Exploring Northern Arizona

With temperatures in the Valley climbing it’s a perfect time to explore the diversity that Arizona has to offer. Phoenicians head north in droves to escape the heat and enjoy some mountain fun. Here are just a few options to consider:

At Lowell Observatory you can peek at the universe or enjoy a daytime view of the Sun (through a special telescope, of course). The Observatory is considered one of the nation’s top astronomical research facilities. 

Just a short 14-mile drive north of Flagstaff and you’ll be able to experience Sunset Crater National Monument firsthand. The results of the millennium-old volcanic eruption remain in the lava flows and cinder deposits found in the 3,000-acre park.

Discover the history of Northern Arizona through the artifacts and exhibits at the Arizona Historical Society-Pioneer Museum. Or peruse the historic Museum of Northern Arizona. MNA features over forty buildings, many of them on the National Register of Historic Places, and more than 5 million artifacts, pieces of art and specimens showcase the Native American culture.

Explore the San Francisco Peaks. More than just a winter destination, Arizona Snowbowl, atop Mt. Humphrey’s, features plenty of hiking opportunities.

Hike the one-mile round-trip Island Trail through Walnut Canyon for a first-hand look at the area’s 700-year-old pueblo dwellings. Or visit the older and much larger Wupatki Pueblo at Wupatki National Monument. This 800-year- old, 100-room dwelling is easily accessible from the park’s visitor center via the paved, quarter-mile Wupatki Pueblo Trail.