Location: Flagstaff
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Flagstaff That You Shouldn't Miss
Astounding natural wonders, invigorating outdoor recreation and fascinating cultural attractions make Flagstaff the perfect getaway to rejuvenate the body and replenish the mind. Set at the base of the beautiful San Francisco Peaks, and surrounded by lush national forests, the city provides ample opportunity for fresh air fun. Spring, summer and fall bring hikers, campers and mountain bikers, while winter draws skiers and ice skaters. But don't let a focus on the "good old outdoors" fool you. Fostered by the local university, Flagstaff is also chock-full of educational and cultural attractions. Be sure to see the award-winning permanent exhibit "Native Peoples of the Colorado Plateau" at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The Pioneer Museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the early settlers of the region and includes a 1929 Baldwin locomotive in its collection. The city also has an arboretum and a planetarium. The entire area is a living anthropology and geology lesson, with ancient Native American ruins and stunning scenery at the Wupatki and Walnut Canyon National Monuments, just waiting to be explored.
Restaurants in Flagstaff
1. Flagstaff Extreme
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 495 reviews
Our Tree Top Adventure course is an elevated obstacle course set in the tall Ponderosa Pines and securely suspended between the trees at 15 to 50 feet off the ground.Some of the features of course include suspended bridges, swings, slides, nets, ziplines and even an aerial surf board.Come on your own, bring a group, or have a party or an event. Take a journey and explore the outdoors like you never have before.
Reviewed By leebA5940RL
We did both the adventure course and the zip line course in the same day and highly recommend if you have to do the same due to time constraints - to them in that order. We ran the adventure course with Rachel who was superb! It was challenging but tons of fun. I liked that the staff teaches you all of the safety procedures and then lets you go through the courses in a self guided way. They are also proactive and responsive if they sense you're having trouble even before you know you're in trouble! It's clear that all of the staff have undergone great training, and are there climbing your tree in a moments notice to help novices get past the barriers We did the zipline course with Sabrina and she was most excellent! A super fun attitude, was with us and encouraging us from the ground without being in the way. It was a great way to unwind and relax after doing the adventure course
2. Fort Tuthill Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
A Military History Museum in Northern Arizona located within the historic Ft. Tuthill county park. Our exhibits trace the history of the 158th Infantry Regiment from it's organization in 1865 as the 1st Regiment Arizona Volunteers to present day Afghanistan deployment of 1st Battalion 158th Infantry. Features include military artifacts from 1865, site tour of historic Ft. Tuthill, the 158th Infantry Regiment, "Bushmasters " story and Arizona's National Guard.
Reviewed By travelwriter52 - Clinton, United States
It is worth going just to see the buildings of an old base. The museum is contained in two small buildings run by only 4 volunteers. Lots of historical artifacts. Hidden in a county park that also has a adventure course, snow play area (in season), an arena where a rodeo is held. Most of the donations came from an 80 year old man.
3. Humphrey's Peak Trail - San Francisco Peaks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By chalm1
From the parking lot walk across an open area (ski run) approximate elevation 9300', enter forest. Next 2 - 2.5 hours are an easy steady climb through the forest to the saddle at approximately 11.800', from saddle it's about 30-45 minutes to the summit at 12,633'. Trail is pretty well marked, only remember on place in the forest where I had to think about it for a moment. Above the saddle the trail is well worn, but even without it, say in winter, simply keep going up until there is no more up. There are three false summits, none of them large, along the way.
