Flights of Fancy in Flagstaff

Sitting 7,000 feet above sea level against a backdrop of towering mountains, Flagstaff is an impressively picturesque city that invites travelers of all interests to come seek adventure. Once an early railway hub and humble stop along the famed Route 66, this now bustling college town offers more than just a vibrant cultural scene with fascinating shops, art galleries, and delicious eateries—it’s also a popular gateway for those eager to explore American history, celestial wonders, and fascinating landscapes. No matter where you choose to set your focus, you’re sure to head home feeling well satisfied.

Immerse yourself in the city

Though Flagstaff may not be the biggest city, it is the largest in the state, meaning it’s packed with sites and activities to explore. A good place to start is at the Amtrak station, a vintage railroad depot located downtown that also houses the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Here you can read educational exhibits detailing how the city became a stop on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad in 1882 and the role this major event played in the area’s development. (And don’t forget to pick up a few train-themed souvenirs!)

The station also sits right on Route 66, so be sure to snap a photo of the shield mural of the highway’s logo painted on the pavement just outside. Afterward, walk about a block east to get a look at the Phoenix Avenue Route 66 mural, which depicts local “Mother Road” landmarks and classic cars.

Another spot of significance to Flagstaff’s past is Riordan Mansion State Historic Park; it features the arts and crafts–style residence of Timothy and Michael Riordan, whose family played a prominent role in the regional growth of numerous industries. Built in 1904, it is actually two separate homes joined by a shared living space and features a treasure trove of antique furnishings, colorful stained-glass windows, and various memorabilia, all of which can be viewed during a guided tour.

Of course, if your interests lie more with the arts, you aren’t bereft of choices either. Since the late 1910s, the Orpheum Theater has been a cornerstone of entertainment for Flagstaff, offering everything from film screenings to magic shows to concerts by local and national artists. And you certainly don’t want to miss the Northern Arizona University Art Museum, situated in the oldest building on campus. Peruse the thousand-plus pieces in its permanent collection, including an eclectic mix of furniture, sculptures, paintings, and more from a wide range of countries like Peru, Italy, and India.

There’s even more to do right outside city limits. Nature lovers, for example, could spend a few quiet hours at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, wandering through 200 acres of botanical gardens, serene meadows, and a tranquil ponderosa forest bursting with wildflowers and wildlife. Or for a bird’s-eye view of the area, take the gondola at the Arizona Snowbowl up a lofty 11,500 feet above the trees to see breathtaking panoramas of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounding volcanic fields and red rocks. In the face of such majesty, you may never want to head back down.

Experience the cosmos

After the sun sets in Flagstaff, you might be struck by how bright the stars seem to shine. This is because the city actively works to minimize its light pollution, such as by using narrow-band amber LED lights to reduce the glare of its streetlamps, affording spectacular glimpses of the night sky and Milky Way. In fact, it became the very first International Dark Sky Place when it was recognized by DarkSky International in 2001 for its celestial beauty. To catch the best local constellation views, head to the expansive grounds of Buffalo Park on the outskirts of town or venture about twenty minutes southeast to Lake Mary, whose high altitude and remote location offer an ideal setting for cosmic observation.

For an even closer peek at the heavens, visit Flagstaff’s Lowell Observatory to peer through its public telescopes and explore its exhibits, including those that highlight its own history. Notably, Pluto was first discovered here in 1930, and the observatory’s Clark Refractor was used to help scientists and artists develop detailed lunar maps for NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, the first-ever successful moon landing.

You can also learn how these astronauts trained for their historic moon walk at Cinder Lake Crater Fields, a desert area just north of Flagstaff where NASA created lunar-like pits in 1967 to allow them to get a feel for navigating the moon’s surface. Another must-see is Meteor Crater, located about forty minutes farther east. This site marks the impact of a massive meteorite that crashed over 50,000 years ago, leaving behind a colossal crater nearly a mile wide and 550-feet deep.

Tour national parks and places

Flagstaff is a popular base for outdoor enthusiasts heading to the Grand Canyon, which sits just eighty miles to the northwest, but there are many other natural and historic treasures even more close by. For instance, a short nine-mile drive east of the city will take you to Walnut Canyon National Monument, which provides stunning views of ancient American Indian cliff dwellings, the canyon itself, and towering ponderosa pines. If you’re up for adventure, you can also descend the challenging one-mile Island Trail into the canyon to explore the ruins up close.

Meanwhile, less than an hour north, you’ll find Wupatki National Monument, home to the impressive Wupatki Pueblo—a multistoried, red sandstone 104-room structure once inhabited by ancient indigenous peoples. It even features a ball court as well as a natural blowhole that offers a refreshing breeze of cool air from deep within the earth. And if you take the thirty-four-mile Sunset Crater–Wupatki Loop from the site, you can experience the nearly otherworldly landscape at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, where the earth erupted nearly 1,000 years ago, leaving miles of volcanic cinders and solidified lava flows.

With its rich history, vibrant atmosphere, and photo-worthy natural surroundings, Flagstaff certainly doesn’t disappoint. Venture out there yourself, and you’ll be sure to encounter adventure at every turn.

For more info, visit flagstaffarizona.org