Clocking in at just over two hours from Phoenix, Flagstaff is my most common weekend getaway year round. I love the college town meets Route 66 vibe here. In the winter, it’s a great home base for skiing at SnowBowl. In the summer, it’s a great escape from the Phoenix heat, with a younger and more casual vibe than Sedona.

Food

To me, Flagstaff has three main food groups: breweries, Thai food, and pizza. If I’m here for a full weekend, I have to have one meal of each.

For breakfast/brunch:

Macy’s is a European-style coffee shop with a plant-based menu and the best hot chocolate in town.

Fôret is a casual French space with great pastries and lighter options.

MartAnne’s is a Mexican breakfast/brunch spot with big portions and big flavors.

For lunch/dinner:

Pato Thai is my go to for Thai food. I’ve tried a bunch of different places, but this is the one that keeps me coming back.

Pizzicletta is a great Italian-style wood fired pizza place. They have two locations, one on either side of the train tracks. The menu is small because everything is good.

Dark Sky Brewing is my favorite brewery for drinks. It’s actually attached to the main Pizzicletta location, and I love doing a two-for-one.

If I’m going to a brewery for the food, Mother Road Brewery has all my favorite versions of bar classics. Even if you don’t like tater tots, you’ll like their tater tots.

Fratelli’s Pizza is the best place to go if you’re a little outside the main town, on your way to/from SnowBowl.

Activities

Flagstaff is a great spot for train watching. It’s also a stop on Route 66. Walking around for meals and shopping should show you that local flavor.

Outdoor activities are where it’s at. The colors aren’t as vibrant as Sedona, but it’s picturesque in its own way. Hiking in the cooler temps and in shade from actual trees is a refreshing difference from Phoenix in the summer.

In the winter, the weather difference is even more pronounced because Flagstaff actually gets snow. Skiing and snowboarding at SnowBowl is the move. The city also has a Pinecone Drop for New Year’s (substituting NYC’s famous ball for a lit-up artificial pinecone).

For going out purposes, Flagstaff is a college town blessed with some extra breweries. Don’t expect the Scottsdale clubbing experience, but there is a local music scene and a few places with a dance floor.

Logistics/Lodging

Does this work as a day trip? Yes, but I prefer to stay overnight so I can check out a brewery. There’s so much to do that a day trip never feels like enough time.

If you’re coming to ski, I recommend grabbing an AirBnb closer to SnowBowl on the edge of town to save yourself driving time and get to the slopes earlier.

Otherwise, Flagstaff has a famously haunted hotel, the Monte Vista, that can be a blast for those who love spooky spots or just a cool vintage building. It’s perfectly centrally located and has a cute basement bar with live music and/or DJs over the weekend. Even if I’m not staying here, I tend to stop by if I’m doing a night out.