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Flagstaff is fast becoming a culinary community that rivals the best metropolitan areas, and a relaxed and casual atmosphere is almost always on the menu. Our Restaurant Directory is a growing guide of some of the best local flavors Flagstaff has to offer. Whether you're in the mood for spicy Southwestern cuisine, upscale steaks and seafood, authentic international fare, or a family-friendly pizza joint, Flagstaff.com’s got it. You’ll also find neighborhood coffee houses, wine bars and favorite local breweries at which you’ll find a crowd of locals and visitor alike, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. Got a restaurant you’d like to see listed? Let us know!
Many Flagstaff.com visitors write in asking what the weather will be like when they plan to visit. We've received requests for weather in March, July, September and December, so we thought we'd create a season-by-season guide to Flagstaff weather. You’ll marvel at everything Flagstaff’s four season climate has to offer – from glowing golden aspen in autumn to terrific snow for skiing and snowboarding in winter, from spectacular spring wildflowers to a cool mountain respite in summer. Get our tips on what to pack and what to wear for Flagstaff's alpine weather, as well as annual average temperatures and insider tips on what to do in Flagstaff for each season.
Flagstaff is the heart of Northern Arizona. As the largest metropolitan area in the state's high country, visitors find Flagstaff the perfect home base from which it's easy to venture out on day excursions to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or the Verde Valley, returning to Flagstaff for first-class dining, lodging, entertainment and nightlife. Within 1 - 2 hours driving time, visitors can explore the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, drink in the flavor of Arizona's wine country, or marvel at the monolithic red rocks of Sedona. Flagstaff is the perfect location from which to venture out, and we're sure you'll always want to return.
Need driving directions to Flagstaff from Phoenix, Las Vegas, and other cities nearby? Our handy directions will get you here. Ideally located in northern Arizona, Flagstaff is the crossroads of I-17 and I-40 – the latter being a coast-to-coast interstate. Once you’re in Flagstaff, you’ll see why it’s the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Within 90 minutes driving time, Flagstaff visitors can find themselves peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon. Take a day trip to Sedona – the breathtaking capitol of Arizona Red Rock Country. Flagstaff is the perfect northern Arizona location from which to venture out, and we're sure you'll always want to find the road back.
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13°|40°
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13°|41°
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13°|41°Mostly Sunny
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14°|45°
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22°|47°
Mostly Sunny
22°|47°Mostly Sunny
Flagstaff Weather
Many Flagstaff.com visitors write in asking what the weather will be like when they plan to visit. We've received requests for weather in March, July, September and December, so we thought we'd create a season-by-season guide to Flagstaff weather. You’ll marvel at everything Flagstaff’s four season climate has to offer – from glowing golden aspen in autumn to terrific snow for skiing and snowboarding in winter, from spectacular spring wildflowers to a cool mountain respite in summer. Get our tips on what to pack and what to wear for Flagstaff's alpine weather, as well as annual average temperatures and insider tips on what to do in Flagstaff for each season.
Summer Season - June through September
Summer rivals winter for Flagstaff's busiest tourist season for three reasons:
1) The weather typically clear (or at least partly sunny) and perfectly warm-but-not-hot. Average highs in the mid 70s to 80s and evening lows in the 40s and 50s. Expect refreshing summer showers in July and August and soak in the smell of rain, pine forests and fresh mountain air.
2) Summer is the peak season for Grand Canyon visitors; the vast majority of Grand Canyon 5 million annual tourists descend upon the National Park between May and October each year. Since Flagstaff is one of the Gateways to the Grand Canyon, you can see why Flagstaff is a busy and energized city in the summertime.
3) Summer is the time for heat-seared Phoenix-area residents to escape to Flagstaff and find relief in the 80-degree weather!
No matter what the season, "casual" is the dress code pretty much everywhere you go in Flagstaff. Oodles of outdoors-enthusiasts, college students, environmentalists and (dare we say) hippies set the tone in Flagstaff, so tourists dressed for the outdoors will fit right in.
