101 Things to do in Northern Arizona
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.
31. Explore a 900 year old apartment building
Montezuma Castle is a 900 year old ancient apartment-like dwelling which was estimated to have been built by the Sinagua tribes between 1100 and 1300 AD. The massive structure is 5 stories high and composed of 20 rooms. Seeing this unique site is worthy of the 20 minute drive outside of Sedona, considering it is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the country.
It’s amazing the amount of effort these ancient tribes put into their daily lives. Today, with so many modern conveniences, we forget how much we take for granted. I wouldn’t necessarily place it near the top of your must-do list, however, a trip to the Montezuma ruins is a great add-on activity when you tire of hiking.
32. Take a creekside stroll along the Templeton trail
The Templeton, one of Sedona’s easier trails, is often overlooked in favor of the adjacent Cathedral Rock trail, a hike which is very popular with tourists as it happens to be one of 4 vortex sites. The hike up Cathedral is tough and scary. It is one of the few hikes I didn’t feel comfortable enough to venture all the way up.
Opt instead for a hike along the quieter & more scenic Templeton which offers relaxing views of the creek and amazing red rock views without tremendous effort required. Despite Sedona being home to the gorgeous perennial Oak Creek, there are not a lot of trails which actually travel along the creek: Templeton is one of the few.
33. Stroll amongst towering pines & aspens along the Kachina Trail
The Kachina Trail at Snowbowl is another fantastic leaf peeping hike in Flagstaff. Like the Aspen Nature Loop, this trail is also high altitude (8000-9000 ft) and loaded with beautiful aspens which shine gold in October. With a mix of pines and aspens, the setting truly is picture-perfect anytime of year, although nothing beats seeing the mesmerizing fall color. Because it’s a dense forest and located so high up, it remains about 10-15 degrees cooler up here, so it’s a nice escape when it’s too hot in town.
Despite Flagstaff being much cooler than Phoenix, the sun is very intense at high altitude so it can feel a lot hotter than the official temp says, especially when you are in direct sunlight. The whole out-and-back trek along the Kachina Trail is over 5 miles, however, you can simply go out to your comfort level (in my opinion, about a mile in is the perfect distance to see some leafy fall scenery). Winter snowshoeing is also a blast here as the trail is relatively flat and the pines are just gorgeous when dusted with fresh snow.
34. Ride an old-fashioned train to the Grand Canyon
Small town Williams, located just 30 minutes west of Flagstaff, has a year-round population of just 3000, however, on any given summer day it appears to be a thriving tourist town. Williams is just an hour away from one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and thus, has been appropriately nicknamed “the gateway to the Grand Canyon.”
The Grand Canyon Railway draws in millions of tourists to this tiny town each year as a convenient car free means of transportation to the 8th world wonder. While letting someone else do the driving and parking is a stress-free way to travel to the Canyon, the trade off is the limited amount of time you actually get to explore. It’s up to you as to whether or not you are willing to sacrifice time at the canyon in exchange for a convenient ride. I thought the scenery was just okay, however, took the ride with visiting family members. I loved the live entertainment though!
35. Enjoy the local coffee scene
Despite being a small community of under 100,000 year-round residents, Flagstaff boasts a number of surprisingly good local coffeehouses. No need to resort to a Starbucks here! Independent coffee shops can be found scattered around the small town, and are especially concentrated in the historic downtown area. Almost every weekend, I enjoyed a cup of local joe in a cozy setting before hitting the trails. A few of my favorites sadly closed while living here.
The best local roaster is Late for the Train, which is located downtown. They specialize in dark roast coffee that is both smooth and delicious without the gross burnt aftertaste that is customary at the big chains. Their dark skies mocha is the most delicious tasting concoction around.
Here are a few of my favorite coffeehouses to try in Flagstaff.
