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City in Arizona, United States
Photo: Tyler finvold, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Flagstaff is a city of over 75,000 people (2019) near the San Francisco Peaks mountain range of northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. At an altitude of 6990 ft, Flagstaff and much of the surrounding region are substantially cooler than the low desert that dominates the southern part of the state. Though still dry by east coast standards, enough rain and snow falls in the area to allow a forest of ponderosa pine trees to cover the landscape. Winters tend to be cold, and heavy snowfall is expected on an annual basis.
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An astronomical research center from which the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered, this historic institution is on a mesa overlooking the west side of town. The staff leads guided daytime tours, and visitors use the Observatory's 24" Clark telescope and smaller portable telescopes during regular evening programs (inquire).
On the north side of town, it has displays on Native American life and the natural history of the region. A good selection of Native American folk art, particularly Navajo rugs, is available at the gift shop.
This 200-acre botanical garden, environmental research station, and nature center displays one of America's largest collections of high country wildflowers. Daily guided tours at 11AM and 1PM. Wild Birds of Prey programs at F-M noon and 2PM.
This fine example of an Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1904 for a prominent local family. Guided tours are conducted at the top of the hour, reservations recommended.
This small state museum collects, preserves and exhibits artifacts, documents and photographs of the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. It also hosts a number of events throughout the year.
A former National Guard training facility built in 1929, this small museum now has displays devoted to regional military history.
Has rotating exhibits featuring local and international artists.
The largest gallery in northern Arizona, showcases local and regional art.
A Sinagua archeological site which was inhabited from 1050-1275 CE. An easy interpretive trail circles the ruins. It is managed by the Coconino National Forest Service, which hosts a number of educational programs and workshops at the site.
Mountain bikes can be rented
This area is managed by the Coconino National Forest, and is an excellent starting point for exploring the area with numerous trails running up and alongside most faces of the mountain. One of the most popular trails is Elden Lookout Trail, which scales all 2800 ft (855m) from base to summit, and has access to the lookout tower at the top which looks down on the entire city. The trail can be accessed from Hwy 89 across from the Flagstaff Mall and next to the Ranger Station (35.230295, -111.579234).
Managed by the Coconino National Forest, the San Francisco Peaks northwest of Flagstaff offer a number of hiking trails for all skill levels, as well as opportunities for mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and skiing. The range is crowned by the 12,637-ft Humphreys Peak, and is held sacred by the Havasupai, Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. Maps and trail information can be obtained from the Coconino National Forest Headquarters (1824 S. Thompson St.).
Alpine skiing. One of only three ski resorts in the state of Arizona. Despite the surrounding desert, Flagstaff is a popular skiing destination for the Southwest due to the high elevation. Interestingly, the Snowbowl is one of the first ten ski resorts established in the United States. Snowbowl is in the San Francisco Mountains, which offer pleasant high-country hiking after the snow melts, including a trail to Humphreys Peak, highest mountain in Arizona. Access to some of the San Franciscos is restricted, as they're sacred to several of the area's Native tribes.
One of the southwest's best cross-country skiing areas with over 50 km of well-groom ski trails and 25 km of snowshoe trails. In the summer the trails are open for hiking and mountain biking. Trail passes and equipment rental prices are listed here; overnight cabin rental is also available.
City-owned permanent indoor ice skating rink. Offers ice skating lessons, public skating sessions, and also hosts ice hockey games.
Northern Arizona Yoga Center is the largest yoga studio in town. This studio offers more than just yoga: they also host Salsa parties, Tango classes, Capoiera, Pilates, and Tai Chi. They are also a great supplier of yoga clothing and accessories. They are partners with the Vertical Relief Climbing Gym. Dual memberships are available.
A suspended obstacle course with more than 70 aerial challenges for children and adults.
Offers guided horseback riding excursions forest land southeast of Flagstaff, ranging from 1 to 8 hours in length.
