14 Gorgeous Arizona Towns To Visit In 2023
Arizona, home of the Grand Canyon, the great big red rock of America, is also known for other legendary monuments like Glen Canyon, the Butterfield Overland Trail, and Casa Grande Ruins. However, there is more to Arizona than just spectacular scenery. This state has over 91 towns and is known for its inclusivity. In every part of the state, you will find Navajos, Mexicans, and Hispanics alongside Americans in Arizona.
Arizona holds many small and underrated towns waiting to be discovered. If you are a traveler or adventurer looking for memorable towns in Arizona to explore and take beautiful pictures and keepsakes, these towns will not disappoint. Prepare for an adventure in these 14 gorgeous Arizona towns to visit in 2023.
Sedona
Not too far from the town of Flagstaff is Sedona, a gorgeous small town with a population of only 9,896. Situated within the counties of Coconino and Yavapai, it is known for being the home to adventure-seeking hikers and those who seek spiritual cleansing. The main attraction in Sedona is the great red stones with unique formations almost everywhere in the town. They serve as a backdrop for many major activities in the town, like photography, meditation, and town festivals.
Beginners or veteran hikers can visit the Hike House for hiking gear, training, and adventures. While hiking, you will discover beautiful mountains and scenic trails like Devil's Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon, where you can also enjoy a lone time on any of them while stargazing or watching the sunset. You can also bike on the Bell Rock bike trail or visit Spirit of the Heavens for spirituality and wellness in Sedona.
Bisbee
In the early 1900s, Bisbee consisted of over 20,000 residents. This once-populated town has now drastically declined to only 4,900 people. The notorious Bisbee Riot instigated this depopulation. The riot was caused by the discrimination and ill-treatment of miners and immigrants by the past citizens of the town.
This gorgeous town has opened its arms to visitors, relishing them with mining stories deep down the abyss of the 1500-foot-deep Copper Queen Mine. What is an adventure without a little spook? Visit Bisbee’s Old Ghost Town at night for all the scary feels. You can also go time-traveling on Erie Street, which features vintage scenery. Do not forget to take some pictures while you are at it.
Tombstone
Breathtaking Tombstone on the south side of Arizona is an ode to the past. If you ever wished you were born in the olden days, you should visit Tombstone. You will see history play before your eyes. On Allen Street, visitors are thrilled with the re-creation of Tombstone’s history. Live displays of the 1881 Gunfight are reenacted by actors in buckskins and gauchos.
The journey continues at Crystal Palace, where you can hear the sounds of footsteps, a revolving wheel, and apparitions. Many claim the saloon is haunted, which brings more thrill to visitors. More adventure awaits you in the home of Wyatt Earp, whose house has become a significant monument in Tombstone. Through the walls, you can visualize the life he lived with his wife and their sounds of merriment as you look through Earp’s collections.
Winslow
Named after Governor and Hero Edward F. Winslow, Winslow is renowned for its railroad, prominent for being the corner Jackson Browne wrote about in the song "Take It Easy." A statue of the songwriter is at Kinsley Corner, where travelers can go to see the statue and the mirror design reflection of the lady in the song. The history of Winslow is embedded in its railway, and at Old Trails Museum, travelers get to learn all about the Santa Fe Railway and the town's story.
For travelers looking for a luxurious place to stay while in town, the El Magnifico La Posada is the place to explore. It is not just a grand hotel. It is a 5-star hotel with the history of Winslow written all over it.
Camp Verde
Camp Verde is the place to be for outdoor lovers. The year-round cool weather and climate make it suitable for outdoor activities like boat riding, trail hiking, and stargazing. Travelers can also go winetasting or visit Fort Verde, where you will learn about the history of the Native American wars. Also, get dazzled by the archeological histories and facts at the Verde Valley Archaeology.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park is another place to check out where you can enjoy the day's cool breeze while watching the animals. Adventure junkies should also check out the Predator Zipline for training, tours, and parties.
Page
Page is notable for landmarks like Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Glen Canyon. It is also known for being the town where The Greatest Showman was filmed. However, the best aspect of Page is the small inns with majestic views of the lake and scenic surroundings. Lovers of beautiful landscapes and striking milieu will find bliss on the trail of Vermilion Cliffs.
