Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, comfort, and connection. Families will be feeling the joyous season looking for a reason to start a new tradition somewhere they have yet to visit. Our homeowners here in Flagstaff know they already have the perfect backdrop for a warm and welcoming holiday. Nestled among the San Francisco Peaks at 7,000 feet, Flagstaff combines crisp mountain air, pine-scented forests, and a vibrant local culture that makes the holiday feel extra special. You can help a family find their new holiday tradition while earning a return on your investment by hosting your home as a vacation rental. A little planning and a few thoughtful touches are all you need to turn your home into a cozy Flagstaff Thanksgiving retreat that family and friends will remember for years to come.
Embrace the Autumn Atmosphere
Flagstaff is a rare Arizona destination that gets to see all four seasons. The area often enjoys a true mountain fall with cool days, chilly evenings, and the possibility of an early dusting of snow. Embrace the season by highlighting the beauty outside your windows. Trim branches or rake pathways so guests can safely enjoy the fresh air. String restaurant style lights along decks or railings to create a magical glow after dark and place lanterns or candles along walkways to guide visitors in from the cold. The interior can feature open blinds or curtains to showcase views of the ponderosa pines or mountain peaks.
Create Cozy Indoor Spaces
A cozy Thanksgiving starts with comfortable gathering areas where your guests can relax. The setup of your home is always an important aspect to consider. Rearrange furniture to encourage conversation around the fireplace or a central coffee table. Add plush throws, extra pillows, and warm rugs to make each room feel welcoming. Stock up on seasoned firewood if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace so guests can enjoy the crackle and warmth throughout the weekend. Scented candles such as pine, cinnamon, or vanilla can add a subtle holiday aroma without overpowering the smell of dinner. Holiday décor will further create a welcoming experience for your guests that they will remember long after their visit.
Provide a Full Kitchen
Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families closer together by the strength of a traditional meal. Ensure your guests can take advantage of hosting Thanksgiving in your vacation rental by providing a full-size kitchen. This space allows families to prepare traditional dishes with ease so they can keep family traditions and recipes alive. Features that are welcome include full size appliances, extended countertop space, and a healthy stock of essential ingredients. Families choose vacation rentals so they can easily roast their turkey or bake pies in the oven. Open concept designs for the kitchen will only help families feel connected.
A Dining Space for Memories
Providing your guests with a full-size kitchen is just the start of the ambience of a Thanksgiving family meal. The dining table will be the centerpiece of the home during the holidays so having one that can bring everyone together is important. If your property is on the larger side, you can even provide additional table options just in case they are needed. Having holiday centerpieces and décor for the table will further advertise your home as a family friendly destination for Thanksgiving.
Add Thoughtful Guest Touches
Thanksgiving and the holiday season is a time of year when comfort brings a peace of mind. Prepare cozy guest rooms with extra blankets, reading lamps, and a small basket of toiletries. Stock a coffee and tea station with a variety of options for early risers and leave a stack of board games, puzzles, or cards in the living room for post-dinner entertainment. The little joys of home are sure to leave a lasting impact on your guests’ experience.
Provide a Guide on Local Holiday Happenings
Flagstaff often hosts festive events around Thanksgiving weekend that your guests may wish to join in on. Help them prepare for the holiday activities by providing a guidebook on local happenings. While events vary year to year you can provide information on a community Turkey Trot run, early holiday markets, or tree-lighting ceremonies in the historic downtown district. Provide info on businesses found around Heritage Square where families can see seasonal lights or stopping by a local café for hot chocolate adds an extra dash of holiday cheer.
A Holiday for Them to Remember
By blending Flagstaff’s natural beauty with the comforts of the holiday season you can transform your home into a Thanksgiving getaway that rivals any destination. Your Flagstaff home will capture the true spirit of the season including comfort, connection, and plenty of reasons to give thanks. Contact our team today to help you get started on showcasing your home for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Just like that, summer has already flown by at a blazing speed, and fall is around the corner. If you live in Arizona, you will always think of Flagstaff when you think of fall, with our pine trees and cool temps. The mountain scenery of Flagstaff always invites our visitors for an incredible stay. Now is the perfect time for our vacation rental owners to take advantage of the cooler temps by turning their property into a seasonal rental. By allowing your property to host guests during this time, you can help make a passive income. Here is how you can turn your Flagstaff home into the perfect seasonal rental just in time for fall here in Flagstaff:
Deep Clean and Declutter
When guests book a vacation rental, they want access to a home away from home. This means feeling comfortable in the property and having access to all kinds of amenities. Having a home away from home does not mean they want to arrive at a property that is cluttered from top to bottom. Help make your vacation rental a neutral and relaxing space by removing any buildup of personal items that are laying around. Personal items can help provide the perfect ambience for the home but too much of them will just take up space. Once you have decluttered the property, it is time for a deep clean. The summer season may have brought in dirt from outside that is on surfaces you would not normally think about. Cleaning surfaces such as the floors and baseboards will help give your property that extra shine your guests will love to see.
