9 Most Relaxing Arizona Towns
Arizona knows how to make a weekend feel like a proper escape. One day could mean paddling the cool waters of Clear Creek Reservoir near Winslow, while another might involve horseback riding through Wickenburg’s desert ranch country. For those who prefer to take it even slower, Tubac’s art galleries invite an afternoon of browsing, and Payson offers a refreshing retreat among the pine forests of the Mogollon Rim region. Whether the plan involves lakeside lounging, wandering historic streets, or enjoying a good meal with a mountain view, these nine Arizona towns make it easy to leave the week's worries behind.
Payson
Payson lovingly calls itself the "Heart of Arizona" for its central location within the State, and with its spectacular framing by the Tonto National Forest, you will never be short on exquisite sights. Home to some 16,000 residents and with a modern history dating back to the 1880s, the town offers both historic intrigue and plenty of outdoor beauty, making it a great place to relax while on your Arizona vacation. Indeed, within the aforementioned Tonto National Forest, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, camping, and biking, as dramatic and breathtaking landscapes do not disappoint.
Then, in the town center, you can get a feeling of the Old West by seeing some of Payson's preserved historic landmarks. These include the Sidles Mud House (1882), the Ox Bow Inn & Saloon, and the Deming Pioneer Park, serving as reminders of another time. Add in some great local eateries like Fargo's Steakhouse and Macky's Grill, and a nice, relaxing slice of Arizona Americana will make everyone smile in Payson.
Wickenburg
Founded as a mining town in the 1860s, Wickenburg, the self-proclaimed "Dude Ranch Capital of the World," is now home to nearly 8,000 inhabitants. Along the Hassayampa River and within the Sonoran Desert, relaxing in town offers a great mix of natural splendor and historic intrigue sure to entice the young and old alike. Visit such famed guest ranches as Kay El Bar Guest Ranch and Rancho de los Caballeros and partake in traditional cattle and riding activities, with additional opportunities to cycle, hike, and even ride horseback in the surrounding desert landscape for quite the memorable outing.
There are also several fascinating landmarks to explore in town, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Santa Fe Railroad Depot (1895), the Garcia School (1905), and, of course, the special Vulture Gold Mine and the Jail Tree. See where outlaws and prisoners were publicly chained and humiliated, while exploring the former Mine can bring an eerie feeling of ghosts of the past and the daily goings on of a 19th-century camp.
Camp Verde
Some 12,000 people call the charming community of Camp Verde home, which lies at an elevation of some 3,000 feet in the Verde Valley. Known for its hot summers and cool winters, the area offers a relaxing holiday outing in town year-round, with plenty of great outdoor activities easily accessible. Have fun going hiking, camping, cycling, fishing, and even challenging rock climbing and horseback riding excursions at such inviting spaces like the Clear Creek Campground and the nearby Prescott National Forest.
Meanwhile, extraordinary encounters with history await at such great attractions as the Montezuma Castle National Monument, the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, and the Fort Verde State Historic Park. Learn more about Arizona's past and the indigenous peoples of the land at these immersive places that will surely intrigue both passionate and casual history fans. Finally, end your day with a tasty meal at welcoming local businesses such as the Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole, and you will be glad you chose Camp Verde as your Arizona holiday destination.
Jerome
Within central Arizona's Black Hills, the community of Jerome is located at an elevation of 5,000 feet and can trace its modern roots to the 1870s. Playfully named the "Wickedest Town in the West", this former mining hub now has just over 400 inhabitants today making it indeed a most intriguing place of discovery. See what many have called a ghost town through an exploration of many abandoned mine sites and other 19th-century edifices, and even take haunted ghost tours! Also, do not forget the Jerome Sliding Jail (1905), which, since its construction, has been gradually sliding down the mountainside on which it was built. Stabilized and put in place, this special attraction today serves as another tool to bring Jerome back to the height of its fame.
There is also the Jerome State Historic Park, worth visiting, featuring the Douglas Mansion (1916) and its collection of artifacts, photos, and other historic items. From there, enjoy the food at local eateries, including the Haunted Hamburger or the Miner's Café, which, alongside the always stunning mountain scenery, make a stop in Jerome one that is sure to be remembered.
Bisbee
Bisbee is simply beautiful, and with its location near the Mexican border and in the Mule Mountains, you can be sure a delightfully scenic and relaxing experience awaits. Once a mining center, Bisbee, established in the 1880s, retains an old-world feel to it, and you can still see many buildings and architectural styles that reflect the late 1800s and early 1900s. Be sure to tour the Copper Queen Mine and the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum for unique insights into this once-booming economic driver, and visit the open-air Lavender Pit for copper extraction, which is both fascinating and scenically stunning.
