Itinerary Suggestions

• Take a romantic hot air balloon ride, complete with a champagne brunch.
• Enjoy hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching and mountain biking in the Peaks District of Coconino National Forest.
• Ski Arizona Snowbowl! The Arizona Snowbowl boasts some unique and spectacular scenery; after all where else can you ride a lift and see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? And the outdoor opportunities don’t stop at the ski resort. The Snowbowl is situated in the backyard of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, where you can enjoy the best in Arizona cross-country skiing, skiing, or snowshoeing.
• Take a Jeep tour and see parts of the desert you may not have an opportunity to otherwise see. There are Grand Canyon tours from Flagstaff and Sedona tours nearby.
• Fishing, boating, water Recreation at the lakes around the Mormon Lake District of Coconino National Forest. You’ll enjoy wide-open spaces, dotted with plenty of lakes for all kinds of water recreation.
• Rent a mountain bike from an outfitter like Absolute Bikes (928-779-5969) and explore the Coconino National Forest or rent a motorcycle from a company like Grand Canyon Harley Davidson in Bellemont (1-866-867-GCHD) and take a half-day ride to Sedona, Jerome and Prescott

• Visit the Flagstaff Historical Society – Pioneer Museum, located in the historic Coconino County Hospital, and see part of the largest collection of Arizona history artifacts, documents, and photographs. Experience educational programs craft demonstrations and tours in the main museum, the old barn and root cellar, the Ben Doney homestead cabin and the Baldwin Articulated Locomotive, which sits at the front of the Pioneer Museum.
• Don't miss the Museum of Northern Arizona, located just three miles north of Flagstaff. The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) features exhibits relating to the Museum's four main disciplines: anthropology, biology, geology, and fine art. The Museum has permanent exhibits in five galleries and changing exhibits in three additional galleries.
• The Arboretum at Flagstaff hosts one of the world’s largest collections of high-country wildflowers. A botanical garden, research station, and environmental education center focused on plants and plant communities of the world-renowned Colorado Plateau – home to such natural wonders as Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks – the Arboretum is known for its beautiful collection of 2,500 species of plants, our guided tours, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, meadows, and forests. 
• Visit Meteor Crater and experience the first proven, best-preserved meteorite crater on Earth. Located in Northern Arizona just 35 miles from Flagstaff, a visit to the Meteor Crater Visitor Center provides you with an enjoyable educational experience in well maintained, modern facilities. Enjoy the Museum of Astrogeology featuring new displays on the never-ending process of impacts and collisions in our solar system. The Meteor Crater Interactive Learning Center includes twenty-four exciting exhibits, making it the most extensive and informative museum of its type.
• Don’t miss Lowell Observatory, a privately owned astronomical research institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Observatory was founded in 1894 by Boston mathematician Percival Lowell. Best known for the discovery of Pluto, Lowell Observatory is also where astronomer V.M. Slipher gathered the first evidence that the universe is expanding. The Observatory also maintains a vigorous education and outreach program, headquartered in the Steele Visitor Center on Mars Hill. Each year, about 70,000 people visit the Observatory to learn about astronomy by participating in multimedia programs, private and school programs, special events, and other educational activities.

Directions from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim

There are three ways you can get to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff) - Source: U.S. Department of the Interior Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

• Take I-40 west to Highway 64 (Exit 165, just east of Williams).  Head north on Highway 64 directly to the South Rim.  79 miles (96 km) - 1 hour 32 minutes.

• Travel north on Humphreys Street to Columbus Avenue, turn left. Columbus Avenue becomes Highway 180. Take Highway 180 west to Highway 64. Head north on Highway 64 directly to the East Entrance of the South Rim - known as Desert View.  49.6 miles (79.8 km) - 55 minutes

• Follow Route 66 northeast to Highway 89 (note: Route 66 will turn into Highway 89).  Take Highway 89 north for approximately 65 miles, turn left (west) onto Highway 64. Take Highway 64 directly to the East Entrance on the South Rim - known as Desert View.  50 miles (80 km) - 55 minutes

• Take US 89 and US 89A north from Flagstaff.  On top of the Kaibab Plateau turn south on Highway 67.  207 miles (333 km) - 4 hours 4 minutes.

Directions from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon West Rim

• Take I-40 west to Kingman.  North on Stockton Hill Rd to Pierce Ferry Rd.  Take Pierce Ferry Rd north to Diamond Bar Rd. Go east on Diamond Bar Rd.  **Diamond Bar Rd will end at the only entrance to Grand Canyon West, which is the Grand Canyon West Airport. Take the park and ride shuttle to Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk.

