Location: Flagstaff
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What to do and see in Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. West of the Moon Gallery
2. Backcountry Journeys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops offer you a seamless adventure travel experience where we handle the details so you can focus on photography. Our world-class service and small groups allow for a personalized experience that allows you plenty of one on one time with our award-winning trip leaders!
3. 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.
4. Babbitt's Backcountry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By TerriK21 - Westworth Village, United States
Great store in Flagstaff if you are looking for outdoor gear, shoes, or packs. Stopped in one afternoon, looking for nothing in particular, and walked out with a pack and some gifts. Great, friendly staff!
5. Olive the Best Oils and Vinegars of Flagstaff
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Olive the Best Oils and Vinegars of Flagstaff! Our olive oils are cold pressed, unrefined, and extracted without the use of chemicals. Our Ultra Premium Olive Oil exceeds world standards in quality. It is the freshest and finest available today! Our tasting room creates a unique and fun experience that you will not be disappointed in! Our goal is to enhance your dining experience with these delicious olive oils and 18 year aged Balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy, as well as providing the benefits of their premium nourishment. Stop in and delight in our hand picked selections! Scott and Marge (owners)
Reviewed By nicolegak21 - San Jose, United States
If you are in the Flagstaff area and love olive oils and vinegars like I do - you must stop by this store! Scott, the owner, is so kind and helpful and made some amazing combination suggestions! We ended up walking out with 5 bottles. This is a local business, not a franchise and they carry some flavors I have never seen in other stores. The selection is truly wonderful!
6. Drinking Horn Meadery Mead Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
We ferment honey into mead, we have various flavors to appeal to a variety of a palettes. All local, raw honey, and as much local and organic fruit as we can get our paws on! Feel free to email us about scheduling a tour!
Reviewed By rham4917 - Clovis, United States
I am by no means a fan of mead.....that is until we came here. The prickly pear and passion fruit meads were to die for and I actually bought bottles of each to take back home! This was such a neat experience!! We will definitely be back!
7. Timberline Firearms and Training Shooting Range
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Timberline Firearms, Flagstaff's only indoor shooting range, is a full service shooting range with 12 climate controlled lanes, firearms rentals, sales and accessories. International travelers are always welcome at Timberline Firearms. We rent handguns and rifles (AR-15, AK-47) including a full-auto AR-15 (must be at least 18 to shoot the full-auto). Must be 18 to rent rifles and 21 to rent handguns. Lane rentals are $18/hr, firearm rentals are $15 plus range ammo. Private instruction is available. We are happy to answer any questions, feel free to give us a call or just stop by. For safety reasons, please be sure to wear closed toed shoes and no low cut tops. We are on the way to the Grand Canyon.
Reviewed By 291alans
We emailed Timberline in advance of our trip to AZ. They immedialtely emailed me back and I communicated exactly what we were looking for - a safe, professional introduction to basic firearms in a clean, upscale environment with a VERY experienced instructor. Well, Rob (the owner) and his staff absolutely delivered. He was incredibly prepared for us with a classroom environment style presentation followed by a wide assortment of choices to choose from when it came time to shoot. The kids were amazed by what they learned and the experience was beyond my expectations. Would highly recommend Rob, his staff and his facility is TOP NOTCH - incredibly clean and most importantly, SAFE!
8. 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!
9. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure — a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servants' quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is a historic five-acre site located in the Kinlichi Knoll neighborhood of Flagstaff, Arizona, bordering the campus of Northern Arizona University. The park includes two almost identical homes built in 1904 by Michael and Timothy Riordan, two brothers who were members of a prominent Arizona family that played a significant role in the development of Flagstaff and northern Arizona and were involved in lumber, railroads, cattle, banking and politics. With 13,000 square feet of floor space, the two homes are connected by a rendezvous or game room. The architect was Charles Whittlesey, who also designed the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. Some of the similarities of the two grand structures include massive stone arches at porch corners and rustic exterior consisting of log planks, wood shingles and native stone. The park was opened to the public in 1983 but only for the Timothy Riordan (east) side of the building. The Michael Riordan (west) side was opened for self-guided tours in 2002. The Riordans were lumber barons and the mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious and opulent living in a small, territorial logging town. It is a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches and hand-split wooden shingles. It has 40 rooms, including servants' quarters. Interestingly, it was built 115 years ago with indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, central heat and electric lights, reflecting the most modern technology and design of the time. One of the most interesting features of the house are two unique sets of windows located in the central rendezvous room. Each window consists of seven black and white photographs with a translucent frosted glass background, depicting Southwest scenic landscapes and portraits of Native Americans with a diffused lighting background. The author of the spectacular photographs was John K. Hillers, a prominent photographer who accompanied John Wesley Powell on his second expedition to the Grand Canyon in 1879. Hillers met the Riordan brothers during archaeological excavations at Walnut Canyon in 1885 and was later commissioned by the Riordans to produce the windows for the adjoining family room of their twin mansion in Flagstaff.
10. Flagstaff Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 608 reviews
Located in the Historic Train Station, the Flagstaff Visitor Center provides local travel information. Make the visitor center your first stop to make so that you get the most out of your visit to Flagstaff. Pick up local maps and brochures, explore displays on activities in Flagstaff and shop our gift shop while watching trains rumble by out front.
Reviewed By Love2travelthree
This is located right on the railroad tracks and every time a train would come by, alot we would watch it under the watchful eye of the old grumpy man from the Amtrak station in the same building. I think his mission in life is to yell at as many people as possible to get away from the tracks. We left because we got tired of seeing such bad behavior from an old man. This is not a reflection on the visitor center though, I only bring it up because the buildings are attached.
