Flagstaff
Flagstaff is frequently dismissed as a pit stop—a place to break up a long drive to the Grand Canyon—in comparison to the resort-filled Sedona and the desert-urban enclave of Phoenix. However, it shouldn't be brushed off so quickly. This about 77,000-person city has a relaxed, natural charm and is surrounded by ponderosa pine forests and the San Francisco Peaks. Locals who cycle, ski, hike, and enjoy a few craft beers give Flagstaff liveliness, and college students from nearby Northern Arizona University give the city a youthful vibe as well.
Flagstaff should be your vacation destination, not just a stop along the way, if you're looking for a laid-back getaway 7,000 feet above sea level with outdoor excursions, regional cuisine (many of which are priced for college students), and a few unusual natural attractions, like Walnut Canyon National Monument.
The best activities in Flagstaff are frequently found outside. Flagstaff has plenty of things to do, from discovering Indigenous peoples' homes at multiple state parks and national monuments to hiking and skiing the adjacent mountains - or just lounging outside with a craft beer at the Historic Downtown and Railroad District. Visitors who want to do more than just walk around might attend astronomy lectures at the Lowell Observatory or geology and local culture lectures at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Additionally, there are many options to buy and eat throughout the city.
Rankings:
- #5 in Best Day Trips from Phoenix
- #8 in Best Places to Visit in September
- #9 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona
Location: Arizona
