If you’re looking for something unique to do in Flagstaff, I would highly recommend a free self-guided haunted walking tour of historic downtown Flagstaff.
We recently did this with our kids and it was such a fun and unique way to explore the city! Although the stories involve death and hauntings, we felt that it wasn’t too gruesome for our kids.
We did it during the day so that it wasn’t too creepy and they were completely intrigued by the tales.
Of course, you’ll want to use your best judgment with your own kids and determine what details you want to leave out depending on their age. It would also make for a fun adult outing!
A Free Haunted Walking Tour in Historic Downtown Flagstaff
Table of Contents
- Flagstaff Visitor Center
- Flagstaff Public Library
- Milligan House
- Doris Harper-White Playhouse
- Orpheum Theater
- Weatherford Hotel
- Monte Vista Hotel
- Other places to see in Historic Downtown Flagstaff
- Best places to eat in Historic Downtown Flagstaff:
Click the link for the full map of the Historic Downtown Flagstaff Haunted Walking Tour
Flagstaff Visitor Center
Address: 1 E Route 66
You’ll start the tour off at the Flagstaff Visitor Center where you can pick up a free guide with a map and description of each location.
The visitor center is located along historic Route 66 and once served as the train station. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Route 66 shield that is painted in the parking lot.
The train station was built in 1926 on the same location as the old tracks where a brakeman was unfortunately crushed between the couplings of two boxcars.
Today the staff at the visitor center have experienced eerie feelings and odd encounters such as doors being unlocked or people being seen and heard in the building after hours.
Flagstaff Public Library
Address: 300 W Aspen Avenue
Next, head to the public library where you can find free 2-hour parking along the street. The staff at the visitor center also let us know that free parking was available at the city hall adjacent to the library. The majority of parking in the downtown historic area is in paid lots or metered street parking.
The Flagstaff Public Library was built in 1982 on the site of the old Emerson School that was built in 1896. Legend has it that the school’s custodian killed his family then committed suicide at the school.
Today there have been reports of a ghostly figure climbing an imaginary staircase to the second floor that once existed. Eerie noises and the opening and closing of doors are also common, as well as books and papers being moved during the night.
Milligan House
Address: 323 W Aspen Avenue
JC Milligan owned a local brickyard and served as the former Flagstaff Justice of the Peace. His stately two-story Victorian home later was turned into apartments and today houses the office of the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Employees of the Bureau have often felt the presence of his wife, Mabel Milligan in an upstairs office. This office was once her bedroom where she unexpectedly passed away in 1923.
Footsteps can often be heard on the stairs and upper floor at night. The ghost of Mabel isn’t a sinister spirit, although she does tend to play pranks with the coffee maker.
The Mural Mice artists have painted a mural titled The Ghost Gallery of Mabel Milligan, that visitors can view in the home’s stairwell landing, along with a display of period clothing.
Doris Harper-White Playhouse
Address: 11 W Cherry Avenue
This building has served as a private home, boarding house, public library, and a theatrical venue.
Strange sightings and events began taking place shortly after the public library opened. Librarians refused to go in the basement after dark, due to a foreboding feeling that existed down there. Certain areas always felt cold, and the lights and thermostat would often get switched off and on.
The eerie encounters only continued once the building was converted into a theater. The Theatrikos staff and performers are certain that three separate ghosts reside in the building.
The first is the spirit of a kind old lady who often sits in on rehearsals. The second is the ghost of an old man who is regularly seen wandering the basement. And the third ghost seems to have a bit of a temper. It is believed that he is the spirit of a young man who hung himself from the loading dock at the top of the staircase, and it is here that he often scares the staff.
Orpheum Theater
Address: 15 W Aspen Avenue
The Orpheum Theater, formerly the Majestic Opera House, served as the premier entertainment venue in Flagstaff. It was built in 1911 by John Weatherford after his success with the opening of the Weatherford Hotel.
Today guests can still enjoy live shows and entertainment, albeit they may be sharing the balcony with a ghost. The shadowy figure of the Balcony Spector has been spotted walking up and down the empty aisles by janitors.
