Lowell Observatory
See the telescope that found Pluto.
Flagstaff
A pine-forest mountain town on Route 66, gateway to the Grand Canyon, where Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory.
The world's first Dark Sky City has a handsome historic downtown, an old train station and many breweries. At 7,000 feet, it's cooler than the desert below.
- Best Time
- May to October
- Time Needed
- 1–2 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round
- Getting There
- About 2 hours north of Phoenix.
What to See
1 of 3 are freeHistoric Downtown
Route 66 buildings and pubs.
Walnut Canyon
Sinagua cliff dwellings in a limestone canyon.
Know Before You Go
- Snow is common in winter.
- It's about 90 minutes from the South Rim.
Where to Stay
Stay in downtown Flagstaff.
Where to Eat
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Go Next
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Worth a DetourSedona
Arizona
Red rock buttes, easy hikes and a reputation as a spiritual retreat, two hours from the Grand Canyon.
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If You're NearbyMeteor Crater
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The best-preserved meteorite crater on Earth, nearly a mile wide, in the Arizona desert. Apollo astronauts trained here.
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Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Southwest list.