Part college town, part outdoor mecca, and part historic downtown, Flagstaff offers an eclectic mix for even the most discerning tourist. Located on the famed Route 66, the city has incredibly scenic views. With stands of the largest ponderosa pines you’ve ever seen, not to mention, a bona fide lava field located within a short drive at the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, there is plenty to marvel at within and around the region. As far as the city life itself, Flagstaff features everything you could want when it comes to food, museums, night life and of course the bar scene. As it is home to Northern Arizona University, you can expect this to be a very energetic and on-the-go city. Art and culture also abound as Flagstaff has a highly active music, arts and theater culture as well.
With the Flagstaff Urban Trail System, you will be hard pressed to run out of territory to explore. Whether biking, jogging or hiking, the trails offer an expansive way to see the region. The city is located on a mountain, which of course means that there is always great skiing to be had here. The Arizona Snowbowl allows visitors incredible access to some of the best skiing the state has to offer.
Ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, NAU is surrounded by mountains, trails and of course the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in North America. A Division I school, the Lumberjacks compete in the Big Sky Conference and do incredibly well when it comes to both cross country and track and field.
Just over an hour’s drive away is Arizona’s biggest attraction: The Grand Canyon. Given the abundance of things to do in the city, the number of restaurants, and the shopping experiences, Flagstaff has become a popular destination for those looking to visit the Grand Canyon. Stay in Flagstaff, enjoy all that it offers and still have an easy drive to one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Flagstaff has so many incredible things to do, the danger is not being able to do them all during just one visit. The Arboretum houses America’s largest collection of wildflowers, while the Lowell Observatory is where researchers first discovered Pluto. You will also want to be sure and check out the array of festivals they hold throughout the year.
Winters are cool and see a fair amount of snow. Flagstaff is close to a couple of ski areas, including Arizona Snowbowl (just 14 miles to the North).
Spring is mild and dry, with April only topping in the upper-50s. Flagstaff is better for visiting in the winters or summers for those who like to play outside.
Summers are fantastic. The high elevation means much cooler summers than other Arizona cities. Highs are in the low 80s, and many days are cooled off by rainstorms as it is the wet season.
Early fall is nice with the changing of the colors. By November, the highs are only around 50 degrees.