9 Offbeat Arizona Towns To Visit In 2025

Beyond its famous sights like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, Arizona is filled with offbeat small towns full of rich culture and quirky charm. Picture old mining towns from the Wild West days, artsy spots surrounded by natural history, and outdoor wonders that will catch your eye. These nine lesser-known towns in the Grand Canyon State are surrounded by breathtaking scenery and full of stories, making them perfect for curious travelers looking to get off the beaten path to uncover Arizona’s hidden gems.

Jerome

Known as the “Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome was once home to the state’s largest copper mine, producing millions of pounds of copper per month. Sitting near the top of Cleopatra Hill, today, this town is an exciting tourist destination for anyone wanting to step back in time. As your first stop in Jerome, head to the Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town, where you can learn more about Jerome’s mining history. The museum is fun for the whole family, with its petting farm and gold panning station. Maybe you will find a small fortune of your own while there! Next, head to Jerome State Historic Park, which overlooks the Verde Valley. There, you can also tour the Douglas Mansion. Today, it is a museum about the area’s geology and mining operations, but it used to serve as a hotel for mining officials. One of the more unique sites in Jerome is the Sliding Jail, downtown. Dynamite explosions in the 1930s caused the small jail to slide 225 feet off its foundation, surprisingly remaining intact. Stop by for a quick photo op to see where the building now sits, where the main road has been rerouted around it to accommodate its updated location.

Oracle

Just over 30 miles north of Tucson, you will find Oracle in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Sitting at 4,500 feet in elevation, Oracle is a nature lover’s paradise, with plenty to explore. One of the most impressive things you can visit in Oracle is Biosphere 2, which is the world’s largest controlled environment for understanding the effects of climate change. Owned by the University of Arizona, you can tour this impressive structure to learn more about different ecosystems like oceans, deserts, rainforests, and wetlands. If you are in Oracle over a weekend, stop by the Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm, which is open Friday through Sunday. Aside from strolling around and taking in the beauty of the farm, you can also pre-order a breakfast or lunch picnic basket to eat under the trees, or ride on the old tire swing. For even more outdoor adventures, head to Oracle State Park, which is the first state park in Arizona to get an International Dark Sky Park designation. Plan your visit around one of the park’s star parties for an incredible stargazing experience.

Bisbee

Located in the Mule Mountains in southeast Arizona, Bisbee is the southernmost city in the country that sits at an elevation higher than a mile. As another historic mining town in the state, the Copper Queen Mine Tour is a must-see when you are in Bisbee. There, a tour guide will take you down into the mine, which offers a chilly escape from the daytime heat as you learn all about mining. To get another taste of history, plan a visit to the Muheim Heritage House Museum. Built between 1898 and 1900, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands out thanks to its Queen Anne-inspired architecture and period furnishings inside. Continue your theme of stepping back in time in Bisbee by visiting Erie Street. Once you step foot on the road, you will feel as if you have time-traveled to the 1950s. This open-air, outdoor gallery is preserved with decades-old storefronts, a vintage Shell gas station, old vehicles, and more, offering you a taste of nostalgia as you explore.

Tubac

Just under 50 miles south of Tucson is Tubac, a former Spanish presidio, or military post, where today, art and history meet. As you explore Tubac, you will find charming art galleries and boutique shops where you can look for inspiration in your own artistic endeavors or pick up a souvenir. If you are an art lover, plan your trip to Tubac in early February to attend the annual Tubac Festival of the Arts. As the longest-running art festival in southern Arizona, the event features over 200 craftsmen and artists, live entertainment, and drinks from local wineries. No matter what time of year you visit, you can explore stunning artwork in Tubac by visiting the K. Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden. After strolling through the gallery, head out to the two-acre sculpture garden, which features southwestern-style art in a stunning outdoor setting. To learn more about the Native American and Spanish history of the town, visit the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum. There, you can see the printing press that printed the first Arizona newspaper, view an 1850s ambulance, and get an up-close look at tools and artifacts of the area’s early settlers.