There is a rumor that a crawlspace near the projection room at the top of the balcony leads to the roof where a man committed suicide.
The ghost is often mischievous and during one incident unraveled a roll of paper towels while employees at the concession stand looked on.
One evening after closing, he decided to flush the toilets and turn all the sinks on while the employees were cleaning up.
Weatherford Hotel
Address: 23 N Leroux Street
The historic Weatherford Hotel opened its doors on January 1, 1900, on the first day of the new millennium. This picturesque hotel boasted the finest accommodations in all of the southwest.
Guests are welcomed into the beautiful light-filled lobby adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows.
You can spend the night in this elegant hotel, or grab a bite to eat at Charly’s Pub and Grill. This on-site restaurant that was once the location of Flagstaff’s first telephone exchange company.
We found the staff to be very friendly and willing to share their experiences at the hotel. One employee said that she spotted the ghost of a beautiful woman on the upper balcony.
The Zane Grey Ballroom is also home to another female apparition that can be spotted gliding above the dance floor. The ballroom is not open to guests every day, inquire at the front desk to see when it is open.
There are also reports of a haunting in Room 54 where a bride and groom were murdered on their honeymoon in the 1930s. One guest even awoke in the middle of the night to the ghostly figures sitting at the end of the bed.
Today the room is being used as a storage closet but is still frequented by the pair of ghosts.
The light above the pool table also randomly sways back and forth, and employees often hear their names being whispered and have the feeling that someone is behind them.
Monte Vista Hotel
Address: 100 N San Francisco Street
As you walk into the Monte Vista Hotel, you get the sense that it has been frozen in time. This hotel stands as a centerpiece in Historic Downtown Flagstaff and has been preserved over the years since its opening in 1927.
It is listed on the US Registrar of Historic Places and is one of the oldest hotels in Flagstaff.
A labyrinth of underground tunnels snakes its way underneath downtown Flagstaff and can be accessed through several points, one of which is the Monte Vista Hotel.
These tunnels were rumored to have been built and used by Chinese immigrants to get around town without being harassed. Later they were used as opium dens, moonshine distilleries, and gambling lairs. They are also a hotbed for paranormal activity.
The hotel’s Cocktail Lounge also played a role in the prohibition era. It opened as a newspaper house but doubled as a bootlegging operation and speakeasy.
Several famous guests have stayed here over the years including John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Humphrey Bogart, Bob Hope, and Michael J Fox. It was also featured in the movies Casablanca and Forrest Gump.
The colorful history of the Monte Vista Hotel has attracted quite a few resident ghosts. It is common to hear strange noises, find furniture that has been moved, and the lights in an entire hallway are routinely found unscrewed. The most disturbing is the sound of a baby crying in the basement.
The most recognized ghosts are the Phantom Bellboy in room 210 who will knock on the door during the night to alert guests that room service has arrived. John Wayne first reported this ghost and many guests have since experienced the same thing.
The ghost of two “ladies of the night” from Flagstaff’s old red-light district resides in Room 306. They were murdered here and exact their revenge on unsuspecting male guests who have woken up with the feeling that they are being smothered.
Right next door in room 305, the ghost of an old woman can often be seen rocking in the chair by the window.
The Cocktail Lounge is also regularly frequented by the ghost of a bank robber who was hiding out in the lounge when he was discovered and shot.
You can wander through the halls and up the creaky staircase, taking care to not disturb any guests. The staff is also eager to fill you in on any stories if you ask!
Other places to see in Historic Downtown Flagstaff
Route 66 walking tour
If you have time, I would highly recommend continuing your walking tour south of Route 66 to discover historic landmarks that played a role during this nostalgic era.
A free walking map of the Historic Route 66 can also be picked up at the Visitor Center.
They also offer a Walk this Talk self-guided audio tour. At each designated location there is a number that you can call to hear recorded information about that location.
Ask the staff at the Visitor Center for more information on this and the variety of other self-guided walking tours that are available.
We didn’t complete the full tour but loved walking around and discovering such locations as the Downtowner Motel.
