6. Attend the weekly Halloween movie screenings at Harkins

Fall colors near the Harkins movie theater in Flagstaff, Arizona

Each Tuesday night at 7pm throughout the month of October, Harkins Theaters screens a 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. Check the Harkins Theater website for a listing of the Tuesday Night Classics.

7. Visit a pumpkin patch

Scarecrow decor at Hitchin' Post Stables in Flagstaff, Arizona
Festive seasonal decor at Hitchin’ Post Stable’s annual Halloween event, Pumpkin in the Pines

Unfortunately, there are not that many options in Flagstaff in terms of traditional pumpkin patches, which is a bit surprising considering all the open land surrounding the city. Your best bet is Hitchin‘ Post Stables which offers a pumpkin patch, along with a variety of other seasonal activities. The best part of Hitchin’ Post is that it is located out in the country on Lake Mary Road, far away from the Route 66/downtown congestion. Although there are a few pre picked pumpkin patches in town, it just isn’t as fun.

A mini corn maze at Hitchin' Post Stables during the seasonal Pumpkin in the Pines event.
A mini corn maze at Hitchin’ Post Stables during the seasonal Pumpkin in the Pines event.

Hitchin’ Post’s annual Pumpkin in the Pines festival offers you the opportunity to have a more authentic experience and even offers a few extras like hayrides, pony rides, and a corn maze. Pricing is pretty decent too with pumpkins varying from $1-10, depending on size. Yes, the pumpkins run a few more dollars than a grocery store, but it’s a fun fall experience worth paying a few extra dollars for!

Viola’s Flower Garden is another nice local choice.

8. Attend a fall festival/event

Halloween decorations at the annual Halloween Harvest Festival, held in Heritage Square.
Halloween decorations at the annual Halloween Harvest Festival, held in Heritage Square.

Flagstaff offers several seasonal festivals throughout the year. Fall is a great time weather-wise to take advantage of the last few Sundays of the downtown Farmer’s Market, held at City Hall. Other notable events include Cornucopia, Octoberfest, and Halloween Harvest. While most of these events are pretty cheap to attend, they are also very popular so be prepared for hefty crowds.

Additional seasonal events include Pumpkin in the Pines, Halloween themed 5ks, Wednesday night horror classics at the Monte Vista, and Halloween events at the historic Orpheum Theater (a classic screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and special horror/comedy shows such as Nightmare on Aspen Street are the most popular).

The Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff, Arizona

9. Take a fall foliage drive around town or up Snowbowl Road

Amazing fall foliage on Snowbowl Rd in Flagstaff, Arizona

Although Flagstaff’s landscape consists of mostly ponderosa pines (it’s located within the largest ponderosa pine forest in the country), if you plan your trip at the right time during the fall season, you will be able to catch a glimpse of many beautiful golden aspens. Snowbowl road offers gorgeous contrasting views of the pines mixing in with the yellow aspen, with the foliage becoming more intense the further you drive up.  These trees usually peak around the 2nd or 3rd week of October. There are many beautiful leaf peeping hikes, both at Snowbowl and on the way up including Veit Springs, the Aspen Nature Loop, and the Kachina trail.

A few views of the spectacular fall scenery along the various hikes along Snowbowl Road

Flagstaff's Veit Springs trail in the fall
A peaceful fall walk along the Veit Springs trail.
Fall foliage on the Kachina trail in Flagstaff, Arizona
Blue skies and golden aspens on the Kachina Trail.
Gorgeous aspens lining a section of the Arizona Trail near Aspen Corner on Snowbowl Rd.
Gorgeous aspens lining a section of the Arizona Trail near Aspen Corner.
Golden fall foliage on the Aspen Nature Loop in Flagstaff, Arizona
Gorgeous fall foliage lines the Aspen Nature Loop every fall.
Amazing yellow foliage and leaves scattered along the Aspen Nature Loop trail at Snowbowl.
Amazing yellow foliage and leaves scattered along the Aspen Nature Loop trail.

Simply driving around town is another great way to take in the vivid colors of the season as many of the side streets, businesses, and downtown area are lined with trees representing the different hues of the season (from yellow to orange to red). Those coming from hot areas like Phoenix and Tucson will appreciate the variety of color, while those homesick for traditional fall areas like New England and the Midwest are sure to be pleasantly surprised.

Bright yellow foliage near the Flagstaff Public Library.
Bright yellow foliage near the Flagstaff Public Library.
Pretty fall colors line the streets downtown.
Pretty fall colors line the streets downtown.