Shopping isn’t Flagstaff’s main attraction but it does have many shopping centers as well as boutiques and arts and crafts outlets too.
Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters
Shopping has a long tradition in Flagstaff. One of the most notable historic buildings is the Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters on E. Cedar Avenue. The four Babbitt brothers opened their first store not long after they arrived in Flagstaff from Ohio in 1886, and soon had other stores in Williams, Winslow, Page, Holbrook, and at the Grand Canyon.
Aspen Avenue
In the historic downtown district, Aspen Avenue is one of the main shopping streets lined by buildings from the 1890s. Here you’ll find many charming little boutiques and galleries where you can buy both contemporary clothes and craft items, and traditional Native American jewelry, ceramics, and other beautiful creations. A fun store is Rainbow’s End, a boutique which sells lots of hippy-ish clothing, bags, accessories, and other unique objects, all made by local artists.
The Artists’ Gallery
One notable place in this downtown district is The Artists’ Gallery, a cooperative which displays the work of several dozen artists from Flagstaff and the surrounding area. They work in a wide range of mediums including photography, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, glass, and even gourd art. On the first Friday of each month there is an art walk when galleries stay open later and The Artists’ gallery holds a reception for the Artists of the Month.
Museum of Northern Arizona Giftshop
Another good place to find arts and crafts is at the Gift Shop in the Museum of Northern Arizona. It is particularly good if you are interested in top quality work by Native American artists. The jewelry and ceramics you’ll find here are outstanding.
Shopping Malls & Large Stores
If you want more modern American stores then there are several shopping malls around Flagstaff. In them you’ll find large stores like Sears, Dillard’s, Old Navy, and Pier One. These shopping malls include the Varsity Shopping Center, The Hilltop Shops at Woodland Village, and The Flagstaff Mall.
