This post was updated on July 21, 2022. Hi friends. Hope you are having a great summer and enjoying the warm weather. There’s still time to plan a family vacation so I’ve been updating some of my travel posts to highlight the fun areas I’ve been to. Things to do in Arizona has ideas from the 2017 and 2020 trips we took. This article has suggestions of restaurants, shopping, places to stay and also other fun things to do in Arizona. The cities we’ve been to listed in this article are:
- Phoenix
- Cave Creek
- Jerome
- Sedona
- Scottsdale
- Flagstaff
- Carefree
- Cottonwood
Hopefully some of the things in this post are helpful and you are able to enjoy them like we did.
*Note: This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
THINGS TO DO IN ARIZONA
RESTAURANTS
Hob Nobs
2800 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 253-9220
It was so nice here. There were a lot of people coming in as we arrived, but we were still able to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Food was outstanding and the atmosphere was very relaxing. In addition, the prices were very reasonable.
First Watch
3215 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 955-3447
This restaurant was so good we ate here twice. There were a lot of healthy options to pick from and the prices were also very reasonable.
La Grande Orange
4410 N. 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 840-7777
This was the first place we went to when we got to Arizona. There was a little shop on one side and also a sit down restaurant on the other. Food was delicious and the staff was very nice. In addition, prices were reasonable and atmosphere was inviting.
Fat Olives
2308 E Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (928) 853-0056
We were looking for a place to eat and thought Fat Olives sounded like a good choice. Great reviews and good food to back it up. We really enjoyed our meal and highly recommend.
Sedona Golf Resort
35 Ridge Trail Dr, Sedona, AZ 86351
Phone: (928) 284-9355
This was a place we went to for a farewell lunch for our niece who had gotten married in Sedona. The couple picked this place to have everyone get together one last time before everyone traveled back to their hometowns. Sedona Golf Resort was really nice. The food was great and the atmosphere was relaxing. We were able to eat outside. Wouldn’t of thought of this place so it was a really nice selection.
Sedona Pizza and Pasta Company
320 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 203-5656
We came here for our niece’s bridal party – night before wedding get together. Delicious food. Everything was amazing. You can see from the picture below of how delicious the desserts were!!
Totally worth checking out.
Grotto Café
6501 E. Cave Creek Rd. STE #8, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 499-0140
Another great place to grab a bite to eat. There is an outside seating area that we sat at and enjoyed the sun and atmosphere. Prices were reasonable and the food was delicious.
The Tavern Grille
On Scenic and Historic 89A in Historic Old Town • 914 N. Main Street • Cottonwood, Arizona 86326
Phone: (928) 634-6669
For a great meal, super service and friendly environment, The Tavern Grille is a good choice.
Crema
917 N. Main Street in Historic Old Town Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone: (928) 649-5785
Another awesome place to eat. We went here for breakfast. Everyone enjoyed their food, the service was great and it was a nice atmosphere. If you are in Cottonwood/Jerome area, these restaurants listed below are all owned by the same 2 people. If you don’t stop at Crema or The Tavern Grille, here’s a few other selections you may want to visit.
Nic’s Italian Steak Crab House
The Clinkscale Hotel Bar and Grill
Haunted Hamburger
On Scenic and Historic 89A
410 Clark Street, Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (928) 634-0554
I saved the best for last!! A few years back, I was in Arizona and had eaten at the Haunted Hamburger. Loved it! I was excited to be able to bring my husband and daughter on this trip and have them experience this amazing restaurant. Everything about this place is fun, happy and a great experience.
SHOPPING
If you have read my post, 10 sites to buy and sell used clothes, you may know I love to shop. So, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to talk about the fun shopping we did in Arizona.
Since our visit landed on Mother’s Day, everyone said I could pick something I really wanted to do, so I decided on consignment shopping.
Simply Posh
2480 W. Happy Valley Rd., #1202 Phoenix, AZ 85085
Phone: (602) 460-5485
This boutique had really cute pieces with high end names. Wishing we had more of these boutiques around where I live. Would recommend and would go back!!
Poor Little Rich Girl
1582 E. Bethany Home Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone: (602) 354-5680
Another super cute, super trendy boutique. Worth checking out.
Retablo
17404 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 803-3030
There is so, so much to see here. The products were great quality and there was a lot of unique items to pick from. Retablo didn’t ship though, so we had to take our purchases to the post office and ship them home. Below are just a few of the items you can find here.
