The Strawberry Inn in northern Arizona is the perfect weekend escape from Phoenix’s triple-digit summer heat. There is plenty to do in Strawberry and the neighboring community of Pine.

My husband and I visited in the spring and were surprised by not only what a wonderfully cute property it is but also by how much there is to do in Strawberry and the neighboring community of Pine.

Arriving at The Strawberry Inn

The Strawberry Inn doesn’t have a lobby or even an onsite host. Instead, you provide debit or credit card information upfront, and at 3 p.m. on the day of your arrival, you’ll receive a text with a code for the lockbox next to your accommodation’s door. Type in the code, remove the key from the lockbox and use it in the door to enter.

The Strawberry Inn in Strawberry, Arizona. Photo by Teresa Bitler

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this, but I actually loved it. When you leave your room, you can return the key to the lockbox and not have to worry about losing it. And, I actually didn’t mind not having staff onsite. In fact, it made the property seem quieter and more relaxed. What if I couldn’t get into the room or had an issue with hot water? There was a number to call. No worries.

The Rooms at The Strawberry Inn

Originally an office building dating back to the 1970s, the main inn features eight rooms, four on each of the two floors. These rooms come with tile floors, shiplap walls, and a king or queen Tuft & Needle bed. Second-floor rooms share a deck while most rooms on the ground floor include a futon.

The Strawberry Inn in Strawberry, Arizona. Photo by Teresa Bitler.

We stayed in a second-floor room, overlooking the lawn games and picnic tables below. Although we loved the room, it was accessible only by stairs (no elevator). If you have mobility issues or travel with large suitcases, you might want to book a ground-floor room instead. The ground floor is also where you’ll find porch swings, rocking chairs, and a strawberry-shaped Little Free Library.

The Little Free Library at the Strawberry Inn. Photo by Teresa Bitler

In addition to the main building, the Strawberry Inn has a 3-bedroom guest house, a luxury cabin, a bunkhouse, and 12 tiny cottages.

Where to Eat Near The Strawberry Inn

Although there’s no restaurant at the Strawberry Inn, you don’t have to go far for a coffee and snacks in the morning. Windmill Coffee operates out of the windmill in the parking lot from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily, serving everything from Press Coffee drinks to Italian sodas. I ordered a cappuccino, and Jerry opted for black coffee. Both were great.

Windmill Coffee in front of The Strawberry Inn. Photo by Teresa Bitler

For something more substantial, cross the street to PIEbar. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., this eatery churns out sweet and savory empanadas and baked goods. Try the peach or red chile beef empanadas, if they’re available. You can take yours to go or eat them outside on the patio.

In the evening or for lunch, head to Old County Inn in Pine. The restaurant makes some of the best pizzas in northern Arizona. (If you love spicy, try the Pancho pizza, made with roasted pork, green chile, and cilantro-serrano pesto.) After your meal, grab a seat at the adjoining Tap Room, where you can hear live music several times a week.

Pizza at the Old County Inn in Pine. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Also in Pine, That Brewery alone is worth the drive from Phoenix. Sip their signature beer, the Arizona Trail Ale, while chowing down on a cheeseburger, bacon grilled cheese sandwich, or the award-winning elk chili.

An Active Getaway in Rim Country

Surprisingly, there’s a lot to do in Strawberry and neighboring Pine. Start with Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, just a few minutes south of Pine. The park features the world’s largest travertine bridge, a breathtaking 183 feet high and 150 feet wide. You can hike the park’s trails, including one to the bridge’s base, or walk to the overlooks just steps from the parking lot. (Since there are plenty of picnic tables here, you might want to consider bringing some PIEbar empanadas for lunch after your hike.)

Scenic forest surrounding Strawberry and Pine. Photo by Teresa Bitler.

The park’s trails aren’t the only ones in the area. A few minutes west of Strawberry, the Bob Bear Trail No. 18 (formerly the Fossil Springs Trail) offers a challenging, 4-mile descent to a waterfall. A permit is required. The 21.4-mile out-and-back Pine Canyon Trail near Pine rewards with forest views and an oak-lined creek.

You can also explore the area by electric bike. The Rusty Pine Cone rents Pedego electric bikes you can use on or off-road for $30 for an hour, $100 for a half-day, or $200 for a full day.

More Things To Do in Strawberry and Pine

For those who would prefer not to break a sweat, Pine has plenty of boutiques to explore. In addition to renting electric bikes, The Rusty Pine Cone sells jewelry, decorative items, stuffed animals, and more. Nearby, The Honey Stand features raw honey, bee pollen, gourmet granola and trail mixes, jams, and similar food items. Other shops offer a mix of antiques and collectibles.

On the northern end of Pine, the Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm stocks everything from lavender-infused salt and pepper to lavender-scented candles. It also has a cooking school, instructing students how to make baked goods like lavender-glazed cinnamon rolls and lavender chicken tamales. One class even teaches how to make your own lavender bath products. (The cooking school closed in March 2020 for the pandemic but plans to reopen in Fall 2021.)

The Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm. Photo by Teresa Bitler

Of course, a visit to the area wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Strawberry Schoolhouse. The oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona, it dates back to 1884 and is generally open to the public May through mid-October on weekends and holidays. Confirm it is open before driving to it on Fossil Creek Road. The historical society sometimes has a difficult time finding volunteers to open the one-room schoolhouse.

Be sure to check out more great experiences you can enjoy in Arizona, along with our suggestions for some US road trips.