Flagstaff, Arizona is one of our favorite weekend getaway spots from Scottsdale. Why? It’s only two hours away, it’s always cooler, and we love the vibe there. Flagstaff is an outdoorsy town and the people there are very laid back and welcoming. So it’s nice to unplug and get some R&R there, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A few of the highlights in Flagstaff are the mountains, the trees, and the parks. It’s just so green there, which is unusual for us to see since we live in a desert. In addition to the lovely outdoors, there are some great drinking and eating spots in “Flag” (what the cool kids call it).
We have been there a handful of times now, so today we want to share with you the best of the best Flagstaff has to offer. Here’s the perfect 3-day weekend in Flagstaff! [PS…have you read our Weekend in Sedona blog yet?]
Friday in Flagstaff
Today is the perfect day to get up to the top of Snowbowl. Why? It will be busier on the weekend so take off of work early and get to Snowbowl for a fun day on the mountain. If it’s winter time then you’ll get some fun time skiing or snowboarding! Check their website to see what the conditions are like. Ski lift tickets typically range from $35-63 depending on the day. If you’re going during a warm time of year, don’t worry. You can still take the ski lift up to the top of the mountain and it’s totally worth it! They have the scenic chair lift that is so gorgeous to do during the fall when leaves are changing colors on the trees. Once you get to the top you can do a short hike and admire the views of Flag.
This place is a meaningful place for us as it is where we shared our engagement with the world. The night prior, Zach proposed to me on a gorgeous tree-lined cobblestone street in Flagstaff. So the next morning we did the ski lift scenic ride and took pictures at the top to share with friends and family!
On top of the world…the day after he proposed!
After a fun day on the San Francisco peaks at 9,500 feet above sea level, head back into town for some dinner and bar hopping.
For dinner we recommend one of two breweries that are fun, lively, have great brews, and great food: Beaver Street Brewery or Lumberyard Brewing Company. Both have great food and friendly staff. Both have had lines everytime we have gone, so you know they’re good!
After dinner, if you’re up for some quality drinks then here are our top 3 favorites:
- The State Bar | Taste beer and wine from all over the state of Arizona- with live music!
- Annex Cocktail Lounge | Enjoy quality cocktails, yummy appetizers in this small lounge!
- FLG Terroir Wine Bar | Choose from over 500 wines in this old wine loft!
Saturday in Flagstaff
Start today with a hearty meal. You’re going to need some energy for what the afternoon has in store. We loved eating at MartAnne’s Cafe which is right downtown and quite a hot spot. Expect a wait, but if you go early it won’t be as bad. It’s a family-owned restaurant with colorful decor and fun artwork covering the walls. They have some great Mexican style breakfast dishes here that filled us up!
Afterwards, you’re off to Flagstaff Extreme! It’s an adventure course up in the trees! This was our all-time favorite thing to do in Flagstaff. They also have a zip-lining course that is separate, however we recommend you do the adventure course because it includes some ziplines in it.
The adventure course has five parts to it for $52. You can stop at any time if you get tired. Most people do not complete all five parts… but we were determined. Thanks to our teamwork and motivating each other, we made it through the entire course in about 3.5 hours. Not going to lie, it was tough! It required a lot of patience, balance, strategy, and strength. Yet at the same time, it was freaking awesome! We had so much fun and enjoyed that bonding experience.
Work hard- play harder. After all that hard work, it’s time for some relaxation! How about some brewery hopping?
Start off at Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House where you can also enjoy a yummy burger and fries. Then you have quite a few more brewery options nearby to choose from:
- Mother Road Brewing Co
- Dark Sky Brewing
- Wanderlust Brewing
- Flagstaff Brewing Company
Later on, if you want a nice and romantic dinner, consider making a reservation at Root Public House! It’s a quiet and contemporary American restaurant with a great cocktail bar.
Sunday in Flagstaff
For your last morning in Flag, try out another unique breakfast spot. Here’s two more of our favorites: MIX or The Toasted Owl Cafe. MIX is more of your contemporary, fun, lively brunch spot with mimosas and really fun breakfast cocktails. Whereas The Toasted Owl is going to be more of a hipster, eclectic style restaurant with traditional breakfast meals.
After breakfast, feel free to shop around town within walking distance. You’ll find some cute boutique shops with candy, soaps, clothing, and more!
By the afternoon, you can choose from these two options which are both fun in different ways. We really love going to Buffalo Park. It’s a quiet but large park where you can do some walking or hiking. One time we chose to have a picnic there! We found a shaded spot under a tree and just relaxed with some snacks in hand and Sparky the drone up above to capture the moment.
If a park isn’t your thing, one other option to checkout while in Flag is the Lowell Observatory. It is one of the oldest observatories in the U.S. and was founded by Percival Lowell. It is most known for its Pluto Discovery Telescope, used by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 to discover the dwarf planet Pluto.
We Love Flagstaff
We hope you make it to Flagstaff at some point because it is one of our favorite getaways! While there, if you’re looking for a great Airbnb, we stay at this one just above Historic Brewing and LOVED it! Airbnb Name: Craft Beer Getaway Above Historic Brewing Company.