10 Worthwhile Northern Arizona Attractions & 10 to Skip!
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Additional fun things to do in the area…
*Plan a day trip to Page. A bit of a drive (2 hours), however, Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photo worthy sights in the Southwest. The unique 270 degree curve the Colorado River formed truly is spellbinding. Combine with other area activities like a Lake Powell boat tour to justify the trip.
*Explore unique Route 66 memorabilia in downtown Williams and elsewhere. Most notably, the town is the last town bypassed by I-40. There are so many great Rt 66 attractions in this part of the state including Standin’ on a Corner Park (featured in the Eagles classic Take It Easy). Check out my Rt 66 guide for more details.
*Hike the beautiful Bismark Lake Trail, a peaceful wooded trail featuring serene views of the forest and mountains. This is an overlooked trail which is quite beautiful.
*Enjoy a wine tasting in downtown Cottonwood. Old Town Cottonwood, a quaint dining and shopping district, is home to a number of wine tasting rooms.
*Hike gorgeous Thumb Butte in the Prescott National Forest. Prescott, like Flagstaff, is another great place to hike within beautiful natural surroundings. This short, steep hike rewards with amazing overlooks.
*Try out a new coffee shop in Flagstaff. There are almost too many great local choices to consider! I spent so many weekend mornings enjoying an americano or mocha in a cozy coffeehouse before exploring natural wonders. I recommend Late for the Train, Kickstand, Rendezvous at the Monte Vista, or White Dove.
*Explore Sunset Crater, a volcano which erupted 900 years ago. There is a great little trail here called the Lava flow trail where you can explore the ruins.
And of course…Explore the beautiful South Rim of the Canyon! If you are up for a monster challenge (and it is), definitely hike the South Kaibab trail. This is one of my best hiking experiences to date. So amazing to explore the Canyon away from all the crowds!
Here are a few touristy attractions I recommend skipping. If your trip is limited, you will definitely want to concentrate on the above mentioned attractions instead. These attractions listed here are not necessarily bad, rather there is just so much to do in this area you don’t want to waste precious time.
1. The Grand Canyon Railway
While the Grand Canyon is definitely worthy of a visit, the popular Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, as a means of convenient transportation, is not the best value. First of all, the views are not all that impressive, consisting mainly of barren high desert. So if you are thinking that you are going to kick back and relax in the train, while enjoying the views from a comfy seat instead of the driver’s seat, you will be sorely disappointed.
Second, pricing is quite high. The most economical car is $70+ per adult, way more than you would pay in gas. Save your money for a nice lunch out. And, this package does not include any perks besides entry to the Grand Canyon ($35).
Third, your time at the canyon is severely limited when you take the railway. You will have roughly 3 hours, definitely not enough time to explore all the South Rim has to offer. Driving yourself is a much more relaxing experience as you will have no time limit. Thus, you can explore the natural wonder at your own leisure, leaving when you say so! On the other hand, if you love trains, the splurge may be worth it. We traveled with some family members who loved trains and they had a great experience, so it’s up to you.
2. The Arboretum at Flagstaff
Flagstaff’s Arboretum is a pretty big disappointment: offering views no different than those that can be experienced around town on various hiking trails. Honestly, you can enjoy a free hike in the wilderness surrounding the city, all while taking in more picturesque views.
I can see how residents from areas like Phoenix and Tucson would be excited to see lots of pine trees. However, there are better places that will cost you nothing. Sometimes you just need to know where to go! From easy options like the Aspen Nature Loop, Fort Tuthill, and Veit Springs to intense adventures like Humphrey’s Peak, you will have no shortage of gorgeous trails that take you through the beautiful diverse landscapes in the area.
I recommend observing the area’s diverse plant life in its’ natural setting, rather than at a planned arboretum. The only exception I would make is for some of their events which are quite good (they offer bird and wildflower walks). I recommend this arboretum more for birdwatchers and plant connoisseurs rather than hikers.
