Flagstaff, AZ

Nestled between the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the Colorado Plateau, and a forest of ponderosa pines, Flagstaff is the largest city in northern Arizona. Flagstaff has one of the highest elevations in the country. With a population of more than 59,000 in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Flagstaff serves as the cultural center for the northern part of the state.

Because of its desert location, Flagstaff has dedicated many resources to a variety of environmental issues. City programs include renewable energy, recycling, sustainable building, water conservation and use of rain barrels.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Due to its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park and historic Route 66, the city maintains a bustling tourism industry and is home to quite a few outdoor and adventure businesses. Downtown Flagstaff houses numerous hotel and restaurant chains, as well as two historic hotels, the Weatherford Hotel and the Hotel Monte Vista.

Northern Arizona University is the largest employer in the city, hosting many professional athletes year-round in its High Altitude Sports Training Center. Athletes choose Flagstaff for its altitude, climate, and facilities.

The city is also home to the Lowell Observatory. The observatory is currently working with the Discovery Channel on a $30 million project to build the Discovery Channel Telescope, a telescope with advanced optical capabilities.

Major manufacturers in Flagstaff include W.L. Gore and Associates, the makers of Gore-Tex, Nestle Purina PetCare, SCA Tissue, a leading tissue paper manufacturer and JoyCone, which manufactures ice cream cones. Walgreens also operates a distribution center in Flagstaff.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Downtown Flagstaff centers around Route 66 and Milton Road. It's a walkable mix of quirky shops, stores, restaurants and historic hotels. Heritage Square downtown features an outdoor amphitheater with live performances. Mars Hill, site of the Lowell Observatory, is just west of downtown. Further south on Milton Road are chain hotels and shopping centers. East Flagstaff, along Route 66, is the commercial and industrial side of town, as well as the location for older neighborhoods and the Flagstaff Mall & The Marketplace, the town's premier retailing center.

EDUCATION

The main campus of Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, serving a student population of about 21,000 and playing a key role in the city's economy. While the university focuses on undergraduate education, it also offers a wide range of environment-related graduate programs and research opportunities, such as forest health and bioterrorism.

BEST BETS

Flagstaff is a popular spot for fans of winter sports like skiing and showshoeing and, in warm weather, the city attracts backpackers, campers, rock climbers and mountain bikers from all over the Southwest. Flagstaff boasts many city and county parks, including the 33-mile Flagstaff Urban Trails System for cycling, hiking, jogging and cross-country skiing in town. Among the spectacular array of outdoor parks in and around Flagstaff are:

• Grand Canyon National Park: The Grand Canyon is located about 75 miles north of Flagstaff, and those staying in the city can take the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the park.
• The Arboretum at Flagstaff: The Arboretum serves as a botanical garden, research center, and environmental education center; it is known for its collection of several thousand species of plants, Wild Birds of Prey programs, and views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and meadows.
• Coconino National Forest: This diverse national forest features a massive ponderosa pine forest as well as red rock formations. With elevations ranging from 2,600 to 12,633 feet, the forest features various types of wildlife, as well as plants ranging from desert cacti to alpine tundra.
• Meteor Crater: The Meteor Crater is the best-preserved meteorite impact site on the planet. Formed nearly 50,000 years ago by a giant meteor, this crater is 550 feet deep, 2.4 miles in circumference, and almost a mile long. Guided tours of the crater's rim are offered daily.
• Walnut Canyon National Monument: This canyon showcases the homes and cliff dwellings of those who lived there more than 700 years ago.
• Wupatki National Monument: Formerly one of the largest pueblos around, the Wupatiki Pueblo flourished for a time as a meeting place of different cultures.
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: The Sunset Crater Volcano was created by a series of eruptions between 1040 and 1100. Flowing lava and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Lowell Observatory: Located just one mile west of downtown Flagstaff, Lowell's scenic Mars Hill campus is the site of the Steele Visitor Center. The center offers exhibits, daytime guided tours, and evening telescope viewings.
• Riordan Mansion State Historic Park: Visitors can tour the historic Riordan Mansion. Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, the home reveals what life was like in a territorial logging town.
• Museum of Northern Arizona: This museum houses collections and exhibits, offers educational programs, and conducts research projects that play a vital role in the history and interpretation of the Colorado Plateau.
• Arizona Cardinals Spring Training: The NFL team trains at Northern Arizona University for three weeks, with practice sessions open to the public and team members available for autographs.

SHOPPING

Flagstaff has a thriving arts scene where visitors can find unique clothing, jewelry, and art. Popular shopping spots include: The Artists Gallery, Flagstaff Mall, Aspen Place at the Sawmill, and the Coconino Center for the Arts.

LOCAL MEDIA

Flagstaff's major daily newspaper is the Arizona Daily Sun. The Lumberjack, Northern Arizona University's weekly newspaper, also covers city news. Other Flagstaff weeklies and monthlies include: Flagstaff Live, the Navajo Hopi Observer, Mountain Living Magazine, and The Noise.

The city has two local television stations: KNAZ-2 (NBC) and KFPH-13 (TeleFutura).