Flagstaff is known as “The City of Seven Wonders”, sitting in the middle of the world’s largest pine forest (Coconino National Forest) and surrounded by the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater National Monument, the San Francisco Peaks, as well as other natural treasures. A year-round paradise for outdoors lovers with the 56 miles of non-motorized shared pathways in the Flagstaff Urban Trails System, it ranked #26 in our Place category, with a #12 spot for Parks and Outdoors. Adding to its appeal is its climate (#41 for Weather), sunny for summer hiking and crisp for winter sports. Yet there’s far more to this popular Route 66 stop than access to nature. It has a vibrant arts scene (with its own symphony orchestra and annual Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni festivals), ranking #22 for Culture. Along with a #31 rank for shopping (notably in historic downtown boutiques) and #55 for Nightlife and Museums (Museum of Northern Arizona celebrates the Colorado Plateau), Flagstaff landed #61 overall for Programming. Key sectors include advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and astronomy. Now testing: Northern Arizona University’s pilot program to ship wood chips to South Korea would help with forest restoration and bring income into Flagstaff. Also noteworthy: the transportation tax renewal will bring in an anticipated $29-million over the next 20 years specifically for pedestrian, bicycle, and trail infrastructure projects.