Shadow’s Hot Mess Boutique
1034 N Main St # 17, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Phone: (928) 592-7793
This boutique has a variety of trendy clothing and accessories. A part of their profit always goes to non-profits and charities.
I remember when we stopped in here, the lady who was working was super nice. The items were really cute and it was a super cute boutique. Definitely one to stop at.
Phoenix Rising Boutique
1016 N Main St Cottonwood, AZ
Phone: (928) 821-2422
Another cute boutique worth suggesting. Cute clothes and fun items to look through.
Jerome Ghost Pepper Co.
500 Main Street, Jerome, AZ 86331.
Phone: (928) 634-2416
Paige’s boyfriend Andrew loves hot sauce so we had to go in here. Cute store with a nice selection of sauces. Bought a few bottles but didn’t realize the bottles were to big to take back home on the airplane. Had them taken at the airport. Luckily they ship to your home, so we had a few shipped for Andrew for Christmas.
Firefly
208 S. Main St., Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (928) 639-3473
If you are in Jerome and are looking for a nice shop to look around in, check out Firefly. My husband bought me this beautiful bracelet here. The price was right and it is so cute. I get compliments on it every time I wear it.
House of Joy
416 Hull Ave, Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (928) 634-5339
It was fun to look through the unique items in this shop. Nice employees and one of a kind finds.
Liberty Theatre & Gifts
110 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86324
Phone: (928) 649-9016
Liberty Theatre & Gifts is located on Jerome Ave off of Main Street. The gift shop is on the first floor of the old 1918 building that started as a silent movie theater. I thought this store had some really cute items and bought a few t-shirts here.
Earthbound Trading #420
300 N. SR 89A Suite #2, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 204-5669
This store was so awesome!! It had so much variety and cute items to choose from. Great prices and also a friendly staff.
Bennali’s On Main
276 N State Rte 89A Unit C, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 282-4810
If you love cute, fashionable clothes, this is the spot. I ended up buying a few things in here. Very cute selection and the lady working was very nice. One of my favorite stores while in Arizona.
Sedona Devine – Olive Oils and Vinegars
270 N. State Rte. 89A, Suite #5, Sedona, AZ 86336
Phone: (928) 282-8727
Olive Oils and Vinegars is another one of many, cute little shops in this area. There were so many different oils to pick from. We got a few to bring home for others.
Scottsdale Shopping – Urban Outfitters
15037 N. Scottsdale Rd, #100 Scottsdale Quarter, Scottsdale, AZ 85254-1390
Phone: (480) 315-9791
Another awesome shopping center with so many different stores to pick from. Click the map here to see the directory of all the other stores in the area.
Arizona Handmade Gallery
20 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 779-3790
Stop in the Arizona Handmade Gallery to see a variety of mediums created by many different artists. Some of the mediums you may see: paintings, glass art, ceramic art, jewelry, woodcuts, lithograph and intaglio prints, fiber art, metal art, and mixed media pieces. Many nice pieces and very friendly staff.
Places to Stay in Arizona
Drury Inn and Suites Hotel
300 South Milton Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001
800-DRURYINN (800-378-7946)
It was really nice staying here. The room was clean, there was a pool to enjoy and if you like to work out, there is an exercise room. The other great thing about this hotel was they have free meals here. Stop by the lobby every day for free soda and popcorn. Breakfast is free and they have a 5:30 Kickback. Try something different every night! They have a rotating menu of fresh, hot food and beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks are served every day. See an example Kickback menu and plan your next visit today!
Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North
1515 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 244-8800
When we travel, I really enjoy staying at the Holiday Inns. The rooms are always nice and clean and sometimes you can get a free breakfast. We stayed here in 2020 and got the free breakfast but now when I look at their website I don’t see this as an option. If you are looking for a free breakfast option, give them a call and inquire.
This hotel has a really nice pool and workout room. Definitely a great place to stay.
The Tavern Hotel
On Scenic and Historic 89A in Historic Old Town 904 N. Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Hotel Front Desk: 928.639.1669
Super cute hotel. It was located around a bunch of shops within walking distance and a variety of great restaurants. After the 4pm check-in, you will receive a complimentary cocktail at The Tavern Grille right next door. A Continental Breakfast is included across Main Street at Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar. You can use your complimentary coupons for a nice Continental Breakfast or for value towards one of Chef Michelle’s special brunch entrees and maybe an Ultimate Mimosa or one of the famous Haunted Hamburger Bloody Marys.
