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DiscoverFlagstaff,AZFlagstaff,AZ

Spring Travel Guide

Explore.

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contents.Play.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.

Stay.With accommodations for every taste and style, Flagstaff is brimming with unique andwonderful lodging that’s suremake any visit extra special.

Shop.Visitors who take the time to visit local boutiques and art galleries will find rare gifts and much inthe way of the unexpected—including Native American and contemporary art.

Dine.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.

Explore.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.

Learn.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.

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Discover.Arizona is not the state most people think it is.

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,

AN AMAZING, DIFFERENT KIND OF PLACE JUST TWO HOURS FROM PHOENIX

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

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888.788.3524 | 928.213.2951

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MICHAEL FRANTI AT THE ORPHEUM THEATER

BOTH DAYTIME & NIGHTTIME FUN IN THIS MOUNTAIN TOWN

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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.

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 multi-person party bike that brings its own kind of pub crawl experience.

Willie Nelson. Arlo Guthrie.Sheryl Crow.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

FLAGSTAFF EXTREME

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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 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-and-breakfast setups are joined by other homey options. Comfi Cottages features historic homes and bungalows that are set up with all of the conveniences of home. Arizona Mountain Inn is also famous for its cabins. Another interesting option is the Motel DuBeau, a Route 66 original landmark lovingly restored with bohemian village ambience.

The Coconino and Kaibab national forests are also well-known for their “Cabins

stay.

with a View.” These historic residences in the forest are available for rent. Some of them are located within a short distance of Flagstaff or even the Grand Canyon. For reasonable rates, visitors can rent them for fun retreats or family getaways.

Along with these, Flagstaff has two historic downtown hotels—the Hotel Weatherford and the Hotel Monte Vista. The former was built in the early 1900s and includes a restaurant and two favorite local taverns—Charly’s and

IN THE HEART OF NORTHERN AZ, SPECIALTY INNS AND LODGES ARE ALWAYS INVITING.

THE ENGLAND HOUSE

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.

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FLAGSTAFF IS A PLACE WHERE THE BOUTIQUES ARE UNIQUE

shop.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

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THE ARTISTS' GALLERY

NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY

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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 half-dozen outdoor clothing and gear stores. Each one carries some of the best lines in high-end 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.

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No other small city in Arizonacan 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-a-kind 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.

FLAGSTAFF IS A FOODIE’S PARADISE

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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.

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FLAGSTAFF STANDS AT THE HEART OF ADVENTURE COUNTRY

Explore.

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

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

perennial activities in the Flagstaff area. As the snows recede, many people will attempt the four-and-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 Elden-Dry 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.

Spring in Flagstaffis 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 cross-country ski locale the Flagstaff Nordic Center.

WUPATKI

PASTOLAVA RIVER CAVE

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FLAGSTAFF IS AN INCREDIBLE HUB FOR CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFIC LEARNING AND DISCOVERY

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The only place in the United Stateswhere 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

notion of a universe in expansion.

Lowell is just one jewel in the crown of learning and discovery in Flagstaff. The mountain town of nearly 70,000 people also features the Museum of Northern Arizona. This highly important institution of the Southwest, now in its 86th year of operation, is a great place to learn about the wonders of the Colorado Plateau—from archaeology to geology to paleontology to biology—the museum is a must-see when visiting Flagstaff.

Still, many people will find much to love and admire about Northern Arizona University, one of three major higher education institutions in Arizona. It boasts an enrollment of almost 20,000 students and features open-to-the-public lectures, events and exhibits that help share learning experiences.

Halfway between Flagstaff and Winslow

is a world-class scientific destination called Meteor Crater. Also known as Barringer Crater, a meteor struck the Earth here around 50,000 years ago and left an impact that is 3,900 feet in diameter and 570 feet deep. It is often referred to as one of the best preserved meteorite impact sites in the world—where the aridity has kept the crater from changing little over time.

Along with the observatory, museum and meteor site, Flagstaff features the Arboretum at Flagstaff, a favorite among tree and plant enthusiasts that also builds programs and exhibits around birds, bats and other wildlife. Willow Bend Education Center continues to teach and inspire visitors about conversation and shares thoughtful, green ideas for home and garden.

So, a visit to Flagstaff is a chance to become more worldly and wiser.

MUSEUM OF N. AZ

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