Globe

The town of Globe sits in the heart of the Tonto National Forest and allegedly gets its name from a globe-shaped piece of silver found nearby. With its rich mining history and Wild West past, Globe calls itself “Arizona to the Core,” with plenty to explore. No trip to the town is complete without stopping by the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum, where you can see the remains of a pueblo village. The site was occupied by the Salado culture between 1225 and 1450, and the stone structures have been partially reconstructed so visitors can learn more about its history. There are also botanical gardens and picnic tables at the park, making it a nice spot to spend an afternoon. Hikers visiting Globe will not want to miss trekking through Round Mountain Park, which has a two-mile loop trail with impressive, rugged views. Another popular spot in Globe is Salt River Canyon Wilderness, which is often called “The Other Grand Canyon.” There you will find saguaro cacti, rugged geology, and the impressive Apache Falls, which is known as one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

Camp Verde

Known as the oldest community in the Verde Valley, Camp Verde has 18 miles of the Verde River flowing through it, making it a prime spot for viewing wildlife. Aside from native species like blue herons and bald eagles, you can also see animals from another continent when you visit the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde. The unique park offers an African Bush Safari Tour, where you can see animals like rhinos, black leopards, and hyenas up close. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even feed a tiger! While you are out exploring Camp Verde, you will not want to miss going to the Montezuma Castle National Monument. Dedicated to preserving Native American culture, the monument features the well-preserved 20-room living spaces of the Sinagua Indians, which offered protection during flood seasons. In addition to the impressive structure, you can also explore the onsite museum. Camp Verde is full of natural beauty, which is on full display when you visit Fossil Creek. As one of only two “Wild and Scenic” rivers in the state, Fossil Creek is a series of springs that flow into a 1,600-feet-deep canyon, resulting in a beautiful falls that sits at a comfortable 70°F year-round.

Patagonia

In southern Arizona, just over 20 miles from the Mexico border, you will find Patagonia, a bird watcher’s paradise. The town sits on an avian migratory path, making it a prime place for spotting birds overhead. Patagonia leans into this with the Tucson Audubon’s Paton Center for Hummingbirds, located on Pennsylvania Avenue. While the center is a conservatory for hummingbirds, it also collects reports of different birds in the area, with over 250 species having been reported. The center is free to the public and has a cozy pavilion area, perfect for sitting back, relaxing, and watching a variety of birds visit the feeders on the property. Another spot ideal for seeing wildlife is Patagonia Lake State Park. Whether you want to swim in the lake, you would prefer to canoe across the water, or you want to try your hand at fishing, this park is calling your name. For a longer stay, reserve a tent or RV campsite, where you can use the provided grills and picnic tables for a fun dinner under the stars with your family. If you are interested in learning more about this part of the state, head to the Patagonia Museum, which is located in the 1914 Patagonia Grammar School. There, you can learn more about the history and culture of Santa Cruz County. The property also houses the one-room Lochiel Schoolhouse, which was built in 1905 and is being preserved and restored after years of neglect and vandalism.

Tombstone

Have you ever wished you could go back in time to experience life in the Wild West for a day? With a trip to Tombstone, you can! Known as “The Town Too Tough to Die,” today Tombstone still has dirt roads, historic storefronts, and saloons to transport you back to what life was like there in the 1800s. Your first stop in the town should be the O.K. Corral, where you can see a reenactment of the Gunfight at O.K. Corral featuring infamous figures like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. You can also stroll through the O.K. Corral stables as they looked in the 1880s and visit the local blacksmith shop. For even more fun, plan a trip to the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park. In addition to gunfight shows, there is fun for the whole family with trolley rides, mini golf, gold panning, and even a shooting gallery where you can test your aim in a safe environment. Another fun place to stop in Tombstone is the Rose Tree Museum, which is home to the largest rose tree in the world. At the museum, you will learn more about one of the oldest original Tombstone families, the Robertson-Macias, and browse books about the town’s history. The property also includes the Rose Tree Inn, which is a charming place to stay while visiting the town.

Clarkdale

Called the “Gem of Arizona,” Clarkdale offers small-town charm in the Verde Valley. Once a copper town, today you can still see historic homes lining its streets. To see some of the copper treasures from Clarkdale, head to the Arizona Copper Art Museum. It houses more than 5,000 copper works of art, ranging from 3500 BC to present-day pieces. Not only will you learn more about the history of how copper has been used in the world, but you can also see kitchenware pieces, religious artifacts, and distillery tools. Plan a trip to the town in October for the annual Clarktoberfest, where you can participate in a cornhole tournament, sip on drinks from local breweries and wineries, and listen to live music. When you want to get a unique look at Clarkdale and the Verde Valley as a whole, take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. This unforgettable experience features open-air cars with panoramic windows so you can see rocks, ancient ruins, and even ride through a manmade tunnel spanning more than 700 feet.

See the Wonders of Small-Town Arizona

Whether you are stargazing under the Oracle skies, seeing a reenactment at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, or watching hummingbirds up close in Patagonia, these nine offbeat Arizona towns deliver adventure in unexpected ways. While these towns may be small in population, they are big in character, and they are the perfect spots for travelers looking to discover the unique and offbeat side of the Grand Canyon State. All that is left to do is gather up your family, set your GPS, and hit the open road to these off-the-beaten-path destinations.