Add in Some Fall Flair
Now that fall is around the corner, you can bring out all of the fall décor you have been holding on to. Help create a cozy ambience in your vacation rental by adding some seasonal touches to the home. this can be adding cute items such as pumpkins or autumn themed pillows. Get out the flannel bedding if you have any along with soft throw blankets for the cooler nights. If your property has a fireplace you may want to get it cleaned so it can be used by guests. When your guests feel cozy and comfortable they are more likely to leave that positive review and have a return booking in the future.
Keep the Essentials Stocked
No guest wants to arrive to their vacation rental only to find that the essentials are not stocked. Keep things easy for your fall guests by having your property restocked again with the essential supplies. This includes the bathroom where you will want to have towels and toiletries on hand. Bring out fall themed colors to add a little color to the bathrooms. The kitchen is always welcome with extra supplies such as cooking utensils and snacks. Help your guests stay warm with the cooler temps with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Maps of Flagstaff will help your guests get out and explore the area. Planning ahead with supplies will go a long way with your guests.
Update Photos for Fall
Professionally photography can be expensive and hard to book last minute but if you have the means to add fall themed photos to your listing it will help tremendously. When guests see fall themed photos of your home they will instantly know what to expect when they arrive. This can help show off the right angles of your home inside and out. If your property features oak trees with changing colors of leaves make sure to include them in photographs. Updated photos will help bring out that fall feeling.
Change Your Listing Description
Photos are not the only thing to change for a little fall flair. You can also change the listing description for the property too. Highlight different activities or features that are fall focused such as being near hiking trails or having trees with leaves that change colors. You can also highlight your fireplace or coffee bar. Being descriptive will help paint that picture for your guests.
Find the Perfect Price to List
The fall season is when bookings in Flagstaff start to increase. Residents of Arizona and states beyond want to escape the warm weather and finally feel that fall feeling. Price your vacation rental to be competitive with neighboring homes. This can help ensure your property is booked frequently while also not shortchanging you on the listing.
Fall is Finally Here in Flagstaff
You will want to get to work quickly as fall is finally approaching here in Flagstaff. These different ways to change up your home will help make it be the ideal seasonal rental in the area. Let our property management service team help you every step of the way.
If you are like the rest of us, you are probably over summer at this point. Even without the recording-breaking heat of this year, you will find that summer is great small doses. That is why vacationing to Flagstaff is always the best when you spend some time here in the fall. The weather is cooling off and you will find plenty of outdoor activities still completely open. Take a look at why a Flagstaff in the fall is best as compared to other times of the year:
Better Weather and Less Crowds
When someone thinks of Arizona, they typically think of the desert that surrounds Phoenix and the rest of central and southern Arizona. The beauty of our state is that it has tons of variety with its climate, especially in northern Arizona, where Flagstaff is located. Many locals in Phoenix tend to escape the blistering heat of summer by making a drive to Flagstaff for the weekend. Even with Flagstaff having cooler temps the summer has been a long one. That is where the fall season comes in with incredible weather that encourages you for all of the outdoor play. You will find the weather to be wonderful in the 60s and 70s throughout most of the fall season during the day. This makes hiking the many trails enjoyable. Late night temps cool down quick allowing you to enjoy some time in front of the fire pit making s’mores and looking up at the stars. (Flagstaff is a Dark Sky Community, allowing you to see endless stars above you!) Best of all, you will not find the summer crowds in Flagstaff during the fall so you can explore downtown Flagstaff easily enough. Now that is quite a way to enjoy your fall break!
Fall Events
The fall season also has a variety of events that will make your time in Flagstaff the best yet. These fall activities are only offered this time of year. To kick it off, make sure to visit Flagstaff when Oktoberfest is happening. This world celebrated event kicks off the fall season here in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Oktoberfest is all things German food and drink along with autumn activities. This yearly event may have origins in Germany but is now a worldwide celebration. The Flagstaff Oktoberfest has celebrated 14 years of bringing together visits and locals alike for a timely event that includes German beer, brats, pretzels, and more. You will find exciting activities including brat eating contests, polka music, stein holding competitions, and more. Make sure you dress up in your best lederhosen and enjoy this family friendly event. The 2023 Flagstaff Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday October 7th from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff.
Changing Color of Leaves
While most of Arizona is covered in a desert landscape Flagstaff surrounded by beautiful forest scenery. The fall season brings out a variety of beautiful colors as the leaves change for the season. Come see the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that light up the landscape over Flagstaff. Some call this activity leaf peeping, and it is a great way to see the area in the fall. With the numerous hiking trails in the area, you will have no shortage of areas to explore!
