Flagstaff, Arizona: Living the good life

Flagstaff View 

When selecting the right college, location matters. And there’s something about Flagstaff—where our main campus is located.

Flagstaff—or “Flag” as locals call it—is a quaint mountain town (65,000 population) featuring over 200 restaurants, a lively nightlife, and a thriving arts and culture scene.

When you think Arizona, you might not think “snow.” But when you think Northern Arizona, you should—Flagstaff receives abundant snow fall and even hosts its own ski resort.

With four distinct seasons, nearly 300 days of sunshine, average summer highs of 80 degrees and winter highs in the 40s, living well in northern Arizona isn’t hard to do.

Points of distinction 

Flagstaff is:

  • 1.5 hours from the Grand Canyon
  • 2.5 hours from Phoenix
  • 4 hours from Las Vegas
  • nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks (12,633 ft.)
  • located in the middle of the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world
  • surrounded by some of the most beautiful country in the southwest

8 things you’ll love about Flagstaff (the short list): 

  1. Orpheum Theater—Flagstaff’s main music venue hosts entertainment like Michael Franti, Atmosphere, RX Bandits, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Flogging Molly, and more.
  2. Arizona Snowbowl—our ski resort, just 7 miles from downtown.
  3. Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon—or“the creek” as students call it is where students go to enjoy laying out on the red rocks and swimming in the creek.
  4. Endless hiking and mountain biking trails, and a 50-mile Urban Trail System for runners, walkers, and bike commuters.
  5. First Friday Art Walk—a once a month event downtown where the Flagstaff and university communities come together to celebrate art and mingle.
  6. Lowell Observatory—one of the premiere deep space research sites in the world, and where Pluto was discovered!
  7. Heritage Square—Flagstaff’s historic town square holds events like movies in the square, art fairs, and local concerts.
  8. Diablo Burger—located in heritage square and voted the best burger in Arizona. No joke.

We can’t lie, life at 7,000 feet is a great time. But don’t take our word for it—come see for yourself!