3 Days in Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a small mountain town in the northern portion of Arizona (an area loaded with history and natural wonders). Many tourists stay here for a few nights while visiting the Grand Canyon. It’s a great base due to the convenient distance (1.5 hours to the canyon) and many amenities in town. I lived here for several years and recommend also planning a separate trip to enjoy the breathtaking hiking trails and local charm of the downtown. It’s also a college town (home to Northern Arizona University) and a popular vacation destination for outdoor lovers.

Being located within the heart of the state’s largest mountain range (the San Francisco Peaks) makes this beautiful city a prime destination for outdoor activity and photography. Summer is a popular time for Phoenix locals to escape the heat for cool hiking in the mountains, local al fresco dining, and simply enjoying nature in a beautiful pine setting.

Note: this is more of a summer edition as this city can get pretty cold in the winter, not to mention blizzards are common. There is so much to do here in all seasons that I wanted to focus on just summer activities for this guide. I will be publishing a winter guide soon. Also, I will be writing separate itineraries for the Grand Canyon and Sedona as there really is not enough time to see everything in 3 days. Flagstaff, alone, offers enough to keep you busy for years (and I never got tired of exploring during my time here).

Before your trip

Book a cabin rental in Kachina Village. It’s a really beautiful area just a few miles from the city. A cozy cabin rental as opposed to a standard chain hotel just fits in better with the natural vibe of the region. Kachina is much quieter and less commercilized than the rest of the region.

I lived in this gorgeous area for several years and enjoyed the peaceful pine scenery (the city is located within the largest ponderosa pine forest in the beautiful Coconino National Forest). Kachina is just minutes from the start of Oak Creek Canyon Drive (a scenic road which leads you to the red rocks in Sedona) and just minutes from the tourist scene in Flagstaff.

This mountain oasis is located at 7000 feet so pretty high up. You will want to look up some tips to prevent altitude sickness before arriving so you don’t feel sick your entire trip. Drinking extra water and eating more carbs can help. It would stink to get to such a gorgeous area and have to lay down in your hotel all day! Unfortunately, I’ve had visiting family members not be able to do much as a result of this common ailment. For the purpose of this guide, I’ve kept the hiking to a minimal level.

Day 1: Exploring downtown Flagstaff

2pm: Check into your cabin rental. You can find rentals on sites like Vrbo. Pictured here is our house we rented for a few years. I loved the woodsy theme and the beautiful deck surrounded by ponderosa pines. It was so peaceful all year, but we could still get into town easily to enjoy the amenities. We were minutes away (walking distance) to a beautiful trailhead at the Pumphouse Wash nature area and just a short drive from Fort Tuthill Park (a 4 season recreation playground) and Oak Creek Canyon drive which leads into Sedona.

3pm: If you have the time, take a quick walk around Pumphouse Wash or take a quick drive over to Ft. Tuthill. Either choice is beautiful. A large portion of the Flagstaff Urban Trail system runs through Tuthill. I love this park for walking and biking. The trails are pretty flat and you can’t beat the pine scenery.

4pm: Head downtown for a late lunch and shopping. The very active downtown (the tourists love it!) is about a half hour drive from Kachina. There is a beautiful Main Street with lots of independent cafes and coffeeshops. Tourists love Lumberyard Brewing and Beaver Street Brewery (both are casual pubs where you can enjoy drinks and comfort food). I also like Karma Sushi and Charly’s at the Weatherford.

Charly’s is located in the most historic hotel in town (the Weatherford, est in 1898) and they also offer a nice summer patio. I always take advantage of dining outside during the summer season. The temps barely ever top the mid 80’s here, so al fresco dining is wonderful. I recommend going with the delicious Fry Bread, a traditional & delicious Native American dish. Note: I also love their macaroni and cheese!

4pm: Get cozy in one of the local coffeehouses. There are a number of great choices to choose amongst. My personal favorite is Late for the Train. The setting is so cozy and local and I absolutely love their Americanos. If you have a sweet tooth, their mochas are pretty awesome too. Relax a bit and enjoy one of the best cups of Joe in town. This town has an awesome indie coffeehouse scene. I love the laid-back eclectic vibe of all the coffeeshops especially this one. Tourists usually head over to Macy’s, although I find the coffee too burnt here (on a side note: their vegetarian food menu is awesome!).

