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.
41. Brunch with a view at the Enchantment Resort
The views at Sedona’s exclusive Enchanted Resort are unparalleled, even in a town where almost every resort offers breathtaking views. The secluded location, as well as top notch amenities and restaurants, make the Enchantment the top lodging choice in town, and thus, it tends to book out months in advance. Even if you cannot score a room, brunch at the Che-Ah-Chi is so worth the drive.
Not only do you get to take in the gorgeous red rock scenery via the floor-to-ceiling windows, but the food and service are also pretty terrific. Be sure to try the Mocha French Toast or one of the delicious skillets! And, their coffee is wonderful too so no need to stop anywhere else!
42. Spend the day relaxing & exploring nature at Fort Tuthill
Fort Tuthill is the park you will find most of the locals at escaping the tourists. The abundance of towering ponderosa pine trees make it a perfect place to escape the brutal sun in the summer months, and also the perfect place to enjoy any winter sports amidst a winter wonderland pine tree setting. The Flagstaff Urban Trail System runs a 4 mile course through the park, so really it’s the perfect distance for any type of recreational activity. I trained here often for my half marathon mostly due to the lovely scenery and lack of heavy tourist traffic. Luckily, I lived just a few miles away so it was super easy to get to during the week.
This woodsy path is perfect half the year for jogging, walking, and biking, while the other half of the year it’s perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing (assuming it’s a good snow season that is!). Other fun recreational amenities include tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, and lots of picnic sites. On top of all this, a variety of events take place throughout the year including the Coconino County Fair and the Flagstaff Pro Rodeo.
43. See where Pluto was discovered
Ever wonder where the largest dwarf planet was discovered? Well, if you visit Flagstaff’s renowned Lowell Observatory, the place where Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930, you will learn all the details about Pluto’s discovery. You will even get to view the telescope used for the discovery.
This discovery is not really surprising as Flagstaff is the world’s first international dark city and puts much effort into remaining a low light pollution community despite ever growing growth & tourism. The observatory hosts public telescope viewing on clear nights and frequently hosts special events. Also, it’s a great place to visit just to enjoy the mountain scenery and starry night skies.
44. Treat yourself to a prickly pear ice cream cone
I never tried anything Prickly pear until moving to Arizona. Now, I’ve basically tried prickly pear everything (lotions, jams, syrup, teas, even kombucha!). Prickly Pear is the perfect base for any treat as the flavor is sweet, but not too overpowering. Plus, this sweet edible desert fruit reportedly has many health benefits, which include lowering blood sugar, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation. Really, you cannot leave the Southwest without trying at least some type of cactus related food!
This delicious dessert fruit is used as a sweet flavoring in various condiments, teas, and other sweet treats. You can pick up specialty cactus products in specialty shops all throughout Sedona. One of the best ways to try the unique prickly pear flavor is in ice cream as the subtle fruity flavor really makes for a perfect base for any creamy treat. The Black Cow, a wonderful local ice cream shop in Uptown Sedona serves decadent homemade ice cream. And their homemade waffle cones are delicious too! Yes, the wait is super long during the summer season, and yes, it’s totally worth the wait!
45. Take in amazing vistas at Mather Point
Mather Point is one of several gorgeous overlooks at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This one is particularity picturesque, plus it tends to draw fewer crowds than more popular lookouts like Yavapai Point. Definitely add a stop at the Mather Point Point overlook to your Grand Canyon itinerary for some fun & free photo mementos to take home with you!
46. Take a stroll around the Heritage Park Zoo
Prescott’s tiny little 8 acre zoo is the only zoo in Northern Arizona. Despite the limited size, it’s worth a visit if you find yourself in town seeking a few add-on activities for the day. Heritage is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to providing rescued animals a safe and clean living environment. This alone makes this cute little zoo worth visiting!
The zoo is just one of many side activities to incorporate into any Prescott day trip and is conveniently located adjacent to Willow Lake, so you can combine both for a fun day out in the beautiful natural surroundings of North Central Arizona. If you are in town for the holidays, they do a nice little Christmas light show which is quite affordable.
47. Explore the regional art scene
This region of the state is thriving in the arts department, a long time haven for photographers, painters, and other creative types. With galleries, art walks, and special art related events happening throughout the year, there is always something to do and see for the arts lover. Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome, and Cottonwood all offer popular monthly art walks. I loved all the local art fairs on any given weekend, especially the ones combined with the farmers markets.
Local shops & galleries which specialize in southwestern style art can be found throughout the region. Flagstaff Art in the Park is a really wonderful event which takes place over 4th of July and Labor Day weekends. All sorts of talented artists including painters, sculptors, jewelers and many more have their masterpieces on display. Live music, a wine garden featuring local products, and an adjacent farmer’s market are also on the lineup.
48. Take a scenic drive up Snowbowl Rd
Snowbowl Rd is the 7 mile drive which leads you up to the state’s best ski resort: Arizona Snowbowl. However, it’s so much more than simply a road to get somewhere. The drive is a worthy attraction in and of itself, especially when the aspens turn color in the fall. Wintertime is also pretty spectacular with fresh snow covering the pines and surrounding mountain ranges. At the top, you can picnic, hike 3 different trails, take a summer chairlift ride at the ski resort, or downhill ski in the winter.
The summit overlook is nothing short of amazing. You will definitely want to pack your camera for this one. Watching a sunset on a winter’s day is one of the most memorable experiences you will have in Arizona. As a trade off for the beauty, the road tends to get backed up and chains are often required after a major storm.
49. Spend the day browsing galleries and sipping on wine in Old Town Cottonwood
Cottonwood is a tiny town in the Verde Valley about 20 minutes outside of Sedona. If you have extra time after exploring a handful of the gorgeous red rock trails in Sedona, a stroll around Old Town is a relaxing addition to your itinerary. The building pictured above is the Old Town Jail which is supposedly haunted. It now operates as a quaint little tea shop, however, you can still take a tour of the old jail cell and view the location where Al Capone carved his name into one of the back walls.
You will find local restaurants, galleries, and lots of wine tasting rooms as it is located on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. You can take a self-guided tour using the map linked below.
50. Watch for wildlife at Kendrick Park
Kendrick Watchable Wildlife Park is just that, a pretty park where you can watch for all sorts of wildlife. This park is a great side trip if you happen to be heading out this way anyways, say to the Grand Canyon or the Arizona Nordic Center as it is directly on the route. Wildlife sightings are pretty common if you set out either early in the morning or near dusk.
Mule deer, antelope, and elk are commonly sighted here. It’s wonderful to see wildlife roaming about in their natural surroundings as opposed to paying for a zoo which is a completely different experience. I have seen more than 15 elk on an evening visit! Drive careful as herds frequently cross the road. There are 2 short trails here which should take no more than a hour to complete. Although summer is the prime time to visit, winter is still a great time as it is more peaceful with almost no tourist traffic. Gorgeous mountain scenery, along with few crowds and plenty of snow make this one of my favorite parks for winter snowshoeing.