This motel once provided lodging near the Old Trails Highway, was later transformed into a brothel, and then remodeled into an Auto Inn for sleepy travelers along Route 66.
Today it is home to the Grand Canyon International Hostel.
The Motel DuBeau Travelers Inn resides on the original alignment of Route 66 through Flagstaff. This was the first motel in Flagstaff and was built in 1929 to cater to “the better class of motorists”.
For $2.50-$5 per night, travelers could expect such fine amenities as in-room baths and toilets, as well as carpeting and a heated garage. Today the DeBeau serves as an International Youth Hostel.
Street murals
Many colorful murals can be found throughout the downtown area. On the south wall of the Lumberyard Brewery, you’ll find a mural depicting Route 66 that spans an entire city block.
The enormous Sound of Flight Mural can be found on the east-facing wall of the Orpheum Theater. Here is a complete list and map of the wall murals that can be found around downtown Flagstaff.
Heritage Square
Heritage Square is a gathering place for locals and is nicknamed, “Flagstaff’s living room”.
On sunny days you’ll find artists and street performers, as well as students grabbing a bite to eat in between studies.
The square is lined with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, like this cute vintage candy shop.
The interior feels as if you’ve stepped back in time and I would highly recommend the homemade fudge!
In the summer months, free “movies in the square” are shown every Friday night at sundown with live entertainment before the show.
Free outdoor evening concerts and dance performances are often held in the warmer months as well.
There are also a few points of interest in the square, such as the flagpole with the base consisting of layers of the Grand Canyon.
You’ll also find handmade benches depicting the different economies that can be found in the area.
Babbitt Trading Co.
The Babbitt brothers were ranchers that had transplanted to Flagstaff from Ohio. They earned their name through their thriving cattle ranching business, but later sought other business opportunities in the form of a bakery along Route 66, the first soda fountain in town, and then a lumber and tool supply store.
The Babbitt Brothers Trading Co continued to grow and became the go-to store for everything from wagons, to groceries, to livestock, and eventually even encompassed a bank and funeral home.
“Babbitt’s” became the largest department store in Arizona and today you can still shop for clothing and accessories in this beautiful historic building.
There are plenty of other charming shops and cafes lining the streets of downtown Flagstaff.
Be sure to pop in and admire the original tin ceiling tiles, ornate woodwork, and the later influence of art-deco during the Route 66 boom.
*Related post: If you’re planning a road trip, check out our guide 8 Things to Do from Flagstaff to Monument Valley!
Best places to eat in Historic Downtown Flagstaff:
After all the walking, you are sure to work up an appetite! Here are a few of the best places to eat in Historic Downtown Flagstaff.
- Asia Station: Homemade Southeast Asia fusion cuisine. The service is fast and friendly, the dishes are packed with flavor, and the portions are generous.
- Macy’s European Coffee House: Opened in 1980 as the first commercial coffee roaster in Arizona. Along with an assortment of freshly brewed coffee, you’ll also find an all-vegetarian menu with delicious vegan and gluten-free options.
- Diablo burger: This small joint is a favorite among locals. With locally sourced ingredients, the delicious gourmet burgers are served between two homemade English muffins.
- MartAnne’s: This Mexican cafe is a favorite among locals and tourists. It is typically crowded, but worth the wait. You’ll find a delicious breakfast and lunch menu, large portions and a cozy atmosphere. Order Pablo’s Last Meal.
- Fat Olives: Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Fat Olives serves up handmade pizza cooked to perfection in an imported Italian pizza oven. Located on Route 66, but not within walking distance of historic downtown.
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I hope you enjoy discovering this unusual side of historic downtown Flagstaff! You are bound to be drawn in by the history and lurid tales, and I hope you stick around to discover more cool places around Flagstaff!
For more fun ideas, see our guide for 10 Fun Things to Do in Flagstaff with Kids. And if you like ghost stories, be sure to visit the nearby Jerome Ghost Town!
Other posts you might like:
- Sycamore Falls: Northern Arizona’s Best Kept Secret
- The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip
- AZ Snowbowl with Kids
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