5pm: Explore the various shops. You will find everything from crystal shops to mountain goods stores where you can pick up a new hiking stick and other outdoor supplies. I also recommend a browse through Old Town Shops. You can find some local shops in here selling everything from T-shirts to handmade soaps. I have found lots of quirky gifts over the years.

6pm: Stop by Rendezvous at the historic Monte Vista for a cocktail. This is a beautiful wine/coffee bar inside the historic Monte Vista Hotel, est. in 1927. As someone who loves investigating the paranormal, I have visited this place on more than one occasion. Many ghost hunting groups investigate the property and supposedly many guests (even celebs like John Wayne!) see a resident bellboy ghost in Room 305 (I get 1408 with John Cusack vibes!). Definitely check out the history of the hotel (both on their website and via the photos in the lobby).

As for drinks, they offer a wide range of drinks and a few light bites. It’s a beautiful space with a nice dark interior and a welcoming vibe. Side note: they serve coffee in the morning (I love the ambiance!).

7pm: Enjoy authentic award winning Mexican food on Rt. 66. Just minutes from downtown, you will find the best Mexican restaurant in the state. Salsa Brava is an awesome long-running local gem which Guy Fieri visited on his popular Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives program. This Rt 66 staple serves the best food in a colorful dining room. Guy loved the Stuffed Sopapilla and the Navajo taco. Mike loved the Stuffed Chicken Sopaipilla, but we also love the fajitas and burritos! If you are a fan of Rt 66 memorabilia, you will have a field day in this area. I actually wrote a guide about some of my favorite roadside attractions in the region.

Day 2: Hiking & getting back to nature at Arizona Snowbowl

Snowbowl is the state’s largest ski resort. It draws A LOT of traffic each winter as Phoenix locals come up in droves to ski and play in the snow. I get a kick out of all the funny and creative “Don’t stop to play in the snow” highway signs. I love snowshoeing here in the winter, but I love hiking here in the summer even more!

7am: Get up early and head over to The Toasted Owl for an amazing local breakfast before driving up Snowbowl Road. If you prefer just coffee, Firecreek is another nice choice on your route. However, I recommend fueling up with more than just coffee before any outdoor activity.

One of my favorites is The Toasted Owl. The decor is so cute and I love their creative breakfast menu. Their tacos are pretty awesome and I love their rich coffee and the cute mugs they serve it in. A nice hearty breakfast will help with any possible altitude sickness which is common in areas located above 7000 ft.

9am: Drive up beautiful Snowbowl Road (really this drive is an attraction in and of itself) and enjoy the fresh air and pines. If you are coming from Phoenix, the scenery and cooler temps should be a real treat. The altitude at the base of Snowbowl is above 8000 feet so it stays cooler here even in the summer months. Sometimes, I even bring with a light jacket. The only thing you need to be careful with this time of year is summer monsoons which can be pretty intense. I recommend checking the forecast in advance, although all too many times I’ve gotten caught in random storms as they can come on quickly.

I recommend starting with an easier shorter trail if you are not used to hiking at high altitude. My first timer’s pick would be the ~2 mile Aspen Nature Loop. Please don’t start with the trek up Humphreys Peak – the tallest peak in the state (this is only for avid hikers). Aspen is my favorite trail in town – for moderate effort, you get to stroll through pretty aspen groves and enjoy terrific wide open mountain vistas.

11am: Explore “the coolest place in Arizona.” After working up a small sweat, head over to the ski lift for their summer gondola rides. This is something unique to do after the winter snowmelt. The scenery consists of mainly views of the ponderosa pine forests but there are a few decent mountain vistas. This is also a great activity choice for anyone not up for hiking. There is a great overview from the “highest point in Arizona” where you can take some pictures.

At the top, you can take some cool pictures with the mountains in the background. You can also use “the highest toilet in the state.” 