Views at the Flagstaff Arboretum…
Versus views on a hiking trail…
3. Snowbowl/Nordic Center
Being one of only 3 downhill skiing areas in the state, and easily accessible via Phoenix, it comes at no surprise that this ski resort is completely packed the entire winter season. Backed up traffic can be expected nearly every weekend (I’ve sat in the long line more times than I can count). A several hour traffic jam is not an unusual event. Because it is the only ski resort in the region, rates are inflated.
A wiser alternative is to rent a cheap pair of snowshoes or skis and explore the wilderness at your own leisure. A quieter experience, no time limit, and saving money are a few of the perk you will experience by taking this route as opposed to Snowbowl. Sounds like a great trade off to me! You can rent equipment at local sports goods stores like Babbitts.
While the Nordic Center is pretty nice, offering 25+ miles of groomed trails through the beautiful ponderosa pine forest, it can get pricey. Trails vary in intensity from super easy to advanced, making it an exciting experience both for new skiers and regulars. However, a day out for 2 can cost as more than 80 bucks.
I’ve skied here a few times and had a great experience, but it’s too pricey to use regularly. I prefer hitting the trails myself. I recommend instead renting equipment and taking advantage of the beautiful nature surrounding the city. The Flagstaff Urban Trail System offers a number of flat trails which are great for winter recreation. Check out Buffalo Park or Fort Tuthill for the best conditions and views in town.
4. Pink Jeep Tours
Pink Jeep Tours, an immensely popular tour company seen all over the region, offers visitors the chance to explore the diverse landscapes of this unique area of the country. On any given day in Sedona, you are bound to see at least a dozen of these out and about. It’s rare to hike a popular trail and not see the iconic pink color at some point.
Although a nice relaxing tour ride is a tempting idea on vacation, I recommend getting out there and exploring a trail for yourself. Really, why pass up a great workout and rejuvenating experience in nature? Hiking to a summit yourself, instead of a jeep doing all the work, is much more exhilarating and memorable.
Many of the Jeep tours follow the same route as you would on a hiking trail. In fact, when you hike certain trails like Little Horse, you will probably see a Jeep as the tours run parallel to the trails. It’s a much more rewarding experience to reach the summit of a hike with your own 2 feet. This way you can take your time exploring the beautiful plant life, take as many beautiful red rock photos as you want, and look out for wildlife, all while being in total control and not having anyone rush the experience. Simply being out in nature for an extended period of time in such a gorgeous, unique area of the country is perhaps the biggest benefit of all. Of course, the tours are a great alternative for those unable to hike to still enjoy the scenery.
I remember reaching the summit of Little Horse and looking over to my right and seeing the Pink Jeep. Not sure why anyone would pay for a tour when the hike did not cost a dime. I got in an amazing workout, took fantastic pictures, and was able to relax and recharge in the beautiful natural surroundings of Sedona’s red rocks without spending anything! Plus, I felt more accomplished as I had to do all the work by myself (in the hot sun too!).
In short, skip the tours and experience the rustic adventure of exploring red rock country. After all, the hike itself, rather than the ending view, is the real reward!
5. Lowell Observatory
The Lowell Observatory is most famous for being home to Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto in 1930. A visit to this small observatory isn’t necessarily a bad experience, however, just not worth the steep admission price. Basilly, I would not put it tops on your bucket list. In a town with so many budget friendly natural areas to explore, there is no reason to spend a lot of money. Save the observatories for big city trips.
While the presentations are informative and the grounds beautifully landscaped, the exhibits are a bit lacking. Lowell is an excellent place to stargaze. Flagstaff, “the world’s first international dark skies city,” is one of the world’s best places for stargazing.
I’ll admit, the drive up to the observatory offers some nice views of the mountains.
The annual Flagstaff Festival of Science, is a free 10 day event featuring guided stargazing hikes, telescope viewings, and presentations. In particular, the 3 day star party in Buffalo Park is an event to add to your calendar. This festival is pretty spectacular if you happen to be visiting this time of year. If you want to enjoy the night skies on your own time, just visit Buffalo park. This wide open stretch of land in the desert really is one of the top spots in the world for stargazing.
