Looking for a day trip from Phoenix? Visit Tortilla Flat. This historic former stagecoach stop offers a scenic escape from the city and an authentic taste of the Old West. The town’s new owners have poured $500,000 into improvements to the old buildings that line Tortilla Flat’s two blocks on State Route 88, also known as the Apache Trail, east of Apache Junction. With food, live music, vintage buildings including a post office and museum, souvenirs, and lots of Southwest history, it’s easy to see why Tortilla Flat is a fun place to spend an afternoon!
“We see a lot of families coming off the lake, then they’ll pop up for a quick lunch, go on hikes—there’s a lot to do for 9.4 acres,” said Chris Field, operations director of Tortilla Flat. With their four visitor spots: The Restaurant and Saloon with their seasonal BBQ patio that features live music seven days a week, their Mercantile and Gift Shop with handmade, authentic items to purchase, Country Store with ice cream, homemade fudge and old-school sodas, and lastly, their Museum that used to be an old schoolhouse back in 1932.
On-site, you will find over 100 years of history, starting with the famous legend of Jacob Waltz, the Lost Dutchman, to viewing old mining equipment, machinery and wagons on site. So, for you curious history-buffs, this is a level of uniqueness and never-ending historical knowledge of Arizona you will not find anywhere else.
This still-standing small town is notoriously known for their Prickly Pear Gelato, so find a bench, buy some gelato and soak in the history and unbelievable views of this whimsical town this fall!
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