Arts & Culture

The Flagstaff area is teaming with a wealth of arts and culture dating back to its beginnings. Local artisans from the Hopi, Navajo, Zuni and Pai offer the finest in contemporary and traditional artwork as potter, weaving, carving, and silversmithing. Whether you are visiting local museums, attending music, theater, or art galleries, Flagstaff is rich with cultural activities that keep local residents and visitors returning year after year. Here is a sampling of the places and activities:

Flagstaff City – Coconino County Public Library - Flagstaff's first library began in 1890 as a reading room in the parlor of the Methodist-Episcopal parsonage. The library was staffed by local citizens and had a collection of 400 donated books and subscroptions to several newspapers & magazines. Today the library provides a wide variety of services to citizens throughout Coconino County. Its book collection has grown to over 150,000 and is supplemented by audiovisual materials and computer capabilities. The main branch is next to Wheeler Park and across from City Hall with a branch in East Flagstaff and bookmobile services to outlying areas.

Museum of Northern Arizona – Located three miles north of downtown Flagstaff, the Museum of Northern Arizona hosts exhibits on the history, anthropology and culture indigenous to the area known as the Colorado Plateau. Exhibits include regional works of Native Americans that bring the region’s story to life. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra – Concerts and recitals from the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra to the Flagstaff Master Chorale, Light Opera, and numerous NAU musical organizations are offered throughout the year. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their sites.

Grand Canyon Music Festival – Experience the Grand Canyon while listening to classical music. Concerts are held during September at the Shrine of the Ages, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park.

Old Main Art Museum – The art museum, located on the Northern Arizona University campus, is home to the Marguerite Hettel Weiss collection, which includes paintings by Diego Rivera and turn-of-the-century furniture.

Sedona Arts Center – Located just 28 miles south of Flagstaff, nestled in the red rocks, Sedona is home to over forty galleries, and performing arts as jazz, chamber, and symphonic music, and theater under the stars.

Theatrikos Theatre Company – Theatrikos has provided high quality theatrical productions, featuring local talent from the northern Arizona region. Experience the excitement and intimacy that only live community theatre offers from comedies, dramas, mystery/thrillers, and family oriented plays offered throughout the year.

Pioneer Museum/Arizona Historical Society – Learn about the regions first white settlers through photographs, books, and equipment. The museum is housed in the old Coconino County Hospital, located on Fort Valley Road. Special events are sponsored throughout the year.

Recreational Activities

Being a four-season area, the Flagstaff area is ideal for other outdoor interests. If your desire to experience the outdoors includes golfing, mountain biking, camping, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, ice hockey, baseball, football, or soccer, the Flagstaff area has a myriad of urban trails, city parks and recreational areas, and camp grounds throughout the area.

Thanks to the spectacular scenery, wildlife, and fascinating historic sites, the Flagstaff area draws photographers, rock climbers, skiers, hikers, and archeological buffs to discover the treasures of the area. Here is only a small listing of area sites:

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – A magical area of northern Arizona. Canyons and towering buttes of sandstone is the backdrop to a wonderland of outdoor adventure – water skiing, boating, hiking, climbing, fishing. Within the reach of Page, Arizona, the Glen Canyon National Recreation area includes, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon National Park, Marble Canyon just to name a few.

Meteor Crater – Have you ever visited a meteorite impact site that is over 49,000 years old? This is a rare opportunity to visit a designated Natural landmark that is a gaping chasm 570 feet deep, nearly one mile across, and over 3-miles in circumference. Meteor Crater is located about one hour east of Flagtaff off Interstate 40.

Arizona Snow Bowl – One of the ten oldest ski areas in the United States, the Arizona Snow Bowl boasts the most vertical drop (2300 feet) of any ski area in Arizona, and offers year-round fun for the skier, snow boarder, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site.

Grand Canyon National Park – Known for its magnitude of size, encompassing 1,904 square miles, and one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of arid land erosion in the world. South Rim facilities are open year-round. North Rim facilities are open mid-May through mid-October.

