6 Standout Main Streets In Arizona

Arizona is a special place with natural wonders, unique landscapes, and a rich history, making it a must-visit destination. The state has many wonderful communities spread throughout, whether in the mountains, the desert, or the Phoenix metro area. These communities have local charm and are welcoming for those seeking adventure from major cities or out of state. Though these communities pack quite the heat, these amazing communities also have very welcoming main streets worth exploring for someone's next adventure.

Bisbee

About 90 miles southeast of Tucson and five miles north of the Mexican border is the historic mining city of Bisbee. The main street in town is Tombstone Canyon Road, which has wonderful shops, restaurants, and art galleries to explore. A few art galleries to visit include Belleza Gallery and the Bisbee Restoration Museum. The Belleza Gallery showcases paintings by over 20 regional artists, while the Bisbee Restoration Museum's mission is to preserve and educate visitors about the city's history, all housed in a building that was once the home of the Fair Store in the early 1900s.

Right next to the museums, lovely cafes, and restaurants is the Letson Loft Hotel, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown offering its guests beautifully decorated rooms with old town charm and modern amenities. The Le Cornucopia Café and the Bisbee Good Cakes are within walking distance of the Letson Loft Hotel. The Le Cornucopia serves fresh salads, soups, and homemade breads and desserts, while Bisbee Good Cakes serves patrons homemade cakes and desserts to enjoy.

Sedona

Just 33 miles south of Flagstaff is the city of Sedona, which is surrounded by red-rock buttes, canyons, and pine forests, and is an exciting place for an outdoor adventure. The main street in town is Uptown Sedona, which is a section of State Route 89A, and is sprawling with hotels, shops, and restaurants. A Sedona staple to dine at is the Tamaliza Mexican Restaurant, where patrons can enjoy a freshly made breakfast and an incredible lunch or dinner, with ingredients that are 100 percent fresh.

An incredible resort to unwind for the night or weekend in town is the Ambiente Sedona, an adults-only resort providing a scenic and tranquil escape from the realities of a nine-to-five job. The Hotel has a luxurious spa, a pool, a hot tub, and incredible hotel rooms to enjoy with rooftop balconies. On top of that, the Forty1 Restaurant is on the premises of the resort, serving romantic meals in a comfortable setting. The resort is also next to the Adobe Jack, Coyote, and Crusty Loop Trailhead, a 1.8-mile-long trail giving its visitors exquisite views of the mountainous terrain and cliffs for incredible scenic hikes.

Jerome

Just 24 miles southwest of Sedona is the town of Jerome, a historic mining town surrounded by incredible nature and filled with wonderful local amenities from its restaurants, shops, and museums showcasing the town's history. Right on Main Street is the Jerome Mining Museum, which teaches its visitors the history of mining, has mining equipment on display, and a gift shop for families and groups of friends to enjoy. Right across from the museum is the Connor Hotel, a historic hotel built in 1898, which offers its guests calm and comfortable rooms for a relaxing stay for the night or weekend.

Parks across from Main Street worth visiting include Jerome Lower Park, which features the lush Jerome Community Garden, where visitors and residents can enjoy homegrown plants in a public space, and the small nearby Jerome Park, which offers a picnic table in a peaceful, relaxing setting. Restaurants and bars to explore on Main Street include Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, a wine bar with an excellent selection of wines for tasting, and a wine club. Paul and Jerry's Saloon is a historic bar in town that serves great drinks in a setting decorated with beautiful artwork, creating a calm and historic atmosphere.

Cottonwood

In the middle of Jerome and Sedona is the city of Cottonwood, a hub for the state's wine community, arts and culture scene, and outdoor activities. Main Street in town is filled with history. The Cottonwood Hotel is a great place to enjoy a night or weekend in "Old Town." It has wonderful historic suites for guests to unwind in, and it has access to wonderful restaurants and shops in town. Just across from the historic hotel is Nic's Italian Steak and Crab House, where patrons can enjoy incredible sirloin steaks and tasty seafood in a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

A staple to visit on Main Street for a wedding or corporate event is the Cottonwood Community Clubhouse, a historic venue built in 1939, which was recently renovated in 2019 with a historical look to it, giving people a memorable experience. Just across from the Community Clubhouse is the Lion's Club Park, where people can enjoy a calm and relaxing park with picnic benches and trees with shade, along with parking close by.

Globe

About 90 miles east of Phoenix is the city of Globe, a community renowned for its mining history, Native American history, and historic downtown. The main street is Broad Street, where visitors and residents can enjoy relaxing shops and restaurants like Silver Tap 0.928, a local sports bar that is a great spot to get together with friends to watch sporting events and can host live music and other local events. Just across from Silver Tap is the Knotty Fox Woodshop, a handmade gift shop selling woodwork, apparel, and other wonderful, handcrafted gifts for friends and family to enjoy.

The Cobre Valley Center for the Arts is a fine arts hub housed in a historic courthouse building on Broad Street. The center promotes art with wonderful galleries of paintings created by local artists, classes, and the education of art for the next generation of artists. On the southern end of Broad Street is the Pickle Barrel Trading Post, a Native American goods store that sells handcrafted jewelry, art, yard decor, and much more in a relaxing and historic setting.

Prescott

Prescott is a historic and scenic city in the central part of the state and 90 miles north of Phoenix. One of the main streets in town is Montezuma Street, which is filled with history and incredible restaurants and shops to explore. The Grand Highland Hotel and Wedding Venue is an iconic hotel in the heart of Whiskey Row in downtown, and it gives its guests 12 rooms to unwind in, while hosting incredible weddings and events for a memorable experience. Other lively places to visit next to the hotel include the Bird Cage Saloon, for incredible drinks and live music, and the Black Vulture Saloon, for a newer, more modern experience and has pool tables for guests to enjoy.

Just across from the hotels and saloons is the Yavapai County Courthouse Square, which has a park and hosts local and community events for visitors and residents to enjoy. The square is known as the "Jewel" of downtown, thanks to the historic Courthouse and the park that adds to the liveliness of the city. The Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery is one of a few excellent art galleries, giving local artists a vibrant area for creativity and expression in their work. The gallery has 2D art, 3D art, and jewelry to enjoy.

Each of these wonderful communities in "the Grand Canyon State" gives visitors an incredible experience on their main streets, thanks to diverse hotels, museums, parks, restaurants, and shops. While each town is different geographically, the one thing these towns have in common is giving people a different and memorable experience, whether it's enjoying a staycation or a wedding in a local hotel, a wonderful dinner in a local restaurant, or access to breathtaking nature on or near the main streets. Each of these amazing towns deserves to be explored for all it has to offer for an unforgettable adventure.