Location: Flagstaff
Top Things to do in Flagstaff
What to do and see in Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ): The Best Sights & Landmarks
Astounding natural wonders, invigorating outdoor recreation and fascinating cultural attractions make Flagstaff the perfect getaway to rejuvenate the body and replenish the mind. Set at the base of the beautiful San Francisco Peaks, and surrounded by lush national forests, the city provides ample opportunity for fresh air fun. Spring, summer and fall bring hikers, campers and mountain bikers, while winter draws skiers and ice skaters. But don't let a focus on the "good old outdoors" fool you. Fostered by the local university, Flagstaff is also chock-full of educational and cultural attractions. Be sure to see the award-winning permanent exhibit "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau" at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The Pioneer Museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the early settlers of the region and includes a 1929 Baldwin locomotive in its collection. The city also has an arboretum and a planetarium. The entire area is a living anthropology and geology lesson, with ancient Native American ruins and stunning scenery at the Wupatki and Walnut Canyon National Monuments, just waiting to be explored.
Restaurants in Flagstaff
1. Wupatki National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,009 reviews
Explore this fascinating ancient pueblo, located near the San Francisco Peaks, which once housed almost 100 members of the Anasazi and Sinagua tribes.
Reviewed By kevingW5482NQ
Come in from the Sunset Crater side and stop at the first set of ruins. Perched atop a gigantic boulder, you’ll be able to get breathtaking views of the painted desert, the mountains, plains... stop next at the visitor center and walk down to the ruins there for more amazing scenery. There are other ruins on the way out toward the Grand Canyon, and they are all worth the stop and hike as well. This is amazing, American history and you won’t regret taking the time to contrast this monument with Sunset Crater, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Walnut Canyon... every place we stopped, my wife said, “I didn’t think anything could compete with the last place we were...”
2. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,092 reviews
Located north of Flagstaff, this crater was created by a volcanic eruption 900 years ago.
Reviewed By NotNow99 - Salem, United States
At one end of this National Park is Sunset Crater, with it's unworldly lava flows & cruncy lava beds, beautiful views & paths. At the other is the beautiful Wupatki Ruins, all for one fee (or Parks Pass). The volcanic eruption can be seen on a lot of the local mountains which are gorgeous, and helped shape the settlements of the Native Peoples here & in other areas..
3. Northern Arizona University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By clucumber
We just happened into the university campus and could not believe how big it was! Amazed as a robot scooted along the sidewalk delivering food from a local restaraunt! Saw the original lumberjack that used to be on route 66 and now housed on the campus. Drive carefully as many students present and walkmen or earbuds distracting them from traffic.
4. Historic Downtown and Railroad District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 773 reviews
Reviewed By 135douglasv
Dining and bar hopping while just walking around in this historic frontier town. Great history in the original old Weatherford hotel.
5. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servants' quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is a historic five-acre site located in the Kinlichi Knoll neighborhood of Flagstaff, Arizona, bordering the campus of Northern Arizona University. The park includes two almost identical homes built in 1904 by Michael and Timothy Riordan, two brothers who were members of a prominent Arizona family that played a significant role in the development of Flagstaff and northern Arizona and were involved in lumber, railroads, cattle, banking and politics. With 13,000 square feet of floor space, the two homes are connected by a rendezvous or game room. The architect was Charles Whittlesey, who also designed the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. Some of the similarities of the two grand structures include massive stone arches at porch corners and rustic exterior consisting of log planks, wood shingles and native stone. The park was opened to the public in 1983 but only for the Timothy Riordan (east) side of the building. The Michael Riordan (west) side was opened for self-guided tours in 2002. The Riordans were lumber barons and the mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious and opulent living in a small, territorial logging town. It is a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches and hand-split wooden shingles. It has 40 rooms, including servants' quarters. Interestingly, it was built 115 years ago with indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, central heat and electric lights, reflecting the most modern technology and design of the time. One of the most interesting features of the house are two unique sets of windows located in the central rendezvous room. Each window consists of seven black and white photographs with a translucent frosted glass background, depicting Southwest scenic landscapes and portraits of Native Americans with a diffused lighting background. The author of the spectacular photographs was John K. Hillers, a prominent photographer who accompanied John Wesley Powell on his second expedition to the Grand Canyon in 1879. Hillers met the Riordan brothers during archaeological excavations at Walnut Canyon in 1885 and was later commissioned by the Riordans to produce the windows for the adjoining family room of their twin mansion in Flagstaff.
6. Chapel of the Holy dove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By 865shelleym - Nashville, United States
Our tour guide stopped here on the way to the grand canyon. Its a sweet little chapel, you put up a post it note with you name and day you want to reserve the chapel. The A frame is simple, but the back of the church is all glass you have a great view of the ,San Francisco Peaks.
7. Elden Lookout Trail No. 4
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
The Elden Lookout Trail had snow last night. The mountains had lots of snow. However, the snow made the mountain so beautiful! I will remember this forever! Gorgous Elden Mountain
8. Walnut Canyon Drive
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By babbettandcaptbill - Newtown, United States
Another walk through time. Allow a good 2 hours for this, the 'Island' walk around is fascinating. Hopefully the full walk will reopen in spring 2020. This is our 2nd visit, and we were lucky enough the first time to get the entire loop. Call ahead to check on how they progress in the path improvement. The rim walk is great too, flat all the way.
9. Elden Pueblo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By clucumber
Enjoyed hiking (more like a liesurely stroll) along the trails to see the pueblo, I have struggled with the altitude and get quite winded at many sites, but this was easy for me to see and enjoy.
10. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Bacinac - Santa Clara, United States
I’ve seen a lot of churches and this one is pretty unique. Pink stone and volcanic rock makes it one of a kind. Can’t imagine why anyone gives this an average review unless they drove a hundred miles just to see it. If in the area it’s worth a walk to take a look-see. It wasn’t open when I was there but still very nice.
