11 Most Scenic Arizona Towns
The sixth largest State in America, Arizona is an important place of geographic wonder and historical intrigue that any tourist will want to discover. But beyond the large cities or famous landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Arizona's small scenic towns are worthy of a direct encounter. Here, special cultural attractions, famed hot sun, and, of course, loads of desert panoramas make these towns a rewarding addition to one's itinerary. So pack your bags and see why these scenic Arizona towns are among the best in the Southwestern United States.
Payson
Situated in central Arizona, the town of Payson is also known as the "Heart of Arizona," and it remains a scenic and welcoming place for visitors of all ages. The modern town, tracing its history to the 1880s, is home to a population of around 16,000 residents where the beautiful sights of the Tonto National Forest are never far away. There are many cycling and biking trails here, while numerous campsites make Payson and the surrounding area great for the outdoors lover. And with Payson's hot summers and mild winters, there is indeed never really a wrong time to be outside. In addition, a series of annual rodeos take place in town, a perfect way to get better acquainted with the region's Old West culture.
Williams
Williams, established in the 1880s, is situated in Coconino County. It houses a most modest population of just over 3,000 residents. Located along the famed and historic Route 66 Highway, Williams (also affectionately named the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon") is a great place to discover old-fashioned Americana, where a definite feeling of nostalgia is sure to be felt. Here, numerous old-style restaurants and novelty shops fill the landscape, while at the Williams Depot Train Station, the whole family can enjoy a scenic ride on the Grand Canyon Railway. In addition, guests can explore informative and fun places like the Gas Station Museum and the Planes of Fame Air Museum, while an afternoon at the Bearizona Wildlife Park charms as the home of local desert wildlife.
Tubac
Located just a short 45-minute drive from the city of Tucson, the charming and historic town of Tubac can trace its modern roots to the mid-18th century. Visitors will find lots of historic intrigue and a thriving local arts scene here. With more than 100 local shops and galleries, a genuine slice of southwestern art and décor is not hard to find in Tubac. Visitors must keep an eye out for stores selling fine-crafted jewelry and leather products that are specialties of this town. In addition, a stop at the Tubac Presidio State Park brings guests back time some 270 years as the oldest Spanish fort in Arizona. Other historic buildings of note to discover include the Captain's Quarters (1759), St. Ann Catholic Church (1917), and the Pedro Herreras House (1857).
Wickenburg
Named after a German prospecting pioneer, Henry Wickenburg, in the 1860s, the town of Wickenburg transitioned from a mining town to a tourist destination over the years. Self-proclaimed as Arizona's "Dude Ranch Capital," tourists will find plenty of old Wild West fun and intrigue in Wickenburg, where a true sense of time travel may very well be experienced. With a historic district full of 19th-century buildings and landmarks, guests can get a real taste of the Western lifestyle. Stop by sites like the Vulture Gold Mine or the famed Jail Tree, where outlaws were publicly shackled. Meanwhile, as an Arizona desert town, hot weather and scenic desert surroundings are always on hand. Enjoy opportunities for horseback riding, cycling, and hiking, or even take in the sights of a local rodeo in a beautiful locale just an hour's drive from Phoenix.
Camp Verde
The scenic town of Camp Verde is the ideal place for all outdoor adventurists to visit, where the hot Arizona sun and desert ambiance make for quite a memorable experience. Situated in Yavapai County, this town of just over 12,000 inhabitants offers locals and visitors alike wonderful opportunities for camping, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and fishing. In addition, many intriguing historic landmarks can be explored in Camp Verde, including the Montezuma Castle National Monument and the Commanding Officer Quarters (1871). And, of course, any summer visit to Camp Verde would not be complete without taking in the sights and tastes of the annual Corn Festival in an event that satisfies the young and old.
