According to Today.com, the best place to visit in the United States this summer is Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. As many families start to plan their summer getaway to the most popular vacation destination, one of the nation’s greatest hidden gems, also located in Arizona, awaits in its beautiful splendor.
The city of Lake Havasu offers an abundance of summer activities that would delight every member of the family. From boating, off-roading, hiking, shopping, galleries and historic attractions such as the famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu can be your family’s next summer adventure.
Approaching the 45 mile-long lake, you are truly taken a-back by nature’s beauty. The lake serves as a reservoir that supplies water to the Colorado River Aqueduct and Central Arizona Project, according to watereducation.org. Standing at the cliffs and peering over at the lake’s entirety, lighthouses can be seen surrounding the edges of the lake.
According to the Visitor Information Center, Lake Havasu City is home to more replica lighthouses than any other city in the country. The local Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club builds, installs and maintains all 27 of Lake Havasu’s lighthouses. The lighthouses are replicas of different lighthouses throughout the country including the Pigeon Point Lighthouse of California, Buffalo Main Lighthouse of New York, Grays Harbor Lighthouse of Washington and so many others. According to the visitor’s center, only 13 are accessible by land, but in order to see the other 11, you have to venture out and explore by watercraft or boat tour.
Driving down the lake’s coast toward McCulloch Blvd N, a noble granite bridge will appear sitting over the water, the historically famous London Bridge.
Once residing over the River Thames in London, England, London Bridge is now settled over the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu, Arizona.
The bridge was originally built by Peter of Colechurch between 1176 and 1209. The original bridge has been built and rebuilt several times since its inception in order to accommodate for more traffic, accommodate for different tactical purposes and ultimately have a better sound structure. Famously during the period of 1305 and 1660, the severed heads of traitors would be displayed on spikes of the bridge for all of residents and travelers to see. One of its final reconstructions in 1831 had not been designed to withstand the impact of 20th century traffic, so by 1924, the east side of the bridge was some three to four inches lower than the west side. In 1967, London placed the bridge on the market and Lake Havasu City founder Robert R. McCulloch personally purchased the bridge for $2,460,000, according to a report by the New York Times.
Then began the challenge of bringing the nearly 900 feet structure 5,400 miles over to Lake Havasu, Arizona. Each block of the bridge was numbered before it was disassembled in order to piece together the bridge again block by block in Arizona. According to the Visitor Information Center, The blocks were then shipped overseas through the Panama Canal to California and trucked from Long Beach to Arizona, where the bridge was rededicated in a ceremony on October 10, 1971. Including the expense for relocation and reassembly, the total cost of the bridge was $5.1 million.
The serene view of which the London Bridge now resides can be witnessed from your very own palm, by viewing the live webcam footage that captures the true beauty of the bridge and the Inland District of Lake Havasu.
The famous London Bridge is just one of the many English artifacts and sight attractions to see in Lake Havasu; among others is the Entrance Gate of the English Village, which was a part of the Witley Court for the Earl of Dudley in the 19th century in Worcester, England.
Dubbed as ‘Arizona’s Playground,” Lake Havasu is a pleasant mixture of lake and desert bliss. With the ambience of a beach town, the city and its visitors truly embrace the summer wonderland atmosphere and partake in the exciting and also relaxing water activities.
Visitors can rent several different water craft vehicles to take out onto the cooling refreshing water such as: jet boat, pontoon boat, ski/wakeboard boat, canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard. There are public marinas and launch ramps to easily ease your boat into the water.
After hitting the water, the lake is lined with soft level beach sand easily to be turned into the perfect camp set-up. Pet owners can bring their fury friends to two of the designated beach locations. Two of the beach locations are also set up for even more summer activities with volleyball nets, basketball courts, playgrounds and a skate park.
In addition to endless water activities, Lake Havasu is surrounded by 1,800 of off-road trails through varying terrain. The Arizona Peace Trail is a 675-mile trail designed for the ultimate off-roader and there are even designated trails for the motor bike cyclists ready to kick up some dirt. For a more relaxing intake of the dramatic desert mountain skylines, there are also 20 different hiking trials that can be undertaken varying in range of difficulty.
If the water and desert activities weren’t enough, Lake Havasu enhances any visit with its public art, art galleries, parks, public golf courses and incredible night life with downtown restaurant, bars and live entertainment.
A relatively new city, Lake Havasu was purchased and founded by Robert McCulloch, Sr in August of 1963 for 26 square miles. Lake Havasu is a city that is quickly growing in land and in population. In December 1975, just 12 years after its inception, the population was 15,500 and in July 2019 the U.S. Census estimated the population of the town to be 55,865.
Nature lovers, history buffs and adventure seekers will find all that they need to have the best summer vacation in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Don’t miss out on a fun and memorable vacation by visiting one of the “been there done that” destinations, and step into the greatest hidden gem of Arizona, Lake Havasu.
For more information please visit, www.golakehavasu.com/visitors-center.
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