Visit the Scenic American Southwest

The southwestern United States is full of landmarks and attractions the whole family will love. Now that spring has sprung and the weather is lovely, why not take a long weekend to explore some of the natural wonders the area has to offer?

Here's a look at some routes to explore, the vehicles to best do it in and some great activities to check out along the way:

The Routes

• Highway 3: Typically when you think of Arizona, you think of cacti and desert landscape, not lush lakes and forests. But that's what you can see when you drive Highway 3, or Lake Mary Road. Start this drive in Phoenix and take the 345-mile round trip along Arizona 87 to Highway 3 and back. There are beautiful lakes, forests, canyons and trails along the way.
• Arizona 79: This drive through the Arizona desert back roads is an alternative to the Interstate 10 route from Phoenix to Tucson. Along the way, you'll see sights from recent history and prehistoric times.
• The Four Corners: From Phoenix, this route is a 525-mile trek that takes you to the four corners of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Plan it right, and you'll not only get to Four Corners but to hotspots in each state along the way.

The Cars

Now that you have an idea of the routes you might want to take, you need to select the right kind of vehicle. This depends on what you'll be doing and how many passengers will be traveling with you.

• RV: If you're bringing the whole family, consider an RV. It's a living room on wheels, and it reduces hotel lodging costs.
• SUV: If the RV life isn't for you, an SUV is your next best option. There will be plenty of room to store your gear in an SUV, and models like the Jeep Wrangler are also ideal for those who plan to go off-roading into the desert.
• Sedan: If your drive is mostly paved and you aren't planning on traveling with a lot of occupants or supplies, a sedan is your best bet for saving on fuel. Better yet, Phoenix Volkswagen is currently hosting a "Springtober Fest" on fuel-efficient VW models.

The Activities

There are many sights and activities you won't want to miss out on along your trek. These include:

• Camping and hiking: Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon have an array of camping sites and hiking trails. Use care when hiking the Grand Canyon trails, however; due to the difficulty level and changing climates, only experienced hikers should attempt these.
• Monument Valley: This iconic drive features the beautiful terrain and mesas traveled by Thelma and Louise and John Wayne. Take a joy ride on it yourself.
• Flagstaff: Not only is Flagstaff a neat little college town, but its mountain peak is open to skiers and snow boarders in winter. You can often catch a glimpse of real snow decorating the mountain top. On a clear day, you can even see the Grand Canyon from the top.
• Mesa Verde National Park: Guided tours are offered for those interested in viewing some of the 4,000-plus Pueblo archaeological sites and 600+ cliff dwellings in southwestern Colorado.