Things to do in  Flagstaff

The red rim and colorful slopes of the Sunset Crater set it apart amongst the surrounding pine forests of Northern Arizona. The Sunset Crater erupted less than 1000 years ago, making it the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau. You can learn about the eruption’s effects on the landscape and historic populations on a visit to the park.

Roughly an hour from Flagstaff, Wupatki National Monument preserves more than 2,600 ancestral Puebloan sites. Abandoned 800 years ago, the most prominent structure is the Wupatki Pueblo, a 100-room ruin believed to be Northern Arizona's largest Puebloan structure. Today, four trails lead to seven pueblos and serve up views of red-rock wonders, prairies, and the San Francisco Peaks.

Spanning eight states and 2,448 miles (3,940 kilometers), Historic Route 66 has become a cultural icon, immortalized in song and on the silver screen. This romanticized road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica offers drivers an inside look at classic America—kitschy roadside attractions, diners, historic motels, and plenty of 1950s nostalgia.

Coconino National Forest occupies 1,856,000 acres (751,000 hectares) in northern Arizona. Within its boundaries are the red rocks of Sedona, the city of Flagstaff, fishing lakes, epic hiking, ponderosa forests, volcanic peaks, alpine tundra, and classic Southwestern desert. Its diverse landscapes make it an epic outdoor playground for skiers, hikers, boaters, fishing enthusiasts, horseback riders, and rock climbers.

One of the most well-preserved ruins in North America, the nearly 1,000-year-old Montezuma Castle was once home to the Sinagua people, who built their homes into the limestone cliffs. Although the rocky ruin was given a “castle” title, it was actually a multifamily dwelling. In 1906, the site was declared one of the United States’ first national monuments. Today, you can explore the castle and the natural landscapes that surround it.

Combining the mystique of the Wild West with the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Railway has been delighting riders since 1901. As you make the roughly 2-hour trip to the canyon from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim, you’ll be entertained by authentic characters and musicians who bring the Old West to life, all while soaking up the unforgettable scenery around Grand Canyon National Park.

In 1964, the Colorado River’s roaring waters needed to be harnessed, so the towering 710-foot-tall (216 meter) Glen Canyon Dam was built. The resulting 186-mile-long (299 kilometer) Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the US, took 17 years to fill to capacity. Today, the dam provides hydroelectric power to the American West.

Known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, Williams is nestled in the pine trees of Northern Arizona and offers access to countless outdoor adventures. Set along historic Route 66, the town has an eclectic wild-west persona, complete with a historic downtown, Grand Canyon Railway Depot, saloons, and Americana-style shops and restaurants.

The outdoorsy town of Flagstaff wouldn't be the same without the San Francisco Peaks, a volcanic mountain range located north of town. Known locally as "The Peaks," this is where adventurers come to ski, hike, camp, view wildlife, and rejuvenate in nature. The six summits are remnants of an ancient stratovolcano that rose 16,000 feet (4,877 meters) high.

Filled with American Indian artifacts, fine art, and natural science displays, the Museum of Northern Arizona is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Visit the 200-acre (80-hectare) campus to explore the vast array of exhibits as well as the museum’s majestic surroundings.

Driving through Bearizona Wildlife Park means spotting a stunning number of North American animals from the comfort of your car. Watch as a black bear lumbers through the ponderosa pine forest or an Alaskan tundra wolf sneaks between the trees, and snap pictures of bighorn sheep, bison, and bobcats along the way. The park also has a walk-through area highlighting creatures from jaguars to javelinas, plus scheduled animal encounters.

Mother Road Brewing Company is named after John Steinbeck's nickname for Route 66 in "Grapes of Wrath," and is located right off the historic road in downtown Flagstaff. Since opening in 2011, the brewery has become Arizona's third-largest independent craft brewer and a go-to local hang in northern Arizona's high-country, adventure-obsessed university town.

With a railroad history dating back to 1882, Historic Downtown Flagstaff features a lot of beautiful historic buildings to see and a modern vibe with upcoming restaurants and hip shopping hubs. Loved by locals, Northern Arizona University students, and first-time visitors, its proximity next to Mt. Elden also offers fantastic views.

Beaver Street Brewery & Whistle Stop Café is Flagstaff's first brewpub, attracting mountain bikers, hikers, river rafting guides, skiers, and just about anyone who loves award-winning craft beer. Following the success of Beaver Street Brewery, which opened in 1994, Lumberyard Brewery followed in 2010. Lumberyard is the flagship brewery where Beaver Street's beloved beers are brewed.

Fifteen minutes from downtown Flagstaff, Buffalo Park is one of the city’s favorite green spaces. The highlight of the park is a flat, 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) loop trail on a grassy mesa peppered with ponderosa pines and overlooking the magnificent San Francisco Peaks. On warm days especially, runners, bikers, picnickers, and all manner of locals and visitors flock to this scenic meadow at the foot of Mt. Elden.