7 Flagstaff Must-Dos (Before Winter is Over!)
7500ft up in northern Arizona rests the beautiful, bustling mountain town of Flagstaff, where the locals are welcoming and kind, the trees are endless and the mountains are calling. We’ve put together a list of our favorite experiences in Flagstaff before the winter season ends. While avoiding the crowds, discover your new favorite restaurants, snow play areas, breweries, retail options, and activities with this guide. Enjoy!
Photo from Arizon Nordic Village
Ever cross country skied into the middle of the forest and slept in a yurt in the snow? This trip is a MUST! Plan for a chilly adventure but with all the comforts you need: sleeping pads, lanterns, porta-potties, a bbq grill, and picnic tables plus a burning-hot stove inside the yurt with firewood are all provided. Whether a romantic getaway or just for fun with friends, book now and grab some epic pizza from Pizzicletta on your way in and out!
Looking for some snow fun without all the crowds? Come out to the Flagstaff Snow Park at Fort Tuthill. Groomed sledding hills and snow play areas for building that epic snowman will make your day! Local food trucks will take care of your meal for the day and top off the experience roasting marshmallows around the fire pit.
3. A Downtown Flagstaff Afternoon Stroll
Not a ‘freeze-your-butt-off’ in 3 feet of snow kind of person? Try an afternoon of browsing the myriad of great stores, bars and restaurants around Downtown Flagstaff as you stroll hand-in-hand with your partner - or dragged by your kids - whatever you’re into. First stop, Brightside Bookshop - they have an event going on almost every weekend, from drag-queen storytime to movie-nights. Sage Brush, P.J Chilcottage and the other retailers in the Old Town Shops make for some excellent shopping. Arizona Handmade Gallery has beautiful glassware, paintings, jewelry and much more artwork from local artists. For lunch or dinner, you’ve got more than enough options one of our favorites is Karma Sushi.
Interested in more? Check out downtownflagstaff.org for a full guide to everything.
Don’t forget about the theatre! The historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Flagstaff has film premieres, movie experiences, concerts, comedy shows, DJs and more every weekend. It happens to be right across the street from the popular Pay N’ Take where you can enjoy happy hour every day from 2 pm-7 pm!
The Flagstaff community came together to restore this historic playhouse. After a sewage leak shut them down for months in 2019, they’re back and have an amazing lineup to kick off the 2020 season. Get tickets ASAP to Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, before they sell out!
6. Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra
Beatboxing and Chamber music? Just one of the unique, exciting orchestral performances The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra puts together. The FSO is in its 70th year and is the largest and most active nonprofit performing arts organization in northern Arizona offering fantastic shows for all ages every month. Upcoming this spring they have Violin Virtuoso, March 13th, Choral Masters, April 17th and the brand new fun run ‘Beethoven 5k’ on May 16th!
Here’s a great Saturday adventure for the adults. Start with a quick hiking trail at any one of the many wild hikes in the Flagstaff Ranger District. Pick the hike length and elevation-gain, strap your boots on and get lost for a while. After a generous heart-pumping workout at 7400+ feet, strap your beer goggles on and get a Brewery Trail passport from the Visitors Center Downtown to try out all 9 of the best breweries in town including; Mother Road Brewing, Historic Brewery, and Dark Sky Brewery.