Things to Do:
The Ultimate Flagstaff Guidebook

One of our favorite parts about Lotus House Hill is the location; tucked peacefully in the scenic forest, yet only an 8-minute drive from the heart of downtown Flagstaff.

Whether you enjoy hiking mountain peaks, exploring historic sites, shopping or day trips, we’ve compiled a list of the best destinations in and around the area to help you plan the perfect getaway.

Local Favorites
(Under 15 Minutes Away)

Historic Downtown & Heritage Square (8 minutes away) Explore charming brick buildings, unique boutiques, art galleries, and coffee shops in Flagstaff’s cultural heart.	Lowell Observatory (12 minutes away) Visit the birthplace of Pluto and gaze at the stars in the world’s first International Dark Sky City.	The Arboretum at Flagstaff (15 minutes away) Stroll through a 200-acre botanical garden featuring 750+ species of high-altitude plants.
Museum of Northern Arizona (12 minutes) Dive into regional history and Native American culture with impressive collections of art, pottery, and fossils.

Northern Arizona University (NAU)

(Approx. 9 Minutes away)

Campus Highlights

Whether you're visiting for a college tour, visiting a student, attending a sporting event, or a graduation, NAU's beautiful mountain campus is worth exploring. Nestled among towering ponderosa pines and historic red sandstone buildings, it blends seamlessly into the Flagstaff community.

Historic Quad & Old Main The picturesque heart of NAU, featuring beautiful 1890s red-brick buildings and hammocks among the pines.	NAU Art Museum A hidden gem inside Old Main with a rotating collection of contemporary art. Admission is free!	J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome An iconic venue at 7,000 feet, home of NAU Lumberjacks football and basketball.
Louie the Lumberjack Statue A must-see for visitors and prospective students for a memorable photo op.	Japanese Tea Garden A tranquil spot perfect for a quiet stroll or meditation.

Outdoor Adventures & Hikes

(15 to 30 Minutes Away)

Arizona Snowbowl (25 minutes away) Arizona’s top skiing destination. Enjoy hiking and scenic gondola rides in the off-season.	Upper & Lower Lake Mary (20 minutes away) Ideal for water activities and picnicking under ponderosa pines.	Walnut Canyon National Monument (20 minutes) Hike to get a close look at ancient cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago.
Buffalo Park (10 minutes) Enjoy a scenic 2-mile loop with views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Unforgettable Day Trips
(Under 90 Minutes Away)

Grand Canyon National Park (1 hour, 20 minutes away) A true bucket-list wonder. Perfect for a day trip; explore trails and take in breathtaking views.	Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon (45 minutes away) Experience stunning red rock formations along a scenic drive.	Sunset Crater Volcano & Wupatki National Monuments (30 minutes away) Discover unique lava fields and ancient architecture on a 35-mile scenic loop drive. Begin at Sunset Crater, walking on volcanic cinders from a 1,000-year-old eruption, and conclude at Wupatki, home to remarkable multi-story Puebloan ruins.
Bearizona Wildlife Park (35 minutes) Enjoy a family-friendly wildlife safari! Drive through Ponderosa pine forests to spot black bears, wolves, and bison. Then, visit the walk-through zoo and see live birds of prey shows.

Magical Holiday Traditions (Seasonal)

If you are visiting us during the winter, Northern Arizona transforms into a Christmas wonderland. We are perfectly positioned between the region's two major holiday attractions.

Note: Both experiences are massive winter traditions and sell out months in advance, so be sure to book your tickets early!

The North Pole Experience

(8 minutes away) An immersive indoor adventure where children become honorary elves begins just minutes from the Little America Hotel. You board a "magical trolley" that takes you to a 400-year-old toy workshop in the forest.

The Polar Express (Grand Canyon Railway)

(35 minutes away) Experience Chris Van Allsburg's classic children's book on a nighttime train journey in Williams. Board 1920s train cars, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and listen to the story as you travel through the Arizona wilderness. At the illuminated North Pole village, Santa will greet the children and present each passenger with a silver sleigh bell.

Things to Do: The Ultimate Flagstaff Guidebook

Local Favorites (Under 15 Minutes Away)

Historic Downtown & Heritage Square

(8 minutes away) Explore charming brick buildings, unique boutiques, art galleries, and coffee shops in Flagstaff’s cultural heart.

Lowell Observatory

(12 minutes away) Visit the birthplace of Pluto and gaze at the stars in the world’s first International Dark Sky City.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

(15 minutes away) Stroll through a 200-acre botanical garden featuring 750+ species of high-altitude plants.

Museum of Northern Arizona

(12 minutes) Dive into regional history and Native American culture with impressive collections of art, pottery, and fossils.

Northern Arizona University (NAU)

(Approx. 9 Minutes away)

Historic Quad & Old Main

The picturesque heart of NAU, featuring beautiful 1890s red-brick buildings and hammocks among the pines.

NAU Art Museum

A hidden gem inside Old Main with a rotating collection of contemporary art. Admission is free!

J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome

An iconic venue at 7,000 feet, home of NAU Lumberjacks football and basketball.

Louie the Lumberjack Statue

A must-see for visitors and prospective students for a memorable photo op.

Japanese Tea Garden

A tranquil spot perfect for a quiet stroll or meditation.

Outdoor Adventures & Hikes

(15 to 30 Minutes Away)

Arizona Snowbowl

(25 minutes away) Arizona’s top skiing destination. Enjoy hiking and scenic gondola rides in the off-season.

Upper & Lower Lake Mary

(20 minutes away) Ideal for water activities and picnicking under ponderosa pines.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

(20 minutes) Hike to get a close look at ancient cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago.

Buffalo Park

(10 minutes) Enjoy a scenic 2-mile loop with views of the San Francisco Peaks.

Unforgettable Day Trips (Under 90 Minutes Away)

Grand Canyon National Park

(1 hour, 20 minutes away) A true bucket-list wonder. Perfect for a day trip; explore trails and take in breathtaking views.

Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon

(45 minutes away) Experience stunning red rock formations along a scenic drive.

Sunset Crater Volcano & Wupatki National Monuments

(30 minutes away) Discover unique lava fields and ancient architecture on a 35-mile scenic loop drive. Begin at Sunset Crater, walking on volcanic cinders from a 1,000-year-old eruption, and conclude at Wupatki, home to remarkable multi-story Puebloan ruins.

Bearizona Wildlife Park

(35 minutes) Enjoy a family-friendly wildlife safari! Drive through Ponderosa pine forests to spot black bears, wolves, and bison. Then, visit the walk-through zoo and see live birds of prey shows.