The summer season is always one of our favorite times of year to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather here in Flagstaff. Come join us for another exciting summer season by visiting Flagstaff for the upcoming 4th of July celebration. Our nation’s founding is one of the best reasons to see a new location such as Flagstaff for your summer travels. You will find some 4th of July events and activities along with exciting summer activities during your stay. Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Flagstaff this year:
Lights on the Lawn
Flagstaff is home to the annual Lights on the Lawn. This is a multiday event that takes place at Continental Country Club here in Flagstaff. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of hot food and cold drinks to bring in their summer season. A food court with some incredible food vendors will be on hand to dish out the tasty eats. A beer garden is the perfect spot for adults to enjoy a pint of their favorite Flagstaff beer to cool off. Additional activities include an exciting youth activity area, live music and entertainment, and lawn games that include corn hole, volleyball, and frisbee. The name Lights on the Lawn comes from the closing ceremony of the 4th of July fireworks display that will look a little different this year.
4th of July Laser Lightshow
Most cities across the country celebrate the end of the 4th of July with a dazzling display of fireworks in the night sky. This has been the tradition for generations and continues to be one in most parts of the country. Flagstaff, however, will be making the shift this year from traditional fireworks to an incredible laser light show. The shift is primarily due to the extreme fire risk that Northern Arizona has seen over the past few years with hot and dry conditions. In order to protect our beautiful environment, a laser light show will be put on to continue this tradition in a new way. This year’s exclusive laser light show will start just after sunset at approximately 8:30 – 9:00 PM. Since laser light shows are only visible from up to 500 feet away, you will want to be onsite at the event, located at Fort Tuthill Park. Make sure to arrive at least an hour early and have a lawn chair and blanket on hand to be comfortable.
4th of July Parade
One activity that will not change this year is the annual 4th of July Parade taking place in Flagstaff. This annual event sees local businesses get together for lively and patriotic parade floats and costumes that are taken around Historic Downtown Flagstaff. The route will start at Elm & Beaver before heading south and making its way down San Francisco back north again. The 4th of July Parade will take place on July 4th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Make sure to grab a spot along the route early so you can have plenty of room to see!
Check Out Lowell Observatory
Flagstaff is one of the few Dark Sky Communities here in the Southwest. The term comes from Flagstaff’s dark sky ordinance that restricts the amount of light for outdoor installations. You will find the night sky in Flagstaff to be pitch black, allowing for some of the best stargazing opportunities. Head over to Lowell Observatory to do just that. Their observatory has a nighttime telescope to help you see into the starry sky. Reaching the observatory is a short two-minute drive from Historic Downtown Flagstaff. There are daytime hours too where you can enjoy educational programming. Check out their schedule to see the highlight of their stargazing evening that will always focus on a new constellation or sight in the sky.
Explore Historic Downtown Flagstaff
You will have noticed that Historic Downtown Flagstaff is the center of the area. Make sure to spend some time exploring this historic neighborhood that is filled with a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. Local breweries such as Dar Sky Brewing and Mother Road Brewing are great for craft beer lovers. Dine at Tinderbox Kitchen or Shift Kitchen & Bar for some tasty food. West of the Moon Gallery and Bruce Aiken Fine Art showcase some incredible displays of art by local and national artists. There is plenty to see and do here in Historic Downtown Flagstaff.
Get Ready for your Own Flagstaff Adventure
There is no time like the present to start planning ahead for your patriotic celebration here in Flagstaff. Make sure to reserve one of our vacation rentals today to find the best one for you and your family. You will not find a finer selection of homes than ours!
