Flagstaff named Arizona ‘Destination of the Year’ by Phoenix Magazine

News Release
June 11, 2025

Flagstaff, Ariz. — PHOENIX magazine has named this high-elevation mountain town “Destination of the Year” in the publication’s annual Arizona Travel Awards contest, with the city’s hotels, attractions and restaurants sweeping a total of 10 of the 45 contest categories.

The Arizona Travel Awards highlight the best in visitor-friendly destinations across the Grand Canyon State, including restaurants, bars and must-visit outdoor adventures. A panel of judges assembled by the magazine chose the winners.

Winners from Flagstaff in the 2025 Arizona Travel Awards include:

• Destination of the Year: Flagstaff. Thank you to all Discover Flagstaff partners who make this such a unique, inspirational and well-rounded destination!
• Destination Marketing Campaign (small market): Discover Flagstaff and the Leaf-ometer and Snow-ometer campaigns, which inform visitors on changing fall colors and snowfall in the city.
• Under the radar activity (small market): Exploring Route 66 in Flagstaff. Don’t forget, 2026 is the Route 66 Centennial, marking 100 years since the iconic highway was commissioned!
• Best hiking/biking trail: O’Leary Peak, a sturdy hike with stunning views just minutes from downtown Flagstaff. Learn more about this trail and others with the digital Flagstaff Trails Passport.
• Historic site (small market): The Weatherford Hotel. Opened as a hotel Jan. 1, 1900, history abounds in the Weatherford’s walls, from the bar that was relocated from Tombstone, Ariz., to Flagstaff, to the former telephone switchboard that now operates as The Exchange Pub coffee shop, part of Charly’s Pub & Grill.
• Iconic tourist attraction (small market): Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930 and home to a new Astronomy Discovery Center with a rooftop, Dark Sky Planetarium to explore the universe.
• Live music venue (small market): Pepsi Amphitheater, where visitors can enjoy outdoor performances amid the ponderosa pines.
• Restaurant (small market): Atria, a downtown modern American hotspot that was a James Beard semifinalist in 2022. Chef Rochelle Daniel was a 2023 Arizona Foodist award winner for Top Chef and Atria’s Michael Hopper won best Mixologist/Bartender in the 2025 Foodist contest.
• Unique lodging (small market): Cosmic Cottages at High Country Motor Lodge, a hip, remodeled Route 66 property set at the base of Mars Hill.
• Bar (small market): General Store at High Country Motor Lodge. Did we mention this is a great place to unwind after exploring Flagstaff, and offers a comfy setting, beautiful outdoor patio with fire pits, and live music?

View the full list of PHOENIX magazine winners here: https://arizonatravelawards.com/#categories

The July/August issue of the magazine will include coverage of the awards.

Flagstaff provides an ideal home base for visitors to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, including the Grand Canyon and other national parks and monuments, Route 66, a charming historic downtown with trains, shopping, art galleries, events, music, restaurants and nightlife. It is the world’s first international dark-sky city and is also in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest and surrounded by Native American culture. Uniquely Arizona with four seasons, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy perfect weather for summer hiking or biking, beautiful fall colors, winter sports and spring wildflowers. Flagstaff’s restaurant scene includes four James Beard nominees, and it is a leading craft beer city.

Please stay and play responsibly. Visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66) for an official Flagstaff Visitor Guide.

Learn more at discoverflagstaff.com.