Planning a family trip to Flagstaff and looking for fun things to do in Flagstaff with kids? Then this is the article for you. Flagstaff is a charming town tucked in the forest in Northern Arizona. It’s an excellent jump-off location for many of Arizona’s natural wonders, being the closest city to the Grand Canyon and only a 2-hour drive from Page, where you can visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
This article will cover all of the best things to do in Flagstaff with kids, so you can plan a memorable trip. From volcanoes to ancient pueblo sites, there’s something here for everyone. Here are 12 fun, family-friendly things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
Table of Contents
Things To Do In Flagstaff With Kids
1. Visit Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki Pueblo
The Wupatki National Monument is one of the largest preserved pueblo structures in Northern Arizona and one of the best things to do in Flagstaff with kids. The Wupatki pueblo consists of over 100 rooms, a ballcourt, a fascinating natural blowhole, and is just a half mile round trip hike from the visitor center. There’s a museum at the visitor center, and four other ruins (Wukoki, Lomaki, Citadel and Nalakihu), located off of the main road as well.
Citadel Pueblo
It’s less than an hour north of Flagstaff, connected to Sunset Crater Volcano on a 34-mile loop road. If you buy a pass to either Wupatki or Sunset Crater, it will be valid for visiting both national monuments on your 7-day trip.
2. Watch Trains from the Flagstaff Visitor Center
Flagstaff has a charming downtown area with small shops, candy stores, cafes, restaurants, and a visitor center, located right on the train station. From the visitor center, you can watch trains go by along historic Route 66, or shop for souvenirs and train related gifts at their gift shop. Downtown Flagstaff is very walkable, so it’s the perfect place to shop around and dine out. It is one of the best things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
3. Visit Sunset Crater Volcano
The Lava Flow Trail at Sunset Crater Volcano is one of the most fantastic things to do in Flagstaff with kids. Sunset Crater is a cinder cone, within the San Francisco Volcanic Field of Flagstaff, that last erupted in 1085 A.D.. The volcano’s named after the reddish-pink oxidized lava splatter you can see on top of the volcano, and it’s surrounded by pine trees. There’s a visitor center, and a variety of hiking trails, with the Lava Flow Trail being the most popular.
This is a short 1-mile trail at the base of Sunset Crater, with views of jagged lava rocks, old lava flows, and other volcanic features. I recommend doing this hike, and driving the loop road to Wupatki National Monument, to see all that each has to offer.
4. Stroll Around Buffalo Park
Buffalo Park is a serene park in the forest, with beautiful views of pine trees and the San Francisco Mountains. You can stroll around the park on an easy 2-mile loop trail, and there’s additional trails if you want to venture up into the mountains. This park is dog–friendly, and there’s restrooms and picnic areas on site.
5. Tour Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory perched atop Mars hill, overlooking downtown Flagstaff. This observatory’s famous for discovering Pluto in 1930, and they have daily science talks, tours, lectures, telescope viewings, and more. Admission to the observatory will grant you all-day access to everything, including the stargazing sessions, which you can return to at night. General admission costs $29 for adults, and $17 for children (5-17). It is one of the best things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
6. Explore The Lava River Cave
The Lava River Cave is a fascinating mile–long lava tube situated in the middle of the forest, just 14 miles north of Flagstaff. This lava cave was formed by an eruption of the nearby Hart Prairie Volcano between 650,000-700,000 years ago and is the largest lava cave in Arizona. The entrance to the lava cave is narrow, pitch black, and the trail consists of large, loose boulders.
It’s a relatively steep descent into the cave, so the hike may not be suitable for very little children. If visiting, make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes, and bring a flashlight, or ideally a headlamp, to keep your hands free while exploring!
7. Hike Walnut Canyon
Walnut Canyon is another large preserved ancient pueblo site, with cliff dwellings built along the canyon walls. You can descend down 273 stairs on the Island Trail (0.8 miles roundtrip), to see the cliff dwellings up close, and enjoy beautiful scenery throughout. It is an easy hike, so it makes for one of the best things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
Alternatively, you can overlook the ruins from the visitor center, or the Rim Trail, a flat (0.7-mile round trip) trail at the top of the canyon. Admission to Walnut Canyon only covers entrance to this monument. If you plan on visiting both Walnut Canyon and Wupatki (or Sunset Crater), save $5 by purchasing the annual fee to all three monuments.
