Downtown Flagstaff | Shops, Restaurants & Things to Do (2024)

Downtown Flagstaff arguably has the best downtown scene in Arizona. The combination of college students, the outdoor mountain culture, local businesses, and amazing weather make for a vibrant downtown. Downtown Flagstaff is a great place to get the best of modern dining, craft brews, local art, and community events all packed into one fun, laidback atmosphere. During the spring and summer, you'll find more people walking and on bikes than you'll see in vehicles. This bike and pedestrian-friendly town loves being outside as much as possible, which most definitely includes a variety of outdoor patios to enjoy your sunny weather beverage on. Downtown Flagstaff is the heart of our city where locals, tourists, visitors and students all congregate throughout the day as there's almost always something to enjoy year-round. In the summer, family movies are shown every Saturday evening at Heritage Square as well as other fun featured events such as live music, dancing in the square, and live performances. During the winter, it's common to get apre ski beverages or dinner with friends after a great day at the ski resort. No matter what time of year or time of day you head downtown, you'll find people enjoying the company of each other over some local favorite food, drink, or treat. You'll also have the chance to enjoy concerts at downtown Flagstaff's Wheeler Park, farmers' markets and various events hosted especially during warmer weather months. So spend a few days here and relax, enjoy the weather, the laidback atmosphere and leave all that crowded city stuff behind...because, yeah, it's pretty chill up here.

Top 5 Things to See & Do in Downtown Flagstaff

If you only have a day or two to spend in Flagstaff, spending some time downtown is a great thing to do year-round. Flagstaff definitely has a mountain town vibe and a character that is very different from most of the other cities in Arizona. You’ll find that most local and visitor things to do actually take place downtown, creating a very close, community-based environment. Here are some of the best things to do in downtown Flagstaff.

In Cold Weather

1. Get a hot drink.

Get cocoa for the kids and a simply delectable, hot, spiked drink for yourself. Try Rendezvous for a selection of drinks that bring out the warm and fuzzy in you.

2. Visit the Weatherford Hotel and Hotel Monte Vista.

History and ghost stories endure through the cold weather.

3. Have drinks by the warmth of a fire pit.

Many restaurants, breweries, and bars have great outdoor fire pits to keep you warm even when it’s cold outside. Who doesn’t love having a drink by the fire?

4. Dine.

Enjoy a cozy meal in one of the small, intimate nooks of Flagstaff's restaurants.

5. Still check out the local shops.

Also, many offer seasonal goods that are available only during the winter. The shops are still interesting and fun no matter what time of year you visit.

HOLIDAY EVENTS DOWNTOWN

If you're around during the holiday season, Flagstaff is full of fun cold-weather holiday experiences!

• December ArtWalk and Santa Sighting
  Downtown Flagstaff
  December 1, 2023
• Breakfast with Santa
  Heritage Square
  December 2, 9, and 16, 2023
  9 - 11 am
• Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting
  Heritage Square
  December 2, 2023
  2 - 8 pm
• Window Decorating Contest
  Downtown Flagstaff
  December 1-31, 2023
• 12 Bars of Christmas
  Downtown Flagstaff
  December 9, 2023
  2 - 7 pm
• Holiday Parade of Lights
  Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
• Howlidays
  Heritage Square
  December 10, 2023
  10:30 am - 12:30 pm
• Winter Movie Series
  The Orpheum
  December 2, 9 and 16, 2023
  9:30 am
• Noon Year's Eve
  Heritage Square
  December 31, 2023
  10 am - Noon
• The Great Pinecone Drop
  The Weatherford Hotel
  December 31, 2023
  10 pm & 12 am

In Warm Weather3>

1. See what’s going on at Heritage Square or Wheeler Park.

These are two main public spaces where there’s always something “Flagstaffian” going on.

2. Enjoy the sunshine and great weather.

When downtown, that usually means on a restaurant patio or in a public space like Heritage Square or Wheeler Park. Layer up! A little wind might feel too cool for relaxing outside, but the high-elevation sun might warm you up a bit too much just minutes later. Welcome to Flagstaff.

3. Visit the historic Weatherford Hotel, Hotel Monte Vista or even take a haunted tour of downtown Flagstaff.

Historical and haunted tours can be done on foot or on Segways!

4. Enjoy live music.

Whether it’s an impromptu drum circle on the corner or live music on the patio of Flagstaff Brewery, if the weather is nice, someone is bound to be making music somewhere in downtown Flagstaff!

5. Check out the local shops.

From organic treats, and gifts made from repurposed materials to vortex crystals, Flagstaff has an eclectic and even eccentric collection of wares. Also outdoor gear. Lots and lots of outdoor gear for sale.

Top 5 Best Downtown Patios with Food & Drinks

1. Dark Sky Brewing Co | Beer Garden

DSB has expanded and has built Flagstaff’s biggest outdoor patio! Not only that, they have an additional kitchen that features high-end, classic pub food that really isn’t fair to call “pub food”. One more thing, they also serve wine, liquor and craft co*cktails at the patio as well.

2. MotherRoad Brewery

Motherroad has also expanded its patio. They serve the same great beers loved by all with Pizzicleta that can be delivered tableside.

3. The Annex

This large patio is located in a historical Basque handball court featuring Flagstaff’s best craft co*cktails, great food, and a large fire pit. Patio games like corn hole and giant Jenga are known to come out in the summer during the less crowded times of the day.

4. The Mayor

Flagstaff’s best (and only) rooftop bar. All the booths have their own tabletop fire pit and a great view of downtown Flagstaff, Mt. Elden, Aggaziz and the southern part of the San Francisco Peaks. The food is pretty good, too. Summer nights bring rooftop movie showings and other shenanigans.

5. Flagstaff Brewing Co

Flagstaff’s OG craft brewery is still the place to hang out during the summer for locals and visitors alike. There’s live music out on the patio every Sunday afternoon and it’s a great place to take in Flagstaff while getting a burger and a beer.

Upcoming Downtown Flagstaff Events