Hello Flavor Chasers,

We’re back on the chase, this time, heading north to Flagstaff, AZ.

We’re a little embarrassed to admit it, but after living in Arizona for over a decade, we finally made it to this pine-scented mountain town. From what we’ve heard, and from nearly every visitor we’ve met, Flagstaff is usually the first stop on any Arizona itinerary. Unintentionally, we skipped it. Until now. And you know what? Sometimes the best trips aren’t the ones you spend weeks planning; they’re the spontaneous escapes that give you just enough time to reset and soak in something new. That’s exactly what our overnight getaway to Flagstaff turned out to be, filled with delicious food, stunning nature, and charming local spots.

The Drive Up

We love road trips, especially the kind that let us soak in the scenery of God’s beautiful earth. Driving to Flagstaff was no exception. As we left the desert behind, the landscape slowly morphed into rolling hills and eventually, cool pine forests. It felt like we were being gently transported back to the Midwest. Peaceful. Scenic. The kind of drive that instantly shifts you into vacation mode, even if it’s just for one night. Flagstaff isn’t far from Phoenix, roughly 4 hours. Just enough time to settle into the rhythm of the road and savor every breathtaking view along the way.

Exploring Downtown Flagstaff

When we arrived, we spent most of the day wandering through downtown. The historic streets are lined with quirky shops, coffee spots, and plenty of local character. There’s a relaxed, walkable vibe that makes it easy to just drift from block to block, discovering something new on every corner. Between the crisp mountain air, colorful murals, and people out enjoying the day, it felt like the heartbeat of the town. One of our favorite finds? Heritage Square, a popular hangout nestled in the heart of downtown. It’s surrounded by cool retail shops and restaurants, with plenty of outdoor space to kick back and soak it all in. Throughout the year, Heritage Square hosts all kinds of community events: live music, outdoor movies, and kids’ activities. We were there to catch the outdoor movie, Up.

Where We Stayed: Little America Hotel

Nestled among tall pines, the Little America Hotel is one of those Flagstaff staples that makes you feel like you’re truly in the mountains. It’s cozy yet spacious, the kind of place where you wake up to crisp air and birdsong outside your window. For a quick trip, it had everything we needed: comfort, easy access to downtown, and that classic “Flagstaff in the forest” vibe. Let’s talk about the room. It was lovely, and CLEAN. You know that moment when you inspect a hotel room and spot that one thing housekeeping missed? Suddenly, you’re questioning everything and feeling a little icky. Yeah, none of that here. The room passed the vibe check. Sparkling clean, inside and out.

Where We Ate: Burgers & Small Bites

Now on to the food!

Our first stop: Diablo Burger, and for good reason, we were in the mood for burgers. After a little research, we found it’s a Flagstaff must-try, known for its locally sourced grass-fed beef and wildly creative burger combinations. We ordered the Señor Smoke burger, stacked with ancho grilled onions, grilled avocado, bacon, cilantro, and sriracha mayo. For our second burger, we opted to build our own, choosing from categories like cheese, spread, veggies, egg, bacon, and bread. Our combo? sharp cheddar cheese, grilled onions, grilled avocado, and roasted garlic, no spread, served on an English muffin bun (which made the whole thing extra fun). Every burger comes topped with seasonal greens, tomato, a side of fries, and a pickle. The result? Hearty, flavorful, and just messy enough to feel indulgent. And the fries? Fresh-cut heaven. Crispy perfection.

Diablo Burger menu; Senor Smoke (far back) and Build Your Own (Front)

After we finished our delicious burgers, we started back on our stroll through downtown. We mostly did window shopping, stopping in the different retail stores, taking a look around. One standout stop: Olive the Best, a specialty olive oil shop where we sampled infused oils and vinegars. Their olive oil? Smooth, rich, and seriously good. Continuing our stroll, we stumbled upon Teatro, a visually stunning restaurant with an elevated vibe we couldn’t resist. We dropped in for happy hour, grabbed seats at the bar, and sipped on their spritz cocktail while soaking in the ambience. The bartending staff brought extra sparkle to the experience with their warm conversation and contagious joy. It was a great way to round out our mini food tour of Flagstaff.