4. Lowell Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,931 reviews
We are now in our first phase of reopening! This means you can get limited time, premium access to the Giovale Open Deck Observatory (GODO) These will be private experiences with one group of up to ten cohabitating or co-traveling people. Not only is GODO Premium Access extremely low-risk, it also allows you to experience all the GODO has to offer with virtually no wait times. Stay tuned for more telescopes, in our next phase we will be adding the Clark and Dyer telescopes to the Premium Access experience! Click the link below to learn more about this unique opportunity. We can't wait to see you—welcome back to the home of Pluto! https://lowell.edu/welcomeback
Reviewed By 634lisas - Surprise, United States
We got tickets for $11 on Groupon and it was well worth it even though we were only there in the evening. We arrived just before 8 and saw a presentation on Saturn on the omniglobe. They had 3 telescopes set up for night viewing and we could see Jupiter and all its stripes, Saturn and it's rings and moons and a star cluster that was 222,000 light years away!! We stayed for a constellation tour at 9 which was great - full of interesting info and myths about some of the visible constellations. Next time we will plan to spend the day there as there are talks and presentations running all day long. Perfect for anyone interested in the stars, space or mythology. Highly recommend, even for teens (my daughter is 13) :)
5. Museum of Northern Arizona
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 590 reviews
One of the great regional museums of our world, surrounded by tremendous geological, biological, and cultural resources in one of Earth's most spectacular landscapes. With a long and illustrious history, MNA evokes the very spirit of the Colorado Plateau and serves as a gateway to understanding this unique region. Whatever your time frame, this museum will enhance your experience of the richly diverse cultures, landscapes, and ecology of the Plateau. Nine permanent and changing exhibit galleries present Native cultures, tribal lifeways, natural sciences, and fine arts. Ventures and custom tours explore the Four Corners Region of the American Southwest. Award-winning Museum Shop & Bookstore onsite. Self-guided Rio de Flag Nature Trail. Tickets are for a specific entry time starting at 10:00 am, with the last booking at 2:00pm.
Reviewed By 1lacrosse - Yarmouth, United States
We were very impressed by the breadth of this museum. Great staff, carefully designed displays, and excellent presentation of archeology, anthropology, geology, indigenous peoples, ethnography and Native American artwork. Two hours minimum required to do the museum justice. Docents are very helpful to get context for the displays, although individual learning is well facilitated by the descriptions provided. Don’t miss this museum if your travels take you through Flagstaff!
6. Walnut Canyon National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,639 reviews
See millions of years of history unraveled in the geology of the rocks at this popular scenic and historic hiking area, once populated by the Sinagua Indians.
Reviewed By potatofisher - Rapid City, United States
I debated actually stopping here, as we had had a long day of travels already, but I'm so glad we did. The canyon dwellings are amazing. The museum is closed, but the gift shop is open, and you can get your passport stamp there. There are 2 trails: the rim trail, which is paved and flat and follows the canyon rim, and the island trail, which goes down and then back up 180 steps into the canyon to get you up close to the cliff dwellings. If you can manage it, I highly recommend the Island Trail. The steps are almost all at the beginning/end (it's a loop trail), and the entire middle is a really nice stroll right along the ledge where the dwellings are. Many of the dwellings are open for you to enter as well! It's like walking through another world. Please note: since the park closes at 4:30, they will not allow you to start the Island Trail after 3:30pm, so make sure to arrive before then if you want to do it.
7. Wupatki National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,009 reviews
Explore this fascinating ancient pueblo, located near the San Francisco Peaks, which once housed almost 100 members of the Anasazi and Sinagua tribes.
Reviewed By kevingW5482NQ
Come in from the Sunset Crater side and stop at the first set of ruins. Perched atop a gigantic boulder, you’ll be able to get breathtaking views of the painted desert, the mountains, plains... stop next at the visitor center and walk down to the ruins there for more amazing scenery. There are other ruins on the way out toward the Grand Canyon, and they are all worth the stop and hike as well. This is amazing, American history and you won’t regret taking the time to contrast this monument with Sunset Crater, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Walnut Canyon... every place we stopped, my wife said, “I didn’t think anything could compete with the last place we were...”
8. Coconino National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Named after the Coho Native American people, this forest is two million acres of recreational, lumber, and mining land.
Reviewed By 5cindy - Fort Myers Beach, United States
We did the oak creek scenic drive through Coconino National Forest and it was absolutely beautiful. There are lots of trees in this area.
9. San Francisco Peaks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Located north of Flagstaff, these are the remains of ancient volcanic peaks that may have once reached 15,000 feet above the Colorado Plateau.
Reviewed By Monica58860 - Dousman, United States
If you take the loop road tour,, you will see these beautiful "peaks" along with so much more. Highly recommend if you are in the area. Plan to spend 2-3 hrs there as so much to see.
10. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,092 reviews
Located north of Flagstaff, this crater was created by a volcanic eruption 900 years ago.
Reviewed By NotNow99 - Salem, United States
At one end of this National Park is Sunset Crater, with it's unworldly lava flows & cruncy lava beds, beautiful views & paths. At the other is the beautiful Wupatki Ruins, all for one fee (or Parks Pass). The volcanic eruption can be seen on a lot of the local mountains which are gorgeous, and helped shape the settlements of the Native Peoples here & in other areas..
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