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.
71. Explore ancient cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon*
Walnut Canyon, the site of over 30 preserved cliff dwellings, is a pretty interesting historical gem to check out if you have the extra time. It’s just 7 miles outside of Flagstaff and definitely worth a stop for the beautiful scenery and historical significance. There are 2 trails here, both of which take you past a number of ancient Sinagua dwellings. The views of the massive canyon (400 ft deep and 1/4 mile wide) are really gorgeous, and by far some of the best-of-the-best that the Northern Arizona region has to offer.
The Island Trail is the more difficult of the 2 as it involves a 200+ step stair climb, yet worth it for the terrific views and opportunity to get an upclose look at how these ancient cultures survived in an area so scarce in water (Sinagua translates into “mountains without water”). The visitor’s center here is pretty great with lots of valuable info on the area, including detailed info on the many wildlife species which call the canyon home. And of course, you will be able to read through lots of interesting historical info on the Sinagua tribes who inhabited the area from 1100 to 1250 CE.
72. Explore ancient petrified wood upclose
The Petrified Forest is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of petrified wood. If you are at all interested in history and/or offbeat places, you will definitely want to plan a visit to this most unique national park site. Petrified wood is really fascinating as the 200+ million year old wood has crystallized and become stone like in appearance due to the hands of time. As you can see in the photo above, It almost resembles gems.
As minerals like silica and quartz long ago replaced the natural wood, the wood now resembles a gem and is extremely heavy at 160-200 pounds per cubic foot. The array of colors comes from trace minerals like iron and manganese replacing the organic materials.
This park features a scenic loop drive, a number of interesting trails, several scenic overlooks, and even a few historical attractions to check out along the way. If you are a hiker there are a number of really great backcountry trails where you will get to enjoy some really spectacular views of the amazing Painted Desert.
73. Take a leisurely cruise along the Salt River Canyon scenic drive
The beautiful Salt River Canyon is located about 40 miles outside of Globe (a tiny community which is popular with Southern AZ locals due to the mild summer climate and seasonal ski resort) on US 60. This is one drive you will never want to end. There is a scenic overlook along the way which offers the most stunning vistas of the canyon.
The drive from central Phoenix to the bottom of the canyon is 270 miles, although there are plenty of interesting stops along the way and the spectacular views seem to go on forever. Wildlife sightings are common along the side of the road. Seeing a black bear is not unheard of so keep your eyes peeled (I’ve not seen one yet!). The drive is quiet and relaxing and mostly consists of pure uninterrupted nature with little in the way of development.
74. Spend an afternoon relaxing at Lake Mary
Upper Lake Mary is a popular place for summer recreation in Flagstaff. In an area with so little water, it really is a treasure. This beautiful deep blue lake, surrounded by ponderosa pines, is located just 12 miles outside of Flagstaff. The road to get there is beautiful as well and mostly void of business and lined with pines, thus making it popular with cyclists and long distance runners wanting to take in the pure countryside scenery.
This lake is a beautiful place for any type of water based recreation be it boating, kayaking, sailing, fishing or water skiing. While the lake is open year-round, water level can vary based on rainfall and snowmelt.
75. Pick up some tasty homemade truffles at Chocolatree
Chocolatree is a popular vegetarian restaurant in Sedona. While not everyone enjoys meat-less cuisine, it’s still worth a visit for their excellent homemade chocolates, made on-site with high quality all natural ingredients. The enticing counter display of delicate chocolate treats greets you as soon as you enter the door. That being said, they really serve delicious vegan food here: everything is fresh, filling, and creative.
The treats here are amongst the best in the area, albeit a bit pricey, but worth it for the exquisite taste and use of only the best cocoa. Mix and match a few of your favorites or take a seat on the wonderful outdoor patio and sip a delicious hot cocoa, made with premium cocoa and maple almond milk. It really is a decadent treat like no other!
76. Take in unique history & views along the South Rim Trail of the Grand Canyon
The Rim Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon stretches on for 13 picturesque miles, from the Grand Canyon all the way to the South Kaibab trailhead. Scenic vistas abound for the entirety of the path. This trail is great for everyone as it is flat with no elevation gain and you can go on for as little or as long as you like.
