12 Things to do this Halloween/Fall Season in Flagstaff

Beautiful fall colors are lining the streets, parks, and trails. Delicious Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at all the coffee shops. And cool, crisp temperatures fill the air. For all but a few areas, this usually signals the arrival of the colorful, festive fall season.

It’s time to put away the flip flops and t-shirts in exchange for cozy sweaters and boots. Almost anywhere in the country, you can find at least a hint of fall – yes even in Arizona!

After residing in the area for several years, I can confidently say that Flagstaff is one of the country’s best fall destinations. The colors here truly rival the best you would find in the northern states. Anytime I step onto a trail during the peak of the season, I am truly amazing by the color surrounding me.

It’s not hot everywhere in Arizona!

Although many think of Arizona as solely a hot summer destination or a warm winter escape from cold Midwest/Northeast cities, this is not entirely the case. Yes, Phoenix often still sees temperatures in the upper 80’s and even 90’s during the month of October. Flagstaff, on the other hand, at 7000+ feet, sees temps in the 50’s and 60’s. With cooler temps comes lots of aspen trees and the resulting foliage is picture-perfect.

It can get really chilly this time of year (especially in the mornings) and snow is not that rare. I absolutely love leaf peeping this time of year. The conditions are perfect: dry, cool, and usually sunny. I love throwing on my North Face jacket and hitting the trails each weekend. The perfect fall day out for me is enjoying a hot coffee or PSL at a local coffeehouse, a leaf peeping adventure at Snowbowl, and then enjoying a savory seasonal dish at a local restaurant.

A variety of fall festivals, attractive cooler temperatures than the rest of the state, and bright yellow foliage are just some of the things you can look forward to. This is what draws so many Phoenix locals who dislike never ending heat. Some trails are more crowded than others (Inner Basin) while others are attractively quiet (Weatherford, Bismark Lake, Kachina).

Although Halloween in Northern Arizona is nowhere as festive and fun as what I have experienced in the New England and Midwest, it’s still a fun time with lots of seasonal treats and events to go around. In terms of traditional fall fun, weather, and activities combined, this city is as good as it gets for Arizona. Everything comes together quite nicely. If you are living in the Sonoran Desert and craving some of that northern ambiance, I definitely recommend a daytrip/roadtrip to enjoy the festivities.

In my guide, I will focus on the best ways to take advantage of the cool & colorful fall season.

1. Enjoy a fall foliage hike

It would be a mistake to take a plan a trip and never experience any of the trails. I love the intermix of color changing aspens and ponderosa pines each autumn. My favorite leaf peeping hikes include: Inner Basin, Bear Jaw, the Aspen Nature Loop, the Kachina, and the Veit Springs trail. Be prepared for hefty weekend crowds on Inner Basin. Entry is limited the first 2 weekends of October, so arrive very early to avoid a long wait!

Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive is another hot spot for fall color (do check out the West Fork trail). Sedona’s colors often arrive a bit later which is actually pretty cool as it extends the fall color season. If you can make it out here at the right time, you will get to enjoy a wider variety of colors. It’s more of an east coast type vibe as soon as you hit the trail. Check out this handy Leaf O Meter to plan any of these hikes right at peak.

2. Enjoy a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte

While you have your standard seasonal chain specialty drink offerings available at the start of each fall season, most notably Starbucks’ ever popular Pumpkin Spice Latte drink, you will also find a few local businesses offering variations on this classic drink. Cultured offers a Pumpkin Spice Latte using real pumpkin. Steep offers a delicious Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte as well as a herbal brew known as the Witch’s Brew.

If you have your heart set on Starbucks, I recommend a scenic drive down colorful Oak Creek Canyon and a visit to the location along Route 89 in Sedona. They offer the most gorgeous outdoor seating area overlooking the red rocks. As a bonus, this particular location decorates nicely for Halloween. Update: Cultured closed.

3. Treat yourself to a seasonal dessert

Popular chains like Olive Garden roll out tasty autumn treats at the start of the season. I really love their pumpkin cheesecake – it’s one of my few sugary indulgences each season. Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts both offer great pumpkin muffins.

In terms of local businesses, Wildflower Bread Company and Brandy’s offer a small selection of specialty seasonal treats and pastries. Also, Rocky Mountain Candy Company, located in the historic downtown, offers a tempting selection of festive candy apples: the ultimate fall treat! As you can see in my photo above, they come in all different varieties including M&M’s.

4. Explore Flagstaff’s historic downtown

Flagstaff is rumored to be one of Arizona’s most haunted towns. As a big fan of the paranormal, I’ve had a fun time reading about ghost stories since moving here. Many of the buildings in the downtown are supposedly haunted, especially the historic Monte Vista Hotel, built in 1926.

Many ghost sightings have been reported over the years. multiple guests have reported the same eerie ghostly visions in certain rooms (Room 305 was featured on Unsolved Mysteries). John Wayne, one of the many celebrity guests who frequented the hotel over the years, reported seeing a ghostly bellboy in room 210. This same bellboy vision has been reported by other hotel guests. You can read more stories in the hotel lobby or via their website.

As a side note, in the lobby you will find this wonderful little cafe/wine bar called Rendezvous. I absolutely love grabbing a window seat this time of year. I sip on an Americano or seasonal drink as I watch both the leaves change and people walk by downtown.

If you are a fan of everything spooky, I also recommend a self-guided tour of the haunted buildings downtown. Monte Vista, The Weatherford, Flagstaff Public Library, and the 1926 Railroad station are a few of the most haunted locales. Sign up for a tour or pick up a copy of haunted locations at the visitor’s center.

5. Enjoy a leisurely bike ride at Fort Tuthill

One of this city’s greatest attributes is the many trails you can enjoy anytime of year. The FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trail System) is a network of more than 50 miles of recreational paths for biking, running, and walking. These trails, which can be used for exercise or transportation, give fitness enthusiasts a safe and relatively flat surface to both get in a great workout and enjoy the scenery surrounding town. I put in some hefty miles hiking, jogging, biking, and even cross country skiing on these trails. Being located within a 5 min drive didn’t hurt.

Fort Tuthill and and Buffalo Park are 2 of my favorite options due to the mostly flat terrain and gorgeous views. At Fort Tuthill, you will be surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pines, while at Buffalo Park, you can take in gorgeous views of the San Francisco Peaks. Both are wonderful choices – you can’t go wrong.

While summer is my preferred biking conditions, daytime temps in the fall are usually idea especially if it’s sunny. So, if your visit falls during the autumn months, I recommend taking in some fresh air and beautiful pine scenery for one of the last biking opportunities of the year.

6. Attend the weekly Halloween movie screenings at Harkins

Each Tuesday night at 7pm throughout the month of October, Harkins Theaters screens a popular Halloween/horror themed holiday classic. Recent screenings included: Gremlins, Aliens, The Exorcist, and the original Halloween. For only 5 bucks, you can take advantage of a festive night out enjoying your seasonal favorites. While I own many of these films, it’s fun to get out of the house every now and then especially for those of us who work from home.

Check the Harkins Theater website for a listing of the Tuesday Night Classics.

Update: This event is now called Fright Nights and takes place sometime around the last week of October.