Guide preview.

Discover
Flagstaff,AZ
Spring Travel Guide
Explore.
stay.
shop.
Dine.
Play.
learn.
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Play.
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Dine.
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Stay.
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Explore.
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Shop.
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Learn.
Flagstaff has all kinds of great ways
to get out and enjoy live music,
events and a little adventure. So plot
a course north for one of the great
small cities in the Southwest.
With accommodations for every
taste and style, Flagstaff is
brimming with unique and
wonderful lodging that’s sure
make any visit extra special.
Visitors who take the time to
visit local boutiques and art galleries
will find rare gifts and much in
the way of the unexpected—
including Native American and
contemporary art.
Few towns its size can boast the
wide array of great haute cuisine and
down-home-but-gourmet food. We
even have some of the best pizza,
burgers and fries out there.
Flagstaff is an adventure lovers’ paradise.
And, in the spring, we have great hikes,
mountain bike trails and—with a short
jaunt and change in altitude, skiing,
snowboarding and snowshoeing can be
added into the mix.
As the town where Pluto was discovered,
Flagstaff is a place eager to teach people
about science and discovery. And a visit
to such places as Lowell Observatory can
enrich the experience.
Discover.
AN AMAZING, DIFFERENT KIND OF PLACE JUST TWO HOURS FROM PHOENIX
A two-hour drive can deliver people from the lowland deserts of
the greater Phoenix metro area into a high-plateau wonderland
of 12,000-foot snow-capped mountains, lush, verdant red-rock
canyons, expansive landscapes, the venerated Navajo and Hopi
cultures, pioneer history, Route 66 and more.
In the spring, visitors to the Flagstaff area enjoy some of
the best skiing in the lower Southwest—whether by alpine skis,
snowboard, cross-country skis, snowshoes or even a rented snow
bike. A short jaunt south brings visitors to Oak Creek Canyon,
a celebrated natural wonder that has year-round hiking and
exploring. Oh, and did we mention that Flagstaff is a gateway
community to the Grand Canyon? That natural wonder is only 81
miles to the north.
Arizona’s ultimate mountain town once remained a well-kept
secret. But that secret is starting to get out. It has made several
“best small town” lists and “best college town” lists, as it is home to
Northern Arizona University. For a small city, it’s culturally rich,
with live music every week, a celebrated symphony orchestra, a
beloved community theater and some of the best places you’ll ever
eat or shop.
So, consider a trip to Flagstaff. The adventure and the wonder
are waiting …
For travel and publication information contact The Flagstaff Convention and
Visitors Bureau at 928.213.2951 or visit flagstaffarizona.org
Content and editing provided by the staff at Northern Arizona's Mountain LIving Magazine
FL AGSTA FF SPR I NG TR AV EL GU IDE
Arizona is not the state
most people think it is.
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BOTH DAYTIME & NIGHTTIME FUN IN THIS MOUNTAIN TOWN
FLAGSTAFF EXTREME
MICHAEL FRANTI AT THE ORPHEUM THEATER
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Melissa Etheridge. The Beach Boys. Jerry
Seinfeld. Any names ring a bell? These are just a
few of the acts that have performed in Flagstaff
through the years. And some of them have even
come back for return engagements.
Although only a small city, the beauty of
the town and the passion the locals have for live
music keep a steady stream of great acts coming
to our mountain community. So, it becomes a
great way to have fun. One of the cornerstones
of the downtown music scene is the Orpheum
Theater. It has packed the house with shows by
such celebrated artists as Ani DiFranco, Gillian
Welch, Wilco, Lucinda Williams and Son Volt.
The Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill
County Park brings major shows and festivals
to its pavilion. Also, Northern Arizona
University’s Ardrey Auditorium is a recently
renovated, state-of-the-art theater that brings
in nationally renowned acts and is home to the
Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.
FL AGSTA FF SPR I NG TR AV EL GU IDE
Willie Nelson.
Arlo Guthrie.
Sheryl Crow.
Other venues such as The Green Room,
Mia’s Lounge, Firecreek Coffee Company,
Charly’s at Hotel Weatherford, Monte Vista
Lounge and more offer a long list of other
listening and dancing opportunities.
During the day, Flagstaff features all kinds
of fun places to explore and play. Most notably
is Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, a
treetop obstacle course complete with cargo nets,
challenging obstacles and ziplines for a day of
fun for all ages.
Flagstaff also boasts three indoor climbing
gyms, Flagstaff Climbing Center, Main Street
Boulders and Beta Bouldering Gym, as great
places to learn climbing skills before taking
that skill set outdoors. Looking for something
completely different? Head a thousand feet up in
elevation to the Flagstaff Nordic Center.
