Flagstaff Travelers Recommend

With three days in Flagstaff, you’ll be able to enjoy charming downtown and still have plenty of time for other adventures. From day trips to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend to ziplining above pine forests, opportunities for fun abound in this northern Arizona city. Here are a variety of ways to spend three days in Flagstaff. 

Day 1: Sights, Hights, and Wildlife

Start off by getting to know the city on a guided tour of downtown on foot, bike, or Segway. See historic areas and the railroad district, and get personalized recommendations from your guide to help you explore the rest of the area. Once you have the lay of the land, get your adrenaline fix and push your boundaries at an adventure park that has zip lines and challenge courses for both adults and kids.

After enjoying lunch (perhaps at one of the restaurants spotted on your morning tour), head out of town to Bearizona Wildlife Park for a self-driven North American wildlife safari. Take the long way home, and spend the evening in Jerome, where you can join a haunted tour that highlights the spooky side of the historic mining town. 

Day 2: Landscapes to the North

On your second day, head north toward the Utah border, where you’ll find many of Arizona’s most photo-worthy and culturally important attractions. For an outdoor adventure, take a tour that includes off-roading in Antelope Canyon and visiting the Colorado River, Lake Powell, and Glen Canyon. Alternatively, if you want a deep dive into American Indian culture (and views of stunning landscapes), join a tour that heads to Monument Valley. The guided trip traverses the Navajo Nation, and you can see traditional Navajo homes and learn about the nation’s culture and history, then see the park’s towering natural sandstone monuments. 

If you’d rather explore on your own, take a shuttle from Flagstaff to Page. The daily shuttle service offers both morning and afternoon departures and provides access to attractions like Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam. Wrap up your evening back in Flagstaff with a guided beer-and-wine tour.

Day 3: The Grandest Views

Save the best for last, and fill your third day with a tour of Arizona’s most famous landmark: the Grand Canyon. The closest viewing spot is just a 1.5-hour drive from Flagstaff, but book a full-day tour to guarantee that you’ll see all the highlights of the South Rim, like the iconic panoramas from Yavapai Point, and also have a chance to explore some of the other lesser-known attractions. Head into the inner gorge to see the Colorado River up close, visit Pueblo ruins, or even book a private Grand Canyon hiking tour and escape the crowds on a scenic trek that includes a picnic lunch with a view. You can also add a helicopter flight to your tour for unmatched photo opportunities. After a busy day exploring the Grand Canyon, return to Flagstaff’s historic downtown for some country music and dancing at the Museum Club, a popular saloon.

Surrounded by majestic peaks and desertscapes, Flagstaff is best known as an outdoor adventure mecca and the gateway to the Grand Canyon—but the historic downtown and lively food and beer scene are enough to keep you entertained for the day without even leaving town. Here’s how to spend an adventure-filled day exploring Flagstaff. 

Morning: Highlights and History

Kick off your day in Flagstaff with a discovery of the city’s historic charms on a guided walking, biking, or Segway tour. Don’t waste time finding your way around the city on your own and instead get straight to the local hot spots with a guide to give you personalized tips for restaurants, shopping, and sights. Continue to expand your knowledge of the region's history and culture at the Museum of Northern Arizona to see American Indian artifacts and exhibits that focus on the geology and natural history of the surrounding area. 

Afternoon: Outdoor Thrills

You barely have to leave town to reach the fresh forest air of Flagstaff's Fort Tuthill County Park. Head to Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course to soar above the ponderosa pines on ziplines or push your boundaries on an adventure challenge course. There's a special course designed just for kids ages 7 to 11. Next, head to Bearizona Wildlife Park, a perfect spot to see wildlife while entertaining yourself or the kids on a convenient self-driving tour a half-hour west of Flagstaff. 

Night: Beer, Wine, and (Paranormal) Spirits

A small-group guided beer and wine tour is an ideal way to explore Flagstaff’s many breweries, bars, and restaurants. Travel by bike with a guide to lead the way and make personalized tasting recommendations. While you could spend the whole evening enjoying Flagstaff’s bars with your newfound friends, it's time to discover a different type of spirit. The ghosts of the “Wickedest Town in the West” are waiting for you at the ruins of Jerome, south of Flagstaff. Join a late-night haunted historical tour and walk through the once-booming town while your guide shares spooky stories about your surroundings.

Flagstaff is best known as a gateway to the Grand Canyon, but with two days based in the Northern Arizona adventure hub, you have time to get to know the city’s often overlooked attractions before making a day trip to the famous canyon. Here’s how to maximize your time in Flagstaff and on a trip to the Grand Canyon. 

Day 1: Culture and Adventure

**Morning:**Get acquainted with the city on a guided walking, biking, or Segway tour that introduces you to Flagstaff’s historic downtown in an interactive and informative way. From there, start ramping up the adrenaline with a zipline or challenge course adventure on the outskirts of town at Fort Tuthill County Park.

**Afternoon:**Get out of town and see the mountains and desert landscapes for which the region is known. Book a shuttle from Flagstaff to Page and Lake Powel and let someone else do the driving. Alternatively, tour Bearizona Wildlife Park from your own vehicle. 

**Night:**Wrap up your first day in Flagstaff by biking through the city on a guided tour that introduces you to the city’s beer and wine culture. Or, if beer and wine aren’t your thing, opt for a family-friendly excursion that explores the spooky side of the historic downtown.

Day 2: The Grand Canyon

**Morning:**Get up early for a guided Grand Canyon day trip that hits all the road trip highlights along the way. Take advantage of classic desert photo ops in the morning light and learn about local history at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument. 

**Afternoon:**Stop for lunch and souvenirs at Cameron Trading Post before continuing to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Inside the park, you have time to explore the Rim Trail, which leads to many iconic overlooks and provides vantage points for panoramic photos. 

**Night:**A tour with round-trip transportation means that after sunset at the Grand Canyon, you can rest on the drive back to your hotel. Then, spend your evening relaxing at one of downtown Flagstaff’s breweries or restaurants, enjoying handcrafted beer and locally sourced food.