Located just one mile west of historic downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, Lowell's scenic Mars Hill campus is the site of our 6500-square foot Steele Visitor Center. We offer guided campus tours daily on the hour from 1 PM to 4 PM, and tours, exhibits and telescope viewing in the evenings. Experience outstanding views of the heavens and wide-screen, cinematic multimedia shows. Come to Lowell and discover your Universe!
The Arboretum at Flagstaff, home to one of the largest collections of high country wildflowers in America, is open to visitors from April 1 through October 31 annually. The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a botanical garden, research station, and environmental education center. A visit to "The Arb" will help you better understand the 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, guided tours, Wild Birds of Prey programs, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, meadows, and forests.
The Arizona Historical Society has the world's largest collection of Arizona history artifacts, documents, and photographs. The society offers research, educational programs, and tours. The Arizona Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum is located in the historic Coconino County Hospital for the Indigent. The Pioneer Museum collections include farm machinery, vehicles, costumes and pioneer memorabilia. The largest exhibit, a 1929 Baldwin articulated locomotive and a Santa Fe caboose, was moved to the museum grounds in 1994. The museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts associated with the history of Flagstaff and northern Arizona, including livestock working gear, medical equipment, household items, toys and dolls, textiles and costumes. In addition to artifacts, the Pioneer Museum also has collections of photographs, books and manuscripts. These archival collections are housed in the Special Collections and Archives Department of the Cline Library at Northern Arizona University and form the primary archival resources documenting the written and visual history of northern Arizona.
Over its 75-year history in Flagstaff, the Museum of Northern Arizona has evolved into a regional center of learning with collections, exhibits, educational programs, publications, and research projects that serve more than 100,000 people each year. As the only accredited museum within 150 miles of Flagstaff and the only natural history museum within 250 miles, the Museum of Northern Arizona plays a vital role as interpreter of the Colorado Plateau. To enhance the lives of those who share an interest in and love for the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau, the Museum of Northern Arizona has created a dynamic and ever-evolving community where people of all ages, interests, and cultures come to build relationships with each other on a forested, nearly 225-acre inter-generational campus.
Built in 1904 for two Riordan families, the Mansion is an impressive reminder of gracious living in a small, territorial logging town. The historic building is an Arizona treasure - a remarkable example of Arts and Crafts style architecture featuring a rustic exterior of log-slab siding, volcanic stone arches, and hand-split wooden shingles. The expansive home has forty rooms, over 13,000 square-feet of living area, and servant's quarters. The Riordan residence was designed by the creator of Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, Charles Whittlesey. Daily tours are given on the hour. Tour size is limited and reservations are highly recommended. Reservations are made by calling the Park at (928) 779-4395. Your guide will lead you through a pristine historic home filled with original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal mementos of the Riordan families.
Heritage Square Trust's goal is to make quality entertainment and artistic talent accessible to all audiences by omitting admission fees and utilizing Flagstaff's only open-air amphitheater. Heritage Square provides an opportunity for all socio-economic backgrounds to experience professional entertainment and art, free of charge. Heritage Square is the perfect venue to showcase local arts and entertainment, music, dance, drama, free concerts and movie showings. Check out the Heritage Square calendar of events or the
flagstaff.com calendar of events for festivals and seasonal open-air events like Movies on the Square.
Walk in the footsteps of people who lived at Walnut Canyon more than 700 years ago. Peer into their homes, cliff dwellings built deep within canyon walls. The presence of water in a dry land made the canyon rare and valuable to its early human inhabitants. It remains valuable today as habitat for plants and animals. See for yourself on trails along the canyon rim and into the depths.
The Coconino National Forest is one of the most diverse National Forests in the country with landscapes ranging from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona to Ponderosa Pine Forests, to alpine tundra. Explore mountains and canyons, fish forest lakes and wade in lazy creeks and streams.
Less than 800 years ago, Wupatki Pueblo was the largest pueblo around. It flourished for a time as a meeting place of different cultures. Yet this was one of the warmest and driest places on the Colorado Plateau, offering little obvious food, water, or comfort. How and why did people live here? The builders of Wupatki and nearby pueblos have moved on, but their legacy remains.
Sunset Crater Volcano was born in a series of eruptions sometime between 1040 and 1100. Powerful explosions profoundly affected the lives of local people and forever changed the landscape and ecology of the area. Lava flows and cinders still look as fresh and rugged as the day they formed. But among dramatic geologic features, you'll find trees, wildflowers, and signs of wildlife – life returns.
Located in Northern Arizona, a visit to the Meteor Crater Visitor Center provides you with an enjoyable educational experience in well maintained, modern facilities. Four observation areas behind the Learning Center allow you to view the crater from inside the rim. Although Meteor Crater is over 4,000 feet across, and 550 feet deep, the observation telescopes allow you a close up look. Daily guided rim tours are available.
Located on the scenic San Francisco Peaks, the Arizona Snowbowl is just a few hours from Phoenix. It's a great place to escape the summer heat, watch the aspens turn gold in the fall, and of course, ski all winter long! Since we're only 70 miles from the Grand Canyon, this makes a great stop along the way. And the outdoor opportunities don't stop at the ski resort; there's great hiking and mountain biking right in our backyard. And be sure to check out our lodging at the Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins!
Heritage Square in Downtown Flagstaff
Wupatki National Monument
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
