A family exploration of Flagstaff

Thorpe Park

• 245 N Thorpe Rd
• tel:+1 928 779 7690
• Flagstaff, 86001

La Bellavia Restaurant

• 18 S Beaver St
• tel:+1 928 774 8301
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

This is one of Flagstaff's favorite breakfast and lunch spots, and if you're willing to brave long lines (especially prevalent on the weekends), you won't be disappointed by the extensive menu of all your breakfast favorites, which includes nine delicious variations on Eggs Benedict and their popular Trout Breakfast. Owners Ed and Brandy Wojciak, who also own Brandy's on the east side, also serve up a scrumptious lunch menu of specialty sandwiches, quiches, burgers, and salads. The daily lunch specials offer a classic sandwich with a cup of soup for a good price. With lacy white curtains and a relaxed yet always-busy atmosphere, La Bellavia is a sound choice for good eats in downtown Flagstaff.
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Hotel Weatherford

• 23 N Leroux St
• tel:+1 928 779 1919
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

The Hotel Weatherford has been home to a radio station, billiard hall, various restaurants, and Flagstaff's first telephone exchange company. It has played host to gunslingers, pioneers, and today, visitors looking for a hotel loaded with character and history. Built in 1897, the Weatherford, conveniently located close to the Amtrak station in downtown, is immediately recognizable by its columned veranda. Most of the hotels 11 rooms are rather spartan and subject to the occasional rattle of passing trains. But if you're seeking a comfortable, affordable stay with turn-of-the-century charm, and don't mind going without some modern amenities such as TV and telephones, the Weatherford fits the bill. If you can't go without, upgrade to one of the three restored rooms on the second floor, which feature claw-foot tubs, air conditioning, and phones. Charly's Pub and Grill, located downstairs, offers solid Southwestern fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and live entertainment.
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Black Bart's Steakhouse Saloon

• 2760 East Butler Ave
• tel:928 779 3142 / 800 574 4718 (U.S. Toll Free)
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86004

Western kitsch abounds at this bright, boisterous cowboy palace near downtown Flagstaff. This meat-lover's paradise specializes in cowboy steaks, prime ribs, and barbequed chicken, so if you're set on getting a full service of vegetables for dinner, best steer elsewhere (the deep-fried zucchini and mushrooms probably don't count towards your daily nutritional content). Live entertainment is provided by the Northern Arizona University musical theater students, who regularly put down their trays to hop on stage and belt out classic show tunes. Although definitely not the most sophisticated place to eat around downtown, curious (and hungry) diners will certainly get an eye- and earful at Black Bart's. The Wild West decor, solid steakhouse offerings, and singing waitstaff definitely make this one of the more unique places to have dinner. Perfect for families and anyone with a good sense of humor.
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Lake View/Pine Grove Campground

• Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road)
• tel:520-774-1147
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Jay Lively Activity Center

• 1850 N Turquoise Dr
• tel:+1 928 774 1051
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

• 409 W. Riordan Rd
• (Off South Milton Road at Bookmans Plaza)
• tel:+1 928 779 4395
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Get a glimpse of Flagstaff's logging town past with a visit to Riordan State Historic Park, located near the Northern Arizona University campus. Lumber baron brothers Michael and Timothy Riordan built the mansion in 1904, which was designed by Charles Whittlesley, also famous for building the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. The 13,300 square foot mansion contains 40 rooms of log-and-stone,  many of which are furnished with Gustav Stickley furniture, known as the father of the American Arts and Crafts design movement. One of the most whimsical objects you'll see in the house are the "Paul Bunyan" shoes--a two-foot long pair of boots that Timothy Riordan built in his workshop. Everything in the mansion is original, making this a goldmine for history buffs everywhere.
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Fatmans Loop Trail

• 5075 N. Highway 89
• tel:520-526-0866
• Flagstaff, 86004

Lava River Cave

• Forest Rd. 171B
• 30 miles northwest of Flagstaff
• tel:+1 928 526 0866
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Little America Hotel

