Attractions Nearby Flagstaff, Day Trips and Excursions

(Flagstaff, Arizona - AZ, USA)

Flagstaff is certainly surrounded by some extremely scenic and rugged Arizona attractions, with a somewhat bewildering selection of day trip opportunities and possible excursions available to holiday makers. A particularly impressive array of United States National Parks and recreational attractions are nearby Flagstaff, with the Grand Canyon National Park being the most famous and the most visited.

Also worth considering are day trips to the relatively close by Barringer Meteor Crater, the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, the Walnut Canyon National Monument and to the Wupatki National Monument. City attractions near to Flagstaff can be found in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and Tucson, amongst other tourist hotspots.

Cottonwood

Cottonwood is located around 51 miles / 82 km to the southwest of Flagstaff, within Yavapai County, and can therefore be easily reached in under an hour. The main attractions in this small town tend to be concentrated within the Old Town Cottonwood district, where numerous seasonal events are staged, particularly on public holidays. However, most day trippers come to Cottonwood for one reason only - to enjoy a ride along the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad, onboard a vintage train.

Grand Canyon National Park

An Arizona highlight and popular honeymoon destination, the Grand Canyon National Park is arguably the most famous and breathtaking of all the natural attractions in the USA. This enormous valley really does have to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated. Helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon are understandably popular and offer a different angle and a very memorable experience.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: charge, applicable for vehicles or individuals

Jerome

During the 19th century, Jerome was a busy town, known for mining copper. However, the mines in Jerome closed more than 50 years ago and the town is now classed as a National Historic District. Jerome is situated approximately 41 miles / 66 km to the southwest of Flagstaff and is today overflowing with art galleries, antiques shops, eateries and old buildings, which simply ooze character. The Jerome State Historic Park is yet another good reason to visit.

Phoenix

Phoenix is one of the sunniest places that you are likely to ever visit and is eternally warm, with very hot summers. Now the six-biggest city in America, Phoenix is to be found 146 miles / 235 km to the south of Flagstaff and so is just a little too far for most to manage a day trip. Close to both Mesa and Tempe, the attractions of Phoenix come in the form of the renowned Taliesin West architectural school, the Castles -n- Coasters amusement park, the former Arizona Capitol, the Wrigley Mansion and Phoenix Zoo.

Prescott

The very first territorial capital, Prescott is the place to come to enjoy an ever present Wild West heritage, and this old town is filled with well-preserved buildings, many of which surround the central Courthouse Plaza. Visitors to Prescott should be sure to head to Whiskey Row to check out the famed old saloons that still grace this stretch and continue to serve customers.

Scottsdale

Ranking amongst the leading tourist destinations in Arizona, Scottsdale contains some truly amazing golf courses and lies some 155 miles / 249 km south of Flagstaff. Apart from golfing, other attractions in Scottsdale include the Taliesin West architectural campus, sporting events at the Scottsdale Stadium, the Heard Museum North and the Scottsdale Historical Museum.

Sedona

The breathtaking red sandstone rock formations of Sedona are an iconic symbol of the city. Sited just 31 miles / 50 km south of Flagstaff, Sedona enjoys a stunning mountainous backdrop and attracts in excess of four million visitors annually. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Arts Center, the Oak Creek Canyon and the Verde Canyon Railroad are favourite tourist attractions in Sedona. If you are driving here from Flagstaff, then look out for the Slide Rock State Park.

Tucson

Home of the University of Arizona and known for its rich Latino roots, Tucson is the second-biggest city in Arizona and stands just over 200 miles / 322 km south of Flagstaff. Holiday makers wishing to explore Arizona often choose to use Tucson as a base, since it is such a pleasant place to stay. The Reid Park Zoo is a reliable family attraction here, as is the Old Tucson theme park and the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium.

Williams

At just over 30 miles / 48 km west of Flagstaff and 60 miles / 97 km to the south of the Grand Canyon, the small town of Williams stands off the Interstate I-40 and is somewhat dissected by the legendary Route 66. Apart from Route 66, the top attractions in the Williams area include the Grand Canyon Railway, which transports passengers to the South Rim of the canyon, in a lovingly restored steam train. This train runs at regular intervals during the summer months and has done for more than a century. Passengers should expect to encounter cowboys and a mock robbery along the way.