The Nordic Center features snow mountain
bikes for rent. Hearty types can take a ride on
the designated trails. Or, as mentioned in our
Explore section, strap on a pair of snowshoes and
have some fun in the forest. Yet another way to
explore. And the list goes on.
For some different kinds of adventure play,
consider the Flagstaff Ale Trail, a mapped out
trek to participating taverns with craft beers.
Or ride to the bars on Alpine Pedaler, a multiperson party bike that brings its own kind of pub
crawl experience.
BREAKFAST SERVED
stay.
IN THE HEART OF NORTHERN AZ, SPECIALTY
INNS AND LODGES ARE ALWAYS INVITING.
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While Flagstaff
has more than
five dozen hotels
and lodges to choose from, it’s important to
note that, among them, are some wondrous
gems that offer one-of-a-kind overnight
experiences for anyone who wants to stay an
extra day, few days or a week.
Notably, the greater Flagstaff area boasts
more than a dozen bed and breakfast inns. Each
one is as unique and fun as the owners who run
them. Among the ones in historic downtown
are the England House and The Inn at 410.
These places not far from the vibrant town
center offer a great chance for a quick trip out
for a dinner and a live show or stroll downtown.
Farther out from
the city center are places
THE ENGLAND HOUSE
such as Starlight Pines,
Fall Inn to Nature
and Abineau Lodge.
With only a short jaunt
out of town, these
establishments offer both
serenity and a chance
to still be fairly close to
convenience. Some of the
bed and breakfasts carry
a special kind of theme,
such as A Shooting Star
Inn. Located 20 miles
north of Flagstaff, this
B&B is known for having
high-end telescopes for
night viewing.
The classic bed-andwith a View.” These historic residences in the
breakfast setups are joined by other homey
forest are available for rent. Some of them are
options. Comfi Cottages features historic
located within a short distance of Flagstaff or
homes and bungalows that are set up with all of
even the Grand Canyon. For reasonable rates,
the conveniences of home. Arizona Mountain
visitors can rent them for fun retreats or family
Inn is also famous for its cabins. Another
getaways.
interesting option is the Motel DuBeau, a
Along with these, Flagstaff has two historic
Route 66 original landmark lovingly restored
downtown hotels—the Hotel Weatherford and
with bohemian village ambience.
the Hotel Monte Vista. The former was built
The Coconino and Kaibab national
in the early 1900s and includes a restaurant
forests are also well-known for their “Cabins
and two favorite local taverns—Charly’s and
A SHOOTING STAR INN
Zane Grey. The Monte Vista was built in the
late 1920s and was built by fundraising in the
Flagstaff community. Today, the hotel has been
lovingly restored and includes two great bars:
the upscale Rendezvous Martini Bar and the
hip, fun Monte Vista Lounge.
Also in town is a newly established
DoubleTree Hotel and the expanding Little
America Hotel. With these options and more,
Flagstaff invites visitors to stay and spend some
time—with a getaway to fit any taste or style.
As the center
of commerce
for northern Arizona, Flagstaff’s historic
downtown and varied commercial areas are
a bustle of activity. We share in this guide
the great restaurants, cultural and scientific
institutions and more. But we cannot forget
about the amazing shopping.
For starters, Flagstaff’s downtown and
nearby Southside boast a number of great art
galleries. Along San Francisco Street shoppers
will find Arizona Handmade, The Artists’
Gallery and West of the Moon. On Aspen
Avenue, don’t miss Gallery 113, Vhay Gallery
and the Shane Knight Gallery.
Flagstaff’s number of artists and artisans
per capita is through the roof. The art ranges
from painting to ceramics to photography to
metalwork. Some of the best photographers
in the world—no exaggeration—make their
home in Flagstaff. David Edwards, who has
a gallery off Heritage Square, made the list
of 100 best photos to appear in National
Geographic. John Running, who has a gallery
downtown, also is world-renowned. Flagstaff
is also home to up-and-coming photographers
such as Dawn Kish.
Among them are artists such as Bruce
Aiken, who is one of the most celebrated
of Grand Canyon painters, and Shonto
Begay—perhaps one of the more celebrated
and successful contemporary Navajo
painters. They are joined by a bevy of other
accomplished artisans such as Emma
shop.
FLAGSTAFF IS A PLACE WHERE THE BOUTIQUES ARE UNIQUE
Gardner, who has made a name for herself
with her creative take on Mexican folk
art traditions.
The galleries also mingle with a number
of places known to carry Native American
jewelry, art and craftwork. Flagstaff’s
downtown has a handful of shops that carry
Hopi and Navajo works. The Museum of
Northern Arizona also boasts a dazzling gift
shop that carries some of the most exquisite
Native American art and jewelry that can be
found in the Southwest.
