8 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Arizona
Arizona's small towns showcase the state's distinctive history, rich culture, and indomitable community spirit in an authentic way. In the offbeat town of Jerome, visitors can explore the interesting gold rush history of the town, replete with tales of the wild adventures of early miners. The town also features a restaurant famous for its ghost stories. Window Rock is another fascinating town that celebrates the Navajo Nation through museums dedicated to Navajo history and culture. It also houses sacred ponds and other natural sites, and a zoo where visitors connect with animals the Navajo way. Benson, another offbeat Arizona gem, features an iconic movie set with special tours provided between filmings for visitors. The variation of attractions and adventures that await you in Arizona can be discovered in these eight off-the-beaten-path towns.
Sedona
Heavily influenced by Native American culture, the eclectic town of Sedona offers its visitors amazing views, unique shopping, cultural influence, and spiritual connection. Reflect in awe of the red rocks with a hike around the 3.6-mile path at Bell Rock. The prominent landmark is the town's backdrop, but it is also believed to radiate healing energy from the earth. Easier trails around the landmark include Courthouse Butte Loop, Baby Bell, and Llama Trail, while experienced hikers can embrace the opportunity to take the steeper climb, including rock scrambling and trying terrain, towards the top of Bell Rock. For a less demanding option for enjoyment, experience local heritage and culture at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. The small village was inspired by the San Pedro Tlaquepaque near Guadalajara, Mexico, and is intended to present craft, culture, and daily life to its visitors through the shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The space, with hand-forged ironwork, carved wooden doors, tiles, clay vessels, and other elements, is designed to create an authentic small Mexican village.
Although it might not sound like a unique dining experience, Sedona's visitors might want to stop and grab a bite at the local McDonald’s before heading out of town. The menu may not differ from the other 36,000 locations, but what sets it apart from other restaurants is the absence of the golden arches. To align with the city council and Planning & Zoning commission to maintain the town’s pueblo-revival style, the arches are of teal. These are the only teal arches of any McDonald’s restaurants in the world.
Jerome
What was once a booming mining town that almost became a ghost town at the end of the gold rush, Jerome has persevered and elevated its status to Wickedest Town in the West. Where bordellos and opium dens once existed, are now housed with restaurants and art galleries. The history in this town is unmatched, and its visitors are invited to partake in all aspects of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Partake in its golden era of history with a visit to The Gold King Mine & Ghost Town. Featuring relics left behind while Jerome was on the verge of abandonment, the ghost town includes the original 1,270-foot mine shaft for guests to explore. Pan for gold within the mine or take in the exhibits featuring mining equipment, historic buildings, a Stamp mill, antique automobiles, a Blacksmith shop, and so much more. Discover even more of the town’s gold rush history at Jerome State Historic Park. The park sits atop a hill overlooking the entire town and features a massive mansion built just above Little Daisy Mine. Once a hotel for traveling mining officials, the mansion now features mining operations records and area geology. Additionally, historical period rooms and locally found artifacts display the productive history of Arizona’s largest mining town during the copper boom.
Settle in for some lunch and a good ghost story at the Haunted Hamburger. Listen to the tales of hammers disappearing during renovations, cans flying off kitchen shelves, hot water turning itself on in the dead of night, and randomly slamming doors, all while enjoying a Ghostly Burger or a Boozy Shake. Were these natural occurrences, or paranormal activity? Decide for yourself at Haunted Hamburger.
Bisbee
Another historic mining town that still finds a way to pay homage to its past is Bisbee. Once a thriving copper, gold, and silver mining town, Bisbee was founded in 1880 and still today showcases its mining roots. The Bisbee Queen Mine Tour allows guests to tour the mines that once made this town the bustling hot spot it was when it was founded. For a brief period, the mines were closed but reopened shortly after, to keep mining history alive. Ride right into the mountain where precious medals were discovered on the underground mine tour train. Another interactive museum that offers a glimpse of the town’s history is the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. The museum shares the story of the western copper mining town’s role in the industrialization of the U.S., as well as stories of the people who resided there, and social issues that occurred over the last 125 years.
Spend the night in Bisbee at the Copper Queen Hotel. Founded in the heart of the town, this luxurious hotel, with its Victorian charm, transports guests back to its mining era through its rich history and culture. Enjoy modern and unique amenities. The hotel is believed to be haunted by the spirits of Julia Lowell and the ghostly child, Billy, who still roam the halls
Window Rock
Window Rock is known as the capital of the Navajo Nation, and is home to multiple businesses and landmarks dedicated to the learning of, and exploration of, their culture and history. Begin your exploration at the Navajo Nation Museum, which includes collections of art, ethnographic, archaeological, and archival materials. Featuring over 40,000 photographs, as well as other media, including documents, recordings, and videos, are also archived at the center. Exhibits also highlight Navajo artists creating with varied media, including traditional weavings. Window Rock honors its Navajo people, past and present, at the Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park & Veterans Memorial. While the entire site is mesmerizing, the most fascinating attribute is the red sandstone arch for which the capital Tségháhoodzání is named. A sacred pond can be found under the arch that was used by Navajo medicine men during Waterway Ceremonies; it is one of four sacred ponds in the park. The Veterans’ Memorial was an addition to the park built in 1995 to honor the many Navajos who served in the U.S. military. The memorial park is home to features symbolic conceptions, a statue of a Navajo Code Talker with his 32-pound radio on his back, a circular path outlining the four basic directions, 16 steel pillars holding a sign with names of war veterans, and a healing sandstone sanctuary used for reflection and solitude.
