How to spend 3 days in Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a small city in northern Arizona. It’s the closest city to the Grand Canyon National Park and also the home to Northern Arizona University. The crisp mountain air along with high temperatures in the 80’s bring many tourists to the town in the summer. We were lucky enough to enjoy these temps and some amazing adventures while in Flagstaff this July.

Day 1

Macy’s European Coffee House was recommended by locals so we made a visit early one morning. We arrived right at 6:30am when they opened and there was already a line of guests waiting. We knew it had to be good if that was the case, and we were right! My husband enjoyed a smoothie and a breakfast sandwich while I sipped on a cafe mocha and devoured a delicious chocolate croissant.

Then, we drove up to Grand Canyon for the day. (See our post on Grand Canyon National Park to find out ALL the details!)

Our day concluded back in downtown Flagstaff where we enjoyed beers at Dark Sky Brewing and pizza from Pizzacletta. For dinner, we shared the Caesar Salad and the Bee’s Knees Pizza. It was seriously the best pizza I have had – so, so good!!!

Then back to our place to get some rest! And by the way, if it’s a clear night, spend a little time stargazing. It’s amazing how bright the stars are in the sky and how close they appear. You could also make a daytime visit to Lowell Observatory if time allows.

Day 2

We began our day with a delicious breakfast at MartAnne’s. They have the best mexican food! I enjoyed the two egg breakfast mexicana while my husband had martanne’s burrito pork chile enchilada style. I loved the addition of the fresh-made flour tortilla that came with my breakfast. Yum!

We paid a visit to Walnut Canyon monument mid-day. The steep canyon was carved by Walnut Creek and is 400 feet deep. Thousands of years ago there were people that occupied the canyon. While gazing across the canyon walls, we were able to spot some cliff dwellings.

While at Walnut Canyon, we were not only able to admire nature but also learn about the natural environment. The pine forest includes a diverse community of plants, including the prickly pear cactus.

In the afternoon we visited Grand Canyon Brewing Company in Flagstaff. We tried a flight of beers and purchased some souvenirs.

Later in the evening, we dined at Diablo Burger, enjoying a juicy hamburger and herb-seasoned fries. Those fries….mmmm….they were extra delicious dipped in ranch dressing!

Day 3

On our final day in Flagstaff, we enjoyed a nice cool morning with breakfast on the patio at The Toasted Owl Cafe. My husband enjoyed the owlapeno scramble while I had the bacon scramble. Thankfully we arrived early because it’s a popular place among visitors and locals alike!

While walking through downtown Flagstaff, we passed the visitors center in the historic train station on Route 66. Flagstaff’s downtown has a unique vibe with locals, visitors, and university students out and about. Flagstaff has a lot to offer and with the number of outdoor activities in and around Flagstaff, it’s both a family friendly and dog-friendly place.

During the morning hours, we visited the Sunset Crater Volcano, which erupted around 1085. To protect the geologic formations, the site became a national monument in 1930. Today, visitors can walk through several trails to view the remnants of lava flow and learn about how the eruption affected lives in the area. The landscape includes Ponderosa Pines among other plants and wildlife, and views of the San Francisco Peaks.

On our final evening in Flag, we had dinner at Pato Thai Cuisine. This local establishment has a wide variety of menu items to choose from. To start, we had the vegetable egg rolls. Then both my husband and I ordered Pad Thai for our main course. We were so full after eating this delicious meal!

Entertainment

The Orpheum Theater has been in Flagstaff for over a century. And while we weren’t able to visit during our time in Flagstaff, it’s still a premier entertainment venue with a variety of performances and shows. And, we learned that it was once a chicken yard. Interesting!

Where to Stay?

There are many hotels and VRBO options in and around Flagstaff. Below is a photo of the cute, dog-friendly unit we stayed in during our time here!

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