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The sprawling Southwest comprises the states of Arizona, New Mexico, the southwestern region of Colorado, and the southern portion of Utah. This vast area conjures up images of lone cowboys and epic desert landscapes straight from John Wayne movies – and not without good reason. The region may have lost its wild outlaw feel, but the scenery is as breathtaking as ever: auburn buttes, sienna mesas, Saguaro cacti, and spectacular canyons. People come seeking adventure and solitude in the Southwest's national parks and along its scenic highways, but also for a mix of superlative spas, hotels, and art galleries, all of which provide a new type of “frontier” to explore.
To ride a hot air balloon above the New Mexico desert, gape at the Grand Canyon, get your kicks on Route 66, and relax in a Scottsdale spa.