From fancy brunches to peaceful walks in the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world, Flagstaff has all you need to celebrate Mother’s Day 2024 in a special way. 


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Here is a sampling of Mother’s Day specials for May 12 around Flagstaff: 

Little America Hotel will feature made-to-order omelets, Belgian waffles, an assortment of crepes, fresh fruit, carving stations, succulent seafood delights, and a special buffet just for children. Bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary’s for adults. $92 per adult. flagstaff.littleamerica.com. (928) 779-7900.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro, one of Flagstaff’s premier restaurants, will offer brunch with savory temptations like a brioche French toast bananas foster, southwestern crab cakes, hickory smoked salmon, braised short ribs and more. $49.50 per adult. www.josephinesrestaurant.com. (928) 779-3400. 

Shift Kitchen and Bar and Oeno Wine Lounge will offer wine specials and feature winemakers who are mothers. Shift also will feature a chocolate layer cake that’s a favorite of Chef Dara Wong’s mother. Shiftflg.com (928) 440-5135 and oenoflg.com.  

Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar is offering a special Mother’s Day banquet menu offering specials like smoked salmon, crab crepes, Monte Cristo and other plates. www.brixflagstaff.com. (928) 213-1021.

Atria, which serves house-made pastas, fresh fish and premium steaks paired with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, will offer an a la carte Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.atriarestaurant.com. (928) 440-4377.

The Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff will offer prime rib, salmon, top sirloin, pork tenderloin, sushi, an array of seafood and more. $70 per adult. www.hilton.com/en/hotels/flgssdt-doubletree-flagstaff.  (928) 773-8880. 

Visit discoverflagstaff.com for a full listing of restaurants in the city for more tempting recommendations. 

A trip to Flagstaff to celebrate Mom also provides endless opportunities to experience the high-elevation mountain town. In Flagstaff you can: 

1. Experience Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments, all close to Flagstaff.

2. Take a short road trip to Grand Canyon National Park, just 80 miles from town.

3. Explore the new “Horse and Rider” exhibition and other installations at the Museum of Northern Arizona. 

4. Tour the historic Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, built by an early Flagstaff timber family. The park offers a special tour on Mother’s Day, “The Women of Riordan Mansion.”  

5. Zip-line through the forest at Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course. 

6. Take a tasting tour around Flagstaff and enjoy more than 200 restaurants, including four James Beard semifinalists within walking distance of each other in the historic downtown. 

7. Enjoy live jazz at Dark Sky Brewing Company’s Beaver Taproom on Mother’s Day. Have your Flagstaff Brewery Trail Passport stamped at all eight of the award-winning breweries and return the completed passport to the Flagstaff Visitor Center for a free commemorative pint glass!   

8. Experience wild west singing servers at Black Barts Steakhouse, Saloon and Musical Revue or take in a show at the Orpheum Theater (Tribal Seeds plays Mother’s Day) or Theatrikos Theatre Company.

9. Stargaze through telescopes and see the equipment that helped discover Pluto at Lowell Observatory.  

10. Take a free self-guided “Walk this Talk” tour on Route 66 introduced by Flagstaff local and actor Ted Danson. 

11. Stroll at the pet-friendly Arboretum at Flagstaff, which opened for the season May 1.

Learn more at discoverflagstaff.com