Flagstaff, Arizona: Taking Travel to New Heights

Flagstaff, Arizona, is a destination worth exploring, known for its unique restaurants, extreme outdoor adventures, and exciting astro-tourism. With the San Francisco Peaks to the north and the Grand Canyon to the northwest, this Northern Arizona city offers a much different landscape than you’d find anywhere else in the state. Flagstaff enjoys snowy winters and mild summers, welcoming travelers all year long. In addition to the recreational opportunities, Flagstaff has a rich human history that can be explored around every corner. From stunning Native American landmarks and artifacts to the impressive Lowell Observatory, home to the discovery of Pluto, Flagstaff has taken great care to showcase the amazing feats that have come from this area over the centuries.

This story was created in partnership with Visit USA Parks.

Discovering Downtown

Home to the iconic Mother Road, Route 66, downtown Flagstaff has a vibrant history rooted in the culture of exploration and travel. As you walk around downtown, you’ll see the blending of old and new, with colorful street art alongside vintage hotels and historic buildings being occupied by new businesses. Found in the original train station in the center of downtown, the Visitor Center is a great place to get acclimated and learn about responsible travel practices from the video and content on their sustainability wall. Chat with the knowledgeable local staff and grab a map for one of the many walking tours set up around town. Walk This Talk is one walking tour following the original route of Route 66 through the historic downtown with signs displaying a toll-free number at notable sites. When you call, actor and Flagstaff local Ted Danson will introduce the uncovered secrets and interesting stories of the Mother Road at the 10 different stops.

Flagstaff will celebrate the Route 66 centennial in 2026! Cruise America’s mother road, Route 66, in Flagstaff for the 100th anniversary. Route 66 was one of the United States’ first continuous stretches of paved highway. Experience classic cars, neon signs, festivals, nostalgic diners, and roadhouses along Flagstaff’s original Route 66 lined with retro motels, historic hotels, and revitalized motor lodges. Take a pit stop at Mother Road Brewery, savor a classic burger and milk shake at Galaxy Diner, and explore the vintage vibes of the Museum Club. Get your kicks on Route 66 with a selfie at the Flagstaff Visitor Center, where you can also grab your Route 66 Passport.

The Flagstaff Brewery Trail is another way to explore downtown and experience the crafts of local brewmasters. Collect “stamps” on a paper or digital passport at the eight participating breweries, including Mother Road Brewing Co. and Dark Sky Brewing. If you get them all, you’ll receive a commemorative pint glass for your journey!

Embracing Outdoor Adventure

Flagstaff is a base camp for adventure with access to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Step out of your comfort zone and onto a rope bridge or zip line at Flagstaff Extreme. Located within the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world, this multi-level high ropes course will have you swinging, soaring, and climbing to new heights!

If you’d prefer to stay at ground level, take a tour to one or more of the eight incredible national parks and monuments and seven state parks within a two-hour drive of Flagstaff. Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki are two national monuments found along the same scenic drive just north of the city. Walk the Lava Flow trail in Sunset Crater to see the remains of the 900-year-old eruption and also the lunar training ground for Apollo astronauts. Explore the several 800-year-old pueblo ruins in Wupakti, where a large Indigenous community once lived, farmed, hunted, and built homes that can be seen dotting the desert mesas. Walnut Canyon National Monument is also a short drive east of Flagstaff and is home to an astounding network of cliff dwellings. An interpretive trail takes you either along the rim or down into the canyon, where you can walk along a collection of dwellings and get a glimpse of life for the people of Walnut Canyon over 800 years ago.

Because of its elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 meters), Flagstaff is a four-season destination, so dress in layers and keep the fun going! There are a variety of indoor activities to enjoy, including FlagTag AZ. Try your hand at the axe and start throwing like a lumberjack (Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University—it’s lumberjack country!) or bring your whole travel group for a couple of rounds of laser tag in the multi-story arena!

Exploring Museums and History

Flagstaff has been home to many different groups of people and amazing discoveries throughout the centuries. It’s clear that the city cherishes this colorful history and has put a lot of effort into preserving and showcasing it. The Museum of Northern Arizona is a testament to this with its many immaculate exhibits displaying the past and present influences of the Native American tribes in the area. From centuries-old pottery and woven sandals to stunning silversmithing and turquoise jewelry of the early 1900s to modern-day beadwork and paintings, the Museum of Northern Arizona clearly treasures the creative contributions of the local Indigenous communities.

As the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff also takes a lot of pride in the Lowell Observatory, just a five-minute drive up a hill overlooking downtown. Whether you visit during the day or night, their high-powered telescopes will give you a glimpse into the cosmos, and their campus, full of displays and artifacts, will give you several hours’ worth of mind-blowing discoveries. The Lowell Observatory is also excitedly opening a new, massive Astronomy Discovery Center featuring a two-story theater, the world’s first open-air dark sky planetarium, and incredible, interactive, ADA+ exhibits for astro-enthusiasts of all ages. Set to be open to the public in November 2024, this state-of-the-art center will be worth the visit alone!