Jerome
Just under 500 residents call the town of Jerome home, a once bustling mining center that today more closely resembles a ghost town. Still, this Yavapai County locale remains a most intriguing and geographically unique place to discover for anyone in Arizona. Situated in the Black Hills at some 5,000 feet, Jerome was once called the "Wickedest City in the West." Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors can experience several abandoned mines (some say are haunted). Take a ghost tour of the town, enjoy a hot meal at a number of mining-themed restaurants, or visit the famous Sliding Jail, which, since its construction in 1905, has slid some 200 feet from its original location. With these and other historic landmarks and a special atmosphere unique among its Arizona counterparts, Jerome is indeed one of the State's most fascinating places.
Bisbee
Bisbee serves as the seat of Cochise County. It is located in the heart of the Mule Mountains and near Mexico's border. Bisbee was established in the 1880s and continues to house unique 19th-century architecture and Victorian-style homes, particularly in the downtown district. Meanwhile, an afternoon at the informative Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum (housed in a building constructed in 1895) highlights the town's importance as a mining center for the growing American West. And, of course, for the athletically minded tourist, visiting Bisbee would not be complete without trying the 1000 Stair Climb. In this three-mile run through town, participants will pass by some 1,035 stairs in one of the most rigorous physical exercises one can partake in.
Tombstone
One of Arizona's most special destinations, the historic town of Tombstone is indeed a unique place of discovery for visitors of any age. Established in the 1870s, this town of just over 1,300 residents maintains a most special 19th-century ambiance and, in ways, is a type of living museum. Here, actors in period clothing travel throughout the downtown, recreating the Old West scenes to fascinate the young and old. Among the most popular recreations is the O.K. Corral gunfight of 1881, which included famed names like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. And with numerous restored buildings, operational saloons, diners, and plenty of special souvenir shops to browse through, there is never a shortage of immersive memories to be made in Tombstone. So take to the road and see why a trip to the Old West does not necessarily require a time machine!
Winslow
Spending time in the town of Winslow means learning what it truly means to live in a desert environment. Its hot summers and warm winters serve as reminders of its geographic setting. Founded in the year 1900, Winslow is a cute little town that defines postcard Americana. Visitors can explore several charming cultural and natural landmarks when not trying to beat the heat. Visitors may stop by the Old Trails Museum and its remarkable collection of Native American art and artifacts or spend an afternoon at the Clear Creek Reservoir for great swimming, paddling, and boating opportunities. And, of course, one cannot miss a photo opportunity at Standin' at the Corner Park, named for the lyric in the 1972 Eagles song "Take it Easy."
Carefree
Carefree is a planned community that was founded in the 1950s and, as its name implies, is designed to create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility. Situated in Maricopa County and just some 35 miles north of Phoenix, visitors and residents of this sleepy town can enjoy the best of Arizona's climate and scenic surroundings in a laid-back environment. Take a stroll along Easy Street, enjoy a day at a local spa, play a game of tennis at any of the numerous available courts, or take in a great locally cooked Southwestern meal at a locally owned eatery. And remember to visit the Carefree Sundial erected in 1959. This impression installation, made from steel and copper, measures some 90 feet in diameter and makes for quite the photo opportunity.
Arcosanti
Arcosanti is more of an experimental prototype for the future city than a town proper, but tourists will still find plenty of intrigue to discover here. Designed by an Italian architect in the 1970s, Arcosanti has been described as the world's first town of arcology (a combination of architecture and ecology). Some 68 miles from Phoenix, Arcosanti is locally managed, and guests will certainly get a feeling of science fiction while visiting, where loads of odd and stunning architecture abound. Take guided tours of several buildings, including the Ceramics Apse, the Vaults, and the Crafts III Building, while spending a night at an eco-friendly lodge makes a sojourn in Arcosanti truly an experience straight out of a sci-fi movie!
Though larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson may remain the best known, Arizona's charming and scenic small towns reveal an equal dose of splendid desert beauty and history. From the Old Wild West streets of Tombstone to the ghost mining town of Jerome and beyond, these and other wonderfully intriguing Arizona towns are great places for the intrepid tourist to discover firsthand. Arizona is indeed calling, and with a trip to these great scenic towns, memories to last a lifetime are sure to be had.
