Flagstaff is located near the center point of the northern half of the state. It is at the junction of interstates I-17 and I-40 and is about 90 miles south of the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

The streets of the city are laid out in a strange system. They curve everywhere. Railroad tracks bisect major thoroughfares. Many streets are one-way streets. Five or six streets often intersect at the same point. The entire city street system is diagonal to the north-south-east-west compass points.

The famous old Route 66 highway ran through the town. It is one of the main shopping drags of the town.

The downtown area is a shoppers delight. Many small local shops dot the streets, including Route 66. Shoppers on foot and in cars are everywhere. Numerous cozy and quaint local places to dine are also easy to find in the shopping district as is the library and visitors center.

Also near the downtown shopping district is the observatory of the famous astronomer Percival Lowell.