Boutiques are boundless, and places
such as Shoes ‘N’ Such, the Basement
Marketplace, Rainbow’s End Splendid
Things and Sagebrush Trading Company
are independent shops that have buyers with
a sharp eye for quirk, sophistication and fun.
They even carry some locally made couture.
All ages and all tastes will find something fun
and funky to add to the wardrobe.
They are joined by more than a halfdozen outdoor clothing and gear stores. Each
one carries some of the best lines in highend and technical outdoor gear. Babbitt’s
Backcountry Outfitters, Mountain Sports,
Aspen Sports, Peace Surplus and Four
Seasons Outfitters are prominent on the list.
So, come prepared to browse and buy.
THE ARTISTS' GALLERY
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NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY
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Dine.
FLAGSTAFF IS A FOODIE’S PARADISE
PASTO
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No other small
city in Arizona
can boast as many high-end and artisan food
eateries as Flagstaff. With more than 200 places
to eat and several of those original, one-of-akind establishments, the Grand Canyon State’s
ultimate mountain town is also a foodie’s
paradise.
In downtown Flagstaff, diners cannot get
enough of places like Tinderbox Kitchen, an
Arizona Highways best-of restaurant that mixes
haute cuisine with downhome cooking. And
Criollo Latin Kitchen has raised the bar on
local sourcing and fusion cooking.
They have joined some longstanding
favorites such at the ultimate classic in fine
dining establishment The Cottage Place and
the contemporary and sophisticated restaurants
such as Josephine’s, Brix
and Pasto.
Pizzas get serious treatment in Flagstaff
at Pizzicletta, also a restaurant that made
the cover of Arizona Highways. The newly
opened Fat Olives also takes wood-fired fare
and house-made fresh mozzerella to new and
exciting heights.
Love a good burger? They bound in
Flagstaff, including Diablo Burger—making
the USA Today list of best burgers in the
country with their locally sourced meat from
nearby ranches part of the Diablo Trust.
Vegetarians also delight with the Tepa Burger,
a locally made meat-free patty that’s served at
Diablo Burger and other local restaurants.
TINDERBOX
Breakfast is big in Flagstaff, as well. Many
times named one of the best breakfasts in the
state, MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace serves up
its locally famous Chilaquiles. Just try to eat it
in one sitting. Macy’s European Coffee House
caters to vegetarians and anyone who loves
a delicious pastry. Brandy’s Restaurant and
Bakery and La Bellevia are locals’ favorites, but
the word is getting out about their tasty menus.
Pub fare is far from typical in a town that
embraces its beer. Beaver Street Brewery and
Lumberyard Taproom and Grille join local
favorites such as Flagstaff Brewing Company
in serving up fun flavors.
In Flagstaff, the craft beer flows with six
different microbreweries that have garnered
some major awards. Coffee lovers will not be
disappointed, and will likely find their favorite
drip coffees ever sipped at Late for the Train or
the best espresso in the West at Macy’s.
Wine and tapas are done up as fun
and friendly combinations with inviting
atmospheres in a town with high altitude
and low attitude. Cuvée 928, The Wine Loft,
Madrid Tapas y Sangria and Vino Loco will
satisfy the wine lovers with their extensive
selections.
Take all of these options and throw in
a few dozen eateries that cover the gambit of
ethnic cuisine possibilities—Mexican, Thai,
Japanese and Indian included—and you have
the recipe for a great meal out on the town.
Explore.
FLAGSTAFF STANDS AT THE HEART OF ADVENTURE COUNTRY
that are part of the Flagstaff area monuments.
Each of them reveals the fascinating past of the
ancient Native Americans who built homes and
communities in these areas hundreds of years
ago. The third monument is Sunset Crater,
one of the youngest volcanic eruptions in the
Southwest. The crater blew around 1062 A.D.,
and remnants of the eruption are still visible
today.
Hiking and mountain biking remain
LAVA RIVER CAVE
WUPATKI
Spring in
Flagstaff
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is a chance to explore all seasons at once.
Flagstaff is located at 7,000 feet in elevation and
sits at the edge of the world-renowned Colorado
Plateau. Temperatures warm quickly below
the rim, where visitors to Flagstaff can enjoy
the verdant, red-rock wonders of Oak Creek
Canyon—its headwaters 15 miles to the south.
The same visitor can head upward in
elevation and strap on a pair of snowshoes,
alpine or cross country skis. In the San
Francisco Peaks—15 miles to the north this
time—12,000-foot-plus mountains offer many
snowy options. This includes a major ski area
known as Arizona Snowbowl and a crosscountry ski locale the Flagstaff Nordic Center.
