Guidebook for Visiting: Experience Northern Arizona Like A Local

Being a Northern Arizona local since 2011, I have experienced all there is to offer and want to share my favorites, and feature this page as guidebook for those who are traveling here. Many of my wonderful clients aren’t from Arizona so I hope this “guidebook” can be useful to your stay while you are visiting Northern AZ!

Flagstaff

Activities:

• Downtown Flagstaff: many shops, galleries, breweries, restaurants to check out!
• Arizona Snowbowl:  Scenic Gondola (runs year round), restaurant, hiking trails, skiing and snowboarding during winter.
• Lowell Observatory: areas to walk, planetarium, overall great for kids: https://lowell.edu/
• Hiking: Buffalo Park (flat park), Fat Man’s Loop, Campbell Mesa, and more hiking trails at Arizona Snowbowl.

Restaurants:

• Breakfast: Brandy’s, Northern Pines, MartAnnes (Mexican), Macy’s Coffee (vegitarian).
• Lunch: Fat Olives (Italian) Hiro’s Sushi, Tourist Home, Sosta, Pato Thai, Satchmos (Cajun/bbq).
• Dinner: Sosoba (ramen), Lotus Lounge (sushi), Swadee Thai, Lumberyard Brewery (American).
• Coffee Shops: Macy’s Coffee, Sosta, Fire Creek Coffee, Late for the Train, Single Speed Coffee.

More Things To Do Near Flagstaff:

• National Monuments: Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Wupatki (all within 20-30 minutes from Flagstaff)
• Sedona (45 min from Flagstaff): hiking, shops, Jeep tours, and much more.
• Williams (30 min from Flagstaff): small town with shopping and restaurants.
• Jerome (1.5 hours from Flagstaff) small historic mining town with shops, bars, restaurants, and more.
• Grand Canyon Railroad: a scenic trip from Williams to Grand Canyon National Park (south rim) for the afternoon. I highly recommend eating lunch at El Tovar hotel!
  • GC Railroad tickets: https://www.thetrain.com/
  • El Tovar Hotel dinnig: https://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/dine/el-tovar-dining-room-and-lounge/
• Deer Farm (Williams – 30 min from Flagstaff) walkable area to feed and pet deer, large gift shop, great for kids: https://deerfarm.com/
• Bearizona (Williams – 30 min from Flagstaff) drive around the park to see bears and different animals, food and areas to walk, great for kids: https://bearizona.com/tickets/
• Grand Canyon National Park (must see!! – 1.5 hours from Flagstaff)
• Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon (2.5 hours from Flagstaff): Guided tour is needed for Antelope Canyon, there are several local companies.
  • Ken’s Tours (highly recommended): https://kens-tours.antelope-canyon-tours.com/

Sedona

Activities:

• Hiking: Sedona has tons of trails and I haven’t even hiked all of them! I tend to go back to my favorite hikes including West Fork Trail (Oak Creek Canyon 89-A), Chicken Point, Fay Canyon, and many more.
• Jeep Tours: If you are an adrenaline type person this will especially interest you! The Jeep tours provide fun rides around Sedona to various locations driven by professional drivers.
• Crescent Moon Ranch and Red Rock State Park (paid entry for both): two beautiful park areas to walk next to the creek, with views of Cathedral Rock: https://visitsedona.com/sedona-secret-7/picnics/crescent-moon-ranch-red-rock-crossing/
• Tlaquepaque Arts Village: unique Spanish-influenced area with art galleries, restaurants, and more: https://www.tlaq.com/
• Crystal shops & Spas, and more

Restaurants:

• Breakfast: Pumphouse Station (my favorite), Hideaway House, Secret Garden Cafe, Indian Gardens (Oak Creek Canyon 89-A) and more.
• Lunch: The Hudson (my favorite), Oak Creek Brewery (my other favorite), Fresh and Natural Thai Kitchen, Rascal, Shorebird, and more.
• Dinner: Mariposa (expensive but worth it and amazing view), Mole Mexican Kitchen, The Hudson, Enchantment Resort, Creekside American Bistro, Rene at Tlaquepaque, and more.

More Things To Do Near Sedona:

• Jerome (30 minutes from Sedona): This small historic mining town features many shops, restaurants, bars, an old mining yard tour (paid entry), and more. Personally I’ve enjoyed having a sandwich at the Asylum Restaurant at Jerome Grand Hotel on the top street and browsing the shops.
• Wineries/vineyards: Page Spring Cellars and DA Ranch (15 minutes from Sedona), Alcantara Vineyards (30 minutes from Sedona).
• Verde Canyon Railroad (30 minutes from Sedona): This 3 hour roundtrip ride on the railroad takes you along the Verde river and through the canyon. I enjoyed taking this in fall during November when the leaves were changing yellow along the water. Each train car has inside seat and a bar, and an outdoor space to take in all the views and historical information is provided outdoors by friendly staff: https://verdecanyonrr.com/