1:00: Enjoy lunch at the best Indian restaurant in the state. Soon after moving here, I found out about this local gem called Delhi Palace and it’s top notch all the way. It’s the best Indian food I’ve ever tasted. I am a bit disappointed that they ended their popular lunch buffet, but the food is decent enough to warrant a visit. I really love their veggie korma, saag paneer, veggie pakoras, and vegetable soup. It’s a nice filing place to enjoy lunch after a long day enjoying the great outdoors. I would say I probably ate at this place at least twice a week – it’s that good!

3:00: Enjoy history & scenic views on the Wupatki Sunset Crater Scenic Drive. This is a really scenic 34 mile drive which connects 2 of the seven wonders surrounding the city. I love that you get admission to 2 national monuments, so you can save a few bucks.

Wupatki allows you to explore the ruins of one of the best preserved pueblos (it’s 900 years old, so still in amazing condition considering the age). At Sunset Crater, you can explore the ruins of an old volcano which last erupted in 1085 AD. The drive is really spectacular and really worth it even if you are not interested in visiting either of these parks.

During the late summer months (typically August), definitely stop at Bonito Meadow for some great pictures of the San Francisco Peaks. I always see families and couples setting up photo shoots here. Fortunately, living here has its’ benefits, so we could easily plan crowd-free photos.

Alternative: Pick another fabulous hiking trail. I added the scenic drive instead of another hike because I figured first time visitors would be tired from hiking at high altitude. If you are up for more adventure, there are endless miles of beautiful trails within the ponderosa forest to explore. Take a look at my recommend hikes guide for starters. Below, I’ve shown 2 moderately easy options (Fat Man’s Loop near the mall at Veit Springs located about halfway up Snowbowl Rd.).

6:00pm: Enjoy some comfort food. There are a lot of great local restaurants to support in this town. One fun place I recommend for tourists is Oregano’s. This is a really fun Arizona chain which serves Chicago style pizza. The ambiance is really colorful and they actually serve really great food.

I would definitely start with the Boom Dip (spinach artichoke) and then treat yourself to the endless marinara pasta to refuel from all the hiking and exploring. As I mentioned earlier, extra carbs are supposed to help with the effects of altitude sickness.

8:00pm: Enjoy the starry night skies. Kick back at your rental with a glass of wine or cup of coffee. Flagstaff is an amazing stargazing city and this area features low light pollution (it’s one of the international dark skies cities).

Day 3: Is it time to leave already? Checking out the city’s best park.

Let’s hope you have more than a weekend to explore, but if you have to leave, don’t worry you can always come back. In fact, I recommend several trips to fully experience the beauty of the area (plus there are so many incredible daytrips if history and scenic beauty is your thing). If you want to stay close to town, I recommend a stroll around Buffalo Park. Stop at a local roaster on the way (Kickstand is a nice cozy choice where you can enjoy a quality mocha). 

Buffalo is a beautiful park near downtown featuring amazing views of the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Elden. You will find a 2 mile walking path which is mostly flat with the exception of one hill. It’s a gorgeous place to enjoy the mountain scenery without going all out. There are some fun fitness stations here too if you want to take up your fitness a notch

If you have more time, definitely consider a drive down Oak Creek Canyon. It’s one of the most scenic roads I’ve ever driven on. Conveniently, it begins just minutes from Kachina Village. It’s a lengthy slow 14 mile journey with lots to do along the course. You will start in the tall green pines in Kachina and end in Sedona’s Red Rock Country. You need at least a half day to enjoy all the amenities. Don’t plan this unless you can commit a few hours.

Start your day off with breakfast at Indian Gardens, where you can enjoy the most delicious pastries, espresso drinks, and hand crafted & unique breakfast entrees. As you begin driving again, you will find lots of places to get out and take photos of the red rocks. There would be way too much to list here, so I will leave you will my drive guide for a full overview of attractions to check out.

If you are up for a stroll, consider hiking the West Fork (a 3 mile trail with 13 creek crossings). Your drive ends in Sedona, so it’s up to you if you want to stay and hike and enjoy more beautiful scenery. Of course, I recommend a separate trip to Sedona as it’s a gorgeous area with so much to do that can’t be seen in a single day. My red rock weekend itinerary will be coming soon, so check back for updates.

While I would rank Flagstaff as the top vacation destination in the state, there are too many worthwhile attractions that I suggest checking off your bucket list while you are here. Take a look at my Arizona Travel Guide for some ideas.