Just like most recent 2020 college graduates, I had to face the unfortunate reality that the only traveling post grad I was going to be doing was from my bedroom to the living room…. and maybe on an adventurous day, stepping out onto my front porch. Instead of finishing up my final set of exams for my college degree at USC, while simultaneously packing for a 2 week European adventure… I was just trying to stay motivated during bland Zoom lectures and reluctantly canceling my plain, train, and Airbnb reservations.

To avoid day dreaming of bathing in the thermal baths of Budapest, and indulging in fresh Baklava in Mykonos, I deleted my Google Doc itinerary and pretended I never mapped out my exact plans, and did not extensively researched my future travels ~sigh~. Instead of walking in my graduation ceremony and accepting my diploma in person, I stayed inside and got cabin fever, while trying to distract myself by baking banana bread and aimlessly scrolling through TikTok. As months went on, and no international travel seemed to be in my near future, I got restless and had to escape… even if that was just a minor adventure.

I used the money I saved from canceling my trip to Europe and splurged on a car to make a road trip East of California and see what Arizona was all about.

Here’s my guide to a road trip through Arizona:

Flagstaff:

Flagstaff is a surprisingly quaint town (with a eerie haunted aspect) that will make you feel like you’re in a quirky sitcom. We booked a one night stay at the Hotel Monte Vista, based on its ideal placement in the center of downtown, but were soon informed upon arrival that the hotel has an extensive history; with a vast amount of regular celebrity guests, as well as a haunted reputation.

The Hotel was erected in the mid-1920s and hosted reoccurring guests such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Michael J. Fox, and many more. We had an entertaining night in the hotel reading the ghost stories on their website, and visiting the rooms with rumored ghost activity, while being wary that the Phantom Bellboy could be following closely behind. Unfortunately, during our stay we missed out on enjoying the Monte V Cocktail Lounge, that is usually filled with the sound of live music and lively locals/NAU students, due to COVID restrictions but it gave us a reason to return.

Although the Hotel Monte Vista was the main highlight of our Flagstaff experience, there were plenty other charming aspects. Majerle’s Sports Grill is a great spot to get a reasonably priced beer and watch a sporting event. If you’re looking for an easy dinner option (especially in the times of COVID restrictions) Nimarco’s Pizza West is a great local spot with quick delivery and quality food.

Phoenix/Scottsdale:

There’s just something about this part of Arizona that seems so “futuristic.” From the street planning to the new building structures, Phoenix appears to not only be trying to stay relevant, but in fact ahead of the curve.

Some Arizona establishments to check out while in this area are: Blanco Tacos + Tequila (California definitely needs this chain), Blue Clover Distillery, and of course Dutch Bros. Coffee. Sadly I did not spend an extensive time in Phoenix or Scottsdale so that’s all I can recommend in the area.

Tucson:

As much as it pains me to say, the dirty T is Wildcat country… so Bear Down? Tucson is the home of UofA, but so much more than just that. Tucson gives off a western feel to it, while also being very much a college town. If you aren’t in the mood to stroll through a sea of college students you can go to the higher end dinning and shopping in the Tucson Catalina Foothills.

Tombstone:

Tombstone definitely lives up to its reputation of being “The town too tough to die.” The best things to do while in Tombstone are: see the reenactments & shows, check out the O.K. Corral, do a wine tasting at Silver Strike Winery, drink a flight at the Tombstone Brewing Company, grab some lunch at the local bars, and get some antique shopping done. Although Tombstone appears to be the same as it was in the 1880s, it is far from being dated or lame. Walking through the town makes you feel as though you’ve embodied Wyatt Earp or Doc Holiday. Tombstone has even stayed so true to its roots that when filming the 1993 Tombstone movie, they had to take production to Tucson because the town refused to change anything from its original glory. If time allows it, you definitely want to spend an entire day or two exploring Tombstones uniqueness.

Bisbee:

Tombstone is known as the town too tough to die, which is quite different than the close neighboring area of Bisbee, whose slogan is “the town too high to care.” Being in Bisbee feels like a peaceful dream. Not only is the tiny town beautiful, but the people are uncharacteristically nice. This was by far my favorite stop on the road trip.

Some places that are an absolute must to check out while in Bisbee are:

Screaming Banshee: wood-fired pizza spot and bar.

Old Bisbee Brewing Company: micro-brewery with award winning artisan beers.

Copper City Saloon: A bar and grill in the center of town.

Chuckleheads: A Bisbee locals spot that is a bar which doubles as a comedy club!

Copper Queen: A hotel with a restaurant and bar.

Mile High Muncheese: A cheese shop filled with imported and domestic cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer, and many other necessities.

Cafe Roka: American food accompanied with live jazz music inside of one of Bisbee’s historic buildings.

Santiagos: A Mexican food restaurant with the best (and strongest) margaritas in town.

Bisbee Breakfast Club: The cutest diner style breakfast spot around!