36. Grab your snowshoes and head up to Snowbowl*
Snowshoeing the high altitude trails of Arizona Snowbowl is a must during Flagstaff’s snowy winter season. First of all, Flagstaff is one of the snowiest cities in the US. Quite the difference compared to the dry, warm winter climate common throughout Phoenix & Tucson! 2nd, there are plenty of high altitude trails which are pretty much covered with snow the majority of the winter season. And third, snowshoeing is a fantastic workout! I bought my own pair soon after living here. They came in handy after a massive storm which dropped almost 3 ft (one of the biggest ever).
Thankfully, the trails remain pretty deserted as most everyone heads to Snowbowl for downhill skiing at one of the state’s only skiing resorts. The 2 easiest trails to snowshoe (and most scenic) are Aspen Nature Loop and Veit Springs. If you do not have your own pair, you can easily rent some for under 20 bucks at any sports outfitter in the area (Ski Haus is a good choice as it’s right next door to a great little coffee shop called Kickstand).
37. Spend the day kayaking on Lynx Lake
Kayaking is such a fun and healthy summer activity, especially when you are out on a picturesque lake like Lynx in Prescott. While Arizona is most often thought of as a dry barren state, there are actually a number of really nice man made lakes including 3 in Prescott alone. Lynx is by far the most scenic as it is surrounded by pretty ponderosa pine trees. I love coming here in the summer just to get a break from endless hiking in Flagstaff.
Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, stand up paddleboards, and paddleboats are all available for rental, however, you must bring your own or get here early as this is one popular lake and rentals go fast! Phoenix residents tend to frequent the high country regularly to enjoy the milder summer weather, and thus, the small lake sees consistent traffic. For those not into boating, there is a gorgeous nature trail which winds its’ way around the lake and through the pretty pine forests.
38. Stroll, shop, & enjoy patio dining at the Village of Tlaquepaque
Sedona’s gorgeous southwestern themed dining/shopping complex is the perfect place to unwind after a long day exploring the trails. This one is a bit quainter and more upscale than the Uptown area, although you will not find the big red rock views here. The beautiful outdoor market features cobblestone walkways, decorative fountains, beautiful sycamore trees, and old style Mexican architecture.
Lots of great restaurants with outdoor patios to take advantage of Sedona’s many months of near perfect mild weather. A bit touristy in nature, but good for anyone looking for a laid-back “fun” meal. The Secret Garden Cafe offers delicious food in a really pretty outdoor setting. Try their hummus pizza: it’s fantastic! You will also find a number of specialty shops, art galleries, and great events throughout the year (the village looks amazing at Christmas!).
39. See the only McDonald’s with a turquoise arch
If you are interested in exploring offbeat places in Arizona, you will definitely want to check out the McDonald’s on Hwy 89 in Sedona. While McDonald’s is most recognized for its’ iconic yellow arches, you will notice peculiar bluish green arches in favor of the traditional golden hue at this unique location. When the McDonald’s was originally built in 1993, it was on the condition that the arches blend into the natural surroundings. It’s kind of funny that they were made this color to blend in with the environment, but they ended up standing out as we associate gold so strongly with the brand.
Unfortunately, the town has long since expanded to include many businesses and is quickly becoming a thriving tourist hotspot with much of the charm beginning to fade. While I am no fan of McDonald’s (or any other fast food joint for the matter), it is pretty to cool to take your photo next to the only McDonald’s missing the trademark golden arches.
40. Take in the starry skies of the 1st International Dark Skies City
Flagstaff is known to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing. It is officially known as the First International Dark Skies City. With clear skies the majority of the year, low light pollution, plenty of open land, and a dedication to science & astronomy related events, there is always a telescope viewing event around the corner. Or better yet, a quiet park to take in the starry night skies all to yourself.
Buffalo Park is one of the most scenic places for a quiet night of stargazing. The road to the Lowell Observatory is another great choice. Or, enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Sunset Crater-Wupatki Scenic Drive. Additionally, the city hosts a number of public viewing events during the annual 2 week long Festival of Science event each fall.
