Hidden Treasures

The secret side of Arizona—unearthed. From ghost towns to glittering waterfalls, UFOs to unbeatable deals, this is where the quirky meets the breathtaking. Discover hidden boutiques, offbeat attractions, and local hangouts that even lifelong Arizonans keep hush-hush. GEMS is your insider map to the state’s best-kept secrets—because the real Arizona magic is often off the beaten path.

Giving Bracelets’ Scottsdale shop is where bracelets are crafted by hand and workshops invite visitors to slow down, get creative, and leave with something meaningful they made themselves. Photo by Shelly Talsma Everson.
Good Taste, Good Karma at Giving Bracelets
Michael A. Pollack, president and founder of Pollack Investments, has preserved what’s believed to be the largest surviving collection of Frank Polk’s carved slot-machine sculptures, now housed in his private Mesa museum at the crossroads of folk art, the Old West, and early casino culture. Photo provided.
Carved in the West: Michael A. Pollack Honors Frank Polk
Author and crystal educator Jamie Inglett with her guide Crystal Creed, a modern resource for intentional crystal practice. Photo provided.
Fire Horse Energy: The Crystals and Jewelry Defining 2026
La Rosa, a new live music and events venue in midtown Tucson, brings new life to a beautifully restored former Benedictine church and is designed to serve as a cultural gathering place for concerts, talks, celebrations, and community events. Photo courtesy of La Rosa.
Tucson’s Newest Music Venue Has Stained Glass and Swagger
Shannon and Gabriel Varela of Maryland chose to exchange their wedding vows at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott. Photo courtesy of Shannon and Gabriel Varela.
Campfires, Pinecones, and a Few Love Stories

More Articles

Tombstone’s legendary rose tree, sprawling into a sea of white petals. Photo courtesy of the Rose Tree Museum.
Tombstone’s Most Unexpected Bloom
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Warren Ballpark, where more than a century of sport meets small-town character. Photo courtesy of Discover Bisbee.
Where Miners Became Sluggers
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A Swiftie dream in the desert: every era, every detail, all under one Phoenix roof. Photo courtesy of Lavender Haze Playce.
Welcome to Era-Zona: Swiftie Style Takes Over Phoenix
Cosanti’s sculptural concrete apses and working bronze foundry create a rare blend of architecture and craft, where Soleri’s desert vision still hums through every bell. Photo courtesy of Cosanti.
Crafting the Desert’s Signature Sound at Cosanti Originals
Slimeatory’s bright Gilbert storefront, where DIY slime culture comes to life for creators of every age. Photo courtesy of Slimeatory.
Gilbert’s Slime Bar That Kids (and Adults) Are Obsessing Over
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The Family Bear Cabin is a beloved Mt. Lemmon Hotel hideaway — a cozy, pet-friendly retreat that sleeps up to eight and sits right along the plowed winter road. Photo courtesy of Mt. Lemmon Hotel.
The Mt. Lemmon Hotel Hideaway Locals Book First (Sorry, Tourists)
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Cozy, pine-wrapped, and boasting an unexpected pop-culture pedigree, this Flagstaff A-frame brings moody mountain charm to every stay. Photo courtesy of @AFrameFlagstaff on Instagram.
Flagstaff’s A-Frame With a Pop-Culture Past
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Sunlit moments at Desert Mirage, home to one very charming herd. Photo courtesy of Desert Mirage Alpaca Ranch.
Where Arizona’s Desert Turns Surprisingly Soft
A lively moment outside Breakfast Bitch, the downtown Phoenix hotspot known for its playful brunch energy and unforgettable birthday celebrations. Photo courtesy of Breakfast Bitch.
Birthday Shenanigans Hit Peak Level at Breakfast Bitch
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When your angles are this good, every day is a photoshoot. Photo courtesy of Better Piggies Rescue.
The 2026 Piggy Calendar Serving Full Sanctuary Chic
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Sir James Galway’s gold and diamond-encrusted flute — a shining symbol of virtuosity and one of the star pieces featured in The Magical Flute exhibition. Photo courtesy of the Musical Instrument Museum.
MIM’s Magical Flute Exhibition Slays Every Note
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Co-owner Maynard James Keenan brings his signature blend of art, music, and mischief to Queen B Vinyl Café. Photo by Grace Stufkosky.
Rock, Roast & Rebel: Inside Queen B Vinyl Café
Step inside The Peacock, where vintage elegance meets modern intrigue. Photo courtesy of The Peacock.
Where Velvet Meets Vodka: Scottsdale’s Chicest Hideaway
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Where wellness meets wilderness. Experience Castle Hot Springs, Arizona’s original hidden oasis. Photo courtesy of Castle Hot Springs.
From Gilded Age Glam to Modern-Day Zen
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Room for four, flights through the week, and a landing in the vines—easily one of Arizona’s most unforgettable gifts of the season. Photo courtesy of Western Sky Helicopters and D.A.Ranch.
Fly, Sip, Repeat: D.A.Ranch Launches Arizona’s Luxe Wine Flight
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Once built for miners, now reborn for dreamers — The Little Daisy Jerome turns a century of Arizona history into a new kind of luxury. Photo courtesy of The Little Daisy Jerome.
The Little Daisy Returns: Arizona’s Storied Mansion Reborn

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