Add in charming local shops and diners in the pretty downtown, and Bisbee will definitely leave its mark on those searching for a slower-paced, relaxing holiday. These include Café Roka and Bisbee Badassery for some food recharging at day's end, and the Mile High Mercantile and Singletree Gift Shops, ideal for finding that perfect souvenir of time spent in this awesome Arizona town.
Winslow
The beloved band The Eagles immortalized the town of Winslow with their 1972 hit "Take it Easy", and you will definitely find a wonderfully inviting community here ideal for a relaxing holiday outing. Established in 1900, this Navajo County town boasts typical hot Arizona sun and desert landscapes and enjoying the great outdoors is certainly always popular. Go hiking, cycling, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, and boating at the nearby Clear Creek Reservoir, while those who want to stay indoors will find plenty of intrigue at the Old Trails Museum. Here, see special artifacts from the area's indigenous peoples, pioneer settler stories, photos, documents, and other exhibits that highlight the growth of Winslow and Navajo County.
In addition, you can relax and enjoy the ambiance of small-town Arizona by browsing through Winslow's many local shops and restaurants. From the Turquoise Room, southwestern cuisine to the Seldom Seen gift shop, charm is not difficult to find. And returning to the Eagles, you will not want to miss a stop at Standin' on the Corner Park. Commemorate the song, Americana, and joy of traveling by posing with the guitarist statue, all while singing that you were "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona."
Tubac
Along the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona, the historic Tubac was founded back in the 1750s as a Spanish fort, or presidio. Today, nearly 1,600 call it home, and visitors will find a nice change of pace from the big city in a most fascinating historic ambiance. Explore the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park to get a sense of what life was like in an 18th and 19th-century Spanish colony through the many preserved buildings on site. There are even costumed historic interpreters there to answer questions and further create an authentic atmosphere of living history. Amongst the landmarks of note are the St. Ann's Catholic Church, the Spanish Captain's Quarters, and the Tubac Schoolhouse (1885).
Modern Tubac is also known as an artist's colony, and exploring the varied assortment of boutiques, shops, and galleries reflects some of the best in local art, particularly in southwestern design. There are indeed over 100 businesses of this type in Tubac's downtown, including La Entrada De Tubac, Old Presidio Traders, and the Crowe's Nest of Tubac, to name but a few. Find handmade jewelry, genuine leather goods, clothing, kitchenware, and loads of other unique souvenirs to remind you of Tubac's special character.
Tombstone
While its name may invite macabre thoughts, Tombstone is actually one of Arizona's most fascinating destinations, and a relaxing and fun-filled holiday is sure to follow any visit here. Established as a silver-mining center in the 1870s, this historic town is now home to around 1,300 residents, and a sense of the Old Wild West persists. Also known as the site of the famed O.K. Corral gunfight in 1881, which involved figures like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, strolling through Tombstone's downtown reveals many 19th-century buildings. From wooden boardwalks and dusty streets to saloons, it is like being on a movie set or actually having traveled back in time!
You can see costumed interpreters, Western-themed stores and restaurants, and other interesting museums that all contribute to one's sense of daily life in the late 1800s. Amongst the historic properties of note are the restored Bird Cage Theatre (1881), the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park (1882), and even the Boothill Graveyard, which was initially used solely to bury outlaws and other criminals.
In addition, some adventurous fun awaits at attractions like the Outlaw Zipline, offering spectacular desert views, while the nearby San Pedro River is great for birdwatching and nature hikes. There is also the Kartchner Caverns State Park, a short drive away, where descending into a limestone cavern and enjoying rigorous surface hikes will surely be a highlight of any trip.
Page
Situated on a mesa above the famed Colorado River, Page's exquisite geographic positioning means there is never a shortage of awesome natural wonders to see. From canyon vistas, sandstone cliffsides, and easy access to both Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam, this town at an elevation of 4,300 feet definitely has some of Arizona's best scenery. Popular with cyclists, hikers, campers, and of course photographers, natural landmarks like the Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are breathtaking and will undoubtedly make you forget your troubles for a relaxing experience.
Some great eating options include The Barnyard for American-style favorites and Sunset 89, while truly cute gifts await at the Pow Wow Trading Post. Add in typically hot summers and warm winters, and relaxing and enjoying your Arizona holiday is a real joy when in Page.
Arizona is a jewel of the Western United States, and you will find plenty of reasons to visit for a memorable and relaxing vacation. With the hot sun, exquisite desert landscapes, fascinating 19th-century frontier history, and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy the outdoors, Arizona has many great communities perfect for fun and relaxation. Stop by the time-machine-like communities of Tombstone and Jerome, where some of the desert's best views can be admired in Page and Payson; all of these places will leave you relaxed and refreshed when returning home.