Ride the Snowbowl Scenic Gondola Ride
Flagstaff is known for having some incredible winter sports at Arizona Snowbowl during the winter. To use the slopes, you will take one of the ski lifts to reach the top. Arizona Snowbowl also features a scenic gondola that is used for those who want to take a look at the surrounding beauty of Flagstaff. These enclosed gondolas provide a scenic ride like no other especially if you came to see the changing colors of the leaves. Don’t miss out on this fall activity in Flagstaff.
Fall Hiking
As mentioned, Flagstaff has plenty of hiking trails in the area that will keep you busy all trip long. One popular trail is the Aspen Nature Loop that offers a relative easy experience with plenty of scenery around you. The trail is easy to find right at the base of Arizona Snowbowl. Another great area to hike around is Bismarck Lake. You will find more rigorous trails perfect for those who wish to find a more challenging outdoor experience. The local ponds and marshes provide plenty of opportunities to have local wildlife be spotted during your hike.
More Fun in Flagstaff This Fall
Get ready for a fall getaway like no other when you book a stay here in Flagstaff. Our vacation rentals will keep you close to fall activities and events. Book today before your favorite vacation property is already reserved for the fall season.
When most visitors from out of state think of Arizona they typically imagine vast deserts covered in cactus and soaring temperatures usually over 100 degrees. While they are not wrong in that most of the state looks that way but Northern Arizona is truly something special. Make your way to Flagstaff this fall to see an Arizona destination covered in pine trees and features gorgeous weather. Flagstaff offers a variety of exciting events and fall activities in Flagstaff to make your trip as memorable as ever. Take a look at some of our favorites for 2022:
Fall Events
The fall season is a great time for special events in Flagstaff as the weather has dropped off for the year. With great weather comes an incredible lineup of special events taking place in Flagstaff. The fun all starts with the annual spectacular, 16th Annual Pickin’ in the Pines. This local festival is a live music lover’s dream with an extended lineup of bluegrass and acoustic tunes. The 2022 lineup is looking better than ever with artists including Dan Tyminski, The Jerry Douglas Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and many more. Pickin’ in the Pines has been an award-winning festival for years and continues to be an event many people look forward to. This year’s festivities will take place at the Pepsi Amphitheater from September 16th through the 18th. No fall season would be complete without an Oktoberfest celebration taking place. This year, the 13th Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest will be hitting the area for a full day of German brews, exciting contests, delicious food, and live music. The event will take place on October 1st from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler Park here in Flagstaff. These events make the fall season an exciting time to visit!
See the Fall Foliage
If you come from an area where your trees do not change with the season you will be in for quite the treat in Flagstaff. The fall season is a great time to go leaf peeping and see the changing colors of the leaves. The local trees will turn from a deep green to colors including gold, red, and orange each more beautiful than the last. Your best bet to see as many different colors as possible is early in the season around September. There are quite a few places to go leaf peeping in Flagstaff too. While Arizona Snowbowl is best known for some great winter sports in the winter it has plenty of incredible trees to check out during the fall. The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a protected area that features a variety of plant life making it the perfect spot for a picnic. You will love the changing colors of the season!
Hit the Hiking Trails
With cooler weather comes plenty of more opportunities to enjoy the local hiking trails in the area. Flagstaff has beautiful forested scenery surrounding the city with peaks and valleys. The hiking trails offer a variety of difficulty levels making sure you can find something that fits your skill level. One of the most popular trails is Fatman’s Loop Trail. The trail is great for individuals of all ages and is not difficult to complete. You will come across unique scenery such as volcanic rock formations and views of Downtown Flagstaff. Those who want more options of length for their hiking needs to check out Campbell Mesa Loop Trails. You will find more than your fair share of hiking terrain here in Flagstaff.
Take a Scenic Chairlift
Another great reason to visit the Arizona Snowbowl during the fall season is to take a scenic chairlift up. This chairlift is used for skiers during the winter but is a great way to get up in elevation. Visitors can go leaf peeping or simply take the chairlift back down again.
GO to the Museum of Northern Arizona
Learn all about the surrounding region in Flagstaff with a trip inside the Museum of Northern Arizona. The rotating exhibits highlight incredible histories such as native American tribes in the area and the formation of local canyons. You will come away more knowledgeable than ever!
Explore Downtown Flagstaff
There is no greater spot in town to shop and dine around than Downtown Flagstaff. This historic neighborhood has been around for generations and is home to outdoor shopping malls and more. Stop by the Dark Sky Brewing for a delicious beer. Or visit Diablo Burger for some of the best burgers in town. There is something for everyone to enjoy here in Historic Downtown Flagstaff!
Book Your Vacation Rental Today
As you can see there are so many activities waiting for you here in Flagstaff this fall. Book one of our vacation rentals today to be a short drive away from all of them. We even have Flagstaff cabin rentals with hot tubs to help you keep warm and enjoy the cooler months.