Pack plenty of tank tops or short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sandals for walking around town. You'll want close-toed shoes or hiking boots for any open-air Flagstaff-to-Grand Canyon tours or activities like hiking or mountain biking. Bring a light jacket for the evenings and hiking in the upper elevations and at the windy Grand Canyon. And better make it water-resistant; you can expect summer rain showers.
Be sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water-shoes so you can wade along in Oak Creek, especially if you visit Slide Rock State Park - the area's most popular section of Oak Creek Canyon, the beautiful 25-mile winding stretch of Highway 89A that connects Flagstaff and Sedona. Families and individuals love swimming, wading and of course sliding in the cool Oak Creek waters.
Insider Visitor Tip: A handful of summer arts & crafts, music & science festivals take place in July, August & September every summer, so check out our Flagstaff Calendar of Events for dates and details.
Pack plenty of tank tops or short-sleeved shirts, shorts and sandals for walking around town. You'll want close-toed shoes or hiking boots for any open-air Flagstaff-to-Grand Canyon tours or activities like hiking or mountain biking. Bring a light jacket for the evenings and hiking in the upper elevations and at the windy Grand Canyon. And better make it water-resistant; you can expect summer rain showers.
Be sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water-shoes so you can wade along in Oak Creek, especially if you visit Slide Rock State Park - the area's most popular section of Oak Creek Canyon, the beautiful 25-mile winding stretch of Highway 89A that connects Flagstaff and Sedona. Families and individuals love swimming, wading and of course sliding in the cool Oak Creek waters.
Insider Visitor Tip: A handful of summer arts & crafts, music & science festivals take place in July, August & September every summer, so check out our Flagstaff Calendar of Events for dates and details.
Fall Season - October through November
Fall in Flagstaff means changing leaves creating a spectacular chroma-color backdrop, college football and perfect Flagstaff weather. Northern Arizona University students head back to campus, shifting the city's population from Chevy-Chase-station-wagon-"Vacation"-goers back to semi-permanent, youthful residents. Average high temperatures are ideal at the 50s to mid 60s and the evenings are as crisp as the first bite of a hand-picked apple. The first snowfall of the year generally descends on Flagstaff around December 1.
Pack & wear several light layers including shorts and pants, short and long-sleeved shirts and a medium-weight sweater or jacket for evenings. Again, sandals are comfortable for daytime activities in town but shoes or boots are best for recreational activities.
Insider Visitor Tip: Do not let your autumnal visit be limited to just Flagstaff. Be sure to take a scenic drive down Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon headed for Sedona. There are great leaf-peeping opportunities in the canyon (and all around Flagstaff) from mid-September through mid-October. Definitely check out towns surrounding the area - known as the Verde Valley - like Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Camp Verde. There are dozens of quintessential small-town fall festivities like Oktoberfests, hayrides, apple picking, train rides, pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating mischief.
Pack & wear several light layers including shorts and pants, short and long-sleeved shirts and a medium-weight sweater or jacket for evenings. Again, sandals are comfortable for daytime activities in town but shoes or boots are best for recreational activities.
Insider Visitor Tip: Do not let your autumnal visit be limited to just Flagstaff. Be sure to take a scenic drive down Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon headed for Sedona. There are great leaf-peeping opportunities in the canyon (and all around Flagstaff) from mid-September through mid-October. Definitely check out towns surrounding the area - known as the Verde Valley - like Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Camp Verde. There are dozens of quintessential small-town fall festivities like Oktoberfests, hayrides, apple picking, train rides, pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating mischief.
Winter Season - December through March
Flagstaff in the winter is a must-do for two good reasons:
1) Skiing! From the time the first snow hits in early December through about March, the Arizona Snowbowl located above Flagstaff on Mount Humphries is abuzz with skiers and snowboarders, locals and tourists, families and individuals.
