Flagstaff & Surrounding Area Guidebook
Sightseeing
We definitely recommend the Grand Canyon if you've never been! Specifically, the Shoshone Point hike. It's about 2 miles out and back, and not on the Grand Canyon tourist maps, so you have to use Google maps to get there. It is way less touristy than the popular trails with breathtaking views. It's not unheard of to be the only ones on the trail!
12 locals recommend
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
450 AZ-64We definitely recommend the Grand Canyon if you've never been! Specifically, the Shoshone Point hike. It's about 2 miles out and back, and not on the Grand Canyon tourist maps, so you have to use Google maps to get there. It is way less touristy than the popular trails with breathtaking views. It's not unheard of to be the only ones on the trail!
Flagstaff has the best stargazing I've ever experienced, so Lowell Observatory is a great place to visit to learn about the night sky and space beyond. Pluto was even discovered here, so you can check out the telescope used in its discovery!
352 locals recommend
Lowell Observatory
1400 W Mars Hill RdFlagstaff has the best stargazing I've ever experienced, so Lowell Observatory is a great place to visit to learn about the night sky and space beyond. Pluto was even discovered here, so you can check out the telescope used in its discovery!
Sedona is an incredible town to visit that's less than an hour away. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is arguably the prettiest drive in Arizona! The views are spectacular and there are many hikes ranging from easy to very difficult.
883 locals recommend
Sedona
Sedona is an incredible town to visit that's less than an hour away. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is arguably the prettiest drive in Arizona! The views are spectacular and there are many hikes ranging from easy to very difficult.
Check out the spot where a meteor crashed into the earth thousands of years ago!
101 locals recommend
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
233Check out the spot where a meteor crashed into the earth thousands of years ago!
Located in Page a little over 2 hours away, take a tour of this really neat slot canyon and take some amazing photos. Keep in mind that the only way to enter is through a tour.
243 locals recommend
Upper Antelope Canyon
Located in Page a little over 2 hours away, take a tour of this really neat slot canyon and take some amazing photos. Keep in mind that the only way to enter is through a tour.
Located in Page is this picture-perfect bend in the Colorado River. A great day trip include Horseshoe Bend with an Antelope Canyon tour.
241 locals recommend
Horseshoe Bend
1001 Page ParkwayLocated in Page is this picture-perfect bend in the Colorado River. A great day trip include Horseshoe Bend with an Antelope Canyon tour.
Located right next to the Painted Desert, these two national parks make a great day trip about 2 hours away. Drive through the parks and check out the visitor center to see how the land has changed over time.
74 locals recommend
Petrified Forest National Park
Located right next to the Painted Desert, these two national parks make a great day trip about 2 hours away. Drive through the parks and check out the visitor center to see how the land has changed over time.
Located right next to the Petrified Forest, these two national parks make a great day trip about 2 hours away. Drive through the parks and check out the visitor center to see how the land has changed over time.
8 locals recommend
Painted Desert
Located right next to the Petrified Forest, these two national parks make a great day trip about 2 hours away. Drive through the parks and check out the visitor center to see how the land has changed over time.
Sunset Crater, followed by Wupatki National Monument, is a great way to spend a few hours. They are along the same ~20 mile loop, which is a beautiful drive. There are places to stop to walk around the crater, plus multiple ruins you can check out in other parking lots along the loop.
161 locals recommend
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater, followed by Wupatki National Monument, is a great way to spend a few hours. They are along the same ~20 mile loop, which is a beautiful drive. There are places to stop to walk around the crater, plus multiple ruins you can check out in other parking lots along the loop.
A beautiful canyon, you can walk around the top and peer inside caves along the walls (with binoculars). For a slightly more vigorous experience, you can hike further down into the canyon (about 2 miles round trip).
230 locals recommend
Walnut Canyon National Monument
3 Walnut Canyon RoadA beautiful canyon, you can walk around the top and peer inside caves along the walls (with binoculars). For a slightly more vigorous experience, you can hike further down into the canyon (about 2 miles round trip).
Sunset Crater, followed by Wupatki National Monument, is a great way to spend a few hours. They are along the same ~20 mile loop, which is a beautiful drive. There are places to stop to walk around the crater, plus multiple ruins you can check out in other parking lots along the loop.
143 locals recommend
Wupatki National Monument
25137 North Wupatki LaneSunset Crater, followed by Wupatki National Monument, is a great way to spend a few hours. They are along the same ~20 mile loop, which is a beautiful drive. There are places to stop to walk around the crater, plus multiple ruins you can check out in other parking lots along the loop.
