The 7 Friendliest Little Towns In Arizona

Arizona’s sunny days are only one part of the warmth you will find in the state. With turkey vulture festivals, Route 66 car shows, and monthly art and wine walks, it is easy to see why small-town Arizona is such a friendly place. Sedona keeps things social with the July Hummingbird Festival and a two-day wine festival that brings in wineries from multiple AVAs. And in Tombstone, daily O.K. Corral reenactments, historic saloons like Big Nose Kate’s, and the mid-March Wild West Days celebration put the frontier spirit on full display. From arts festivals to classic car shows, these seven towns are Arizona hospitality at its best.

Bisbee

Founded in the midst of Arizona’s mining boom, Bisbee saw a population explosion in the early 1900s. Since then, it has mellowed into a small, enduringly close-knit community. Its festivals are some of the most unique you will find in Arizona, starting with the Return of the Turkey Vultures festival that takes place on the second weekend of March. Celebrating the annual return of this migratory scavenger, activities throughout the weekend include a meet and greet with a real turkey vulture ambassador, a community market with turkey vulture-themed swag, a drum circle, and a parade.

For some exercise, pop into Bisbee on the third Saturday of October, during the Bisbee 1000: The Great Stair Climb, a massive outdoor climb that traverses 4.5 miles and nine staircases, collectively totaling more than 1,000 steps! Any time of the year, you can stop by the Old Bisbee Brewing Company for a craft beer, which specializes in the production of pilsners, IPAs, stouts, and the signature Copper City Ale.

Sedona

Much like Bisbee, Sedona hosts its own bird-themed festival, which you will certainly want to include in your travels this year! The town hosts the Sedona Hummingbird Festival each July, celebrating all things hummingbird through expert lectures, hummingbird garden tours, birding field trips, a hummingbird marketplace, and much more. The town’s friendly atmosphere extends into other events as well, like the Sedona Wine Festival, a two-day event that brings in over 20 wineries from three different AVA regions. Plenty of hospitality can be found at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village as well, a gorgeous, Mexican-inspired retail village with everything from Mexican cuisine to French fine dining and a local brewery.

Tombstone

Once part of Arizona’s unruly frontier in the 19th century, Tombstone preserves its Wild West heritage today through reenactments, historic saloons, and cultural festivals. Lying in the heart of town, the O.K. Corral marks the site of the legendary gunfight with daily reenactments and historical exhibits. Swing by Big Nose Kate’s Saloon for a drink, which has an authentic, 1880s bar and live entertainment throughout the week. Tombstone’s annual Wild West Days are also one of the best times to visit town! Occurring in mid-March, events during this lively festival include a parade, street entertainment, and a traveling museum this year that honors the US’s 250th birthday.

Tubac

In Tubac, you will find an active and welcoming arts community that hosts the longest-running festival in the state. Known as the Tubac Festival of the Arts, this event has been taking place since 1959, transforming the historic village into an open-air gallery, with over 200 artists presenting their paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and more. The Tubac Center of the Arts also plays a vital role in the community, currently featuring a sculpture garden and a national juried exhibition. For a souvenir, make sure to stop by Tubac Art and Gifts, a local gallery that sells wall art, pottery, home decor, soap, kitchen items, and other artisan goods. A local artist is often painting in the gallery’s studio, giving you the chance to watch art in action!

Clarkdale

Clarkdale’s community spirit shines during the summer season, renowned for its annual Summer Concerts in the Park Series. Occurring from the end of May to the beginning of September in Clarkdale Town Park, these concerts are family-friendly and within walking distance to nearby restaurants and tasting rooms, making it easy to dine before or after the performance. While in town, travelers can appreciate some copper creations at the Arizona Copper Art Museum, which displays more than 5,000 pieces of copper art. Or take a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad, which departs right from Clarkdale, traveling 40 miles, passing a ghost ranch, a 734-foot tunnel, and some ancient indigenous ruins.

Williams

Williams is as American as it gets, lying along Route 66 and hosting all kinds of classic American festivals throughout the year. The Historic Route 66 Car Show takes place in Williams in June, featuring two days of vintage automobiles, live music, local vendors, and community awards. The town is a wonderful place to celebrate the Fourth of July as well, hosting the annual 4th of July Parade & Fireworks + All American Block Party. A city block party kicks off this event, featuring cornhole, horseshoe tournaments, a dunk tank, a beer garden, and more, followed by the patriotic parade and fireworks show. There are also some quirky attractions to check out during your visit, such as Bearizona, a 160-acre wildlife park with bears, wolves, badgers, bison, and other species.

Jerome

Jerome is home to another friendly art community, standing out for its monthly art and wine walks. Occurring on the first Saturday of every month, the Jerome Art & Wine Walk spotlights local businesses by inviting visitors to sip wine while popping into artist studios, jewelry shops, vintage boutiques, and even the world’s largest kaleidoscope store! Many local creators have banded together at the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, which showcases work from around 35 members, alongside a featured artist show every two months. You can round out your stay by spending the night at the Jerome Grand Hotel, a hospitable, Spanish Mission Style-building with an onsite, award-winning restaurant.

Small Towns With A Big Welcome

If you find yourself craving a bit of small-town hospitality, any of these seven towns will be happy to greet you. Towns like Jerome and Tubac have some of the most art communities, while others, like Williams and Tombstone, enjoy sharing their history with visitors through all kinds of vintage-style festivals. A cold beer is also never far in towns like Bisbee! One thing is for sure: you will feel a sense of community and be completely recharged by the end of your weekend.