7 Whimsical Towns to Visit in Arizona
Arizona has plenty of small towns that offer everything from vast expanses of sandstone red rock formations to creative local artwork. In Jerome, a former copper boomtown once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West,” old mining history now mingles with bohemian galleries and the dramatic Jerome Grand Hotel perched above town. In Lake Havasu City, the sight of the original London Bridge stretching across the Colorado River brings a wonderfully offbeat twist to the Arizona desert. Below are 7 of the most whimsical and fun towns in Arizona.
Sedona
Take a scenic journey down Highway 89A from Flagstaff to reach the charming town of Sedona. Surrounded by Coconino National Forest, Sedona is most famous for the forest’s many red rock formations that dot the edges of town, including Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Clearly, Sedona is a great town for spending quality time hiking in the wilderness.
But, whenever you feel like changing things up, Uptown Sedona offers a lively mix of quirky boutiques and the Sedona Arts Center, which features rotating exhibits by local artists and hosts regular art classes and workshops. Reserve a table at Sedona Beer Company’s Uptown Brewpub for great local brews and breathtaking views of Arizona's red rocks. When you’re ready to explore more of the arts scene, visit the galleries at Tlaquepaque Village. Or, enjoy a long Sedona spa weekend with a stay at Enchantment Resort or Mii amo in the heart of beautiful Boynton Canyon.
Jerome
Around the turn of the 20th century, Jerome was dubbed the “Wickedest Town in the West” thanks to the abundance of copper that made this one of Arizona’s hottest mining towns. To better understand how and why Jerome got its “wicked” reputation, head to Jerome State Historic Park to tour the grand estate that mining magnate James Douglas built above the Little Daisy Mine in 1916, and to check out the park’s many exhibits and stations that reveal the inner workings of Jerome’s mining operations. For an even deeper dive into Jerome’s mining heritage, visit the Jerome Historical Society’s Mine Museum to find everything from vintage mining equipment to memorabilia highlighting the contributions of various immigrant communities (including Chinese, Mexicans, Slavs, and Irish) who settled in the Verde Valley.
When the mines shut down in the mid-20th century, Jerome nearly became a ghost town. However, a wave of bohemian artists revitalized the area. Today, visitors can explore galleries like the Jerome Art Center and the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery to experience the town’s lasting creative spirit and ingenuity. Recently, the Verde Valley has gained fame as Arizona’s premier wine region, where you can taste wines at the Caduceus Tasting Room, featuring local Caduceus and Merkin Vineyards wines. To enhance your visit, consider staying at the Jerome Grand Hotel for breathtaking desert and mountain views, and enjoy dining at their award-winning Asylum Restaurant on site.
Williams
Usually, when travelers discuss Williams, they mention it in the context of its location, which is less than 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Indeed, you can drive Highway 64 north to Grand Canyon Village, or you can enjoy an easy-breezy car-free journey with a ride on one of Grand Canyon Railway’s historic trains complete with Old West-style musical acts, a staged “train robbery,” and ample views of Northern Arizona’s wonderful wilderness.
Beyond visiting the Grand Canyon, Williams offers the Bill Williams Trail, which ascends to the summit of the volcanic Bill Williams Mountain at 9,256 feet, and the peaceful land and waterscapes at Sycamore Falls. For something different, enjoy a thrilling ride on the mile-long mountain coaster at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, play 18 holes on the lush greens lined with Ponderosa pines at Elephant Rocks Golf Course. For a comfortable stay close to many attractions, consider the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, located right at the train station and just steps from downtown Williams.
Prescott
Prescott may only be 100 miles north of Phoenix, yet it looks and feels a world away with its beautiful mountain scenery and pleasant four-season climate. Originally established as Arizona’s territorial capital by US President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, Prescott cherishes its own homegrown take on “cowboy culture.” You can begin to take in this local culture at the Phippen Museum, that is dedicated to preserving the “Art of the American West,” along with the Western Heritage Center and the Museum of Indigenous People share more stories of the growth and development of this region.