Fishing/White Water Rafting/Kayak River Trips – For those enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, area lakes and streams and the Colorado River offer a variety of options. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department for licenses, maps and up-to-date information. River trips are available from one to 21-day trips. Listings of outfitters are available through the Flagstaff Visitor Center.

Grand Canyon Railway – Experience travel as it was at the turn-of-the-century on a train ride to the Grand Canyon. Departing from Williams, Arizona, the excitement begins at the 1908 Williams Depot where passengers board the train and enjoy 65-miles of beautiful northern Arizona countryside, pine forests, high desert plains, and small canyons during this unforgettable excursion to the Grand Canyon. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site.

Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monuments – Located just 20 miles northeast of Flagstaff, the 26-mile loop showcases lava cone craters and the well-preserved ruins of Indian pueblos. Guided tours and ranger talks are available.

Coconino and Kaibab National Forests – If you enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, and hayrides in the summer or sleigh rides in winter, you need to experience the miles of national forests that surround Flagstaff and northern Arizona.

Walnut Canyon – Rock climbers and rappelers are attracted to Flagstaff’s challenging terrain. The area’s recommended climbing site is Walnut Canyon off Lake Mary Road. Experienced mountain and rock climbing guides are available.

Climbing Sport Center – Vertical Relief Rock Gym – Indoor rock climbing is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in America. The facility, location near downtown Flagstaff, offers instruction for climbers of all ages and abilities.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff – Founded in 1981, the Arboretum displays gardens of plants that are indigenous to the Colorado Plateau. Located at 7,150 feet elevation, the Arboretum occupies 200 acres of ponderosa pine forest and 250 offerings of herbs. Tours of the grounds are conducted from March through October. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site.

Elden Hills Golf Club – You can play 18-holes of golf at the Elden Hills course at Continental Country Club, or practice on the adjacent driving range. Elden Hills is open to the public. For more information call (928) 526-8846.

Aspen Valley Golf Club - An 18 hole championship course complete with Clubhouse, Pro Shop, Restaurant and Bar. It is located in the Country Club area and is a private club with memberships available for approximately $14,000 plus a transfer fee of $2,500 and annual fees of $1,650.00 for a single person to $2,200.00 for a family. Their phone number is (928) 779-3311.

Special Attractions

Throughout the year, Flagstaff hosts a variety of events and programs that attract people of all ages. Here is only a short listing of activities:

Tours at Riordan Mansion – Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, the Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small territorial logging town. Guided tours will lead you through a pristine historical home filled with original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal mementos of the Riordan families. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site

Lowell Observatory – Established in 1894 by Percival Lowell, the observatory is a non-profit astronomical institution featuring a staff of astronomers and educators. Known for the 1930 discovery of the planet Pluto, the Lowell Observatory has tours available along with lectures, slide shows, and star gazing. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site

Arizona Book Festival – Over 20 noted authors from across the country gather to participate in readings, panel discussions, workshops and receptions. Go to our "links" page for a direct link to their site

Flagstaff Winterfest – Held during the month of February, the Winterfest showcases Flagstaff’s pristine mountain wonderland with over 100 events. Some of the activities the celebration includes, sled dog races, Nordic and alpine skiing competitions, snowboard and snowshoe events, sleigh rides, special children’s activities, and snow games for the family.

The Fiesta del Barrio & Fajita Cook-Off – A June tradition, celebrates the customs and culture of the Hispanic community, highlighted with a fajita cook-off.

Pine Country Pro Rodeo – Top rodeo contenders gather in Flagstaff to compete in this favorite southwestern sport of cowboys. The rodeo was nominated amongst the Top 5 Small Outdoor Rodeos of the Year in 1999.

Coconino County Fair – The largest county fair in northern Arizona featuring exhibits, livestock, entertainment, food, and carnival. The county fair is held Labor Day weekend.

Flagstaff Festival of Science – This 10-day event is held in September to promote science awareness with hands-on-exhibits, field trips, displays, and lectures.

Route 66 Celebration – Held in June, this tree-day festival celebrates the "mother road’s" impact on Flagstaff and American life. Activities include concerts, a vintage car show and parade, and a chili cook-off.

Coconino County Horse Races – Held annually over the July 4th weekend at Fort Tuthill Downs they feature thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.