About the West Rim:
Grand Canyon's West Rim, the home of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, is the up-and-coming area that has recently been catapulted into Grand Canyon visitors' consciousness. You'll find Grand Canyon helicopter tours and bus tours to the West Rim from Las Vegas and from Grand Canyon National Park West Rim Airport. An easy day-trip from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon Skywalk is today one of the most popular Grand Canyon destinations. Grand Canyon West is also well-known as the only place in the Grand Canyon in which helicopter tours can make their landing down in the Inner Canyon. Source: thecanyon.com

Here's a sample of just a few of the ways to experience the Grand Canyon.  For more Grand Canyon vacation ideas, see our section on Grand Canyon Tours from Flagstaff or visit our companion site, thecanyon.com.

• Take a guided hike or horseback trail tour and see parts of the Grand Canyon you may not have an opportunity to see otherwise.
• See the Grand Canyon up close on a Grand Canyon tour by river. Ride the Colorado River and be a part of the millions of years of water, wind and energy that have carved this breathtaking wonder of the world.
• Take in the vastness and majesty of the Grand Canyon with all your senses at any one of several scenic viewpoints. It’s the classic way to see the Grand Canyon that’s perfect for everyone, regardless of age, physical condition or time availability.
• Get a bird’s eye view of the Grand Canyon on a helicopter tour or airplane tour. Seeing the Canyon by air will truly take your breath away. The views are spectacular...beyond compare. Whether by helicopter or airplane, be sure to see the Grand Canyon by air...and let your dreams take flight.

Directions from Flagstaff to Sedona

If it is snowing, take Interstate 17 south from Flagstaff about 41 miles to State Highway 179. From there, go about 15 miles north on Highway 179 and you will enter Sedona.
56 miles (90.1 km) - 1 hour

If the weather is good, begin taking Interstate 17 south from Flagstaff. Just 2 miles south of the junction of Interstate 40 and 17, exit at US highway 89A (exit 337). This takes you on a breathtaking 25 mile drive through Oak Creek Canyon.
27 miles (43.4 km) - 40 minutes

Reverse Directions from Sedona to Flagstaff

Via I-17:  In Sedona, from the intersection of Highway 179 and Highway 89 - known as "the Y" - take Highway 179 south through the Village of Oak Creek to I-17.  Take I-17 north 41 miles to Flagstaff.
56 miles (90.1 km) - 1 hour

Via Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon:  From "the Y" in Sedona, take Highway 89A north through Oak Creek Canyon 25 miles to I-17.  Take I-17 north 2 miles to Flagstaff.
27 miles (43.4 km) - 40 minutes

View Google Map

Suggested Visitor Itinerary Ideas:

• Take a Jeep  tour and see parts of the desert you may not have an opportunity to see otherwise.
• Revitalize your body and spirit with a massage, facial, beauty treatment at a Sedona day spa or resort spa.
• Take a guided vortex hike Experience areas of concentrated energy rising from the earth. You may feel a range of sensations from a slight tingling on exposed skin, to a vibration emanating from the ground when you encounter a vortex.  Most often a vortex creates a palpable sensation across the nape of the neck and shoulder blades.
• Ride the Sedona Trolley A city and scenic tour on the Sedona Trolley is "The Best First Thing to Do in Sedona!"
• Visit Red Rock Crossing One of the most photographed scenes in the southwest is towering Cathedral Rock reflected in the waters of Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. It should come as no surprise, then, that the picnic area located at that same site is as popular as it is beautiful.
• Shop ‘til you drop at several shopping areas in Sedona including:

• Tlaquepaque, (pronounced Tla-keh-pah-keh), Sedona Arizona's Arts & Crafts Village, an authentically-fashioned traditional Mexican village.
• Sedona Main Street  is a vibrant pedestrian-friendly destination that embraces the beauty of the surrounding red rocks and creates a unique experience for all to enjoy.
• Hillside Sedona Sedona's premier shopping and dining destination! You will find some of the most prestigious art galleries in the Southwest, award-winning dining, quality high fashion clothing for both men and women, unique specialty shops, wine tasting from around the world, and distinguishing home decor.

• Get a bird’s eye view of the red rocks on a Sedona helicopter tour.  Seeing Sedona by air will truly take your breath away. The views are spectacular...beyond compare. Whether by helicopter or airplane, be sure to see the Sedona by air...and let your dreams take flight.