Tortilla Flat, Arizona, is the perfect day trip destination for families.
Today we’re sharing five things your kids will love at this stop on the Apache Trail at the base of the Superstition Mountains.
Boasting a population of six residents, this last surviving stagecoach stop is an easy day trip destination less than an hour away from most points in the East Valley.
Tortilla Flat offers not only lessons in Arizona history (great for bringing out of town visitors, too), but also is a stunning backdrop to Arizona’s desert beauty.
Keep reading for all the hidden gems (lots of them free) for making the most out of a day trip to Tortilla Flat.
For more day trip inspiration, check out our travel guides.
XO,
East Valley Moms
Tortilla Flat Jail Escape
An old fashioned jail cell is not only on display, and you can lock up friends and family into the cell.
Created as a puzzle to jail break out of the cell, elementary aged kids, tweens and older kids can race against each other to be the fastest jail escape.
The jail cell is also a great photo opportunity for families.
Tack a dollar to the saloon wall
Be sure to bring cash to Tortilla Flats–yes they accept credit cards, but you’ll want to add your own decorated dollar bill to the walls (and ceiling) of the Superstition Restaurant and Saloon.
The staff told us the dollars are six layers deep and total more than half a million dollars! Some dollar bills are very decorated and personalized, so kids can have fun making their dollar donation to the decor a funky piece of history.
We loved the menu and the restaurant boasts locally sourced food and from-scratch cooking. Absolutely delicious, quality food.
Mom hack: the kids’ meals come with a souvenir cowboy hat for kids to take home.
Tortilla Flat museum and schoolhouse
Kids can ring the school bell inside Tortilla Flat’s replica of their original schoolhouse, which taught 14 students. The schoolhouse has been transformed into a free museum where old photographs, stories and treasures from the town’s past are proudly displayed.
Don’t forget to sign the guestbook to leave your family’s mark on the town. Admission is free.
Save room for prickly pear gelato
It isn’t an Arizona-inspired menu without prickly pear flavors across the menu.
Standouts included the prickly pear barbeque sauce (available on a few menu items, like a burger and the Prospector pork sandwich) and the prickly pear lemonade, but the crowd pleaser is absolutely the prickly pear gelato available inside the mercantile
See the Superstition Mountains
Tortilla Flat is nestled at the base of the Superstations and here’s two more activities to enjoy the views a little longer:
Boulder Canyon Trail: This is a free trail (no fee to park) near Tortilla Flat that was recommended to us for a kid friendly hike with incredible views. It’s about a five minute drive from the saloon to the trailhead.
Dolly Steamboat: A six minute drive from the Tortilla Flat saloon to the dock, this family-friendly cruise through Canyon Lake promises wildlife sightings kids will love (plus lots of fun facts about the desert, Superstition Mountains and the animals who live there).
Kids 4+ are $15 for the cruise, and those under four years old are $6.
Mom hack: bring binoculars for kids to see wildlife closer.
Patio season at Tortilla Flat
Late October until temperatures get back over 100 degrees, the BBQ patio offers live music on weekends, and lots of room for kids to dance, play and get their wiggles out while parents enjoy the Tortilla Flat Band, barbecue and drinks.
Their Facebook page provides daily updates, so check there if you’re planning your trip around the patio.