2) The fewest crowds of the year at the Grand Canyon South Rim (the North Rim is closed in the winter.) Picture the Grand Canyon dusted with white - spectacularly peaceful.
As with any snowy destination, a warm coat, boots, hat and gloves are a safe bet. To manage the temperature swing as you move from outdoors in, be sure to wear layers you can peel off and put back on as needed. Expect high temperatures in the 40s and lows in the teens. Flagstaff receives annual snowfall of approximately 99.5 inches - truly a winter wonderland.
Insider Visitor Tip: Be sure to participate in the handful of area holiday events like the Holiday Lights Display at the Little America Hotels; a tour of Riordan Mansion, adorned in turn-of-the-century decor and fragrant boughs; Red Rock Fantasy festival of lights down in Sedona; the Grand Canyon Railway's "Polar Express" from Williams (an easy 39 miles west of Flagstaff); or the Verde Canyon Railroad's Santa Claus-themed train ride (in Clarkdale; 55 scenic miles southwest of Flagstaff) and more.
Insider Visitor Tip: Be sure to participate in the handful of area holiday events like the Holiday Lights Display at the Little America Hotels; a tour of Riordan Mansion, adorned in turn-of-the-century decor and fragrant boughs; Red Rock Fantasy festival of lights down in Sedona; the Grand Canyon Railway's "Polar Express" from Williams (an easy 39 miles west of Flagstaff); or the Verde Canyon Railroad's Santa Claus-themed train ride (in Clarkdale; 55 scenic miles southwest of Flagstaff) and more.
Spring Season - April through May
In the spring, Flagstaff comes alive with color as mountain wildflowers burst into bloom all over the surrounding mountains. Though snow may still fall in April, it's unlikely. With average high temperatures in the high-50s to high 60s and lows that are refreshingly chilly, it's perfect weather for Flagstaffs outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, tours to the Grand Canyon and walking around downtown Flagstaff.
Pack light layers like long pants (or shorts, if you choose) long-sleeved t-shirts and light sweaters and jackets. You will want and need close-toed shoes for walking around town as well as hiking, biking or other outdoor recreation. You'll want to peel off jackets and sweaters in the middle of your daily tours or activities, but they'll come back on in the evenings.
Insider Visitor Tip: Be sure to book your Grand Canyon tour or activities from Flagstaff several months in advance. You don't want to miss out on the most popular activities as the Grand Canyon's busiest season starts to ramp up.
Now you're all set for your Flagstaff vacation... you know what to pack and what to do to take advantage of Flagstaff, Arizona's weather, casual culture and insider tips.
Pack light layers like long pants (or shorts, if you choose) long-sleeved t-shirts and light sweaters and jackets. You will want and need close-toed shoes for walking around town as well as hiking, biking or other outdoor recreation. You'll want to peel off jackets and sweaters in the middle of your daily tours or activities, but they'll come back on in the evenings.
Insider Visitor Tip: Be sure to book your Grand Canyon tour or activities from Flagstaff several months in advance. You don't want to miss out on the most popular activities as the Grand Canyon's busiest season starts to ramp up.
Now you're all set for your Flagstaff vacation... you know what to pack and what to do to take advantage of Flagstaff, Arizona's weather, casual culture and insider tips.
