101 Things to do in Northern Arizona
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81. Make the diverse trek through Boynton Canyon
As mentioned earlier on, Boynton Canyon is one of 4 vortex hikes in Sedona. This one is particularly interesting as the scenery is so diverse, with everything from towering red formations to shady pine forests along the way. One year during the winter season, I began my hike in a tank top and eventually crossed into the snowy pine forest where I proceeded to put on gloves and a hat! It’s crazy how much the weather can vary in the desert in the shade vs. the sun!
Only in Arizona can you go from desert to snow in just 10 minutes!
The hike is pretty long at 3 miles each way although pretty easy with no major inclines so suitable for anyone up for a longer hike. The views near the end are truly spectacular. This peaceful hike should definitely be near the top of your Sedona bucket list.
82. See the seven sacred pools & 3 natural arches along the Soldier’s Pass Trail*
Soldier’s Pass is another one of my favorites in Sedona. This trail is not only beautiful, but also home to a number of fascinating natural sights. Along the 2.2 mile out-and-back journey, you will come across seven sacred pools (a series of natural cascading pools carved out of the sandstone, Sedona’s most active sinkhole, and 3 magnificent natural arches carved into the towering red rocks. Such a motivating trail with so many surprises and big views along the route.
The hike is usually pretty peaceful with absolutely no one around. And, the scenery is intriguing, with one section offering big wide open vistas of the red rocks, and the other section offering a peaceful look into the quaint Red Rock Secret Wilderness, which is home to a lush variety of desert plant life and lots of leafy deciduous trees.
83. Dare to spend the night at Rt 66’s most haunted hotel
The historic Monte Vista hotel in downtown Flagstaff is the most prominent building you will notice while strolling around downtown. With a thriving cocktail & coffee bar (I frequently enjoy my morning coffee at Rendezvous!) and a prime location, it’s a popular spot for tourists to kick back and relax after a long day of exploring the great natural sights like the Grand Canyon in the northern portion of the state. Not only is the Monte Vista Rt 66’s most haunted hotel, it is also thought to be one of the most haunted places in the country.
Numerous paranormal groups have explored the hotel and guests over the years have reported the same strange ghostly sightings. Even John Wayne & other celebrity guests have reported ghostly visions! Dare to spend the night in super haunted Room 305 where the ghostly vision of an old woman in a rocking chair continues to haunt guests decades after the first sighting!
84. Stroll the grounds of the Yavapai Courthouse at Christmas
Prescott claims the distinction as “Arizona’s official Christmas city.” The city hosts a number of festive events throughout the holiday season including “the world’s largest gingerbread display” at the Prescott Resort, horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown neighborhood, a lively electric lights parade, a fantastic drive-thru light show, and the lighting of over a million lights at the historic Yavapai County courthouse.
Walking around the tree-lined grounds of this historic downtown centerpiece, one almost forgets they are in Arizona. The weather is typically crisp and cold like most of us are accustomed to expecting around this time of year. A lot of hard work has been put into the organization, as opposed to quickly throwing together a sloppy display, making this one of the better holiday displays. Afterwards, you have dozens of local restaurants to choose amongst. The Bistro inside the historic Hotel St. Michael right across the street offers a prime view of the lighting display, as well as a great menu of offerings.
85. Enjoy alfresco dining in Sedona
The great thing about Sedona is that you do not necessarily need to hike to enjoy the fabulous scenery of the area. While hiking is definitely the best option if you are up for it, there are scenic drives, overlooks, and restaurants all offering the same great views. A great number of Sedona’s restaurants offer outdoor dining facing the red rocks.
Some of my favorites include The Hudson (great American comfort food and amazing views), Wildflower Bread (a regional Panera style chain with a patio facing some of the most dramatic rock formations in town), Hideaway House (delicious Italian comfort food and a shady patio), and Indian Gardens (the delicious breakfast & espresso cafe in Oak Creek mentioned earlier).
86. Shop for authentic Native American souvenirs
This area is so rich in Native American history. Flagstaff borders Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the country. The Museum of Northern Arizona is a great place to learn more about the history of the Navajo in the area. Additionally, many festive events are held throughout the year in Flagstaff including the annual Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture at the Museum.
And of course, many shops in the area specialize in authentic Native American goods. The best place to shop for handmade products is at Oak Creek Vista Overlook along scenic Hwy 89. You will find everything here including the most beautiful handmade dreamcatchers and pottery pieces.
87. Watch for wildlife along the Griffith Spring trail
Griffith Spring is one of the shortest and most enjoyable trails within the Coconino County National Forest. The loop is just one mile long and very peaceful and shady, making it one of the better options for a quick summertime stroll. Most of the scenery consists of pretty ponderosa pine forest, although seasonally you may also run across a few small streams. Bird life is plentiful and includes hummingbirds, western bluebirds, and robbins. It’s so quiet and peaceful here – really a great place to get away from the touristy congestion everywhere else! I often hiked here when I was seeking a short hike that was free of tourist crowds.
88. Take in the dramatic views at Midgley Bridge
Midgley Bridge is a very popular viewpoint along the Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive. This place is so popular that it is often hard to find a parking spot after 10am or so. The views here are pretty spectacular so be sure to bring your camera. From here, you can also embark upon a number of trails including the beautiful and easy Wilson Canyon Trail. The Huckaby Trail also begins just down the hill and just about a mile in is a section of the creek which is just perfect for cooling down on a hot summer afternoon. Sadly, I’ve heard many stories of suicides here.
89. Get lost in nature on the Bear Jaw/Abineau loop trail*
Bear Jaw is another high altitude trail which is known for the beautiful golden foliage that springs up in the forest late September/early October each year. To access this beauty, a lengthy drive along a very rough road filled with big boulders (4 WD strongly recommended although we somehow made it in a Prius!) is required. The trade off for the inconvenience is a trail that is really rustic and beautiful. Both getting here and completing the trail itself was an adventure to say the least! My Prius barely made it alive!
If you are looking to really get out into nature, Bear Jaw is your best bet in Flagstaff. This one is really isolated from the rest and even the scenic drive to get over here is picturesque and worthy in and of itself of your time. Be aware the parking lot is quite small, so try to get out there on a weekday or at least very early in the morning on a weekend.
90. Ring in the New year’s with the largest Pine Cone Drop
Flagstaff’s oldest hotel rings in the New Year with a celebration similar to the iconic ball drop in NYC. Only it’s a pine cone! This is a fun and unique tradition that draws a lot of crowds. It’s so popular that they now host 2 pine cone drops. The pine is 70 pounds and 6 feet tall! The tradition began in 1999 to celebrate Hotel Weatherford’s 100th anniversary.