Sky Ranch Lodge
1105 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Phone: 928-282-6400
We stayed here in 2020 for our nieces wedding. If you are looking for a beautiful location with breathtaking views, this is the place. There were little places to sit and relax, a pool and a hiking area within walking distance. If you are looking for an outstanding place to stay, check out the Sky Ranch Lodge.
Other Fun Things To Do In Arizona
Carefree Desert Gardens
01 Easy St, Carefree, AZ 85377
We had picked up some desserts at the La Grande Orange and drove to this cute park. There were so many friendly people there with their dogs. In addition, there are many great photo opportunities and also a relaxing place to enjoy each others company.
Jerome Grand Hotel
200 Hill St, Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: (888) 817-6788
Located on a high ridge in the Verde Valley, this reportedly haunted 1926 Spanish Mission-style hotel is set in a former hospital, and is a 7-minute walk from the main street of Arizona’s biggest ghost town. We didn’t stay here but we always stop to get some photo’s. It’s a pretty awesome place to check out.
Bartlett Hotel Ruins
Main Street, Jerome, AZ 86331
The floor of the Bartlett Hotel, the only ruin that remains on Main Street, is filled with coins pitched by tourists at an old outhouse and toilet and rusted mining artifacts. This odd coin toss earns as much as $6500 a year for the Jerome Historical Society.
We always make it a point to stop here while in Jerome to see who can get their change in the toilet. The simple things that entertain us. If you are on Main Street, stop and have your change ready.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
Phone: (602) 257-1880
Paige is really into art, so it was nice to be able to give her something fun and inspiring to see during our trip. The other great thing about this place is, you can get in for free if you go during certain time frames. Check out their website to see when admission is free and enjoy some great art.
Pine Breeze Motel
One of the most memorable scenes in Easy Rider – Take exit 185, and continue south for a block, then turn left on Old Route 66. The vintage gas station — which served as the office in the scene — is located about a mile down the road on the left, right next door to the Pine Breeze Motel.
Our brother-in-law wanted to stop and get some pictures on Route 66. I had never seen the movie but it was pretty neat to see and get to experience this. To see more Easy Rider filming locations, take a look here.
Ody Sea Aquarium
9500 East Via de Ventura A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Phone: (480) 291-8000
With 30,000 animals, this is an amazing place to visit. We had a great time viewing all the different animals to see.
There are also touch pools where you can put your hand in the water and touch the sting rays. Another unique experience is the Living Sea. This is a one of a kind experience you won’t want to miss.
Get Married or Go to a Wedding
Back in 2020, we made a trip to Sedona to be a part of our niece’s wedding. The wedding took place at Sky Ranch Lodge. What a beautiful place. If you are looking for destination wedding places, this one tops the charts. Amazing views and scenery. Very memorable.
Labyrinth
1500 E Greenway Pkwy, Phoenix AZ
While visiting Arizona, some how the topic of labyrinths came about and the next thing you know we were walking one.
Some people walk Labyrinths to relieve stress and anxiety. It is also a path of healing, a place to increase relaxation, clarity and peace.
We all took a turn and walked the labyrinth for our own reasons. So, if you are looking to do something different and need a way to bring peace into your life, look into finding a labyrinth.
Grand Canyon
Directions to the Grand Canyon
Phone: (928) 638-7888
We took a day and spent it at the Grand Canyon. It was a very beautiful place. If you are in the area and have a day, I recommend stopping here. We took a trail that took us quite a ways down the canyon. I kept thinking about having to walk back up it so we didn’t make it all the way down. Make sure you have good shoes on, lots of water and sunscreen.
Sedona – Bell Rock
Bell Rock is located south of Sedona on Highway 179. From the “Y” at Highway 89A and Highway 179, take 179 south approximately 6.4 miles. You will see the parking lot on the left just before you reach Bell Rock Boulevard. The trailhead is located at the north end of the parking lot.
I saved the best for last, Sedona’s Bell Rock. It is such an amazing place to visit.
We spent a full day here taking in the views and also hiking Bell Rock. If your looking for a unique experience in addition to some great exercise, this is the perfect spot.
Visit our travel page to see other articles with more fun things to do.
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