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Riordan Mansion State Historic
Park, Northern Arizona University, Historic
Downtown Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory
ExploreFlagstaff's pioneer
heritage beginning with the home built by Timothy and Michael
Riordan, owners of Flagstaff's turn-of-the-century logging
company.
Take a walking trip through
Northern Arizona University (NAU) just
northwest of Riordan Mansion and enjoy a glimpse of the historic
north
campus. In 1986, seven buildings of NAU's north campus,
including Old Main, were placed on the National Register of
Historic Places. The historic district encompasses about 14
acres, with buildings constructed of locally quarried Moenkopi
sandstone between 1894 and 1935. NAU's historic district
contains the largest and best preserved collection of sandstone
buildings in the Southwest.
The Marguerite Hettel Weiss Art
Museum, housed in Old Main, is part of the NAU Art Museum and
Galleries, and features a display of art and furniture from the
estate of Marguerite Hettel Weiss, educator and collector of
fine art. The collection is eclectic and contains numerous art
objects from around the world.
Continue north for a walking
tour through the heart of historic downtown Flagstaff, offering
numerous shops and galleries featuring a wonderful array of
southwestern arts, crafts, clothing and specialty items. Enjoy a
cup of cappuccino and a homemade pastry or a delicious meal in
one of the downtown area's fine restaurants.
Top off this tour on Mars Hill
at world-renowned Lowell Observatory.
Total driving miles: 10 miles
round trip
Tour time: 5-6 hours
Season: Year-round
Highway to Heaven
Museum of Northern Arizona and
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Skyride
Drive north on Highway 180 for
arts and culture and a heavenly view from
the Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Skyride. First stop, the Museum of
Northern
Arizona, founded in 1928, known world-wide for its collections,
research and exhibitions which profile the geology, biology,
anthropology and fine arts of Northern Arizona and the Colorado
Plateau.
Upon leaving the Musuem,
continue north on Highway 180 to Snowbowl Road where you will
turn right and continue up to the lodge. Then enjoy
breathtaking views on the Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Skyride, a
leisurely
ascent on the chairlift to nearly the summit of Mt. Agassiz at
an elevation
of 11,500 feet.
Total driving miles: 25 miles
round trip
Tour time: 4 hours
Season: Year-round
(Skyride May-Oct.)
Rare Rocks and Ancient Ruins
Elden Pueblo; Walnut Canyon,
Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki NationalMonuments
Just a short drive east on I-40
takes you to the captivating Walnut Canyon National Monument,
containing distinctive cliff dwellings of the Sinagua Indians.
Visitors may enjoy a 45-minute (round trip) hike into the canyon
for a closer look or take an easy stroll along the top for a
broad view.
When you leave Walnut Canyon,
take I-40 west to the Country Club exit
(201) and take Highway 89 north for the remainder of this tour.
Elden
Pueblo Ruin is the first stop one mile north of the Flagstaff
Mall. This
Sinagua ruin is 700-800 years old and is currently under
excavation.
Continue north on Highway 89
approximately 15 miles to the Sunset Crater
Volcano National Monument turn-off.
In A.D. 1180, the last volcano
in Arizona erupted, leaving behind incredible lava flows and the
beautiful Sunset Crater Volcano.
Drive north from the volcano to
Wupatki National Monument. The dwellings, first occupied in A.D.
1100, include several beautifully preserved pueblo-style
structures and a large open-air amphitheater.
Total driving miles: 110 miles
round trip
Tour time: All day
Season: Year-round
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