Planning for your family reunion in flagstaff Arizona? Here are the top places and destinations to include in your things to do in flagstaff Arizona
Already chosen Arizona? Read the Arizona Planning Guide.
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is a historic astronomical observatory where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Open for daytime and evening tours with admission fees, featuring telescope viewing and educational programs. Perfect for family reunions seeking educational experiences about astronomy and space exploration together.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Adult admission is $20 and groups of 15 or more receive a $4 discount per person when booked at least 2 weeks in advance through the group reservations coordinator. The visitor center and Clark Telescope dome are ADA accessible with paved paths and ramps though the steeper Pluto Walk trail is not wheelchair accessible. At 7000 feet elevation Flagstaff temperatures stay 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix making this a comfortable year-round destination but bring layers for evening telescope programs that drop into the 40s even in summer.
Website: lowell.edu
Arizona Snowbowl
Arizona Snowbowl offers scenic chairlift rides with panoramic views of northern Arizona and the San Francisco Peaks. Open seasonally with lift tickets for summer scenic rides and winter skiing activities. Perfect for family reunions seeking mountain adventures, scenic views, and outdoor activities at high elevation.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Summer scenic chairlift tickets are $25 for adults and groups of 10 or more receive a 15 percent discount when purchased together at the ticket window. The base lodge and deck area are ADA accessible but the chairlift requires the ability to board and exit independently so guests with mobility limitations should inquire about adaptive options in advance. At 9500 feet elevation the summit is 30 to 40 degrees cooler than Phoenix and afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through mid-September so bring rain gear and plan morning rides.
Website: snowbowl.ski
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument preserves ancient cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people over 800 years ago along a stunning limestone canyon. The Island Trail loop takes groups past 25 cliff dwelling rooms, offering an intimate look at how ancient communities lived. Groups of 15-50 can spread comfortably along the paved rim trail and the Island Trail without feeling crowded. The visitor center provides orientation programs ideal for gathering your reunion before exploring together. This is a powerful shared experience that sparks multigenerational conversation about history and resilience.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Entry is $15 per adult with children under 16 free and the America the Beautiful Pass is accepted at the gate covering all passengers in one vehicle. The Island Trail descends 185 steps to view cliff dwellings and is not ADA accessible but the Rim Trail is paved and wheelchair friendly with canyon overlooks. At 6700 feet elevation temperatures are moderate year-round though winter brings occasional snow closures so check road conditions from December through March before driving your group out.
Website: nps.gov/waca
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument features a dramatic volcanic landscape formed by eruptions nearly 1,000 years ago, with lava flows and cinder fields stretching across the high desert. The Lava Flow Trail is a one-mile paved loop that accommodates large groups walking at their own pace without bottlenecks. Reunion parties of 15-50 can caravan between overlooks and trailheads with ample parking at each stop. The visitor center theater seats groups comfortably for the introductory film before heading out. It is a landscape unlike anything most family members will have seen, making it a memorable reunion highlight.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Entry is $25 per vehicle valid for 7 days and also covers nearby Wupatki National Monument making it a good 2-stop day trip for reunion groups. The Lava Flow Trail is a paved 1-mile loop that is fully ADA accessible with interpretive signs and benches every quarter mile along the path. At 7000 feet elevation summer temperatures stay between 75 and 85F making this a comfortable outdoor activity when Phoenix and Tucson are dangerously hot from May through September.
Website: nps.gov/sucr
Museum of Northern Arizona
The Museum of Northern Arizona showcases the geology, biology, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau through world-class exhibits and Native American art collections. The museum's indoor galleries and outdoor nature trail provide enough space for groups of 15-50 to explore without feeling rushed. Docent-led group tours can be arranged in advance, giving your reunion a personalized educational experience. The shaded picnic grounds offer a natural gathering spot for lunch between exhibits. It is an ideal rainy-day or hot-afternoon option that keeps every age group engaged and learning together.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Adult admission is $15 and groups of 10 or more pay $10 per person when reservations are made at least 1 week in advance by calling the front desk. The museum is fully ADA accessible on both floors with an elevator and accessible restrooms and the outdoor Heritage Program area has paved paths throughout. Free parking is available in the museum lot with 60 spaces and 4 ADA spots near the entrance along Fort Valley Road.
Website: musnaz.org
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Riordan Mansion is a beautifully preserved 1904 Arts and Crafts-style duplex built by two prominent Flagstaff lumber baron brothers, offering guided tours through 40 rooms of original furnishings and family artifacts. Groups of 15-50 can book private tours that bring early Arizona history to life through stories of the families who shaped Flagstaff's development. The mansion's spacious grounds and covered porches provide comfortable outdoor gathering areas before and after tours. The intimate scale of the home creates a personal connection to history that large museums cannot replicate. This is a fascinating glimpse into turn-of-the-century Arizona life that gives your reunion shared stories and historical context for the town you are visiting together.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
Tours cost $15 per adult and run every hour from 10 AM to 4 PM with a maximum of 15 guests per tour so groups of 20 or more should book 2 consecutive time slots at least 2 weeks ahead. The first floor of the mansion is ADA accessible via a ramp entrance but the upstairs rooms require stairs and cannot be accessed by wheelchair users. At 7000 feet elevation the mansion grounds are pleasant year-round with summer highs near 80F and shaded picnic tables available for groups to use between tour times.
Website: azstateparks.com
Buffalo Park
Buffalo Park is a 215-acre open space with a two-mile loop trail offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounding ponderosa pine forests. The wide, flat gravel trail easily accommodates groups of 15-50 walking side by side or in smaller clusters at varied paces. Large grassy meadows along the trail provide natural gathering areas for group photos, picnics, or impromptu games. Free parking and no entrance fees make logistics simple for reunion organizers coordinating multiple vehicles. The accessible terrain welcomes strollers, wheelchairs, and all fitness levels, ensuring nobody gets left behind.
SCOUT LOGISTICS
The park is free to enter with a paved parking lot holding 75 vehicles and the 2-mile loop trail is fully ADA accessible with a smooth asphalt surface and gentle grades throughout. Picnic tables and a covered ramada are available on a first-come basis and groups of 25 or more can reserve the ramada through the Flagstaff Parks Department for $40 per half day. At 7000 feet elevation the park offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Peaks and stays cool enough for comfortable walking year-round with summer highs averaging 82F.
Website: flagstaff.az.gov