8. Visit The Museum of Northern Arizona and Riordan Mansion
If you love history, the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park are two interesting places to visit in town. The Museum of Northern Arizona is a natural history museum, with interesting exhibits on the Colorado Plateau and Native American cultures from 15,000 B.C.
From preserved pottery to dinosaur exhibits, it’s a great museum for the whole family, and you can easily spend 1–3 hours exploring all of the different exhibits and artifacts. Admission costs $15 for adults, and $10 for children (10-17). The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is a rustic cabin-style mansion built in 1904, filled with historic artifacts and preserved furniture. It costs $2 to visit and is free for children under 6.
Go On A Day Trip To Sedona Or Nearby Towns (Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde)
Bell Rock, Sedona
Sedona is less than an hour south of Flagstaff and offers many family-friendly activities. In Sedona, you can slide down natural water slides at Slide Rock, go on a jeep tour, visit Sedona’s energy vortexes, or hike one of the many amazing hiking trails. Sedona has easier, beginner-friendly hiking trails than Flagstaff, with beautiful views of the red rocks. See our one-day Sedona itinerary for more ideas on what to do in town.
Just 30 minutes south of Sedona, the nearby towns of Jerome, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde offer even more kid-friendly activities. In Jerome, you can visit the Gold King Mine’s ghost town, go on a ghost tour, or tour Jerome’s historic park and mining museum. In Cottonwood, you can ride the Verde Canyon railroad, visit the Tuzigoot National Monument, or kayak along the Verde River.
Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde
In Camp Verde, you can visit Montezuma’s Castle, go ziplining, or visit the Out of Africa’s Wildlife Park Zoo. Montezuma’s Castle is a 30-minute drive from Tuzigoot National Monument, and the admission fee for each covers entrance to both monuments. It is one of the fun things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
10. See The Meteor Crater National Monument
Just around a 45-minute drive east of Flagstaff, Meteor Crater is the most well-preserved meteor crater impact site on earth! The crater is nearly 4,000 feet wide, and around 560 feet deep, surrounded by miles of plains in the desert. The site has a visitor center, with a film on the history of the meteor, scientific exhibits, and multiple viewpoints of the crater. Admission to meteor crater costs $29 for adults (13+), and $20 for children (6-12).
11. Visit The Grand Canyon
Flagstaff is the closest city to the Grand Canyon, being just over an hour drive from the South Rim. The south rim is the most easily accessible and popular place within the Grand Canyon, with hotels, restaurants, a visitor center, and the Yavapai Geology Museum. It is one of the amazing things to do in Flagstaff with kids.
Here, you can visit the popular Mather Point and Yavapai Point overlook, hike the rim trail, or drive the scenic Desert View Drive (23 miles) to several stunning viewpoints off the side of the road. With how close it is, visiting the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff is definitely worth it if you have the time. Entrance to the South Rim costs $35/vehicle for a 7-day pass.
12. Go On A Day Trip To Page, Arizona
Other than the Grand Canyon, the town of Page is just over a 2-hour drive from Flagstaff. This small town straddles the border between Arizona and Utah, and is home to the famous Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam. Here, you can hike to the popular landmarks, tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon, and rent out watersports on Lake Powell.
The actual town of Page is very small, with just a few restaurants and hotels. Check out our one-day Page itinerary for more guidance on the best things to do in town. However, the geology surrounding the area is fascinating, and is worth visiting to see the popular landmarks.
Other Things to Do in Flagstaff with Kids
Here are a few other kid-friendly activities in and around Flagstaff.
- Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course (Ziplining)
- FlagTag AZ (Laser Tag)
- Starlite Lanes Bowling Alley
- Levitate Adventure (Trampoline Park)
- United Escapes of America (Escape Rooms, Mini Golf)
- Flagstaff Climbing Center (Rock Climbing)
- Grand Canyon Go–Karts – Williams AZ, 30 miles west of Flagstaff
- BeArizona Wildlife Park & Zoo – Williams AZ
Summary
Flagstaff is a lovely city in the middle of the forest, with a charming downtown and many interesting natural attractions. From visiting volcanoes to ancient ruins, and stargazing at the Lowell Observatory, you won’t struggle finding something to do with family in town. Additionally, it’s an excellent jumping-off location for exploring the beauty of Arizona, being in close proximity to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Page (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon).
Contributed by Layla Pond of Layla’s Lens
