• Lowell Observatory, [7]. An astronomical research center at which the plutoid Pluto was discovered, this historic institution is on a mesa overlooking the west side of town. The staff leads guided daytime tours, and visitors use the Observatory's 24" Clark telescope and smaller portable telescopes during regular evening programs (inquire). Open 9AM-5PM daily and from 5:30PM (regular evenings) except some holidays. Fee.

• The Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Ft. Valley Rd., 928-774-5213, [8]. Daily 9AM-5PM except some holidays. On the north side of town, it has displays on Native American life and the natural history of the region. A good selection of American Indian folk art, particularly Navajo rugs, is available at the gift shop. Fee.

• The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd., (928) 774-1442, [9]. Daily 9AM-5PM, Apr-Oct. This 200-acre botanical garden, environmental research station, and nature center displays one of America's largest collections of high country wildflowers. Daily guided tours at 11AM and 1PM. Wild Birds of Prey programs at 12PM and 2PM, Fridays through Mondays. Fee.

• Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, 409 W. Riordan Rd, (928) 779-4395, [10]. Daily 8:30AM-5PM May-Oct, 10:30AM-5PM Nov-Apr. This fine example of an Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1904 for a prominent local family. Fee.

• Arizona Historical Society-Pioneer Museum, [11]. This small state museum collects, preserves and exhibits artifacts, documents and photographs of the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. It also hosts a number of events thoughout the year. Open from 9AM-5PM Monday through Saturday. Fee.

By car

Flagstaff is at the intersection of Interstate 40, which runs west to California and east to New Mexico (following historic Route 66) and Interstate 17, which runs south to Phoenix.

By train

Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief [2] Chicago-Los Angeles line makes a stop in downtown Flagstaff. The westbound train arrives at 9:51PM and the eastbound train arrives at 6:06AM.

By air

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (IATA: FLG) [3] has regular scheduled commercial airline service. Horizon Air has non stop service from Los Angeles. USAirways provides service to Phoenix. There are also several air charter carriers.

The nearest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (IATA: PHX) [4]. Driving time between Flagstaff and Sky Harbor is greater than the 150-mile separation would suggest; the airport is on the opposite side of Phoenix from Flagstaff, and traffic jams in Phoenix are a problem. Allow two and a half hours or more to get from one to the other by car.

Flagstaff is stretched out along historic Route 66, which runs roughly east-west. The fairly small (about 5 blocks square) downtown is located on the western side of town, near the base of Mars Hill, the location of Lowell Observatory. Both I-40 and the BNSF railroad tracks run roughly parallel to Route 66. Northern Arizona University is located south of downtown and the tracks, but north of I-40. Here the north-south oriented Milton Road, which becomes I-17, is the main thoroughfare, with Route 66 heading west north of the railroad underpass.

The city is fairly bike-friendly, with many roads having bike lanes. There is also a bike path that runs along the south side of Route 66 from downtown to the east side of town.

The city and county operate The Mountain Line, a fairly comprehensive bus system.

Open Road Tours [5] will bring visitors from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to the Amtrak station in Flagstaff, the train depot in Williams, or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Silver Spur Tours [6] 1-928-226-7212, shuttle service to Phoenix Airports, Sedona, Williams, Guided tours to Grand Canyon, Indian Ruins, wine tastings. Local tour service to Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Sedona. Hotel pick up available. New Mercedes built Sprinter Vans hold no more than 11 passengers in comfort, and extra large windows for viewing. Cold water, sodas and snacks always included. small and large groups.

Flagstaff Mall [20], Marketplace Drive & Highway 89, (928) 526-4827. Anchored by Sears, JCPenney, and Dillard's.

Flagstaff prides itself on its many fantastic yet affordable and friendly restaurants owned by locals. Most of the restaurants listed below fall into this category, and are noted if not.

Chinese

• August Moon, 1300 S. Milton Road. No frills, but excellent Chinese food and friendly service. Delivery too.
• Hunan East, 1926 N. Fourth St. (East Side) Great Chinese food in a casual atmoshpere.

Thai

• Dara Thai, 14 S. San Francisco St. Downtown, centrally located serving decent Thai food. Get a seat by the window and view San Francisco Street while you dine.
• Little Thai Kitchen, 1051 S. Milton Road. A Thai restaurant popular with locals.

