Natural beauty of lush forests, stunning mountain scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities cause Flagstaff, AZ to receive high ratings. National Geographic ranks it as a top 10 city for making you feel young. The history, land and culture of the Southwest community has received recognition as a top ten spot for RV traveling by Friendly Exchange Magazine. Many other kudos have gone to Flagstaff as well.
In part, the national wonders help to replenish body and mind; it is set at the base of the scenic San Francisco Peaks. All seasons bring in travelers for choices of preference which often includes hiking, camping, skiing and ice skating. Flagstaff is a living anthropology and geology tutorial, with ancient Native American ruins and spectacular scenery at the Wupatki and Walnut Canyon National Monuments.
The Northern Arizona University campus fosters educational and cultural attractions. The city also has an arboretum and a planetarium. An award-winning permanent exhibit "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau" at the Museum of Northern Arizona sheds a perspective on the lands and peoples. The Pioneer Museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the early settlers of the region and includes a 1929 Baldwin locomotive in its collection.
Accommodations
The Little America Hotel and Towers, situated on 500 acres of pine forest, offers traditional guest comforts, room amenities and fine dining. The Embassy Suites Hotel, a hotel with a 2-story lobby fireplace is adjacent to Northern Arizona University. Additional hotels include: the
Fairfield Flagstaff Resort, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, and La Quinta.
Restaurants
Many varied dining options abound in Flagstaff including American, African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and vegetarian. Josephines receives kudos for impeccable service. The Cottage Place cuisine includes American, French, Greek, Italian, Seafood, Central European and Continental. The Mountain Oasis Restaurant features African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern selections.
Major Attractions
Visitors can learn about astronomy at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. The privately owned observatory is named after a prominent mathematician and best known for its discovery of the planet Pluto.
The Riordan Mansion State Historical Park is settled on a five-acre park showcasing the distinctive early 1900s mansion owned by the Riordan family. The Mansion includes all of the original furnishings and decor.
A great way to experience the history, geology and the culture of Flagstaff is by spending a day at the unique Museum of Northern Arizona. The Museum has permanent exhibits including artifacts from ancient native American tribes and a life-size skeletal model of the Dilophosaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur found in northern Arizona. Once populated by the Sinagua Indians, this Southwest area has an abundance of popular scenery and history. Millions of years of history is unraveled at the Walnut Canyon National Monument where a geology of the rocks can be appreciated and other details of discoveries.
Shopping
The Flagstaff Mall is Northern Arizona’s regional shopping area and is
located off I-40 and offers numerous choices for the shopper.
Main Events
For the adventurous, a Vertical Relief Climbing Center is located in historic downtown Flagstaff. The center features over 6500 square feet of widely varied climbing terrain to suit all abilities and climbing styles. The Center is committed to supporting the climbing community though quality training facilities, expert instruction, informative equipment sales and a friendly supportive atmosphere for all level of climbers.
Written by: Karen J. Lee
