Flagstaff, AZ - Home of Ponderosa Pines, quaint bars and downtown, hippies & hobos...and a decent little bluegrass scene. This year they got Sam Bush. Finally, it has been a long time coming that they book a decent name to help put Pickin in the Pines on the map. Always this festival has been great, the town and location, and vibe. If you go be sure to see Muskellunge Bluegrass whom are local Flagstaff folk that are truly a kick ass bluegrass band. Here is some local info for anyone travelling;
Flagstaff
If you aren't camping at the festival, or are looking to extend your trip, there is an abundance of amazing camping sites in the area. Try down Lake Mary Rd. take a left at the only road you can inbetween lower and upper lake mary..then go around the curves and head straight down the road towards Marshall Lake. The drive alone is worth it, only a few minutes but lots of lakes and forest scenery.
Post-Party
Undoubtedly there will be post-shows announced, where bands performing at the festival will also perform downtown at a local bar. These bars would be one of these options;
Mia's Lounge - good place for always free live music, lots of college-hipster type kids in the crowd. Nice patio out back.
The Green Room - great stage and floor space for shows, the bar is popular and gets packed. sometimes a cover charge.
Flag Brew - one of the coolest little bars, frequent 'patio parties' with bands playing outdoors, kind-of a Dead bar.
Monte Vista - on half of the vintage hotel is a vintage bar...that has a pool area, and stage and frequent live music usually free.
Charly's - great bar in the Weatherford historic hotel downtown, has two stories and a bar on each floor, the upper featuring a balcony to get drunk and yell and throw things at the maloneys and collins bro bar crowd. And free popcorn!
Also while you are downtown getting drunk and watching music, make a stop at Primo's across the street from Mia's Lounge and The Joint strip club...awesome little chicago hot dog place that does a lot of business around 2am (last call).
Avoid drinking and driving, this town is crawling with police that love to bust drunk drivers..it's a college town, and definitely a drinking town.
The best or most fun hotels to stay at would be the Weatherford at Charly's or the Monte Vista hotel. Very historic and a hopping bar with music at night.
Side Trips
Make sure to check out Sedona if you have never been. Red rocks galore and new agey tourist mecca. There are vortex's mannn.
Take the scenic route which is a fun drive from Flag to Sedona down 89a...Head south from town or the venue. Only a 30-45 minute drive. Oak Creek Canyon is on the way and is beautiful. Check out Grasshopper Point (obvious sign before town entrance) for cliff jumping and swimming. Oh yeah..and if you really want to do a scenic/fun drive, and have 4x4 (must have 4wd!) take the exit for Schnebly Hill rd off the highway towards sedona/phoenix, and follow that rocky switchback road down to Sedona. It is beautiful, a lot of old westerns were shot in the area.
If you are fighting a hangover during the festival goto Altitudes Bar & Grill by the railroad tracks downtown, and get yourself a bloody mary, they make them the best here. Also on Sundays is a 'bloody mary bar' where you build your own, delicious day-starter.
Apparantly there are some hot springs in the area of sedona/prescott, if you want a real hike with a reward at the end, check out Verde Hot Springs..google it. Another great hike is in Flagstaff, up Mt. Elden. Will post more random area info as it comes to mind...
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