Average Temperatures and Precipitation:
| Avg. High |
Avg. Low |
Precip. |
|
| Jan | 42 | 15 |
2.0 |
| Feb | 45 |
17 |
2.1 |
| Mar | 48 | 21 |
2.6 |
| Apr | 57 |
26 |
1.5 |
| May | 67 |
34 |
0.7 |
| Jun | 78 |
41 |
0.4 |
| Jul | 81 |
50 |
2.8 |
| Aug | 78 |
48 |
2.8 |
| Sep | 74 |
41 |
2.0 |
| Oct | 64 |
31 |
1.6 |
| Nov | 51 |
22 |
2.0 |
| Dec | 44 |
15 |
2.4 |
Flagstaff receives an average annual snowfall of 99.5 inches
Average Clear, Partly Cloudy and Cloudy Days by Month and Annual Total
| Number of Clear (Sunny) Days | Number of Partly Cloudy Days | Number of Cloudy Days | |
| (0 - 30% cloud cover) | (40 - 70% cloud cover) | (80 - 100% cloud cover) | |
| Jan | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| Feb | 11 | 6 | 11 |
| Mar | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| Apr | 12 | 9 | 9 |
| May | 15 | 9 | 7 |
| Jun | 18 | 8 | 4 |
| Jul | 9 | 13 | 9 |
| Aug | 10 | 13 | 8 |
| Sep | 16 | 9 | 5 |
| Oct | 17 | 7 | 7 |
| Nov | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| Dec | 14 | 6 | 11 |
| Annual total | 161 | 101 | 103 |
Flagstaff Restaurants
Flagstaff is fast becoming a culinary community that rivals the best metropolitan areas, and a relaxed and casual atmosphere is almost always on the menu. Our Restaurant Directory is a growing guide of some of the best local flavors Flagstaff has to offer. Whether you're in the mood for spicy Southwestern cuisine, upscale steaks and seafood, authentic international fare, or a family-friendly pizza joint, Flagstaff.com’s got it. You’ll also find neighborhood coffee houses, wine bars and favorite local breweries at which you’ll find a crowd of locals and visitor alike, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. Got a restaurant you’d like to see listed? Let us know!Flagstaff Weather
Many Flagstaff.com visitors write in asking what the weather will be like when they plan to visit. We've received requests for weather in March, July, September and December, so we thought we'd create a season-by-season guide to Flagstaff weather. You’ll marvel at everything Flagstaff’s four season climate has to offer – from glowing golden aspen in autumn to terrific snow for skiing and snowboarding in winter, from spectacular spring wildflowers to a cool mountain respite in summer. Get our tips on what to pack and what to wear for Flagstaff's alpine weather, as well as annual average temperatures and insider tips on what to do in Flagstaff for each season.Things to Do Around Northern Arizona
Flagstaff is the heart of Northern Arizona. As the largest metropolitan area in the state's high country, visitors find Flagstaff the perfect home base from which it's easy to venture out on day excursions to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or the Verde Valley, returning to Flagstaff for first-class dining, lodging, entertainment and nightlife. Within 1 - 2 hours driving time, visitors can explore the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, drink in the flavor of Arizona's wine country, or marvel at the monolithic red rocks of Sedona. Flagstaff is the perfect location from which to venture out, and we're sure you'll always want to return.Driving Directions
Need driving directions to Flagstaff from Phoenix, Las Vegas, and other cities nearby? Our handy directions will get you here. Ideally located in northern Arizona, Flagstaff is the crossroads of I-17 and I-40 – the latter being a coast-to-coast interstate. Once you’re in Flagstaff, you’ll see why it’s the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. Within 90 minutes driving time, Flagstaff visitors can find themselves peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon. Take a day trip to Sedona – the breathtaking capitol of Arizona Red Rock Country. Flagstaff is the perfect northern Arizona location from which to venture out, and we're sure you'll always want to find the road back.
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Best of Flagstaff
Grand Canyon
Climb aboard for an exciting Flagstaff to Grand Canyon tour, the most popular thing to do in Flagstaff. Just 90 minutes from the South Rim. [more…]
Attractions
Flagstaff attractions offer plenty of adventure. Explore science and art, history, Route 66, museums, monuments, state parks. [more…]
Outdoor Activities
With four seasons to experience popular outdoor activities, visitors can't help but take advantage of hiking, skiing and mountain biking. [more…]
Restaurants
Flagstaff restaurants appeal to every palate, whether you crave quick and casual eats or fine dining. Get a taste of our locally grown flavor. [more…]
Sedona
Take scenic Hwy 89A through Oak Creek Canyon to experience Sedona’s famous red rocks. Just 30 miles to a different shade of “Wow.” [more…]
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