What We Missed (and Wish We Didn’t)

As mentioned above, we had planned to join the outdoor movie festivity of Up in Heritage Square, but a mix-up with the start time and intermittent rain led us to call it an evening and head back to the hotel.

Next time, it’s definitely on the list.

On the Way Home: Mortimer Farms

Our only pit stop on our road trip was Mortimer Farms on our way back home. Just off the highway, it’s the perfect halfway point between Flagstaff and Phoenix. We love a good farm, and we decided we wanted to make a point to check out this farm. Like the Farm at South Mountain or Schnepf Farms, Mortimer Farms offers fresh produce, local goods, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere that makes you want to linger. If you’re traveling with kids or just craving a little countryside charm, Mortimer Farms is a must-stop.

Side Humor: As we were exiting the store, a rogue bee launched a full-scale attack! I was wearing a perfume called Bee, yes, Bee, which in hindsight felt like a pheromonal invitation to chaos. This one rogue bee took the bait and I was the first target. J leapt in to save me, heroic and flailing, only to get stung herself. I got stung, panicked, tried to run, fell! J attempted to distract the bee once more. I scrambled up, tried to run again, fell again! J was still mid-rescue, swatting and shouting like a one-woman SWAT team. I finally managed to sprint to the car, adrenaline pumping, dignity nowhere in sight. We rode home with an ice pack, a mild fear of flying insects, and a story we’ll be telling forever.

Nature: 1. Flavor Chasers: 0.

Final Thoughts

Even though it was just an overnight stay, our Flagstaff trip reminded us how refreshing a quick getaway can be. From wandering the streets of downtown to savoring burgers, breathing in pine trees, and local farms, we packed a lot into a short time. Add in the peaceful drive through Arizona’s changing landscapes, and the journey felt just as restorative as the destination itself. And yes, there was the bee incident. If you’re planning a trip, we wholeheartedly recommend checking out the spots we mentioned above, just maybe skip the fragrance. Flagstaff’s charm is real, and it’s waiting for you.

Flavor Map: Chasing Flavors Flagstaff Trail

Here’s our tasting trail through Flagstaff. Follow it, remix it, or make it your own.

Start Here: Diablo Burger

📍 120 N Leroux St

Kick things off with the Señor Smoke burger, ancho onions, grilled avocado, bacon, cilantro, and sriracha mayo on an English muffin bun. Messy, hearty, and unforgettable.

🌀 Flavor Mood: Bold & Unapologetic

Community Pulse: Heritage Square

📍 6 E Aspen Ave

Flagstaff’s downtown heartbeat. Murals, music, movie nights, and locals lounging in the sun. Whether you’re people-watching or catching a community event, this spot radiates small-town charm.

🌀 Flavor Mood: Vibrant & Welcoming

Midday Stroll: Olive the Best

📍 18 E Birch Ave

Sample infused olive oils and vinegars that range from smoky to citrusy to downright addictive. A sensory playground for your palate.

🌀 Flavor Mood: Curious & Playful

Happy Hour Pause: Teatro

📍 17 N San Francisco St

Sip a spritz cocktail at the bar while soaking in the elevated ambience and joyful energy of the staff.

🌀 Flavor Mood: Effervescent & Elevated

🐝 Bee-ware Bonus Stop: Mortimer Farms

📍 12907 E State Route 169, Dewey

Grab fresh produce and local goods on your way home, but if you smell too good, beware the airborne drama. A wholesome farm stop turned dramatic thanks to one overly affectionate bee.

🌀 Flavor Mood: Sweet & Slightly Traumatized

Until Next Time, Flagstaff

If you’ve got a favorite Flagstaff stop, or a road trip mishap of your own, we’d love to hear it. Drop it in the comments and help us build the next Flavor Map together.

A Quick Flagstaff Getaway: Burgers, Pines, and a Farm Stop