Every first Friday of the month art galleries and restaurants stay open until late in the evening, with live street entertainment and music centered around Heritage Square.
Held annually in late May, this two-day festival sponsored by NAU celebrates Zuni culture with dance and music, and arts and crafts demonstrations and exhibits.
Held annually around the third week of August, this festival celebrates Hopi traditions and culture with music, dance, food, and arts and crafts exhibits.
Held annually in early August, celebrates Diné (Navajo) culture with music, dance, lectures, food, art, and weaving demonstrations.
Held in late October, this festival celebrates the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Activities include mariachi music, storytelling, and arts demonstrations. Ofrendas (private altars) are exhibited in the courtyard.
Held every July, with music, dance, and food and drink.
Held annually in mid-September.
Held annually in September and features traditional fair exhibits, entertainment, livestock auctions, and carnival rides.
Downtown, centrally located serving decent Thai food. Get a seat by the window and view San Francisco Street while you dine. Takeout available.
Great Chinese food in a casual atmosphere. Takeout available.
A Thai restaurant popular with locals.
Downtown, another popular one with locals.
A pizza place that is well-loved by the locals. They have cheese, pepperoni, and pesto slices, and many specialty pies. Their pizza is hand-tossed, thin crust, brick oven pizza, like what is found back east.
Excellent choice for those looking for an all organic menu or more exotic options than the typical pizza restaurant offers.
Locally owned and operated in Flagstaff for years, NiMarcos offers semi-thick crust pizza, salads and soft-serve ice cream. Go in and order your own pie or just buy a slice. Local favorite.
Fantastic Chicago-style pizza with a great throw-back atmosphere.
A Neapolitan style pizza place with house-made gelato. Takeout available. You can sit next door at Mother Road Brewery and order from Pizzicleta next door.
Same location since the 1950s, this a well-loved Mexican restaurant with great salsa and authentic dishes. Is busy most times so expect to wait to be seated.
Mexican breakfast/brunch. Awesome food, huge portions at fairly reasonable prices. Cash only.
This is the place to go if you have a hankering for a pulled pork sandwich or a batch of fried okra. They even serve gourmet hotdogs. Owned by a Georgia native turned Flagstaff resident, you won't want to miss out on this!
Breakfast features quiche of the day, seven grain French toast, specialty egg dishes, homemade pastries and many other quality items. Lunch features tons of tasty sandwiches and burgers. Dinner is slightly more upscale but definitely affordable ($10-15 a plate) and features the wonderful creations of Chef Sherman Johnson. Tequila Lime Chicken and Garlic Stuffed Pork just to name a couple. Dinner is only served Tuesday thru Saturday. Breakfast served until 2:30PM on Sunday.
Live blues music in the evening.
Although tricky to find and seating is rather limited, this place is one of those extraordinarily rewarding discoveries for the persistent traveler. Their burgers ($8-10) are made from range-raised beef from a ranch just north of Flagstaff, served on an English muffin with a boatload of Belgian-style fries. In fact, all of their ingredients are from local businesses whenever possible. They also offer a handful of good regional beers. Their commitment to doing good by staying local even extends to their billing practices: they don't accept credit cards. Bring cash - you'll be glad you did!
They roast their own coffee and have lots of vegan foodstuffs. A favorite amongst the hippies.
The Silver Pine Restaurant is one of Flagstaff's most popular dining choices, American cuisine.
Has a full-service hot and cold deli, and onsite pharmacy.
Relaxed atmosphere, great outdoor seating and a cozy fireplace inside for the winter months. Live music.
Brewpub. Serves up a wide range of their own beers, as well as a good selection of reasonably priced and tasty German-style pub grub (sausages, mashed potatoes and the like).
Brewpub serving ales, pub food, and a good selection of whiskeys.
The popular brewpub serves locally-crafted and imported beers, and pub food.
A brewery/restaurant with outdoor area. Has good food and great beer. They have square-dancing nights one day a week.
