Flagstaff Arizona + Grand Canyon Travel Guide

Flagstaff is the quintessential American road trip destination: home to the Grand Canyon, kitschy Americana culture and some delicious diners. In this guide, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to plan a trip to the Grand Canyon and all the must-sees in Flagstaff.

The Flagstaff Short List

Stay

• Hampton Inn Flagstaff East
• Hotel Monte Vista
• Little America Hotel Flagstaff

Explore + Photograph

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Lowell Observatory
• Coconino National Forest
• Wupatki National Monument
• Arizona Snowbowl
• Historic Downtown Flagstaff

Eat

• MIX $
• Salsa Brava $$
• The Toasted Owl Cafe $$
• Tourist Home All Day Cafe $$
• Lumberyard Taproom & Grille $$
• Tinderbox Kitchen $$
• Historic Barrel and Bottle House—Flagstaff $$

What to Wear

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Flagstaff Arizona Travel Tips

• Visit during the winter for lighter crowds and excellent skiing conditions
• See more than just the Grand Canyon—there is so much to do in Flagstaff!
• Dine at local institutions like Salsa Brava (featured on the Food Network)
• Take advantage of great photography opportunities
• Go stargazing—Flagstaff is one of the only “Dark Sky” places in the world
• Hop on the summer chairlift at the Arizona Snowbowl for panoramic views of Flagstaff—you can even see Sedona and the Grand Canyon from the peak on a clear summer day!

Where to Stay in Flagstaff

Hampton Inn Flagstaff East

This is the nicest Hampton Inn I’ve ever stayed in. The hotel is freshly renovated and really embodies the Americana vibe of Flagstaff. The hotel is located in the heart of Flagstaff and is only ten minutes away from Lowell Observatory! You can book your stay at the Hampton Inn Flagstaff East here.

Things to Do in Flagstaff

Grand Canyon National Park

The number one attraction near Flagstaff is the breathtaking Grand Canyon! Here’s everything you need to know about a planning a visit to this iconic Southwest beauty:

• The South Rim is far more accessible and located about 80 minutes north of Flagstaff.
• Admission is $35 per vehicle and is valid for one week for both the North and South Rims. You can visit the park as much as you want during that 7-day period without paying admission again.
• There are six lodges and one RV park within the national park if you want to stay overnight. You can view all the lodging options here.
• If you want to camp near the Grand Canyon, there are three different campsites open within the park. You can learn more about the individual campsites from the National Park Service here.
• The best lookout points are Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and Trail View Point, all located on the South Rim.
• The easiest scenic hike is the Rim Trail at the South Rim.
• Desert View Drive is the best scenic drive along the canyon. The drive is about 25 miles long and you can see some incredible lookout points and features of the Grand Canyon along your drive. I highly recommend this drive for photographers! You can capture some really unique Grand Canyon shots that you don’t see every day.

Lowell Observatory

For the stargazers and the dreamers, Lowell Observatory just might be the highlight of your Flagstaff trip. This world-famous observatory’s claim to fame is discovering Pluto and naming it as a planet! The observatory offers a full schedule of educational shows, family-friendly space activities and even constellation sightings and stargazing at night. I highly recommend visiting once the stars are out for the best experience. The view of Flagstaff down below combined with the stars above is spectacular. I loved visiting during the winter—it was so unique to experience stargazing up in the mountains with fresh snow on the ground. Purchase your tickets to Lowell Observatory here.

Coconino National Forest Scenic Drive

One of my favorite parts of my trip to Flagstaff was actually the drive there! If you’re traveling from Sedona, you’ll get to experience the beauty of Coconino National Forest while driving through the mountains. If you love photography and natural scenery, don’t miss this drive!

Flagstaff Restaurants

Salsa Brava

I immediately added Salsa Brava to my Flagstaff list after seeing this local Route 66 gem featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants—the Navajo tacos, salsa bar, fried ice cream and margaritas are all to die for. You can view Salsa Brava’s menu here.

Pin It!