Location: Flagstaff
Top Things to do in Flagstaff
What to do and see in Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ): The Best Things to do
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. Flagstaff Extreme
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 495 reviews
Our Tree Top Adventure course is an elevated obstacle course set in the tall Ponderosa Pines and securely suspended between the trees at 15 to 50 feet off the ground.Some of the features of course include suspended bridges, swings, slides, nets, ziplines and even an aerial surf board.Come on your own, bring a group, or have a party or an event. Take a journey and explore the outdoors like you never have before.
Reviewed By leebA5940RL
We did both the adventure course and the zip line course in the same day and highly recommend if you have to do the same due to time constraints - to them in that order. We ran the adventure course with Rachel who was superb! It was challenging but tons of fun. I liked that the staff teaches you all of the safety procedures and then lets you go through the courses in a self guided way. They are also proactive and responsive if they sense you're having trouble even before you know you're in trouble! It's clear that all of the staff have undergone great training, and are there climbing your tree in a moments notice to help novices get past the barriers We did the zipline course with Sabrina and she was most excellent! A super fun attitude, was with us and encouraging us from the ground without being in the way. It was a great way to unwind and relax after doing the adventure course
2. Lowell Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,931 reviews
We are now in our first phase of reopening! This means you can get limited time, premium access to the Giovale Open Deck Observatory (GODO) These will be private experiences with one group of up to ten cohabitating or co-traveling people. Not only is GODO Premium Access extremely low-risk, it also allows you to experience all the GODO has to offer with virtually no wait times. Stay tuned for more telescopes, in our next phase we will be adding the Clark and Dyer telescopes to the Premium Access experience! Click the link below to learn more about this unique opportunity. We can't wait to see you—welcome back to the home of Pluto! https://lowell.edu/welcomeback
Reviewed By 634lisas - Surprise, United States
We got tickets for $11 on Groupon and it was well worth it even though we were only there in the evening. We arrived just before 8 and saw a presentation on Saturn on the omniglobe. They had 3 telescopes set up for night viewing and we could see Jupiter and all its stripes, Saturn and it's rings and moons and a star cluster that was 222,000 light years away!! We stayed for a constellation tour at 9 which was great - full of interesting info and myths about some of the visible constellations. Next time we will plan to spend the day there as there are talks and presentations running all day long. Perfect for anyone interested in the stars, space or mythology. Highly recommend, even for teens (my daughter is 13) :)
3. Walnut Canyon National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,639 reviews
See millions of years of history unraveled in the geology of the rocks at this popular scenic and historic hiking area, once populated by the Sinagua Indians.
Reviewed By potatofisher - Rapid City, United States
I debated actually stopping here, as we had had a long day of travels already, but I'm so glad we did. The canyon dwellings are amazing. The museum is closed, but the gift shop is open, and you can get your passport stamp there. There are 2 trails: the rim trail, which is paved and flat and follows the canyon rim, and the island trail, which goes down and then back up 180 steps into the canyon to get you up close to the cliff dwellings. If you can manage it, I highly recommend the Island Trail. The steps are almost all at the beginning/end (it's a loop trail), and the entire middle is a really nice stroll right along the ledge where the dwellings are. Many of the dwellings are open for you to enter as well! It's like walking through another world. Please note: since the park closes at 4:30, they will not allow you to start the Island Trail after 3:30pm, so make sure to arrive before then if you want to do it.
4. 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...”
5. Coconino National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Named after the Coho Native American people, this forest is two million acres of recreational, lumber, and mining land.
Reviewed By 5cindy - Fort Myers Beach, United States
We did the oak creek scenic drive through Coconino National Forest and it was absolutely beautiful. There are lots of trees in this area.
6. 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..
7. 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.
8. Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By Campbell2 - Winslow, United States
I was told about this place by a Park Ranger at the Grand Canyon last year. He advised to go the second week in March to see the best of the Little Colrado abd the flow of the Grand Falls. The road is rutted with some gravel, dirt and goes through reservation area. Animals, suc as wild horses will come right up your vehicle. You can hear the falls from 500 yards away. Bring a picnic lunch and a camera and you will not be disappointment.
9. Lava River Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Reviewed By 931tracyt
Bring a head lamp or flashlight. Tennis shoes are fine unless there has been a heavy rain or snow. It is a very short, flat hike from the parking area. At first the hike into the cave is rocky but the further in you get the easier the walking. In two places the ceiling drops down enough I had the bend down quite a bit but then rises again. I walked upright most of the way to the end. There are no offshoots, you really can't get lost.
10. Arizona Snowbowl
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 770 reviews
Perfect corduroy on bluebird days, untracked powder in the upper bowl, drinks on the deck of Agassiz Lodge, and epic views of the Grand Canyon. This is what you love about skiing and riding at Arizona Snowbowl. Home to Arizona’s longest ski season, over 260 inches of annual snowfall, Snowbowl is proud to offer the premier winter experience.
Reviewed By 135douglasv
When thinking of Arizona you don't really think of snow. But this mountain reaches right up there and has good annual snowfall. In the early season their snow making is sufficient, though you are limited in the number of runs available. I went in early February and most of the runs were open and in great condition. It doesn't hurt that they have great rates for seniors. Free if you are over 70!