While Prescott is rich in fascinating history and culture, this town also boasts stunning natural beauty. Visit Watson Lake to try kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Granite Dells rock formations. For more outdoor adventures, head to Goldwater Lake for a scenic network of hiking trails and boat ramps to access the lake, and try the Penn Basin Loop for a trail that leads into lush mountain wilderness. After a day of exploring the town, treat yourself to a relaxing stay at the historic Grand Highland Hotel on Prescott’s lively Whiskey Row.
Lake Havasu City
What on earth is the London Bridge doing in the Arizona desert? Long story short, the 19th-century London Bridge needed to be replaced with a structure that could handle 20th-century London car traffic, and Lake Havasu City co-founder Robert P. McCulloch, Sr., saw an opportunity to bring a unique landmark Colorado River.
In 1968, McCulloch acquired the old London Bridge and led its reconstruction in Arizona over the following three years. Since 1971, the bridge has served as a vital link, allowing traffic between "mainland” Havasu and the island in the river, where the Lake Havasu Marina, Dive Site 5 — popular for scuba diving — and numerous shops and restaurants are located. The island also features some of the region’s top resorts, offering perhaps the closest experience to a traditional “beach resort" in Arizona. Before relocating the London Bridge to Havasu, Robert McCulloch, Sr. built the Nautical Inn to develop Lake Havasu into a premier boating destination. Today, The Nautical Beachfront Resort boasts 139 rooms and suites, along with a heated infinity pool, two private beaches, and a private boat ramp for convenient river access.
Ajo
For many Arizonans, Ajo is that town along Highway 85 to pass through en route to the sunny beaches of Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico. But before you reach the U.S.-Mexico border, take some time to stop and enjoy the unique desert scenery of this little town. After all, Ajo sits by the foot of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the only place in the United States where organ pipe cacti grow in their native habitat and overall beautiful corner of the Sonoran Desert with such astounding biodiversity that it’s an official UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves site.
Before the monument was built, Ajo was primarily known as a copper mining town, and you can still get a good glimpse of Ajo’s rugged mining history at the official lookout for the New Cornelia Mine and the nearby Ajo Museum. To see the “gems” being produced in Ajo today, head back into town and visit the Curley School, a beautiful 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival building that now hosts Ajo’s local live-work artist residency program, including its own art gallery. Near the Curley School artist residences is the Sonoran Desert Inn and Conference Center, a section of the historic school that has been converted into a “Southwest Industrial” style hotel.
Patagonia
South of Tucson, Patagonia provides a refreshing oasis in the high desert between the Santa Rita Mountains and the Patagonia Mountains. This is prime territory for nature lovers, as over 300 species of birds regularly migrate to the riparian habitat along Sonoita Creek. The Paton Center for Hummingbirds is the perfect spot to see some of the many birds who call this corner of the desert home. Patagonia Lake State Park offers additional birdwatching opportunities, boat ramps, and campsites.
Back in town, you can learn more about Patagonia’s history and view some local art at the Patagonia Museum. While you're there, go ahead and feast like “the king” at Velvet Elvis Pizza, and you might even catch some live music. When it’s time to head to bed, it’s hard to find a better spot than The Gravel House, a micro-hotel designed especially for adventurers.
Come for the Curiosities. Stay for the Uniquely Arizona Scenery.
Arizona may be famous for specific landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Old Town Scottsdale, and these are indeed great places to visit. But if you’re eager to explore more of the state, hit the open road and head to Patagonia for a true high desert riparian paradise, and to Jerome for a unique glimpse of “Old West” life alongside a growing new world wine region. Even traveling to (or from) the Grand Canyon, Williams is a charming town that offers more than just a quick stop. Whatever you want to see and do in Arizona, these seven whimsical towns show that Arizona is far more than just one canyon.