It has been an especially cold winter in Flagstaff this year, and we sure are ready for spring to get here. The spring season is a great time to visit Flagstaff to enjoy some unique activities while getting to explore the outdoors. One great holiday to use as a vacation getaway to Flagstaff is Easter. Many families celebrate Easter together, making it the perfect holiday for a family vacation. Flagstaff has many different Easter and spring activities scheduled this year to make the most of your trip. Here are some reasons you do not want to miss out on Easter in Flagstaff this year:
Easter Egg Hunts
One of the most important parts of any Easter holiday for children is always going to the Easter egg hunt. This activity lets children explore until their heart is content for lovely painted eggs or plastic eggs filled with delicious candy. Easter egg hunts have been a timeless tradition and continue up here in Flagstaff. Many local organizations put on Easter egg hunts in April that are typically free. The first is Downtown Flagstaff’s very own Easter egg hunt. Your children will be exploring the beautiful visitor areas around local businesses. Participate in the egg hunt and then find somewhere for your Easter brunch afterward. Or stop by The Peaks, a local senior living community, that also puts on its annual Easter egg hunt for families to enjoy. 2023 Easter egg hunt details will be made available soon so make sure to explore these local businesses for the full information when available!
Easter Brunch
While children love the Easter egg hunts adults often look forward to Easter brunch. This meal is often a combination of delicious food (and possibly a buffet) along with tasty drinks. Easter brunch is a tradition in most cities and continues that here in Flagstaff. Local favorite restaurant Oakmont typically features an Easter brunch that pairs incredible New American cuisine with handcrafted cocktails. During the week their menu typically features classic dishes such as charcuterie boards, burgers, chicken Sonoma, and various pasta dishes. But Easter brunch lets them provide a more traditional early morning menu that everyone is sure to love. Make sure to pair your meal with a cocktail such as a Bloody Mary or mimosa for the full experience. If you would like to enjoy brunch in a more casual setting Tourist Home will do the job. This New American restaurant is especially known for the baked goods and pastries that are sure to be a family favorite when you stop in. Their drinks are known to be some of the best in the city too. Easter brunch is always a busy time here in Flagstaff so make sure to place reservations in advance.
Another restaurant worth eating at this Easter is the Silver Pine Restaurant and Bar inside Little America. You can come here for Easter Brunch or for any other meal! You’ll love the biscuits and gravy or smoked salmon benedict paired with a morning mule or the house bloody Mary for breakfast and brunch, at lunch, you’ll want to start with the shrimp cocktail or the strawberry gorgonzola salad. Next for lunch, make sure you order the Caprese panini, Korean fried chicken sandwich, or fish and chips! For dinner, there is a wide selection of cocktails and wines available. For the main course, you can’t go wrong with the chicken piccata, Atlantic salmon, or filet mignon! Then end the night with a raspberry chocolate martini, an espresso, or some sweeter treats like chocolate cake or crème brulee. You’ll love having an Easter meal at Little America’s fantastic restaurant.
Spring Events
Your Easter getaway is also a great time to explore some of the spring events taking place around Flagstaff. First Fridays have returned in Flagstaff for this popular art walk. First Fridays are typically a monthly street party that takes place on the First Friday of every month. April’s First Friday will take place on Friday leading up to Easter letting you participate in one of Northern Arizona’s premier art events. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, many local businesses and art galleries will be open for special exhibits, live music, and plenty of exciting fun. The adults can enjoy many hot spots downtown after 9:00 PM for different drink specials.
April brings a lot of wind in Flagstaff, so it is great to know that Kite Day will be taking place on April 8th right before Easter. This event will be taking place all across Flagstaff as locals fly their kites in the skies. The Flagstaff Visitor’s Center and many other retailers will have kites for sale so you too can participate in the fun. Gaze up in the sky as countless kites will be flown on this popular event.
Final Ride Down Snow Bowl
Flagstaff has gathered a ton of snow this winter season, making our local mountain, Snow Bowl, feature the best skiing conditions yet. This year’s closing date for Snow Bowl is not expected to take place until the first weekend of May. This means that you and your family will be able to enjoy one final ride down the mountain when visiting for Easter. Enjoy the bunny hills perfect for beginners or take on the black diamonds for those who are more experienced. Local shops offer all the rental gear you need so you can leave your gear at home.
Easter in Flagstaff
Make a new family tradition for Easter this year and come to Flagstaff. Our Flagstaff vacation rentals are sure to keep you comfortable throughout your stay. Simply book your favorite today and enjoy Easter in Flagstaff!