what are some main attractions in flagstaff, arizona?

Question

i already have the grand canyon and the crator.

Answer 1

I grew up in Flagstaff and still visit there frequently. It is a great place for a weekend getaway - here are my picks:

Historic Downtown - Historic downtown Flagstaff was once a major railroad town and an important stop on Route 66. The downtown area has many interesting historic buildings from the early 20th century that are now filled with neat little art galleries, shops and cafes. Be sure to check out the old courthouse, historic railroad depot, the 1930 Orpheum theater and the 1920s Monte Vista Hotel (where scenes from the movie Casa Blanca were filmed).

Lowell Observatory - Founded in the 1890s to study Mars, it is most famous as the place where Pluto was discovered in 1930. It is still a working scientific observatory with a good museum and regular public viewings. Located on Mars Hill overlooking downtown.

Museum of Northern Arizona - One of the best museums in Northern Arizona. Excellent displays on local geology, botany, fossils and especially modern and prehistoric indian cultures (north of town on way toward Grand Canyon).

Arizona Snow Bowl - Medium size ski resort on the San Francisco Peaks north of town. In summer, you can still ride the chair lifts for amazing views. There is also a lot of good hiking on and around 'the peaks' during summer.

Riordan Mansion State Park - Giant log mansion built by the town's early lumber barons. Tours daily. Near NAU on South Milton Ave.

Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments - Located about an hour NE of town along 89A. Sunset Crater is an extinct volcanic field and wupatki is a prehistoric indian ruin. Both are facinating and I think this is one of the most overlooked attractions in northern Arizona.

Walnut Canyon National Monument - Prehistoric indian ruins in a pretty canyon setting. Requires some walking. About 30 minutes east of Flagstaff along old Route 66.

You already mentioned the Grand Canyon which is one of the seven wonders of the world for a good reason and well worth the visit. If by crater, you mean 'Meteor Crater', than you should be warned that it is fairly expensive, they don't let you go into the crater (just stand on a little viewing platform) and the view is not that amazing (not much different then seeing a photo). I am into both astronomy and geology and I consider it somewhat over-rated. The beautifully restored La Posada railroad hotel in nearby Winslow is well worth checking out though.

As for food picks... Flagstaff has a lot of great little eating places for a town of that size.

One of my all time favorites is Beaver Street Brewery, a very comfy and family-friendly microbrew on South Beaver Street (south of old depot) with good food and brews.

Macy's Coffee Shop - Flagstaff's classic bohemien college coffee shop - across from Beaver Street.

Bun Hugger's Burgers - Flame-grilled to order. On South Milton.

Crystal Creek Sandwich - Excellent (and reasonably priced) deli on South Milton.

Oregano's Pizza - The Flagstaff outpost of the popular Phoenix chain.

Cafe Express - Popular downtown breakfast spot (sadly, the nearby Kathy's Cafe - a long time Flag institution has recently closed :(.

Note that Flagstaff is up in the mountains at 7000 feet elevation and unlike much of Arizona it does get cold in winter with regular snow storms.

Answer 2

The Grand Canyon ranks right up there.

Answer 3

Cross-country skiing in the Winter, and camping & hiking in the Summer, -makes this an Outdoors person's paradise year 'round! :)