Weekend Getaway – Things To Do In Flagstaff

Want a break from the heat? It’s July- who doesn’t? Hit the road for a short road trip north and the cool pines of Flagstaff will welcome you with a wide variety of activities to make your weekend getaway memorable.

Flagstaff offers a wide variety of great activities that range from monuments, hikes to history.

Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Flagstaff. The observatory is a family friendly venue, that allows everyone to explore the history of the universe, as well as modern science research. Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States.
Address: 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours: Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Members: Free/Under 5: Free. Monday-Saturday: Adults: $17/Seniors, AAA, college students, military: $16/Ages 5 – 17: $10. Sunday: Adults: $12/Seniors, AAA, college students, military: $11/ Ages 5 – 17: $6
More Information: https://lowell.edu

Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument is a United States National Monument located about 10 mi southeast of downtown Flagstaff, near Interstate 40. The canyon hosts remarkable geological formations and visible former homes of ancient inhabitants. As you walk along the trails you can imagine life within Walnut Canyon, while visiting actual pueblos as you walk in the steps of those who came before.
Address: 3 Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Hours: 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Admission: $15.00 – Fee is per person, good for 7 days at Walnut Canyon National Monument. Free entrance for children under 16.
More Information: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

Arizona Snowbowl
Snowbowl is an alpine ski resort located on the San Francisco Peaks of northern Arizona, seven miles (11 km) north of Flagstaff.  The Snowbowl ski area covers approximately one percent of the San Francisco. Snowbowl’s new summer activities allow you to choose your own adventure! The following summer offerings are guaranteed to make your vacation full of fun and lasting memories: Scenic Chairlift, Summer Tubing, Bungee Trampoline, Mini Ropes Course, Treasure Panning and Barrel Rolling.
Address: 9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Summer Hours:  Daily Operations: May 25th to September 2nd, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (weather permitting)
Admission: Each activity is $15 or add on each ride for $10 with your online scenic chairlift purchase.
More Information: https://www.snowbowl.ski

Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest is a 1.856-million acre National Forest located in northern Arizona near Flagstaff.  The Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous red rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa pine forests, from southwestern desert to alpine tundra. Families can explore mountains and canyons, fish in small lakes, and wade in lazy creeks and streams.
Address: Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours:  Open 24 hours
Admission: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coconino/passes-permits
More Information:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
Play in the trees at Flagstaff Extreme. FLG X boasts a safe, fun, physical and unique outdoor experience in the cool pines of northern Arizona. The adventure will challenge guests to push their limits and overcome their fears in a supportive environment. The facility at Fort Tuthill County Park offers treetop suspended obstacle courses for kids and adults.
Address: Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours:  Open Daily 9-5, reservation booking required.
Admission: Prices vary depending on course and age. Visit website for more details. https://flagstaffextreme.com/course-prices/
More Information:  http://www.flagstaffextreme.com

The Arboretum At Flagstaff
The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a unique destination specializing in plants native to the Colorado Plateau and northern Arizona. The Arboretum is home to 750 species of plants in greenhouses, gardens, and natural habitats–located on 200 acres deep within the Coconino National Forest. Once the home of founder and philanthropist Frances McAllister, The Arboretum today houses horticultural collections and rare plant specimens nestled among historic buildings in a natural setting.
Address: 4001 S Woody Mountain Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours:  9am-5pm, closed Tuesdays
Admission: Members are Free. Prices include entry to the Butterfly House.
Adults: $10.00 Seniors: $7.00 College: $7.00 Youth : $5.00 Dogs: $2.50/each Group Rate: $7.00 (groups of 6 or more)
More Information:  https://www.thearb.org

Lava River Cave
This mile-long lava tube cave was formed in northern Arizona’s Coconino National Forest roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave. It is the longest cave of its kind known in Arizona.
Address: 171B Forest Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
More Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55122

Wupatki National Monument
The Wupatki National Monument located near Flagstaff and is rich in Native American ruins. The monument is administered by the National Park Service in close conjunction with the nearby Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
Address: 25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Hours: 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM MST
Admission: The following fees cover entrance to both Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument for seven days: $20.00 per passenger vehicle. $15.00 per motorcycle. $10.00 per cyclist or pedestrian.
More Information: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/index.htm

Buffalo Park
Flagstaff’s most popular urban trail makes a 2-mile loop around Buffalo Park, that is 215 acres and offers hiking, picnicking and wildlife and scenic mountain views. Most of the trail is on open, native grassland, but west of the park entrance the trail feeds into a wooded ravine. Before it became a City park, Buffalo Park was a private wildlife park.
Address: 2400 N Gemini Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
More Information: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1789/Nate-Avery-Trail

Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
Don’t miss the world’s best preserved meteorite impact site on Earth. 37 miles east of Flagstaff. Meteor Crater is the spectacular result of a collision that rocked the American Southwest approximately 50,000 years ago with the energy of more than 20 million tons of TNT. Meteor Crater offers an interactive educational experience for the entire family in a beautiful, natural setting.
Address: Interstate 40, Winslow, AZ 86047
Hours: Open daily 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Admission: Adults: $18.00/Seniors: (age 60 & older) $16.00/Juniors: (age 6 to 17) $9.00/Non-Active Duty U.S. Military/Veterans (with I.D.): $9.00/Active Duty Military (with I.D.): FREE
More Information:  https://www.meteorcrater.com

Mt Elden Lookout Trail
From base, the southeastern slope of Mount Elden looks like it is cast in stone. This trail leads you up a staircase of petrified lava to the mountain’s summit 2,300 feet above Flagstaff. The route starts as a gradual climb along the shorter and less steep Fatman’s Loop but increases in gradient as the Lookout Trail strikes out on its own ascent to the mountain top. Along the way you will enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding area.
Address: 4870, 5098 US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
More Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55140

Old Caves Crater
The Old Caves Crater Trail takes you through volcanic cinder fields and Ponderosa Pines to the base of an extinct cinder cone volcano. There is another trail (Crater Loop Trail) which loops completely around the base of the volcano, then through a tree covered cinder field and on back to the trailhead. The elevation of the cinder cone is 7183 ft and the prominence is 423 ft.
Address: 3.5 miles northeast of the Flagstaff Mall off U.S. 89.
More Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55142

NAU Art Museum
This Northern Arizona University museum showcases modern paintings, sculptures & other fine art.This Northern Arizona University museum showcases modern paintings, sculptures & other fine art.
Address: 620 S Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Hours: 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Closed Sunday & Monday
Admission: No fee
More Information: https://nau.edu/artmuseum/

Bearizona
Visitors are invited to drive through the 160 acre park that consists of more than three miles of Ponderosa Pine Forest with up close viewing of North American animals in their natural habitats. Additional animals are exhibited in Fort Bearizona, a 20 acre walk-thru area, along winding paths which is more of a “zoo” type setting. Make sure to stick around for the bird show, it is not to be missed!
Address: 1500 E. Route 66, Williams, AZ
Hours: Open Daily 8:00am – 6pm
Admission: Prices vary- visit website for more information: https://tickets.bearizona.com/affiliate/website/event/Park-Admission
More Information: https://bearizona.com

Grand Canyon Railway
All aboard the Grand Canyon Railway! Choo choo! For more than a century the Grand Canyon Railway has delivered passengers to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim on a ride that provides “the most sublime of all earthly scenes.” There is no easier way to travel to the scenic Grand Canyon. And if you aren’t careful, you might get held up in a stick up by some rough and rowdy cowboys.  Vacation packages including hotel, train, meals and tours are available.
Address: Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023
For all information, schedule and costs visit: https://www.thetrain.com

Flagstaff E-Bike Tours
Flagstaff E-Bike Tours offers an educational and experiential service tour that will teach and educate on the operation of the bike and the rules and regulations of the trails and roads. This tour allows you to see the outdoor areas in and around Flagstaff while riding a bike at 7000 feet. A special bonus, their bikes allow you to engage the pedal assist option on the bike to help you get up those hills, along the trails and enjoy the sites. To enjoy the tour, riders should have good balance and the ability to operate a 65 lb. bike.
Address: 2214 North West Street, Flagstaff
For all information, schedule and costs visit: https://www.flagstaffebiketours.com

Historic Hitchin’ Post Stables
Roger L. Hartman outfitting and riding horses in the Arizona mountains for most of my life so there is no one better in the city of Flagstaff to take you on a horseback ride in the pines. The stable offers three different rides. The one hour trail ride will take you through the Coconino National Forest to the southeast of Flagstaff. Their two hour serene ride meanders to the mouth of beautiful Walnut Canyon. I’m told the view is spectacular! Their 3 hour Walnut Canyon Trail Ride takes riders to the home of cliff- and cave-dwelling Indians, the Anasazi.
Address: 4848 Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86005
For all information, schedule and costs visit: https://historichitchinpoststables.com

Get to planning and enjoy all that Flagstaff has to offer. There are only a few more weeks until it is back to school time.