Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a cultural oasis in the otherwise arid landscape of northern Arizona. The historic center of town dates back to Flagstaff's early days, when the town was just a railroad whistle stop. It is an interesting relief from the region's dusty motels and truck-stop diners. In central Flagstaff you will find beautiful antique inns and vegetarian cafes. You'll be also more like to hear the strains of a local jazz combo than any rumble of heavy RV traffic.

An other interesting place to visit is the Lowell Observatory, where the planet Pluto was discovered in 1930. The local arboretum offers 200 lush acres (80 ha) of green. Flagstaff is the region's gateway city to the Grand Canyon, which is less than a two-hour drive to the northwest. It is also one of the stops along the historic Route 66.

Within an hour of town you can explore ancient Anasazi and Sinagua Indian pueblos in Walnut Canyon; the site of a mile-wide meteor crater; hike, bike and ski some of the state's most pristine mountains and forests and even have your chakras realigned in the New Age Mecca of Sedona.

Flagstaff was founded in 1894. The town is in the north of Arizona, not far from the San Francisco Peaks and some 3100 km west of Washington D.C. Arizona's capital of Phoenix is 200 km to the south, a drive along the I-17, which takes less then three hours. The two cities are also connected by daily flights and buses. There are several hotels and restaurants in Flagstaff.