Air travel: The greatest flexibility is available by flying to Phoenix, renting a car there, and driving 2.5 hours to Flagstaff. If you need to stay overnight in Phoenix, here is a page of airport hotels. Flying to Flagstaff itself is also possible. The commuter flight from Phoenix to Flagstaff on US Airways is highly recommended for those who enjoy looking out the windows of airplanes (sit on the 'A' seat side of the aircraft). You may also take Horizon Airlines from Los Angeles nonstop to Flagstaff. (Their sister airline is Alaska, which will likely offer the most seamless connections at LAX.) Don't be surprised, though, if you have to call for a taxi once you arrive in FLG. If you want a rental car in Flagstaff, we strongly advise you make advance reservations at the Flagstaff airport. Upon leaving the airport, take I-17 north into town.
Driving Directions, Phoenix to Flagstaff: Depart the Phoenix airport and head west. Follow signs for I-17 North from the airport (I-10 West will also take you to I-17). Simply stay on I-17 for about 150 miles until you reach Flagstaff. The drive takes you through a variety of ecosystems beginning with concrete/asphalt, moving through creosote/saguaro, then pinyon/juniper, and ending in ponderosa pine.
The following offer shuttle services between Phoenix airport and Flagstaff. It costs $42 one way and $76 round-trip.
Directions to Lowell Observatory: From I-17, you'll enter Flagstaff going north on the main artery, Milton Road. Continue north on Milton (towards the Peaks), favoring the left lane. Just after you go under the railroad overpass, get in the left turn lane and make a sharp left onto Santa Fe Avenue, westbound. Santa Fe transforms into Mars Hill Road, bearing right at the foot of the hill (there is a sign for Lowell Observatory).
Park in the main parking lot in front of the Steele Visitor Center. The meeting and reception will take place in the Visitor Center.
Hotels: We have reserved a block of 60 rooms at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel in Flagstaff for the nights of Oct 12-14. If you want to come earlier, or stay later, they will match the room rate on a space available basis. The room rate is $109/night plus tax (10.338%). For an additional $11 you can also buy a voucher for breakfast. To make a reservation, you should call either 1-928-773-8888 or 1-800-333-3333. (Their FAX number is 1-928-773-1827). You must specify that you want the Lowell Observatory block. Reservations need to be canceled by 4pm on the day of your arrivial, or you will be charged for one night's stay. Check-in time is 4pm and check-out time is noon. The hotel's address is 1175 West Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Reservations must be made by September 9. We will run shuttle service from this hotel to Lowell and back. Participants staying at other hotels will need to take care of their own transportion.
Information about other local hotels and Northern Arizona's tourist attractions may be found at the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.
Weather in Flagstaff (elevation 7000 ft / 2100 m) in October is usually sunny and pleasant. Average daytime high and night-time low temperatures for mid-October are around 60F (15C) and 30F (-1C), respectively. However, it's a good idea to be prepared in case of below-average wintry conditions.
