For desert dwellers heading north to Flagstaff, the drive is a siren call, trading cacti for towering trees, arid heat for cool breezes and city sprawl for open wilderness.
That’s Flagstaff: community, conservation and the great outdoors.
At 7,000 feet elevation and surrounded by the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forest, Flagstaff can thank this combination for the city’s cool temperatures. Even during Arizona’s hottest months, Flagstaff records temperatures 20 to 25 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
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The people that call Flagstaff home are very aware of the unique and precious environment they live in, especially given the juxtaposition of Arizona’s reputation for being dry, sandy and hot. This awareness of the beauty of the pines has led Flagstaff to becoming a community rooted in taking care of your surroundings, neighbors and self.
No matter what shop, restaurant, hotel or establishment it is, they all have an element of these core values. The businesses in this town are local, and they want that to be known. Flagstaff has grown to nearly 78,000 residents, but the roots here go deep.
The Orpheum Theatre: Historic, fun, elevated
Downtown Flagstaff has its share of mom-and-pop restaurants, locally-owned coffee shops and free trailheads leading out to the ponderosas, but few places hold the same cultural weight as the Orpheum Theatre.
The Orpheum is more than just a concert hall, it’s a century-old landmark that has grown into what Alex Timmons, Orpheum Theatre’s marketing director, calls “a cultural and economic hub for the city.”
Each year, more than 100,000 visitors pass through its doors for 200-plus events ranging from community awards-themed nights to sold-out concerts with national acts. The building’s history is palpable.
Once an old movie house, the theatre still carries pieces of its past: projection rooms tucked away, murals stretching along its exterior walls and the occasional mention on local ghost tours.
That layered history sets the stage today for everything from country stars like Coulter Wall to the Long Island Medium, Teresa Caputo. For road-trippers used to Phoenix amphitheaters, the Orpheum offers an intimacy that surprises.
“Acts that would play an arena in Phoenix for $75 will play here for $40 in front of 1,000 people,” explains Timmons.
Yet it’s the local spirit that makes the Orpheum resonate. Community events like Robot Apocalypse and the Viola Awards keep the theater tied to its neighbors.
Annual festivals, like iHeart Pluto, honoring Flagstaff’s role in discovering the dwarf planet, draw national attention. As Flagstaff gears up for the Route 66 Centennial, the Orpheum will again be at the center, hosting premieres and block parties. “Historic, fun, and elevated,” is how Timmons describes the theatre.
Little America Hotel: Relaxing, beautiful, family-friendly
Built in 1973 by the Holding family, this independent, family-owned property has been a Flagstaff landmark for more than fifty years. Little America Hotel doesn’t just give travelers a place to stay, it offers them room to breathe in the trees.
“We like to say it’s a home away from home,” says General Manager Fred Reese.
It shows in the way every detail is approached, from the artwork in the rooms to the warmth of the staff greeting at check-in. Relaxing is the goal behind their doors.
Guests can spend quiet mornings wandering the property’s miles of walking trails, catching glimpses of wildlife beneath the pines. Little America also touts the largest pool in Flagstaff, framed by mountain views. Beauty comes naturally when you’re surrounded by forest.
The grounds open to wide lawns perfect for yoga, shaded spots for reflection and play areas where children can laugh while parents sip coffee nearby. Basketball and pickleball courts, horseshoes and a playground ensure no one ever runs out of ways to enjoy the fresh air. Family-friendly is more than a phrase, it’s in the spirit of the place.
The hotel partners with local schools, Little League teams, and Northern Arizona Healthcare. Collaborations with Lowell Observatory and Grand Canyon tour companies make it a convenient hub for adventure. Every holiday season, the North Pole Experience transforms the property into a wonderland for children. “Relaxing, beautiful, family-friendly,” Reese’s words capture Little America perfectly.
Arizona Snowbowl: Year-Round mountain escape
When the snow melts on the slopes of Arizona Snowbowl, the mountain shifts seamlessly from winter playground to summer retreat.
In fact, 2025 marked a first in Snowbowl’s 87-year history: running winter and summer operations side by side all the way into June. In Arizona.
Families caught the last laps of ski season while kids tried out tubing, rock climbing and even mini golf, proof that Flagstaff, thanks to businesses like Snowbowl, has become a destination for all seasons and all adrenaline levels.
What makes the ski resort nestled in the San Francisco Peaks stand apart is its height and accessibility. Rising above Arizona, it holds the state’s highest lift-served point at 11,500 feet.
A scenic gondola ride whisks guests up the mountain, where views stretch across Northern Arizona without the need for the usual strenuous hike. WInter draws young families, outdoor enthusiasts and international visitors alike, all coming to enjoy the the gondola rides, ski slopes, disc golf, tubing, live music and brew fests, all under the cool shade of Flagstaff’s peaks.
Cool, green, Flagstaff
Under the ponderosa pines, Flagstaff holds fast to its roots. The cool air, the historic streets and the mountain views come together in a place defined by community and conservation, where art, hospitality and adventure are woven into everyday life. Winter in Arizona feels like a different world here, and that world continues to grow beneath the tall green pines.
