These multi-day Arizona road trips do it all. They take you off the path and they lead you to surprising attractions. We give suggestions for more things than you could ever possibly see and do, but that helps keep itineraries and schedules flexible. After all, isn’t spontaneity what makes road trips so magical?

This weekend jaunt launches from Phoenix and heads northwest to Wickenburg, then west to Salome before dipping south to Yuma and Gila Bend. Get ready for Old museums, historic tours, abandoned ghost towns and ancient petroglyphs.

Phoenix to Wickenburg to Salome

As you depart the big-city bustle of Phoenix heading toward Wickenburg, the road opens up to expanses of blue sky and endless desert. Before you reach Wickenburg, stretch your legs at the Hassayampa River Preserve, a lush, impossibly green riparian preserve known for its dense mesquite bosques and birdwatching. Once in Wickenburg, explore Old West art and the area’s Western heritage at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

Or tour Vulture City, now mostly a ghost town but once the most productive gold mine in Arizona’s. Eat a late lunch of sammies at The Local Press Sandwich or an early dinner of Mexican fare at El Ranchero. Continue on to Salome for the night, stopping to catch the sunset or spot a bald eagle at Alamo Lake.

There’s a lot to see today, so rise early and make your way to Quartzsite. More than just a gas-and-food stop on I-10, Quartzsite has three must-dos: the Quartzsite Museum displays an adobe stage station and showcases the region’s pioneer, while the stone cabins of Joseph Coné offer a peek into the artist’s life. Lastly, Camel Corps at the Quartzsite Cemetery.

On the way to Yuma, a quick detour yields a visit to Castle Dome , a recreated mining town. In Yuma, set aside a few hours to tour the Yuma Territorial Prison place, where some of Arizona’s most famous baddies were held—and possibly still wander. or take a walk through Yuma Wetlands Wildlife Area, a 1,400-acre restoration project along the Colorado River. Hungry? Grab and burger at Yuma’s only craft brewery, Prison Hill Brewing Company; or continue the drive to Dateland for date shakes.

sits at the eastern edge of Phoenix and is worth a visit to take in the breathtaking vistas of the Superstition Mountains. This is who was believed to have hidden caches of gold in the mountains.

Next stop: Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical During the spring, this is the place to see desert wildflowers. More outdoor exploration comes by way of they are 12-mile network of hiking, biking and equestrian trails that snake through Arnett Canyon; pass by the abandoned town of Pinal; connect with the and, end in Queen Creek Canyon.

Keep going toward the twin towns of Globe-Miami that are home to the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological, an ancient village occupied by the Salado people nearly many years ago. In addition to the ruins, the with an impressive display of artifacts and pottery.

Willcox to Sonoita

Another of Arizona’s AVA’s—and its first—is Sonoita. Three mountain ranges surround this wine-growing region and opportunities to sample the grape range from lively tasting rooms in the towns of Sonoita and Elgin to remote wineries tucked away in the countryside.

But before you embark on a day of tasting, and hidden from the public for nearly a decade more, this living limestone cave has Arizona’s tallest natural column and the world’s longest stalactite. You could easily spend a full day here, with its accessible underground tours, aboveground hiking trails and family-friendly activities. If you choose to linger, book one of the for the night.