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Flagstaff Travel Guide
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| Flagstaff
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Redolent
with the charm of both the nineteenth-century Wild West
and the twentieth-century heyday of Route 66, the small
college town of FLAGSTAFF ranks among the most atmospheric
and attractive places to stay in the entire Southwest. It's
split in two by the twin east–west routes of the main
drag, Santa Fe Avenue, which was once Route 66, and before
that the pioneer trail west, and the tracks of the Santa
Fe Railroad whose mournfully whistling trains still reverberate
through the desert night. Immediately north lies the characterful
downtown area, while the lively, low-rent blocks to the
south are predominantly the preserve of the town's student
population.
Flagstaff's
first Anglo settlers arrived in 1876, lured from Boston
by widely publicized accounts of mineral wealth and fertile
land, but they soon moved on, disappointed, towards Prescott.
However, they stayed long enough to celebrate the centenary
of American independence by flying the Stars and Stripes
from a towering pine tree. |
| Flagstaff
Travels & Tours |
Meteor Crater
Take a several ton meteor and hurl it at 40,000 miles per
hour toward earth and what do you get? A meteor crater,
of course. This awesome natural phenomenon is more than
4,000 feet in diameter, nearly 600 feet deep and nearly
two-and-a-half miles in circumference. To put that in perspective,
picture 20 football fields sitting side-by-side and end-by-end
on its floor. The visitor centers also offers Astronaut
memorabilia from the Apollo, Mercury and Gemini missions.
Guided tours of the crater rim are included in the admission
charge.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
The
gigantic spires and buttes of this natural wonder at the
Arizona/Utah border never fail to inspire awe in visitors'
hearts. Quite a drive from Flagstaff, but well worth the
scenic trip, Monument Valley is deep within the Navajo nation.
There, the Navajo people continue raising sheep and producing
rugs, silver works and basketry. Examples of their crafts
are on display in the gift shop at the visitor center. A
traditional restaurant is available at the park.
Oak Creek Canyon
Rand-McNally
named Highway 89's panoramic path through Oak Creek Canyon
one of the most beautiful drives in America, designating
it Arizona's first scenic route. Towering trees line the
beds of Oak Creek, whose natural springs are said to have
healing powers. The water winds through mountain shadows
to Sedona's famed red rock vistas. Four mild seasons support
a canyon kaleidoscope of wildlife, foliage, and fun. Attractions
include hiking, biking and trout fishing and be sure to
stop at the Slide Rock State Park.
Petrified Forest National Park
Magic
moments in the Triassic Period are literally frozen in time
at Petrified National Forest, 116-miles east of Flagstaff.
Come explore prehistoric fossils, petrified wood, archeological
dig sites and petroglyphs, all in a scenic setting. You'll
need two hours or more to fully experience the natural wonders
within the park boundaries. Don't miss the fun and informative
Rainbow Forest Museum and Painted Desert Visitor's Center.
Jay Lively Activity Center
Do
the unusual and go ice skating in Arizona! This activity
center is an indoor rink with ice skating in the winter
(mid-September through April 30) and, on occasion, inline
skating during the summer months (June through end of August).
Family activities and group competitions put the summer
blues on ice, so call ahead to see what's chilling.
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