Experience the best of Flagstaff

Flagstaff sits at about 2,100 metres on the Colorado Plateau, in one of the largest ponderosa pine forests in the United States, below the San Francisco Peaks, a volcanic mountain group whose Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona. The historic downtown grew along the railroad and old Route 66, with brick buildings, breweries and a university. Lowell Observatory, on a hill above the town, is where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

Walnut Canyon National Monument has cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people, and Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments lie to the north, with a cinder cone and pueblo ruins. The Grand Canyon's South Rim is about 130 km to the north-west, and the red rocks and Oak Creek Canyon of Sedona are to the south. Flagstaff was the first International Dark Sky City, and its night skies suit stargazing.

Navajo tacos with fry bread, green chile stews and hearty pancake breakfasts fill the downtown menus. The four seasons are distinct: winters bring snow and skiing on the peaks, summer brings afternoon thunderstorms in July and August, and aspens turn gold in autumn. Local craft beer is poured in the downtown breweries.