Jerome is the cutest little mountain town that makes for a great day trip! It’s an old miner’s town - turned ghost town - turned artist sanctuary. The views are incredible from everywhere since it’s on the side of a mountain. Great food and artsy shops.
476 locals recommend
Jerome
Jerome is the cutest little mountain town that makes for a great day trip! It’s an old miner’s town - turned ghost town - turned artist sanctuary. The views are incredible from everywhere since it’s on the side of a mountain. Great food and artsy shops.
Food scene
Mike & Ronda's The Place
21 S Milton RdDelicious breakfast at this neat diner!
If you love burgers, you've got to try this place! Intimate seating, both indoor and outdoor.
194 locals recommend
Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux StIf you love burgers, you've got to try this place! Intimate seating, both indoor and outdoor.
Flagstaff has a lot of great pizza places so it's hard to pick a favorite, but Fratelli's is definitely high on the list.
166 locals recommend
Fratelli Pizza
119 W Phoenix AveFlagstaff has a lot of great pizza places so it's hard to pick a favorite, but Fratelli's is definitely high on the list.
Flagstaff has a lot of great pizza places so it's hard to pick a favorite, but Pizza Patio is definitely high on the list. It has an amazing vegan menu and all ingredients are homemade. Try the vegan pepperoni and vegan ranch - they taste better than the non-vegan versions!
6 locals recommend
The Pizza Patio
109 E Phoenix AveFlagstaff has a lot of great pizza places so it's hard to pick a favorite, but Pizza Patio is definitely high on the list. It has an amazing vegan menu and all ingredients are homemade. Try the vegan pepperoni and vegan ranch - they taste better than the non-vegan versions!
Quirky, fun restaurant with great food. Note that everything is the restaurant is for sale - ceiling lights, tables, chairs, mugs, etc, so keep your eyes peeled for something neat! We bought a ceiling light there that now hangs in our kitchen.
94 locals recommend
The Toasted Owl Cafe
12 S Mikes Pike StQuirky, fun restaurant with great food. Note that everything is the restaurant is for sale - ceiling lights, tables, chairs, mugs, etc, so keep your eyes peeled for something neat! We bought a ceiling light there that now hangs in our kitchen.
I'm not even big on Mexican food, but I love this place! I highly recommend the fish tacos, Navajo taco, and nachos. This restaurant was featured on the food network and the menu portrays the two items they ate, which my husband orders regularly and loves!
100 locals recommend
Salsa Brava
2220 E Rte 66I'm not even big on Mexican food, but I love this place! I highly recommend the fish tacos, Navajo taco, and nachos. This restaurant was featured on the food network and the menu portrays the two items they ate, which my husband orders regularly and loves!
Amazing coffee and food all day! Highly recommend this one!
219 locals recommend
Macy's European Coffeehouse & Bakery
14 S Beaver StAmazing coffee and food all day! Highly recommend this one!
Late For the Train
19A E Aspen AveGreat coffee shop!
Spacious, beautiful coffee shop that's a great place to study or work on a laptop.
44 locals recommend
Kickstand Kafe
719 N Humphreys StSpacious, beautiful coffee shop that's a great place to study or work on a laptop.
Red Curry Vegan Kitchen
10 N San Francisco StGreat Thai food, especially the curry!
If you have a craving for noodles, this is your spot. The ramen (and everything else on the menu we’ve tried) is top notch!
55 locals recommend
SoSoBa
12 W Historic Rte 66If you have a craving for noodles, this is your spot. The ramen (and everything else on the menu we’ve tried) is top notch!
Incredible Indian food! They have a buffet every day for lunch for only $9 a person that is really good. The buffet includes unlimited naan!
45 locals recommend
Delhi Palace
2500 S Woodlands Village BlvdIncredible Indian food! They have a buffet every day for lunch for only $9 a person that is really good. The buffet includes unlimited naan!
Delicious pizza that you can personalize with whatever toppings, cheese, and sauce you want. They even have vegan cheese!
19 locals recommend
Your Pie
2619 S Woodlands Village BlvdDelicious pizza that you can personalize with whatever toppings, cheese, and sauce you want. They even have vegan cheese!
Active Lifestyle
Amazing hike, particularly in the fall. The trail is lined with aspens so the colors are breathtaking in fall.
