5 reasons why Flagstaff is the best road trip in Arizona (2024)

Suggested alternate main hed for curiosity gap: 5 reasons why this northern Arizona city is the best road trip in Arizona

Flagstaff is sometimes called the City in the Pines for its ponderosa pine forests. It's also called the City of Seven Wonders, for its proximity to the Grand Canyon, Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek Canyon, the San Francisco Peaks and three national monuments.

In July, The Arizona Republic readers bestowed another nickname on Flagstaff: Ultimate Arizona road trip destination.

Flagstaff, the winner of the azcentral.com 2024 Arizona road trip bracket, has charmed visitors for generations for its mountain scenery and sense of nostalgia that draws people to its historic downtown and Route 66. The city also draws heat-weary Phoenix residents every summer who want to spend time outdoors in a cooler climate.

Ryan Randazzo, spokesman for Flagstaff's tourism promoter Discover Flagstaff (and a former Republic reporter), discussed what makes Flagstaff stand out to visitors to explain why readers selected it as the winner of our Arizona Road Trip Bracket.

Dig in: 5 new must-try Flagstaff restaurants changing the scene

What is the hottest it gets in Flagstaff?

In Phoenix, triple-digit temperatures are the norm five months a year.

Not in Flagstaff, though. While it can get hot in summer, temperatures never reached above 97 degrees − the peak temperature was observed on July 5, 1973 − in the last 100 years of record keeping, according to the National Weather Service Flagstaff.

The cooler climate is a selling point for metro Phoenix residents who plan summer getaways to Flagstaff, Randazzo said. It also helps that there's a lot to do in the city.

“It’s hot down in the desert in Arizona and it’s about 25 degrees cooler here, but there’s lots to do in that cool weather," he said.

People who travel with their pets will find it's a good place to get their dogs out of the heat, too, as Flagstaff is a dog-friendly destination, Randazzo said.

"It comes down to the diversity of activities when you get to Flagstaff," he said. "There’s things for people who are history buffs, for people who are into Route 66 nostalgia, for people who like to get outside and get in the woods."

Things to do in Coconino National Forest

Outdoor enthusiasts head to Flagstaff not just for more comfortable summer weather, but because there's no shortage of spectacular natural beauty.

With its location south of the San Francisco Peaks and on the edge of the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff is close to the highest point in Arizona, Humphreys Peak (12,633 feet), and in the middle of the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world, Randazzo said.

There's plenty to do in these scenic locales, too. Skiing and snowboarding on Humphreys Peak are offered at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort, and Coconino National Forest has countless trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding.

Why is Flagstaff called a dark city?

But Flagstaff's natural beauty isn't limited to what you can see in daylight.

Since a 1958 lighting ordinance limiting the use of searchlights, which scientists at Lowell Observatory advocated for to protect the site of a newly relocated research telescope from light pollution, Flagstaff has received acclaim for its efforts to preserve the night sky. The International Dark Sky Association recognized Flagstaff as an International Dark Sky City in 2001.

Many places around town are popular with stargazers. Lowell Observatory, famous as the spot where Pluto was discovered, and the three Flagstaff-area national monuments − Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki and Walnut Canyon − are often cited as among the best spots.

"On a clear night you can see the Milky Way from downtown, which is a rare thing for any city," Randazzo said.

Lowell Observatory is seeing more visitors because of greater attention to the city's night sky viewing opportunities, and it's working to accommodate the growth with a new attraction, Randazzo said. The Astronomy Discovery Center, will include a multistory LED theater called the Lowell Universe Theater, hands-on activities including the Orbits Curiosity Zone and an open sky planetarium.

The Astronomy Discovery Center is scheduled to open Nov. 16, according to Lowell Observatory's website.

What is the trail system in Flagstaff?

There's no shortage of outdoor activities in Flagstaff, and many of them − hiking and cycling, to name a few − can be experienced using a network of trails that connects most of the city.

The Flagstaff Urban Trail System, or FUTS (pronounced "foots," according to Flagstaff officials), is a 56-mile network with plans for about 75 more miles, connecting the city through shared-use pathways that cross through city and natural spaces.

"It allows people to enjoy the outdoors and that good weather," Randazzo said.

Flagstaff Route 66 things to do

History buffs appreciate the nostalgia of historic Route 66 and the downtown buildings, which include the Weatherford and Monte Vista hotels that date to the early 20th century.

Today, downtown Flagstaff is a vibrant city center, helped by an evolving food scene and summer festivals such as Art in the Park, the Flagstaff Chili Festival, the Mother Road Classic and the Hopi Arts and Culture Festival, Randazzo said.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached atMichael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@salerno_phx.

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