• 2515 East Butler Avenue
• tel:+1 928 779 2741 / +1 800 865 1401
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86004

The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff has two major claims to fame: it's the largest hotel in town, and one of a handful of hotels offering room service. So, it should go without saying that if you're looking for a comfortable stay with all the modern amenities, the Little America Flagstaff awaits with open arms. One of the biggest selling points of this popular resort hotel is the location: surrounded by 500 acres of Ponderosa Pine trees, Little America Flagstaff makes for an inviting and serene Northern Arizona escape, light years away from the business and train noise of downtown Flagstaff. On the flipside, guests looking for a warm and cozy stay may find this huge hotel property a bit impersonal. Large, comfortable rooms are decorated with French provincial-style furnishings, and the property features walking trails, an in-house restaurant, deli, Southwestern gift shop, and courtesy van service to the airport or Amtrak station.



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Downtown Diner

• 7 E. Aspen Avenue
• tel:(928) 774-3492
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Salsa Brava

• 1800 S Milton Road
• tel:+1 928 774 1083
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Walnut Canyon National Monument

• Flagstaff Areas
• 2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
• tel:928 527-1246
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86002

Located about eight miles southeast of Flagstaff off I-40, Walnut Canyon National Monument offers a fascinating peek into the lives of the people anthropologists have named the Sinagua ("without water"). A strenuous, one-mile walk on the Island Trail gives you a front-row glimpse to the 700-year old cliff dwellings where the Sinagua lived and left their mark. Peer into the past as you take in the 25 cliff dwellings along the trail. You can see more dwellings across the canyon. Even if you are not transfixed by the mystery of the people who built this cliffside pueblo, the lush canyon is the perfect high desert backdrop for your Northern Arizona adventure. The canyon is a valuable habitat for many species of plants and animals, and a gorgeous backdrop for photographers of all stripes.


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Arboretum at Flagstaff

• 4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd
• tel:(928) 774-1442
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86002

Located on Flagstaff's west side about four miles south of Route 66 on Woody Mountain Road (which is just as scenic as its name implies), The Arboretum is a must-see for nature-lovers. Your car may get a good splattering on the road down to The Arboretum (the first mile is paved, but the remaining 2.8 miles are not), but it will be well worth it to spend the day meandering through the gorgeous 10 acres of cultivated gardens, strolling around the pond, and paying a visit to the working greenhouse (where most of the 2,500 species seen in the gardens are grown). The entire Arboretum encompasses 200 acres that were once the gardens and buildings of The Arboretum's founder Frances McAllister, who was given the parcel of land as a wedding present in the 1930s. McAllister and her husband lived in Los Angeles, but spent summers at their Flagstaff cabin, which affords incredible views of the San Francisco Peaks. After her husband's death, McAllister moved to this location, reveling in the challenges of gardening at 7,000 feet. The Arboretum continues to carry out McAllister's mission of garden experimentation and research, and sharing the natural beauty of the gardens with the public.



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Charly's Pub & Grill

• 23 North Leroux St
• tel:928 779 1919
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Museum of Northern Arizona

• 3101 N Fort Valley Rd
• 3 miles north of downtown Flagstaff on U.S. 180
• tel:+1 928 774 5213
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

A must-stop for anyone remotely interested in Native American culture or the geological history of the Colorado Plateau. The museum is home to over 600,000 artifacts of anthropological, geological, historical, and artistic interest, as well as extensive federal and tribal research collections. Not to be missed is the museum's permanent anthropology exhibit, "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau," which documents 12,000 years of occupation in the area. The Hopi Kiva Room and Jewelry Gallery showcase the singular beauty of native handcrafted jewelry, while the Ethnology Gallery provides an intriguing glimpse into the daily lives of local tribe members. Located three miles north of Flagstaff on US Highway 180, the museum is an easy stopping point on your way to, or from, the Grand Canyon.



