Exploring Pinetop, AZ
Time needed in this town: A long weekend, a week, or an entire summer! Many people have second homes here.
Over Labor Day weekend of 2021, me and my girlfriends headed to Pinetop, AZ for relaxation, outdoor activities, wine, board games, and great food. About 3 hours northeast of Phoenix, Pinetop is a whole different world, compared to the rest of Arizona, in that you feel like you’re nestled in the pine tree-laden woods of Colorado or Montana. It’s a tiny town with a large personality, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy any number of year-round activities or just relax.
The below information is a complete guide of the best places to stay, the top rated places to dine and drink, and all there is to see and do. We’ve also included transportation tips, as well as a summary of the history of this town of relaxation!
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Where to Stay
NOTE: Almost all of the below list are home/condo rentals. This is the best way to find a great place to stay with a whole place to yourself!
Where to Dine & Drink
Charlie Clark’s Steakhouse
I’ll be honest, it’s not the best food, but it is the best for history, people-watching, and drinks. They do not take reservations so get there early.
Crockery Cafe & Infusery
Home-cooked sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.
Cyclelogical Coffee
A bike-themed coffee shop with fantastic drinks, great decor, and wonderful apparel.
Darbi’s Cafe
If you want a GREAT breakfast in a rustic setting, this is the place. TIP: They do not take reservations so make sure you get there early as there is usually a line.
Italian Lady Of Pinetop Cannoli Shack & Kitchen
East coast-style hoagies, soups, cannoli, Italian cream sodas, and more.
Johnny & Dee’s Picnic Basket
Per their description, “Cozy spaces. Homestyle cooking. Extra large portions. When you dine here, you’ll feel like you’re back home in your grandma’s kitchen. An Arizona staple for locals and tourists alike, Johnny & Dee's Picnic Basket serves breakfast and lunch classics made fresh every day. Have a large party that you want to feed? You can rent out spaces here or hire us for catering at a private venue. With our custom menus and diverse food options, we can make accommodations for anyone's tastes. Come on in, have a biscuit or two, and enjoy a meal at your home away from home.”
Mr. Zeke’s Restaurant
Serving an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Pinetop Coffee House and Roasting Company
First, I love that a husband and wife own it, the husband of which is a military vet. Second, their coffee drinks are amazing, so it’s definitely a must-stop place.
Red Devil Restaurant & Bar
Italian subs, pastas & other classics join pizza & calzones on this casual chain pizzeria's menu.
The Bistro at Annie’s
Per their description, “We started our business in 2005 with one goal in mind: providing an enjoyable dining experience to the Pinetop-Lakeside area. Thanks to our experience and dedication, we’ve managed to become masters of the craft. Providing dishes that are fresh, hearty and simply unforgettable.”
Wine Mountains
Have you ever had jalapeño-infused red wine? It’s amazing! This place has great live music, food, and a wonderful selection of wines.
Things to See & Do
There are so many amazing things to do in Pinetop, from endless hiking, golfing, boating, 4-wheeling, horseback riding, not to mention all of the winter sports. Below are what we took advantage of while we were there.
4-WHEELING
It helps that our girlfriend (who hosted us) has all the vehicles necessary to go off-roading. Any number of off-road entrances allow for 4-wheelers to go back there and explore.
Go Golfing
There are a number of golf courses around Pinetop:
Hike Thompson trail
The Thompson Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains as you walk along the river while hearing the sound of the water rushing over the rocks.
HORSEBACK RIDING AT SUNSET
One of the coolest things I got to do, during my time there, was go horseback riding at sunset. Porter Mountain Stables gave us such an incredible experience with the gentlest of trail horses. Check out my slideshow below of the beauty we got to experience.
LIVE MUSIC AND A FLEA MARKET
The Orchard is 2 1/2 acres of both adult and family fun. During the day, it has a flea market, live music, bar, BBQ, and plenty of space to run around. At night, people set up lawn chairs, snag fire pits and picnic tables, drink, and listen to live music.
Sunrise Park resort
Sunrise Park Resort is Arizona’s Ultimate Mountain Adventure, offering the most ski runs and acreage in the state. They offer skiing, snowboarding, ski bikes, and have lessons available for all ages. In the summer, enjoy zip-lining, downhill mountain biking, archery, disc golf, and more!
How to Get There
While there are smaller airports to fly into, if you choose to fly into Phoenix, prepare to rent a car and drive the three hours. There is a lot of beauty along the way, so definitely stop at vista points and take pics (see the pics below).
SPEED TRAP WARNING: The area of Globe has a much slower speed limit than most Arizonians are used to and they are STRICT about it. It goes from 60 MPH to 35 MPH with absolutely no warning, especially through the mountain roads.
Speaking of Globe, if you have time to stop along the way and check out the historic district, do it! It’s a hidden city that’s rich of mining and prehistoric Native American history.
A History Summary
1880 - There were few settlers in this area, primarily comprised of six Latter Day Saints (Mormon) families.
1884 - Hans Hansen, Sr., a native of Denmark, was called by the church to represent the area as bishop of the Show Low ward. At that time, the ward extended from Fort Apache to Linden and Adair (Fools’ Hollow).
1891 - Bishop Hansen’s home burned and he relocated from the Show Low area to Warren Ranch in Pinetop.
1893 - He bought a squatter’s right to a small log house in Woodland, for which he paid twenty head of cattle.
1890s - Development of farms and orchards are historically noted, along with legal disputes concerning water rights. This also was the approximate time of the emergence of formal schooling, which until then, had been held in family homes, woodsheds, and root houses.
1895 - A local post office was established.
1896 - A school district was formed, which provided classes only two to five months a year.
1900 - 1920s - Sawmills were built and new pine trees sprang up. The area of Pinetop looked virtually untouched until the 1920s.
1903 - Except for Adair Spring and Pinetop, the mountain’s fresh water sources dried up and residents were forced to haul water from there.
1904 - A reservoir was built, following a very wet year.
1905 - There was a steep sheep population decline, causing most farmers to sell out.
1984 - Pinetop and Lakeside were divided into two towns.
