A family exploration of Flagstaff
Description:
This trip guide is designed for the adventurous family, who is also interested in an education along the way. This guide features fun places to eat, intriguing places to learn, and adventurous places to explore. The cultural and historical points of interest include museums and well preserved ruins, while the geological points of interest can be found near extinct volcanoes, caves, and trails.
Author: kgboggs
Day 1 - Flagstaff
Upon arriving in Flagstaff, Thorpe Park is a great place to unwind. Nestled in the foothills of Mars Hill (location of Lowell Observatory), Thorpe Park is a few blocks west of downtown Flagstaff and contains a playground for the kids, tennis & basketball courts, as well as many acres of trails beyond the maintained portion of the park.
On this list (here and in the unscheduled portion) there are several hotels from which individual families should investigate and decide which is right for them. If you don't mind the sound the train and want to be centrally located right downtown, the historic Weatherford is a great choice. For a more modern hotel feel, Embassy Suites is very nice and affordable. Or, feel free to try them all. A different spot each night could be an adventure in itself. Of course, there are numerous camping options in and around Flagstaff for the outdoorsy family.
1
Thorpe Park
Location:
view in google maps245 N Thorpe Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 779 76902
Black Bart's Steakhouse Saloon
Location:
view in google maps2760 East Butler Ave
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone:
928 779 3142 / 800 574 4718 (U.S. Toll Free)2
Lake View/Pine Grove Campground
Location:
view in google mapsForest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road)
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
520-774-11472
Jay Lively Activity Center
Location:
view in google maps1850 N Turquoise Dr
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 774 10512
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Location:
view in google mapsFlagstaff Areas
2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
Phone:
928 527-12462
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Location:
view in google maps409 W. Riordan Rd
(Off South Milton Road at Bookmans Plaza)
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 779 43952
Fatmans Loop Trail
Location:
view in google maps5075 N. Highway 89
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone:
520-526-08662
Lava River Cave
Location:
view in google mapsForest Road 171B & Forest Road 245
30 miles northwest of Flagstaff
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 526 08662
Little America Hotel
Location:
view in google maps2515 East Butler Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone:
+1 928 779 2741 / +1 800 865 14012
Downtown Diner
Location:
view in google maps7 E. Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
(928) 774-34922
Salsa Brava
Location:
view in google maps1800 S Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 774 10833
Beaver Street Brewery and Whistle Stop Cafe
Location:
view in google maps11 South Beaver St
Suite 1
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
928 779 00794
Embassy Suites Flagstaff
Location:
view in google maps706 South Milton Road
86001 Flagstaff, US
Phone:
+1 928 774 4333Day 2 - Flagstaff
La Bellavia is a great family-friendly establishment, which is open daily until 2pm. After your bellies are full, take a stroll through Flagstaff's famous Arboretum, then cruise through downtown. On the second floor of the Weatherford Hotel and at the public library, there are many photographs of what downtown Flagstaff looked like as it was first constructed. It is very interesting and educational to gaze at these photos and compare them to the present day.
A scenic drive up Snowbowl road is worth the trip no matter the season (though if it is winter, you might want to evaluate the capability of your vehicle). Upon reaching the ski resort, sky rides are available during the off season. Take the ski lift to the top of Weatherford Peak and marvel at the views. Or simply take the time to walk a view trails.
1
La Bellavia Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps18 S Beaver St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 774 83012
Arboretum at Flagstaff
Location:
view in google maps4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
Phone:
(928) 774-14423
Historic Downtown Flagstaff
Location:
view in google mapsOne East Route 66
(Flagstaff Visitor Center)
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5530
Phone:
+1 928 774 9541 / +1 800 842 7293 (Tourist Information)5
Lowell Observatory
Location:
view in google maps1400 W. Mars Hill Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
(928) 774-3358Day 3 - Flagstaff
If you did choose to stay at the Weatherford Hotel, Charley's Grille is a great place to eat, located on the first floor. Grab a table outside on a nice day; you'll be glad you did.
Sunset Crater and Wupatki are located on a looped road about 40 miles east of town, off of Hwy 89. If you can time it right, plan to reach the top of the Citadel ruins at sunset. The entire peaks mountain range is brilliantly illuminated from here.
1
Hotel Weatherford
Location:
view in google maps23 N Leroux St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 779 19192
Charly's Pub & Grill
Location:
view in google maps23 North Leroux St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
928 779 19193
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Location:
view in google mapsFlagstaff Areas
2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
Phone:
520-556-71345
Crystal Creek Sandwich Co.
Location:
view in google maps1051 S Milton Rd Ste B
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Day 4 - Flagstaff
Today, you'll spend half the day in Flagstaff, at Northern Arizona's premier museum, where you will gain a cultural, historical, and geological understanding of the place you will continue to explore.
After a few slices of Fratelli's Pizza, you'll head south east of Flagstaff and camp above Arizona's second largest canyon, Sycamore Canyon. You can stock up on supplies and camp friendly food downtown. New Frontiers is a great place for healthy camp-friendly snacks. Peace Surplus is the place to go to stock up on anything you might need from sleeping bags, warm clothes, to first aid kits.
2
Museum of Northern Arizona
Location:
view in google maps3101 N Fort Valley Rd
3 miles north of downtown Flagstaff on U.S. 180
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
+1 928 774 52133
Fratelli's Pizza
Location:
view in google maps119 West Phoenix
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone:
(928) 774-9200