A gateway to Grand Canyon National
Park, Arizona’s ultimate mountain town also
offers a staging area for visits and explorations at
one of the greatest natural wonders. Still closer to
town are a bevy of national monuments, national
forest trails and state parks to explore. The list
is too long to include here, but a good start is
a spotlight on the wonders of the Coconino
National Forest.
The Coconino includes the San Francisco
Peaks and Oak Creek Canyon, but also contains
within its boundaries a few hundred miles
of trail and a number of fascinating points of
interest. As an example, Lava River Cave is a
mile-plus long underground lava tube that is a
fun adventure to explore. To the south, the forest
extends to the Mogollon Rim country, where the
plateau drops off in spectacular fashion.
Walnut Canyon and Wuptaki national
monuments are two national park locations
perennial activities in the Flagstaff area. As the
snows recede, many people will attempt the fourand-a-half-mile trek to the top of Humphreys
Peak from Arizona Snowbowl. The mountain
is the tallest in Arizona at 12,633 feet. Other
popular hikes include Fatman’s Loop and Elden
Lookout Trail, which respectively flank and
ascend Mount Elden. This mountain rises up
right at the boundary of Flagstaff to 9,000 feet.
Elden is the gateway to the Mount EldenDry Lake Hills Trail System. This features some
top-notch mountain biking trails that attract
people from throughout the region for the fun
and a challenge.
Looking for easier or family friendly hikes?
One of the most remarkable city parks around
is Flagstaff’s Buffalo Park. This open space area
includes flatland trails that create interconnected
loops. Don’t be fooled by its city park status, as
Buffalo offers chance encounters with wildlife
and some of the best views of Arizona’s famous
mountains.
From Buffalo Park, trails head into the
national forest and spoke into other parts of the
city as part of a 50-mile-plus urban trail system.
These trails help connect the wilds of the forests
to Flagstaff’s backyard. With so much to explore,
you might have to plan a return trip to do it all.
LOWELL OBSERVATORY
learn.
FLAGSTAFF IS AN INCREDIBLE HUB FOR CULTURAL
AND SCIENTIFIC LEARNING AND DISCOVERY
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FL AGSTA FF SPR I NG TR AV EL GU IDE
The only place
in the United
States
where a planet was discovered in the Solar
System is Flagstaff. It was 1930 when Clyde
Tombaugh, using observations by Percival
Lowell, discovered Pluto. Though recently
demoted from planetary status, the discovery
rocked the nation and put Flagstaff on the map.
Today, the place where Pluto was
discovered—Lowell Observatory—has one of
the most accessible public visitor centers of any
observatory. Daily, people make the drive up
Mars Hill, just a mile from downtown Flagstaff,
and peer through telescopes that have been in
use for more than a century. They also enjoy
astronomical exhibits and scientific talks that
happen throughout the year.
Lowell Observatory also is dubbed the
“home of the expanding universe,” as it was here
at the beloved observatory that V.M. Slipher
became the first to observe the shift of spectral
lines of galaxies, which demonstrated the
is a world-class scientific
notion of a universe in
destination called
expansion.
Meteor Crater. Also
Lowell is just one
known as Barringer
jewel in the crown of
Crater, a meteor struck
learning and discovery in
the Earth here around
Flagstaff. The mountain
50,000 years ago and left
town of nearly 70,000
an impact that is 3,900
people also features the
feet in diameter and
Museum of Northern
570 feet deep. It is often
Arizona. This highly
referred to as one of the
important institution of
best preserved meteorite
the Southwest, now in its
impact sites in the
86th year of operation,
world—where the aridity
is a great place to learn
has kept the crater from
about the wonders of the
MUSEUM OF N. AZ
changing little over time.
Colorado Plateau—from
Along with the
archaeology to geology to
paleontology to biology—the museum is a must- observatory, museum and meteor site, Flagstaff
features the Arboretum at Flagstaff, a favorite
see when visiting Flagstaff.
among tree and plant enthusiasts that also
Still, many people will find much to
builds programs and exhibits around birds, bats
love and admire about Northern Arizona
and other wildlife. Willow Bend Education
University, one of three major higher education
Center continues to teach and inspire visitors
institutions in Arizona. It boasts an enrollment
about conversation and shares thoughtful, green
of almost 20,000 students and features open-tothe-public lectures, events and exhibits that help ideas for home and garden.
So, a visit to Flagstaff is a chance to become
share learning experiences.
more worldly and wiser.
Halfway between Flagstaff and Winslow
Experience Relaxed Elegance
Set just off ‘Old Route 66’, the new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff offers a fantastic
location near historic downtown Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University with easy access
to hiking, skiing and popular Arizona attractions. Our completely renovated hotel features
Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, outdoor seasonal pool and indoor sauna and spa.
1175 WEST ROUTE 66, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA | 928-773-8888 | WWW.FLAGSTAFF.DOUBLETREE.COM
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