Flagstaff, AZ

united states

Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet in Arizona's pine country, making it a cool mountain escape from the desert heat. Take I-40 straight through town or I-17 north from Phoenix (146 miles). It's the gateway to Grand Canyon's South Rim via Highway 89, just 80 miles north. The 1926 train depot downtown still hosts Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief service between Chicago and LA.