Really, really good craft brews with friendly service. Pizzicletta handles the food menu.
This historic log-built roadhouse opened in 1939, and has hosted the likes of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. Known primarily for live country music.
Free wi-fi and breakfast, free coffee and tea available throughout the day.
Free wi-fi and breakfast, free coffee and tea available throughout the day.
Stay at the same hotel where some scenes of Casablanca were shot. Opened in 1927, the hotel hosted such illustrious guests as Bing Crospy, Spencer Tracy, and Jane Russell, and is widely reputed to be haunted.
58-room hotel. Non-smoking, free breakfast and wi-fi, pets welcome. Indoor pool.
Noted novelist Zane Grey wrote Call of the Canyon while staying here. Widely rumored to be haunted.
Pet-friendly lodging with king-size beds, which also provides a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast.
1912 Victorian style B/B. Four guest rooms with private baths, Lily with private balcony overlooking Mount Elden, Dragonfly with wood-burning fireplace.
This well-respected bed and breakfast is just four blocks from Flagstaff's historic downtown. England house was built in the early 1900s and is now furnished with antiques from the late 1800s. Breakfast is served on the bright sun porch.
Antique, continental flair. One of the more unique hotel experiences that Flagstaff has to offer. Free airport shuttle from 7AM-10PM.
3-bedroom cabin with two king size fully adjustable beds with massage upstairs and two queen beds downstairs. Ralph Lauren bedding throughout. 55" 3D TV and fireplace in the great room.
Open beginning of May to mid-October. This campground with 44 sites is very popular and is close to Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments. Drinking water, flush toilets, no hookups, trailers/RVs under 42'.
Open beginning of May to mid-October, with 11 individual sites. Located near Walnut Canyon, with good views of the San Francisco Peaks. Drinking water and vault toilets, no hookups, trailers/RVs under 22'.
Facilities include a few hook-up sites, picnic tables, fire rings, portable toilets, and water spigots. No water or electricity available. Reservations can be made by phone or online.
Open mid-May to mid-September, with 17 individual sites. A very popular campground with great views of the San Francisco Peaks. No water, vault toilets. Not recommended for trailers/RVs.
A retired US Forest Service Fire Guard Station, this 3-BR log cabin housed fire fighters in the summer. The cabin can sleep up to 8 people, and is furnished with bunks, stove, and pots and pans, and vault toilet. Campers must bring their own bedding supplies. Open April 15 - November 15 (weather-dependent), water available from May 16 - October 16. Reservations can be made online.
A retired US Forest Service Fire Guard Station, this 3-BR stone-built cabin housed fire fighters in the summer. Can sleep up to 10 people and is furnished with bunks, stove, and pots and pans; there is an outside bath house with flush toilet and shower. Campers must bring their own bedding supplies. Open April 15 - November 15 (weather-dependent), water available from May 16 - October 16. Reservations can be made online.
Offers yurts and log-sided camper cabins to rent. Yurts and cabins have bunks or mattress pads and wood stoves; no electricity or water. Wi-fi and showers are available at the main lodge, which also offers mountain bikes for rent. Reservations can be made by phone or online.
Spaces for trailers/RVs and tents, cabins available. Laundry, showers, wi-fi and shuttle bus; bicycles available to rent.
Full hookups with 50-amp service.
A good source of outdoor sporting gear.
Stocks a good range of camping gear, and rents out some gear as well.
This Tucson-based used bookstore chain also carries used CDs, DVDs, video games, etc. There is an onsite café, electric vehicle charging station, and free Wi-Fi, and pets are welcome in the store.
Anchored by Sears, JCPenney, and Dillard's.
By train and bus
By plane
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) American Airlines provides service from Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix Sky Harbor as the only commercial airline to Flagstaff.
Flagstaff is stretched out along historic Route 66, which runs roughly east-west.
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Flagstaff · Regional · FLG
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