plus our oven-baked pies, breads and desserts. Stroll around our Produce Stand while you listen to live music and sample some of our fresh apple cider. $4 per person. (928) 632-7272; www.youngsfarminc.com/Events/PumpkinFestival

2. Sedona – The Annual Safe and Fun Trick or Treat…October 31 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm – This annual event is held on Halloween along Sedona’s Main Street. Uptown Merchants welcome all good ghouls and ghosts to visit their stores along Hwy 89A in Uptown for little tricks and great treats! These merchants have a seventeen-year tradition of good will, providing this safe and free Halloween tradition for the entire community.

3. In Clarkdale, between Sedona and Prescott – Haunted Halloween Express on the Verde Canyon Railroad…October 31 at 12:00 pm – Ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks – pint sized and full grown – are invited to join in the Verde Canyon Railroad’s frighteningly good fun. In addition to the specatcular fall foliage, a costume contest will be featured. Prizes will be awarded for the best, funniest and scariest costumes worn by a child and adult. Special Tuesday train ride! For more information: (800) 293-7245; www.verdecanyonrr.com

4. Phoenix-area – Fall Starlight Concert Series…October 1-31 – Arizona is known both for its stunning night skies and as a great venue for outdoor concerts. Stop by Arrowhead Meadows Park to take in songs and starlight. (480) 782-2735; www.chandleraz.gov

5. Phoenix-area in Scottsdale – Mariposa Monarca…October 1-November 1 - Come meet some monarchs…butterflies, that is. Monarch butterflies, arguably the most recognized, studied and loved of all insects; command attention from scientists and naturalists alike. Learn more about these inspiring insects at this exhibition featuring live monarch butterflies, tagging demonstrations and interpretive displays about the life cycle, migration patterns, environmental threats and conservation of monarchs. Desert Botanical Gardens (480) 941-1225; www.dbg.org

6. Phoenix-area in Queen Creek – 11th Annual Schnepp Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party…October 1-31 – Join the fun at one of Arizona’s best family festivals while helping out local charitable clubs and organizations. This five-weekend festival features live entertainment, outdoor family movie nights, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, scarecrow creations, a roller coaster, petting barn, chili and chicken dinners and the famous Hillbilly Bob’s pig races. (480) 987-3100; www.pumpkinandchiliparty.com

7. Between Prescott and Sedona in Jerome – 4th Annual Jerome Ghost Walk…October 7 – Jerome airs its dirty—or spooky—laundry in this walk through haunted brothels, a murder on “spook hill” and more in a reveling nod to its one-time reputation as the “Wickedest Town in the West.” Bring a flashlight along on this tour suited for older children and adults. (928) 634-1066; www.jeromehistoricalsociety.org

8. In the Prescott-area in Chino Valley – Chino Valley Haunted House…October 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 – Old Home Manor Haunted house, live music, concessions stand and spooky photo booth (have your picture taken with the actors). Admission: $6, discount coupons available at Fry’s grocery stores and www.cvhaunt.com

9. In Prescott – Eighth Annual Ghost Walk…October 28 – Sharlot Hall Museum Guided trips through tales from Prescott’s folklore, told by costumed storytellers. Co-sponsored by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic and the Prescott Fine Arts Association. Tickets are for walks beginning at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm. 928-445-3122; www.sharlot.org

10. In the Prescott-area in Chino Valley – Trick or Treat Tailgate Party and Fall Fest…October 31 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm – Old Home Manor Photo booth, Dr. Ooze Slime Laboratory, wacky maze, treasure hunt and haunted hay ride. Event is free to public; www.chinoaz.net