10 Must-Do Daytrips from Flagstaff
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An outdoor oasis home to 4 gorgeous lakes
One of my favorite things about Prescott is the nice scenery and diverse opportunities for exercise. I like that I can enjoy beautiful paved bike paths and lake scenery which are 2 of the things Flagstaff lacks. I really love biking the Peavine National Recreational trail, one of the few rail trails in Arizona. The path is 4+ miles each way, flat enough for easy cycling, and features amazing views of Watson Lake and the Granite Dells formations. It’s a really great ride and sometimes we daytrip here just to enjoy the incredible lake scenery.
If you are up for a challenge, take an invigorating hike up Thumb Butte for a bird’s eye view of the city. Or opt for a leisurely stroll around one of the area’s 4 lakes. We love kayaking and hiking at Lynx; the scenery is so pretty. The Heritage Park Zoo, adjacent to the lake, is small, yet makes for a nice fill in activity.
Prescott is a quick easy day trip from pretty much anywhere in the state as it is centrally located. Whether you are interested in outdoor recreation, boutique shopping, cultural attractions, or wining and dining, “Everybody’s Hometown” offers a bit of everything.
Additional Details
Distance from the city : 1 hr 40 min
Recommended activities: Hike the Thumb Butte trail, Explore historic Main St., Breakfast at Cuppers, dinner at Papa’s Italian, Bike the Peavine trail, Take a stroll around Willow Park lake
Why it’s great: Main Street is so lively and charming. The 4 season climate is pretty great with occasional snow in the winter and milder temps in the summer. It’s never too cold or too hot, so just perfect most of the year.
Jerome “America’s largest ghost town” and Cottonwood
Jerome is a particularly attractive small community with charming historic architecture and a scenic location atop 5000 foot Cleopatra Hill. The surrounding colorful views of the Verde Valley are quite scenic. Many of the wine rooms and restaurants have built patios to take advantage of such views. We first visited this town over Halloween due to its’ spooky haunted history and Halloween themed restaurant.
Be aware of ghosts!
Jerome is one of the most haunted towns in America, hence its’ nickname. While the population of this copper mining town once dwindled down to almost nothing, it is now a lively tourist destination with numerous galleries, local restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and museums. Tourists report seeing ghosts at locations all around town, most notably the Jerome Grand Hotel, which not surprisingly, was once a mental institution.
If you love all things spooky, you must sign up for a haunted ghost tour. Feel like a real ghost hunter as you use EVPs and other ghost hunting equipment. If this sounds a bit too spooky for you, simply opt for lunch/dinner in the spooky Asylum Restaurant. This was a really fun experience. I’ve never seen a restaurant so decked out and the staff was all really into it too. I would love to take a ghost tour here one day!
Cottonwood – “Heart of the Verde Valley”
Cottonwood, a small community located about 20 minutes outside of Sedona, is most well known for its’ abundance of wine tasting rooms. It’s really not worthy of a visit on its’ own, but makes a good accompaniment to any Jerome or Sedona daytrip due to the close distance.
Exploring the shops, galleries, and wine tasting rooms in Old Town is the main draw here. I’ve heard some tourists say they like the magic show at Blazin M. Ranch but I’ve never personally seen it. I recommend a coffee and dessert break at Paradise Point if you need a pick me up.
Additional Details
Distance from the city: 1.5 hrs
Recommended activities: Dine at the Asylum Restaurant, Sign up for a ghost tour at the Grand Hotel, shop, wine, & dine, browse around the historic Liberty theater, visit the Old Sliding Jail, browse the local art galleries. Also you can check out my Jerome travel guide for more things to do.
Why it’s great: Nice historic architecture and great views of the Verde Valley, The Asylum restaurant puts on the best Halloween decor in Arizona, spooky ghost tours in a historic setting not found elsewhere in Arizona
Phoenix – “The Valley of the Sun”
Many Phoenix residents are constantly making the 2 hour trek up to cool ponderosa pines of northern Arizona. I’ve seen the tourists lined up for hours on Snowbowl Road almost every weekend. Despite the constant hate, I actually love Phoenix. I love hiking here, the gorgeous Saguaro cactus, and even all the great indoor attractions, malls, and restaurants.
If you have never seen the stately Saguaro cactus before and you love hiking, it’s a great destination. Avoid the brutal spring/summer season (which typically lasts from April to October) and you should be fine.
Hiking the Sonoran desert
Number one, I recommend hikin g a beautiful trail within the Sonoran desert. A few of my favorite hiking destinations are: South Mountain Park, Usery Mountain Park in Mesa, or the Scottsdale McDowell Preserve. All of these are massive recreational parks with a variety of trails for all levels. Gorgeous Saguaro cacti only found in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert line the trails and the beautiful mountains comprise the backdrop.
If you are not up for a hike, opt for a leisurely narrated cruise aboard the Desert Belle. This relaxing boat ride treats you to the same wonderful scenery, along with a rare glimpse of water in the desert. Every visiting relative I’ve taken on this ride loves it. It’s definitely on my list of the best attractions when the temps soar past 100.
I also love the Phoenix Zoo. Surprisingly, the zoo’s grounds are quite lush and shady for a desert. It is wonderfully maintained and laid out, and houses a nice diverse range of animals.