6. Orpheum Theater
The Orpheum Theater, a historic theater built by John Weatherford in 1911, is a popular entertainment venue. During the year, the theater hosts various events including concerts, movies, comedy acts, and various stage productions.
After attending a winter movie screening here, I would never recommend this venue to anyone. Asides from the disorganization, there was no heat on inside during the dead of winter. The entire audience looked like a scene out on the slopes. Everyone was shivering with hats, gloves, and scarves on…a bit ridiculous if you ask me.
7. Little America Holiday Brunch Buffets
For some reason, the holiday brunches at Flagstaffs Little America hotel are immensely popular, so much so that we waited 3 hours for their Thanksgiving buffet one year. No reservations are accepted, so you must simply wait based on your arrival time. One would think after such a wait, the food, service, and presentation would be outstanding. Not the case – the food selection was limited, bland, and dried out, service was mediocre, and a general lack of cleanliness was apparent.
Lesson learned: save the buffets for a Vegas trip and make our own holiday dinners. Little America does have one thing going for it – their beautiful (and free) holiday light display. Over a million lights cover the heavily forested grounds. This is one of my favorite holiday events in Arizona – I definitely recommend checking it out.
8. Flagstaff Mall
Flagstaff’s mediocre shopping destination is definitely one for the skip list. With a lack of interesting stores or restaurants, and no movie theater or any entertainment, there really is no reason to spend the day shopping here. If you want you a nice shopping center, drive to Phoenix. Here you are sure to be bombarded in every direction with top end shopping and dining complexes. Let’s just say you will have more than enough options to keep you busy all day.
9. Twin Arrows Casino
For some reason, I just do not like this casino. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, the lack of quality restaurants, or the fact that the poker room is in the middle of the casino floor, however, it’s one that I would definitely skip. The only reason to possibly visit Twin Arrows in my opinion would be for a dinner experience Zenith Steakhouse, the one shining gem in this lackluster space. Disappointing as the only AAA Four Diamond casino in Arizona. Let’s just say, Vegas is only 4 hours away!
10. Most Flagstaff Events
Sadly, Flagstaff is not the town to visit if you are looking for fantastic events. Aside from a few decent options (Summer Movies on the Square, Art Walks, Farmer’s Market and Art Fairs), the majority of the events are quite boring and overpriced, mostly catered to tourists as opposed to locals, and typically consist of paying a lot of money simply to stand around.
Cornucopia was perhaps one of the worst of all: what could have been a festive fall/Halloween event was a drab affair with virtually no fall decor or ambiance and not a pumpkin in sight! After visiting too many to count fantastic fall events and fairs on the East Coast, I have to say this was a real bummer.
Other attractions/events to skip (if you are limited on time)
Montezuma Castle – While this 800+ year old cliff dwelling is interesting, I wouldn’t put it tops on your list. Another area where you can also see ancient cliff dwellings, and also incredible views, is Walnut Canyon National Monument. This beautiful recreational and historical hotspot is definitely more worthy of your time and money.
Halloween Harvest – This annual Halloween event, held in downtown Flagstaff, was a real disappointment. First off, there was not much going on. Second, it was catered only to children. Adults like Halloween too! Being used to the fun seasonal events in the East, the Halloween season in general was a real disappointment here. Sadly, the city offers a lack of haunted houses, hayrides, corn mazes, and the other usual fun seasonal events.
New Year’s Eve Pine cone drop at the Weatherford – Every year the Weatherford hotel in downtown Flagstaff holds a Times Square-ish celebration where a giant pine cone is dropped in replace of the crystal ball. As this is one of the most crowded events of the year, it’s an easy skip! Not worth the hassle of finding a parking spot, pushing through crowds, and attempting to find an empty restaurant seat! Stay at home and play board games or watch the real ball drop!
