Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Flagstaff?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Flagstaff?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Flagstaff during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the hiking, the restaurant scene, the museums and landmarks, and the nightlife.

Flagstaff is a city in Arizona that is surrounded by mountains and desert landscapes. It's close to Humphreys Peak, which is the highest mountain in the state, and it's also near many parks, reserves, and natural landmarks. Visitors will enjoy the spectacular hiking and adventure sports in the area.

Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Flagstaff? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is 3 days enough time in Flagstaff?

Many visitors spend three days in Flagstaff to take in the town and the mountain scenery, too. This is a good amount of time to see the picturesque city's major attractions such as the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the museums and landmarks. If you have three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 3 days in Flagstaff

Known for it's hiking, Flagstaff sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Nearby you'll find world class hikes through surreal landscapes and diverse environments. The area is filled with desert landscapes and varied rock formations that are best explored on foot. Trails range in length and skill level, but whatever your ability, the hiking in the area is among the best.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The food scene is diverse and growing. There's a focus on local recipes and ingredients. You'll also find many casual and family-friendly restaurants. American cuisine is common, but you'll also find burritos, Indian curries, and frittatas.

Don't miss Walnut Canyon National Monument during your trip to Flagstaff, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. You'll find a range of bars and cocktail lounges around town that come to life in the evening hours.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. Lowell Observatory is a highlight for many visitors, especially those who are fascinated by space. There's also the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Pioneer Museum, and Fort Tuthill Military History Museum.

Flagstaff is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. While the city itself isn't exactly beautiful, the surrounding landscapes are surreal and truly unique.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Flagstaff Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game ($25)

Is 4 days enough time in Flagstaff?

With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Flagstaff has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel, spend more time hiking, or use Flagstaff as a base for day trips to nearby mountain towns. You'll be able to relax while enjoying the hiking, the restaurant scene, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Flagstaff, AZ Flagstaff, AZ

How to spend 4 days in Flagstaff

With 4 days in Flagstaff, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Flagstaff is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Located along historic Route 66, you'll find many shops that capture the city's history, particularly in the Southside Historic District. The town also has farmer's markets as well as shopping centers and large malls.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Flagstaff.

Is 5 days enough time in Flagstaff?

Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Flagstaff, giving you the freedom to set your own pace while you explore the town and surrounding mountains. Enjoy the chance to discover the nearby hiking trails, taste delicious cuisine, browse the museums, and dance the night away on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel, take on some extra hikes, or use Flagstaff as a hub for some nice day trips to nearby towns.

How to spend 5 days in Flagstaff

If you have more than 5 days in Flagstaff, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

After you've explored most of Flagstaff, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip from Flagstaff ($191)

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Flagstaff.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Flagstaff, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.