The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In Arizona
Most Arizona trips get planned around the Grand Canyon and rarely leave the freeway. The towns worth remembering are the ones travelers make a point of stopping for. Tombstone still stages the O.K. Corral gunfight that made Wyatt Earp a legend. Jerome sits high on a mountainside above the copper mines that once made it rich. Payson has hosted the same rodeo every summer since 1884. These nine Arizona towns are the ones that reward taking the exit.
Wickenburg
Not far from Phoenix lies Wickenburg, a small town that leans hard into its Old West past. That history is on display at the Jail Tree, the town's most famous tourist attraction. The tree used to be a site where they chained outlaws during the frontier days of the Arizona territory. The tree is still standing, and you can read the plaques that explain its history and why it became synonymous with the town itself.
Wickenburg is also a perfect destination if you want to see the unique landscape and beauty of the state. The Hassayampa River Preserve moves through different environments, with forests along the river and desert farther out. It's an easy walk, and you'll have plenty of bird-watching opportunities as well. And golfers will find a great course in town at the Wickenburg Golf Club, where green grass meets desert trees to create a unique atmosphere. The course is open to the public with 18 challenging holes set against the desert backdrop.
Jerome
Jerome was once a prosperous mining town. When the ore deposits dried up, it looked as though the town would go the way of so many others and become a ghost town. But the locals who remained fought to keep it alive. Today, Jerome combines a ghost-town feel with a population below 500 people and a strong local cultural scene that brings in tourists from across the state.
Jerome State Historic Park takes you through the journey of the rise and fall and rise again of Jerome. The park leads you to the historic Douglas Mansion, with exhibits about the area's mining history. Back in town, you can visit the Raku Gallery to see the arts scene on full display. The gallery features several southwestern artists working in different mediums, such as sculptures, ceramics, glass, and paintings. And if you're feeling adventurous for lunch or dinner, grab a bite at the Haunted Hamburger. The restaurant is supposedly haunted, but it's worth the risk to enjoy their handcrafted burgers.
Sedona
Not far from Jerome, you'll find Sedona, a town that you can't afford to miss if you enjoy seeing unforgettable rock formations that have captured Americans' imaginations since they saw their first western. The Airport Mesa hiking trail will give you a good lay of the land, as it takes you around Table Top Mountain to get a view of the red rocks. You'll have an excellent panoramic view of the town below and the nearby rock formations for photography. Come at sunrise for a tranquil experience and a photograph good enough to hang on your wall. For another perspective on the rocks, take a hike through Red Rock State Park. The park combines greenery with excellent views of the landscape through well-maintained trails.
Sedona also draws in many guests for its spiritual qualities. To get in touch with your spiritual side, spend some time at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. The 14-acre park is quiet and serene, excellent for meditation or reflection.
Payson
Payson has the nickname "the Heart of Arizona" because it sits almost dead-center in the state and serves as a gateway to the Colorado Plateau. Nearly a mile above sea level, the town has more comfortable weather than many other areas of Arizona and unique surroundings. You can explore the unique geography at the nearby Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The park is perfect for a hike and features the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. You can spot plenty of birds on the trip as well, so bring your binoculars and camera.
Payson is also a popular tourist destination thanks to its active festival scene. The town is the site of the world's oldest continuous rodeo, August Doin's Rodeo. The rodeo has entertained Arizonans for over 135 years, with everything from bull riders to steer wrestlers. If you aren't a rodeo fan, consider coming in September for the annual Fiddle and Food Festival. The festival has a wide selection of food to sample and some of the best fiddlers in the state.
Winslow
Winslow sits on the legendary Route 66 in the high desert of northern Arizona. It's famous for being namedropped in the Eagles' song "Take It Easy," a reference that turned a small railroad town into a steady stop for road-trippers. You can dig into the history of Route 66 and Winslow at the Standin' on the Corner Park. The park holds a life-size statue and a large mural that recalls the best years of the "Mother Road." The park is also the site of the town's biggest gathering, known simply as "The Festival." It features live music, food, and a cornhole competition.
Winslow also sits near one of the best-preserved impact sites on the planet. Meteor Crater Natural Landmark marks the spot where a meteorite struck about 50,000 years ago. You can get a good view of the massive crater from the observation deck and learn more about what scientists think happened here.
Oracle
Not far north of Tucson lies Oracle, a town where beautiful outdoor scenery meets the idealism of scientific progress. The town's most famous attraction is Biosphere 2. The Biosphere project sought to create an artificial ecosystem; however, the experiment failed to sustain human life. Biosphere 2 is now a research facility and museum that explains the original mission and how the University of Arizona is seeking to understand the environment and its future. It's a must-visit when in town to see this architectural and scientific marvel.
No trip to Oracle is complete without spending some time outdoors to enjoy the countryside. Nearby Oracle State Park provides 15 miles of trails to walk through. By day, you can spot many native animals throughout the park, and at night, it's a Dark Sky Park for unmatched stargazing. And for something more adventurous, try out Arizona Zipline Adventures. Their ziplines will take you over the Sonoran Desert for a high-octane view of one of the planet's most biodiverse deserts.
Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista literally means "mountain view," and the surrounding peaks live up to the name. To get an idea of just how beautiful the area is, take a trip to the Ramsey Canyon Preserve. The preserve has a unique blend of flora and fauna that you won't find in the rest of Arizona. It's also a popular stop for one of the biggest hobbies in Sierra Vista: birdwatching. For more birding, come in August for the Southwest Wings Birding & Nature Festival. The festival includes a keynote speaker who will teach you about the various bird species in the area and daily bird walks to try and spot some of the rare species in the morning.
If you need some time inside, head to the Southern Arizona Museum of Science and Technology. The museum is home to several fossils and exhibits on the geology of Arizona. It's a must-stop, especially if your children love dinosaurs.
Tombstone
Not far from Sierra Vista is Tombstone, a town that needs no introduction for fans of westerns. It was the site of the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, immortalized in films such as My Darling Clementine and Tombstone. Today, you can visit a recreation of the O.K. Corral and see recreations of the famous battle that made Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday household names. For another look at the Old West, visit the Bird Cage Theatre. The building was once a gambling hall in Tombstone, and the interior has been recreated to make you feel as though you were transported back to 1881.
And what trip to the Old West would be complete without a visit to a saloon? Big Nose Kate's Saloon brings modern favorites and amenities to a retro setting for an unforgettable bar experience.
Bisbee
About 10 miles north of the Mexican border sits Bisbee, a town that has gone from mining town to popular tourist destination. While the mining industry in town collapsed, the locals kept its spirit alive for visitors to see at the Copper Queen Mine Tour. The tour takes you underground through the mine tunnels to learn more about its history and the several disasters that befell the miners. For another perspective on the past of Bisbee, book an Old Bisbee Ghost Tour. The after-dark tour will take you through the streets of town and relay many of the ghost stories that give the area its character.
Bisbee also has a rather quirky festival that you won't find anywhere else in Arizona. Bisbee Pirate Weekend features various pirate and nautical-themed events built around stories of the golden age of piracy. There is a pub crawl, mermaid swim, and pirate cosplay adventure that make for an unforgettable weekend.
Add These Towns To Your Itinerary For Your Next Arizona Trip
What ties these nine towns together is how much they built out of hard ground. Mining camps like Jerome and Bisbee turned their busts into arts scenes and tourism. Ranch country around Payson and Wickenburg kept its rodeos and frontier landmarks going for more than a century. Even a meteorite strike and a sealed research dome became reasons to stop. Arizona rewards travelers who leave the interstate, and these towns are a strong place to start.