There are many scenic overlooks along the way as well as access to gift shops, museums, art galleries, and more. This trail is just perfect for photographers as there are so many great viewpoints along the way. In between the Grand Canyon Village and Yavapai Overlook section of the trail, you will find the “Trail of Time,” a nice little interpretative trail which provides you with some interesting historical facts about the canyon.
There are lots of great photo opps all over the place, however, some are quite dangerous. Many tourists die each year at the canyon attempting to take all sorts of crazy photos. I highly recommend the book Over the Edge: Death at Grand Canyon for those interesting in a fascinating read. So many scary stories of deaths that could have been prevented!
77. Treat yourself to a wonderful dinner at a Lisa Dahl restaurant
Renowned Chef Lisa Dahl owns a number of Sedona’s best restaurants including 2 fine dining Italian establishments, a Latin American grill, and a wonderful cozy little wood fired pizza shop. I am a fan for sure. I visit Pisa Lisa and Cucina all the time. The best of these dining establishments is Cucina Rustica, a charming Italian restaurant where you will be served delicious authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant, yet casual setting. The decor inside is so extravagant and gorgeous with an old-fashioned Italian villa charm, and the outdoor patio is so romantic and just the perfect setting for a date.
Pasta is made fresh in-house daily. The restaurant works with local companies and uses local produce and ingredients. I highly recommend the Tortellini Con Funghi Tartufo-cheese filled tortellini sauteed with portobello mushrooms and topped with a truffle cream sauce: it’s the most delicious pasta dish around! The dessert sampler is the most decadent treat around and includes 3 of the restaurant’s most popular treats including the most decadent chocolate torte. A dinner out at Cucina is a bit pricey, yet worth the splurge for the exquisite food, service, and setting.
78. Challenge yourself to the difficult trek up the Cookstove Trail*
The Cookstove is a hidden little gem of a trail in gorgeous Oak Creek Canyon. Most people keep right on going without seeing the tiny little trail sign, understandably as it is really hard to concentrate on anything besides the towering pine covered mountains and red rock formations surrounding you in every direction!
This hike is just short of a mile, however, the climb is very, very steep and this is one of the more difficult hikes in all of Sedona. If you can huff and puff your way up the steep hill, you will be rewarded with the most amazing 360 degree vistas of Oak Creek Canyon. And right across the road (where you will park) is a spring water tap with the most delicious tasting water anywhere. Bring a bottle and fill up: you will need it for the hard trek ahead of you.
79. View one of the only (easily accessible) waterfalls in the region
While most glossy travel brochures intrigue future travelers with a picture of the amazing Havasupai waterfall at the Grand Canyon, in reality viewing this waterfall is no easy task. A very long and gruesome hike, not suitable for the average tourist, or a very pricey tour, is required to take in this wonder. As not all of us have the time or money to engage in such a lengthy endeavor, exploring one of the state’s more easily accessible waterfalls is the next best option.
Keyhole Sink near Williams in the Kaibab National forest is home to a small waterfall which is easily accessible after a short stroll through the ponderosa pines. The water flow depends on time of year and rain/snowmelt, however, it’s still a nice sight to behold in an arid desert. Wildlife is plentiful in the forest and the trek is relaxing and easy. There are also some interesting petroglyphs of unknown origin to explore.
80. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast & espresso on the patio of Indian Gardens*
Indian Gardens is one of the best breakfast places I’ve ever come across. Not only is it located on the super scenic Oak Creek Canyon Drive, it also is home to the most amazing quaint patio which is loaded with leafy trees, a waterfall, and even a hint of a red rock view. During the fall, you are surrounded by gorgeous foliage. The food here is super delicious and also healthy, with most of the ingredients local and all food made in-house, not frozen.
They have the best little market and meals to-go too so you can pick up a few necessities for your hike. And if you like coffee, you are in for a real treat as they serve the best coffee and espresso drinks in the Northern Arizona region. Their daily pastries are always fantastic. If you see the seasonal Pumpkin Muffin, do not hesitate to indulge in this amazing seasonal homemade treat! Their coffeecake is also amazing. The Grains and Greens bowl (quinoa, kale, butternut squash, topped with 2 eggs, avocado & served with hot sauce), along with an Americano was always my go-to breakfast pre-hike during my years living in the area.
