Arizona in 5 Days: Best Things to Do in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona & Page
Desert Dreams: Our 5-Day Arizona Adventure
From red rock hikes to fiery sunsets, this trip to Arizona was the perfect blend of celebration, exploration, and food. Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking to relive the magic, here’s how we spent five unforgettable days in the Southwest.
Day 1: Arrival + Road to Flagstaff
When we landed in Phoenix, we went straight to pick up our car with Enterprise. Then, we immediately searched for flavor, which led us to Sonora Taco Shop, which is located very close to the airport. It's easily one of the best taco spots we’ve ever tried.
What we ordered:
Tacos
Vampiros
After satisfying our cravings, we quickly visited the local sports scene, stopping by the stadiums for the Diamondbacks (Baseball), Suns (Basketball), and Cardinals (Football).
Then it was time to hit the road — a beautiful drive to Flagstaff, where we checked into the charming and cozy High Country Motor Lodge.
Tucked off historic Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, High Country Motor Lodge was the perfect home base for all our adventures in Northern Arizona.
This affordable boutique hotel is clean, full of character, and gives off dreamy lodge vibes with a modern twist. It's even part of the Michelin Guide, and once you arrive, you’ll see why.
We loved how every space was designed to help you slow down and settle in from the cozy fire pits outside to the game room, where we could unwind after a long day of exploring. The on-site cocktail lounge made it easy to grab a drink without leaving the property, and their curated general store had everything from local snacks to stylish keepsakes.
And the location? Couldn’t have been more convenient. Just 1.5 hours from the Grand Canyon, 2 hours from Page and Antelope Canyon, and only 45 minutes to Sedona. This hotel made exploring the best of Northern Arizona easy and stress-free.
Dinner that night? A warm and wood-fired meal at Fat Olives, the perfect welcome to northern Arizona. We highly recommend Fat Olives, not only because of their VPN Certified Pizza (what is a VPN Certified?) but because of the atmosphere and friendly service. They were also on Guy Fieri’s show on the Food Network.
What we ordered:
Wood Fired Stracciatella
Belgio Dolce Pizza (What Guy Fieri ate)
Shrimp Fra Diavalo
Day 2: Page Adventures + Canyon Views
We hit the road early for a day trip to Page, Arizona, and it was so worth it. Pro Tip: Make sure you stop on the side of the road for some great photo ops!
Next, we explored the massive Glen Canyon Dam as we were on the way back to Page from the state signs. We also stopped at the Page sign on the way as well.
We booked our breathtaking guided tour with Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. We did the combination tour, including a private tour of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (PS: Southwest Airlines uses this location for a welcome to their app, like omg?).
View my hiking boots here. This is an affiliate link. I earn a small amount from your purchase at no additional cost. Thank you, advanced.
I highly recommend this tour because you will not have the public with you (12 people on the ride), and you can also take your time exploring. Our tour guide was the best, and this tour made our trip memorable with the amazing views. Please book this (the sunset tour), and you won’t regret it.
After our tour, drove home and we grabbed tacos at a fast food restaurant that we don’t have in Texas called, Del Taco.
Day 3: Grand Canyon to Sedona
This was our hiking day, and what a day it was.
We started with a sunrise drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim, hiking from South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point. The name says it all — every few steps brought a new "ooh" or "aah" moment.
Pro Tips while hiking the Grand Canyon:
We went on a Monday. Not as crowded. Prepare for long waits to enter the Grand Canyon if you go on the weekends or past 8:30 AM. When we were leaving the park, there was a wait time to get into the park. To enter the park with your car, it was $35.
The weather was perfect (end of April). It was chilly at first, then it started to warm up as time went on. I took off my coat.
Things to wear (These are affiliate links. I earn a small amount from your purchase at no additional cost. Thank you, in advance):
Make sure to pack snacks and/or a sandwich. These are great energy boosters once you get to your location. . because that climb back up?! PLEASE.
We started our day early so we wanted to continue our adventure of hikes. Next up was a 2-hour drive to Sedona, where we hiked the stunning Cathedral Rock trail. Well, I attempted to. This course was extremely difficult for me. I have a lot of fear of being unable to hold on to anything, as this trail had no guidance. You literally had to figure out how to get up there. My husband did it, though! I waited for him in an area where I felt safe. Please remember to know your limits because I sure did know mine! Other than that, the scenes of this trail were amazing. Highly recommend for you to wear hiking shoes.
Tired but hungry, we grabbed a late lunch/early dinner at Hideaway House, enjoying delicious food and panoramic views.
What we ordered:
Happy Hour wings
Kickin’ Chicken
Hideaway Antipasto Salad with added Chicken
We made it back to Flagstaff just in time for drinks and dessert by the fire pit at our hotel. The kind of night you don’t want to end.
What we ordered:
Old Fashion
Water (for me since I don’t drink)
Giant Brownie Warmed up
Day 4: Phoenix Part Two (and More Tacos)
We headed back to Phoenix, with a photo stop at Grand Canyon University, because the main reason why we were in Arizona was that he was graduating with his Master's! Yay. I got back into my photography bag and gave him his graduation photoshoot.
We then checked into our hotel in Phoenix, Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport South. This was the perfect location because it was not too far from Downtown and also very close to the airport. Even if we had a rental, this hotel had a great option for those who needed a shuttle to the airport.
And yes, we did go back to Sonora Taco Shop after picking up a friend at the airport because we couldn't stop thinking about those tacos. . and we also wanted our friend to also taste it! We order the same order however, we did split a burrito as well.
That evening, we caught up with friends over drinks at Sazerac, followed by dinner at Arizona Wilderness — both spots full of great energy in the Downtown area.
What we ordered:
Ginger Beer (Sazerac)
Old Fashion (Sazerac)
PB&J Burger (Arizona Wilderness)
Day 5: Graduation & Farewell Feels
Graduation day! We celebrated my husband’s big moment with a sunny, stylish lunch at Palma — an absolutely gorgeous spot with “out of the country” vibes.
What we ordered:
The Cure Platter (happy hour)
Desert Breeze (mocktail)
Old Fashion (can’t you tell that’s hub’s favorite lol)
Palma Smash Burger
Jalapeno Smash Burger
For our final night, we had dinner and dessert at the iconic Hanny’s, a stylish downtown spot that felt like the perfect grand finale.
What we ordered:
Italian Chicken Strips
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza
Brown Butter Cake
Turtle Sundae
Final Thoughts
Arizona was more than a destination; it was an experience.
From canyon hikes to cactus-studded drives, cozy hotel nights to big city flavors, we’re leaving with full hearts, incredible memories, and a list of places to visit again. Until next time, AZ. 🌄