A final Navajo tribute can be discovered at the Navajo Nation Zoo and Botanical Park, a sanctuary for nature and the spirit. Visitors are invited to come and practice the Navajo ways of reflection while connecting with over 50 different species of animals. Discover why animals are not only important in nature, but also their significance to the Navajo nation, who have their biggest connection with the natural world, plants, and animals. This is the only Native American-owned and- operated zoo in the U.S, Navajo Nation.
Tubac
Where art and history meet, Tubac is one of Arizona’s hidden gems. The high desert village is the home of the first European settlement in Arizona, and a glimpse of its colonial past is waiting to be explored at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. While preserving the ruins of the oldest Spanish Presidio site in Arizona, the park played a significant role in history from the archaeological period, the Spanish contact and colonization, Mexican occupation, and the westward and territorial expansion. Park exhibits feature early Native American archaeological collections, Spanish Colonial and Missions, mining, ranching, the Arizona Territorial Period, and more. Additionally, other homes and a garden are located on the grounds.
Explore the arts aspect of the town at the Tubac Center of the Arts. The exhibits and values at the center represent Tubac’s artistic heritage and identity and act as a venue for artistic expression and learning for individuals who create and appreciate art in Southern Arizona. Not only featuring enticing exhibits, but performing Arts concerts, Art Speaks lectures, workshops, classes, and more are provided to visitors. Another artistic venue is the K. Newby Gallery & Sculpture Garden. Exhibits and events are the stars of the show at K. Newby. Prior events have included Artist Showcase & Gallery Walk, Luminaria Nights-Live Music and Bonfire, Tubac Fall ArtWalk: Desert Radiance: New Visions of the Southwest, and a variety of others.
Cave Creek
Founded in 1870, this former mining and ranching community proudly exhibits its Western heritage by upholding its Old West appearance and charm. Cave Creek takes you back to the past at Frontier Town, as one of the state’s last remaining western town destinations. Visit the niche shops of Desert Maven, Coyote Creek, Ortega’s Turquoise Trails, and more to bring home a unique souvenir from the frontier, or attend one of the infamous hosted events, including Arizona Gunfighters, Cave Creek Parade, and art shows.
Continue your travel back in time while exploring the outdoors and nature at Cave Creek Regional Park. Nearly 3,000 acres of park located in the Sonoran Desert, this oasis provides 5.8 miles of trail around the Go John Mountain, to deliver an escape from civilization and immaculate views. The jasper-studded hills were at one time riddled with prospectors searching for their stake in gold. Today, visitors can follow the guided trails these frontiersmen once took. Take in more sites at Jewel of the Creek Preserve. The 26 acres are filled with immense cottonwood and willow trees lined along Cave Creek, contains one of the last remaining perennial streams in the county. The ever-flowing presence of water provides aquatic support to keep countless numbers of plants and animal species thriving in the preserve.
Benson
Explore a Wild West town with a unique history in the town of Benson with a guided tour through the Mescal Movie Set. One of the most iconic western filmmaking towns on the big screen, Mescal has been the location for such films as Tombstone, The Quick and the Dead, Young Riders, and over 120 more western films. Tours are only provided in between filming, and take visitors through 28 buildings comprised of props and views of mountain backdrops, and picturesque landscapes. Another unique, popular location that offers tours by appointment and features quirky attractions is Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary. The working ranch is not a petting zoo, but they do offer guests a view of the work they do and the care they give to their donkeys with scheduled appointments.
Discovered in the limestone hills of the Whetstone Mountains in 1974, Kartchner Caverns State Park was founded by two explorers looking for a cave no one had ever found. Knowing that unregulated use could cause damage to the cave, the property owners approached Arizona State Parks agencies to see if they were interested in acquiring the resource, and thus, the state park was regulated. In addition to the cave, the park has multiple trails that hikers can take to gather views of the San Pedro River Valley, the Dragoon Mountains, Huachuca Mountains, ocotillo plants, hummingbirds, prickly pear, cholla, and so much more.
Tombstone
The town too tough to die, Tombstone, encapsulates just how life was in the Wild West through its museums, landscapes, attractions, and more. Step back in time at the O.K. Corral for live reenactments of gunfights between Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil and Morgan Earp, and more, or walk through the stables just as they appeared in the 1880s. Sit in vintage buggies, pan for gemstones, or visit C.S. Fly's Photo Gallery to soak up all the action. Another attraction frozen in time is The Bird Cage Theater. Tour the theater with the original fixtures from the 1880s, including chandeliers, wallpaper, stage, and balcony boxes. But the most entertaining aspect of the theater is the accidental “décor”, bullet-marked walls line the theater as a reminder of how rowdy and violent the Old West was.
Visit another historic structure at the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. The Victorian-style cottage was built in 1882 of red brick and is now the site of the park’s museum, housing interpretive exhibits on the history of Tombstone, and other displays of a sheriff’s office, interpretations of the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral, Wyatt Earp, mining, saloons and gaming, lawyers' office and courtroom, ranching, and residents of Tombstone.
Most portrayals of Arizona feature deserts, cactus, and painted rocks, but those deserts were once the home of outlaws, degenerates, gamblers, and cowboys in the Wild West. Their stories are told through reenactments, frontier towns, mining caves, and museums. Learn the history of this rambunctious period of time while visiting ghost towns, haunted diners, or Native American land.
