Flagstaff is a thriving town in northern Arizona. Located at 7,000 feet above sea level, at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the city offers a plethora of activities and attractions. Flagstaff is a winter destination for locals who want to hit the slopes as well as a summer choice for those who want to avoid the heat. If you want to explore northern Arizona, making Flagstaff your base makes a perfect sense. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend a day in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Suggestions on how to spend a day in Flagstaff, Arizona
We visited Flagstaff in December of 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Therefore, we skipped many potential indoor activities. We did, however, do many fun things outside, and this simple guide lists my favorite ones.
Walk the streets of the historic downtown
Flagstaff has a vibrant historic downtown with many buildings dating back to the early 1900s. The streets are lined with galleries and boutiques as well as many bars and restaurants. It’s fun to just walk around, enjoying the atmosphere.
Enjoy Heritage Square
Essentially in the heart of the historic downtown is Heritage Square. This open air amphitheater offers live concerts, entertainment, and different festivals throughout the year. There is a nice bakery and a coffee shop right on the square, so get a coffee and sit down on one of the railroad style benches outside. It’s such a lovely plaza!
Stop by the historic Amtrak train station along Route 66
Did you know that the historic Route 66 runs directly through town? Stop by the Visitor Center, which is located in the historic Amtrak train station and you’ll find the cool mural of the Route 66 in the parking lot. Nearby, you’ll see the “Old Two Spot” locomotive which goes back to Flagstaff’s logging days.
Visit a brewery or two
Flagstaff boasts quite a few breweries downtown, many with outdoor patios. Flagstaff is actually cold in the winter time, so we appreciated the warm heat lamps many places offered. We enjoyed sitting outside and having a couple of IPAs – a start of our Christmas vacation on the way to Tucson.
Drive up to Lowell Observatory
You may have heard of the Lowell Observatory since it is the place where Pluto was discovered. Unfortunately, because of Covid, the premises were closed to the general public. However, the drive up to Mars Hill still offered us an opportunity to enjoy the views of the surrounding area from above.
Hike the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS)
The Flagstaff Urban Trail System is quite extensive. In fact, it offers over 50 miles of hiking trails in and around Flagstaff. Rather than walking along busy streets, we were able to take the trail from our Airbnb to basically right downtown. You can learn more about it here.
Take a side trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument
Basically 15 minutes outside of town, Walnut Canyon is a remarkable place to spend an afternoon at. Not only will you see an impressive canyon but you will also be able to walk around 800 year old cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people. If you have two hours to spare, I highly recommend a trip to this national monument. You can read more about our visit here.
Have more time in Flagstaff?
If you’re staying in Flagstaff for several days, there are other amazing attractions within driving distance.
- Grand Canyon National Park
Virtually 90 minutes away, Grand Canyon National Park is a must if you’ve never been. Make it a day trip and enjoy the spectacular views of the most famous canyon on the earth. You will be happy you did. I have written several posts with advice on how to visit the park here.
- Sedona and the Red Rock State Park
Less than an hour south of Flagstaff is the red rock wonderland of Sedona. If you want to hike, head to the Red Rock State Park and enjoy miles of trails among the stunning scenery. If you prefer to check out cute little shops, you can do that too. Then, get something to eat or drink in one of the outdoor restaurants and relax staring at the soaring red rock mountains. The landscape is simply gorgeous.
