Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona
The 25-mile drive down Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona is comparable to some of the views at the Grand Canyon and well worth the roughly one-hour drive. Sedona itself is a filled with sightseeing wonders that can be hiked, seen via Jeep tour, or taken in downtown at a leisurely stroll. The famous red rock formations extend to some areas out of town, such as Cathedral Rock and at other more open spots along Oak Creek, such as Red Rock Crossing.
You can continue on to the old mining town of Jerome that is now a well-established art center and offers some spectacular views, and even cross the mountains to head down towards Prescott, an historic town that served for a few years as the capital of the Arizona Territory.
Museum of Northern Arizona
The Museum of Northern Arizona is more than just a museum: it is a cultural and art center, as well as the working place of many research scientists in areas such as paleontology. Just a short distance north of Flagstaff on Highway 180, it is worth spending some time to explore on the way to or from the Grand Canyon. For more information, go to https://musnaz.org/.
Weatherford Hotel Pine Cone Drop
For many years on New Year's Eve, the traditional Pine Cone Drop takes place at midnight (and at 10 PM to coincide with midnight in New York City). Enjoy the downtown merriment and arrive early, as it gets crowded. Dress warmly, as it is often very cold. For more information, click on this link.
Grand Canyon National Park
One of the seven wonders of the world and a short less than two hour drive From Flagstaff, the park receives over six million visitors each year. It is truly something that needs to be experiences in person and with the variations from views from even a fraction of a mile's walk along the rim, a short distance down a trail, plus the variations during the day as well as throughout the seasons makes it worth multiple trips or longer stays. Fine and casual dining as well as numerous shopping opportunities abound. Dress and bring enough provisions to stay comfortable and keep from getting hungry or thirsty. The climate changes drastically as you walk down towards the Colorado River, which lies about a mile below in elevation. Even along the rim, temperatures will change drastically between day and night. Go to https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm for more information.
Arizona Snowbowl
With lifts that will take you up to around 11,500 ft in elevation, Arizona Snowbowl offers skiing and snowboarding just 15 miles north of Flagstaff and has trails from beginners to experts to cover a wide range of skill levels for skiers and snowboarders alike. Comfortable lodges offer a place to relax, warm up and dine between runs.
In summer, the Agassiz chair lift operates to give visitors breathtaking views that on clear days, can extend all the way to the rim of the Grand Canyon. See https://www.snowbowl.ski/ for more details. For a great video of the chairlift ride, check out this link.
Explore Flagstaff and its surrounding areas that offer a variety of options for sightseeing, activities and entertainment.
Flagstaff Nearby Attractions