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Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Cafe

• 11 South Beaver St
• Suite 1
• tel:928 779 0079
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Located one block south of the train station in downtown Flagstaff, Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Cafe is a local favorite brewery and restaurant with a bright, family-friendly pub atmosphere. The menu is heavy on reliably tasty dishes, including hefty sandwiches with generous servings of fries on the side, fresh salads, yummy fondues, and their popular wood-fired pizzas. Try the Enchanted Forest pie, loaded with Brie, roasted red peppers, spinach, Portobello mushrooms, and artichoke pesto on a chewy, warm crust. Watch the flames fly from your table as chefs prepare meals in the open kitchen, or take a gander as the brewer creates handcrafted ales. Time your visit for late spring and summer, and sit outdoors in the comfortable beer garden. If you're looking for a casual, fun dining spot around downtown, Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Cafe is always a solid choice.
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Historic Downtown Flagstaff

• One East Route 66
• (Flagstaff Visitor Center)
• tel:+1 928 774 9541 / +1 800 842 7293 (Tourist Information)
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001-5530

Flagstaff has a long history as a railroad town and major resting point for travelers out west. You'll definitely want to spend some time poking around the historic downtown, where stately, turn of-the-century buildings still stand guard over this busy high desert city. Highlights include the Tudor-inspired Santa Fe Railroad station (which houses the Visitor Center, where you'll want to stop and pick up a map), the1888 Babbitt Brothers Trading Company building, the Hotel Monte Vista, and Hotel Weatherford. Remnants of Depression-era roadside Americana can still be found on Route 66, which bisects downtown, including hotels, auto shops, and the Museum Club, a historic road house that continues to welcome road-weary travelers.


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Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

• Flagstaff Areas
• 2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
• tel:520-556-7134
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86002

Between 1040 and 1100, this volcano exploded, powerfully affecting the lives of local peoples and forever altering the landscape of the surrounding area. Today you can drive right up to the site, where shinny black molten rock covers this area, as if it erupted just yesterday. Take the Lava Flow trail to see the life slowly returning to this rugged landscape. The fee is $5. Take U.S 89 north for 12 miles, turn right on the Sunset Crater/Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center. This loop road makes it convenient to see the nearby Wupatki Ruins on the same day. read more about Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Fratelli's Pizza

• 119 West Phoenix
• tel:(928) 774-9200
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Embassy Suites Flagstaff

• 706 S Milton Rd
• tel:+1 928 774 4333
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Lowell Observatory

• 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd
• tel:(928) 774-3358
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001

Lowell Observatory, located atop Mars Hill Road just outside of downtown Flagstaff, is one of the leading astronomical research facilities in the United States, and one of the city's true must-see attractions. The observatory offers a compelling glimpse to universe--even bored teenagers will be amazed by what they see on the other side of the telescope. Day visitors are treated to guided tours, multimedia exhibits, and a viewing of the Sun with a specially equipped telescope. But the real action starts at dusk, when (weather permitting) the staff opens up the telescopes for viewings of Jupiter, the Moon, star clusters, and other incredible celestial sights. Rain or shine, visitors are also invited to experience the Observatory's interactive presentations at their portable planetarium, and tours of the Universe inside the 3-D movie theatre. If you happen to be looking for a great place to take a date, the Observatory, which is surrounded by walking trails and great  views of the dark skies over Flagstaff, is surprisingly romantic.

Multimedia Shows

Computer-generated imagery meets the exciting music of Mannheim Steamroller in our 30-minute widescreen show Heavy Astronomy: Marvels of the Cosmos.

Join us in the evenings for telescope viewing, widescreen multimedia shows, and tours of the Universe with our 3D space theatre – all while enjoying the clear mountain air and dark skies over Flagstaff.

 
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Crystal Creek Sandwich Co.

• 1051 S Milton Rd Ste B
• Visit website
• Flagstaff, 86001