13 locals recommend
Inner Basin Trailhead
Amazing hike, particularly in the fall. The trail is lined with aspens so the colors are breathtaking in fall.
Great place to ski or snowboard all winter! It's a growing resort, and we're usually there every weekend. During summer, they offer chairlift rides to the top to take in the spectacular views.
436 locals recommend
Arizona Snowbowl
9300 North Snow Bowl RoadGreat place to ski or snowboard all winter! It's a growing resort, and we're usually there every weekend. During summer, they offer chairlift rides to the top to take in the spectacular views.
This is our go-to hike in Flag. It's about a 3-mile loop, and on the days we're feeling energetic we take the turnoff that takes you to the peak of Mt Elden. If you take the Mt Elden turnoff, distance wise, it doubles the trail length, but time-wise, takes 3-4 times as long as it is quite steep! For reference, Fatman's Loop takes us about 1 hour while going all the way to the Elden Peak takes about 4. The views are worth it from the top though! There is also a lookout tower up top that is sometimes open, so if it is, take advantage and head on up!
83 locals recommend
Fatman's Loop Trail
5098 US-89This is our go-to hike in Flag. It's about a 3-mile loop, and on the days we're feeling energetic we take the turnoff that takes you to the peak of Mt Elden. If you take the Mt Elden turnoff, distance wise, it doubles the trail length, but time-wise, takes 3-4 times as long as it is quite steep! For reference, Fatman's Loop takes us about 1 hour while going all the way to the Elden Peak takes about 4. The views are worth it from the top though! There is also a lookout tower up top that is sometimes open, so if it is, take advantage and head on up!
This is a long hike (9-miles), but the views are amazing from the top. Make sure you pack water and snacks!
8 locals recommend
Kendrick Peak
This is a long hike (9-miles), but the views are amazing from the top. Make sure you pack water and snacks!
This one is a strenuous hike, but once you make it to the top you have the best views overlooking Sedona.
6 locals recommend
Wilson Mountain Trail
Wilson Mountain TrailThis one is a strenuous hike, but once you make it to the top you have the best views overlooking Sedona.
We only recommend this for the seasoned hiker. Long (10 miles), strenuous hike, and it gets very windy up top, but the views are incredible overlooking all of Flagstaff and beyond. Be extra careful during monsoon season (all summer) as an intense storm will appear out of nowhere.
29 locals recommend
Humphrey's Peak Trail
Humphrey's Peak TrailWe only recommend this for the seasoned hiker. Long (10 miles), strenuous hike, and it gets very windy up top, but the views are incredible overlooking all of Flagstaff and beyond. Be extra careful during monsoon season (all summer) as an intense storm will appear out of nowhere.
Located about 10-15 minutes north of here, this is an easy 3-mile hike that ends at an amphitheater.
35 locals recommend
Red Mountain Trail
Located about 10-15 minutes north of here, this is an easy 3-mile hike that ends at an amphitheater.
Really neat cavern you can explore! It’s about a mile long, so 2 miles out and back. For this hike, make sure you wear closed-toed shoes and bring multiple flashlights. Without a flashlight it’s pitch black, and last thing you want is for your batteries to die mid-hike. The ground is extremely rocky and uneven, so be cautious.
150 locals recommend
Lava River Cave
171B Forest RdReally neat cavern you can explore! It’s about a mile long, so 2 miles out and back. For this hike, make sure you wear closed-toed shoes and bring multiple flashlights. Without a flashlight it’s pitch black, and last thing you want is for your batteries to die mid-hike. The ground is extremely rocky and uneven, so be cautious.
The end of this hike, Devil’s bridge, is not for the faint of heart! You can get some amazing pictures at the end of this iconic hike. Located in Sedona.
43 locals recommend
Devil's Bridge Trail
Devil's Bridge TrailThe end of this hike, Devil’s bridge, is not for the faint of heart! You can get some amazing pictures at the end of this iconic hike. Located in Sedona.
Located on the north side of the mountain, these great hike can be either an out and back or made into a 7 mile loop connecting Bear Jaw with Abineau. You may even spot a black bear - we’ve seen bear footprints before but fortunately no bear!
7 locals recommend
Abineau & Bear Jaw Loop Trail
Located on the north side of the mountain, these great hike can be either an out and back or made into a 7 mile loop connecting Bear Jaw with Abineau. You may even spot a black bear - we’ve seen bear footprints before but fortunately no bear!