Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Flagstaff

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kaldari used under PUBLIC DOMAIN. For an after dark, family fun activity, check out the Lowell Observatory. Since 1894, the Lowell Observatory has been the location of many discoveries, including first detecting the universe’s expanding nature, moon mapping for the Apollo program, the rings of Uranus, and of course, the discovery of Pluto."

"We closed out our evening with a self-guided tour of Lowell Observatory. Here astronauts learned about the moon and detailed maps were created using the same Clarke Telescope that we looked into that night. We were able to see a star that was 134 light years away."

"In 1904, this pair of historic mansions were constructed in exemplary American arts and crafts style for the Riordan brothers and their wives, who ran the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company. The family went on to be important contributors to the city, including the establishment of the first electricity company and involvement in banking and politics. A tour of the mansion today will reveal a slice of the high life from back then, exhibiting the families original furniture and belongings and covers some history of the family and the area."

"Arizona is full of historic things to see, but few attractions have put in as much effort as the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park. Its proprietors actually tracked down the negatives of the original mansion and remodeled it to be as authentic as possible!. So, what’s the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park?"

"Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, Riordan Mansion is an impressive example of gracious living and Arts and Crafts style architecture. Forty rooms, over 13,000 sq ft. Check the website for tour info and pricing."

"According to legend, Flagstaff was named for the original settlers who stripped a wooden post and attached the American flag to it. This flagstaff stood for years as a testament to the origins of the city and its place in Arizona history. Today, downtown Flagstaff has been revitalized into a busy hub of commerce, but it still retains some old-fashioned charm."

"After getting our feet wet in the Lunar Legacy of Flagstaff, we drove downtown to the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Here we took a photo on the Route 66 mural and “became astronauts” in the astronaut selfie booth. Don’t we look legit?"

"The Walnut Canyon National Monument was the ancient home of the Sinagua people, whose dwelling areas you can still explore. These ruins are not nearly as sophisticated as what you will see at Wupatki, but it is still a marvel of the human spirit that anyone lived in such a dry area. In fact, Sinagua means “without water” in Spanish."

"The group of cliff dwellings that make up Walnut Canyon National Monument were constructed by the Sinagua people, who lived and farmed…"

"Though you most likely won’t find any buffalo (well… unless you count the statue in the parking lot!) what you will find at Buffalo Park is a spectacular open view of the San Francisco Peaks surrounded by ponderosa pines and dreamy tall grasses. Buffalo Park is the perfect location for a natural, outdoor photo shoot in Flagstaff featuring the beautiful landscape that makes this town so special. It is only a short driving distance from downtown and there are the epic views that Flagstaff is known for– what more could you ask for?"

"We woke up, had an easy breakfast at the Sonesta ES Suites (complementary!), and headed out for our last day. Just past USGS is a piece of land purchased by the City of Flagstaff from the National Forest Service as a public park for folks to head out and enjoy nature. Buffalo Park is an easy two mile loop with views of the San Francisco Peaks, animal sightings, and an activity challenge course for those that want to kick their exercise level up a notch."

"Around AD 1064 a volcano erupted on this spot, spewing ash across 800 sq miles, spawning the Kana-A lava flow and forcing farmers to vacate lands tilled for 400 years. Now the 8029ft Sunset Crater is quiet, and mile-long trails wind through the Bonito lava flow (formed c 1180), and up Lenox Crater (7024ft). More ambitious hikers and bikers can ascend O'Leary Peak (8965ft; 8 miles round-trip), or there's a gentle, 0.3-mile, wheelchair-accessible loop overlooking the petrified flow."

"Open year-round, Fort Tuthill County Park is one of the best vacation spots in Arizona. Its unique location near Flagstaff allows for quick access to tourists, and its full activity roster means that there’s something to do in every season. In the summer, visitors can play golf, ride horses, take archery lessons, bike around the trails and enjoy the many different fairs and festivals that take place on the grounds."

"A short walk from the visitors centre will bring you to Wheeler Park, an open green space with plenty of trees, right at the heart of the community. Not only a lovely place to come and relax with a book or enjoy a picnic, it regularly hosts events such as park runs or weekend arts festivals including Hullabaloo and Art in the Park. The park is an activity hub in the summer and a winter wonderland in the cold months."

"The pleasant Wheeler Park is the intercity green space – and is used as the site for many Flagstaff festivals. The summertime Sunday morning Flagstaff Farmers Market takes place just across the street, in the parking lot of Flagstaff City Hall. In the same parking lot on the second Saturday of each summer month, visitors can also peruse the wares for goods for sale at the funky Flagstaff Urban Flea Market."