Pizza

• Roma Pizza, 1800 S. Milton Road. +1 928 779-4425. A well-established, locally-owned pizza joint serving New York style pizza, Italian dinners, salads, and deli sandwiches. Voted "Best Pizza in Flagstaff" 9 times. Long list of specialty pizzas and sandwiches, all day delivery too!
• Fratelli Pizza, downtown location: 119 W. Phoenix Ave. East side: 2120 N. Fourth St. A pizza place that is well-loved by the locals. They have cheese, pepperoni, and pesto slices, and many specialty pies. Their pizza is hand-tossed, thin crust, brick oven pizza, like what is found back east.
• NiMarcos Pizza, 101 S. Beaver Street. Locally owned and operated in Flagstaff for years, NiMarcos offers semi-thick crust pizza, salads and soft-serve ice cream. Go in and order your own pie or just buy a slice. Local favorite.
• New Jersey Pizza Company, 2224 E Cedar Ave. Excellent choice for those looking for an all organic menu or more exotic options than the typical pizza restaurant offers.

Mexican

• El Charro, 409 S. San Francisco St. Located between the campus of Northern Arizona University and the downtown area, this an authentic Mexican food restaurant. The nachos are actually crisp and the enchilada sauce tastes how it should! Very afforable and very genuine.
• La Fonda, 1900 N. Second St. (East Side). Same location since the 50s, this a well-loved Mexican restaurant with great salsa and authentic dishes. Is busy most times so expect to wait to be seated.
• Kachina Downtown, 522 E. Route 66. Located on the eastern fringe of downtown, yet another great locally owned Mexican restaurant.
• Casa Bonita Has great Mexican food and a great bar menu with afforable prices, though more expensive than some of the other local restaurants. A good family spot, but lacks authentic flavor. Located by the Wendy's on South Milton.
• Garcia's Mexican Restaurant, 1900 S. Milton Rd., +1 928 779-1960. Solid food with a "Southwestern" (rather than "Tex-Mex" or "Old Mexican") flavor and comfortable service. Is an Arizona wide chain.

American/Southwest Cuisine

• Macy's Coffeeshop, located on the south side of the tracks at 14 S. Beaver Street, they roast their own coffee and have lots of vegan foodstuffs. A favorite amongst the "hippies".
• Horseman's Lodge located north of town on Highway 89 approximately 3 miles past the Flagstaff Mall. Open for dinner with a great salad bar. The place to go for a nice, tender steak! Decorated with a authentic ranch style atmoshphere.
• Brandy's Restaurant and Bakery, 1500 E. Cedar Ave. Breakfast features quiche of the day, seven grain french toast, specialty egg dishes, homemade pastries and many other quality items. Lunch features tons of tasty sandwiches and burgers. Dinner is slighty more upscale but definitely afforable ($10-$15 a plate) and features the wonderful creations of Chef Sherman Johnson. Tequila Lime Chicken and Garlic Stuffed Pork just to name a couple. Dinner is only served Tuesday thru Saturday. Breakfast served until 2:30PM on Sunday.
• Buster's, 1800 S. Milton Rd. Casual fine dining with decent food. A good place, but may be a dissapointment for those expecting the spectacular.
• Western Gold Steakhouse, 2657 Gold Coast Highway, +1 928 779-7979, [21] The Western Gold Steakhouse is one of Flagstaff's most popular dining choices, American cuisine.
• Bigfoot BBQ, 120 N. Leroux St. Located in the basement of downtown Flagstaff's Old Town Shops, this is the place to go if you have a hankering for a pulled pork sandwich or a batch of fried okra. They even serve gourmet hotdogs. Owned by a Georgia native turned Flagstaff resident, you won't want to miss out on this!

For beer fans, Flagstaff boasts two brewpubs and one microbrewery.

• Beaver Street Brewery, 11 S. Beaver St., +1 520 779-0079, [22]. Brewpub. Serves up a wide range of their own beers, as well as a good selection of reasonably priced and tasty German-style pub grub (sausages, mashed potatoes and the like).
• Flagstaff Brewing, 16 E. Route 66, +1 520 773-1442, [23]. Brewpub.
• Mogollon Brewing Company, 15 N. Agassiz, +1 520 773-8950, [24]. Microbrewery.
• Tiffany Tree Lounge, 2515 E Butler Ave., +1 928 779-7979. At the Little America Hotel (below).