THROW A STAR PARTY
Flagstaff star hunters know that October is good for stargazing. And because the mountain town was the first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff makes for a perfect vantage point to watch the stars. Pick a moonless night for your star party. Ask guests to dress warmly and bring flashlights with red filters to protect night vision. Gather everyone after the sky gets dark around 7:30 p.m. One of the top spots to see stars? Buffalo Park, open 24 hours and where the Flagstaff Dark Sky Coalition hosts its Star Party. New to night sky viewing? Find instructions at flagstaffdarkskies.org/resources/teacherstudent-science-activity.
BOOT SCOOTIN’
Get your honky-tonk on with line dance lessons at the historic Museum Club. Classes for experienced line dancers happen Tuesday night while beginners line up for lessons on Thursday. Both take place at the iconic Route 66 log bar from 6 to 7 p.m. under the tutelage of long-time Flagstaff dance teacher Annette Fallaha. The price of admission costs $3 per person. Call 928-440-5214 to confirm availability. Learn more at museumclub.net.
LATE-NIGHT FUN
Practice your night moves at foosball, pinball, Skee-Ball and Pac-Man machines at Historic Barrel+Bottle House – Flagstaff, open until 10 p.m. or later every night. The recent addition of an arcade bar to the southside pub offers plenty of room for late-night fun. Play while sipping Pie Hole Old Fashioneds, a mix of Four Roses bourbon, cherries and orange peels, from the new cocktail menu or The Every Night Special, a black lager. “We had it years ago,” explained Kaitlyn Wolin, marketing manager. “But we’re bringing it back as a special for Historic Brewing Company’s sixth-anniversary celebration in October.” Head to Historic on Oct. 4 in the evening for a beer release party. On Oct. 5, enjoy an all-day anniversary celebration from noon to 9 p.m. Along with the new barcade comes an expanded kitchen and menu. We’d recommend Pulled Pork Sammies with housemade pickles and power slaw, a mix of Brussels sprouts, broccoli stalks and kohlrabi. Call 928-774-0454 or visit historicbarrelandbottle.com.
GHOST HUNTING
Hearing captivating stories of hauntings while strolling downtown is another way to experience historic Flagstaff at night. According to walking tour guide, Sasha Hales, not all otherworldly disturbances in Flagstaff are alike. The paranormal researcher told of strange and creepy happenings at Morton Hall at Northern Arizona University. Allegedly, a troubled young woman haunts the dorm. She reportedly terrifies students by throwing things and locking them into the bathroom, which, eerily enough, has no lock on the door. Less than one mile away at the Weatherford Hotel, a pair of murdered honeymooners may roam the property’s halls. The pair “glides” through solid objects — Harry Potter-style. Another alleged spirit? The ghostly railroad brakeman, who “turns off and on” the lights in the deserted attic of the train station. Book your haunted Flagstaff tour at AZ Segway and Pedal Tours. Call 928-699-1307 or visit azsegwayandpedaltours.com/tours/haunted-downtown-tour.
RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT
There’s nothing like live music to cheer the soul, and we know a place where you can dance the whole night away. The Weatherford Hotel’s entertainment venues, The Gopher Hole or Charly’s Pub, pulse with live music during Monday Night Blues Nights, Wednesday Ladies Nights and Basement Beatz on Thursday. Musicians play in both locations on Friday and Saturday nights. Call 928-779-1919 or check the hotel’s events calendar at weatherfordhotel.com/calendar.
THIS MONTH IN FLAGSTAFF
OCT. 14: Shrine of Ages Choir Fall Concert, Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, NAU, events.nau.edu
OCT. 19: Free hike as part of the Picture Canyon Community Tour, https://willowbendcenter.org
OCT. 31: Halloween Harvest, Heritage Square, downtownflagstaff.org
Stacey Wittig is an award-winning travel writer and author located in Flagstaff, Arizona. For more travel & world-wide adventures visit Stacey’s website at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.