Travelers can go white-water rafting in the Colorado River during the day and spend the rest of the evening taking a tour of the Antelope Canyon and gazing at the spectacular horizon of the Horseshoe Bend. Bring your adventure to a climax by visiting the sand dunes of the Great Chamber Alcove, where unforgettable fun awaits you!
Oatman
Oatman is a gold mining town named after the little Olive Oatman, who was a victim of the Indian and Mohave slave trade in 1851. For many decades, it was one of the largest gold-producing towns.
While Oatman might have lost its place as a gold producer, the Western spirit in this land remains alive. As soon as you arrive in town, you would hear the sound of the Oatman small donkeys neighing and crowds shouting in excitement. These donkeys have become a part of the town, and residents come out to Route 66 to watch them while they share stories about the town with visitors and sell historical art and gear. You can also shop for sweets at Gold Rush Candy or fry some eggs at the Oatman Annual Sidewalk Egg Fry if you are around in July.
Arcosanti
Arcosanti seeks an adventurer like you! It is unlike anything you have ever heard of. It is, in fact, an experiment. The residents of this town are architectural and ecology students and other volunteers who choose to be part of the experiment. Paolo Soleri planned to show the relationship between humanity and its environment alongside architectural structures by building a town where he could house 5,000 people. Little wonder why it's one of the most gorgeous Arizona towns to visit in 2023.
Today, Arcosanti has about 150 residents and 50,000 yearly visitors who come for the beautiful structures and enjoy a great time at the cafe. You can also hike on Line Shack Trail or Black Canyon Trail. Arcosanti is just a few miles away from the Coconino National Forest.
Village of Oak Creek
The Village of Oak Creek is one of the most gorgeous unincorporated towns in Arizona. It is 7 miles away from Sedona and gives visitors a village version of Sedona. Here, you will find random local pubs, cafes, and caprock formations around homes and commercial areas. Right on State Route 179, the town has quick access to all the necessary amenities.
You can go on the Magical Sedona tour through the desert, where you get to see the Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Bell Rock. Take a tour of the town and western roads in a pink jeep or on the back of a horse with Sedona Jeep Tours. Return to the small village vibe for a place to rest and revel in the beauty of your surroundings in inns like Adobe Village Inn, Bell Rock, or Desert Quail Inn.
Cottonwood
About 100 miles north of Phoenix, Cottonwood is an old town for the old soul. If you are tired of the modern era, you can take a break from the hustle and bustle by visiting the old town. Every December, the town hosts an annual parade called The Chocolate Walk to celebrate chocolate lovers. It features pretty cars, horses, tasty meals, chocolates, and dancers. It is held on Main Street, and visitors can join the parade, dance, ride in old vintage cars while eating tasty food, chocolate, and drinks, and enjoy a night out with a bunch of happy strangers.
Cottonwood is full of events such as The Science Vortex, Black Friday Fitness Hike, and Friday FUNdraiser, especially during the holidays. You can also shop keepsakes at Papillon Too or Treasure Junkies antique stores.
Wickenburg
Wickenburg was founded by Henry Wickenburg, a gold miner who, with the help of farmers, made the land into a town amidst the ongoing Indian wars and occasional natural disasters like the 1890 Walnut Creek flood.
In the present day, adventurers can visit Wickenburg to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking. Check out the rocky Hassayampa River Trail or Vulture Peak Trail and enjoy the gorgeous view of the town. Art lovers can also visit the Desert Caballeros Western Museum for classic arts, movies, and lessons on the history of the American West.
Jerome
Jerome is another ghoul town in Arizona. It started as a farming and copper mining town where mineral resources like azurite and malachite were discovered. However, the population reduced drastically, and mining ceased when miners were killed, residents were poisoned, and gunfights ensued among police and bootleggers. All that is left in Jerome are the ghost stories of miners and past residents.
However, this town has something for travelers. A Mining Museum and the Jerome Historical House for lovers of old-west stories, and a Ghost Town where broken-down structures tell the stories of miners who once lived and worked there but have now faded into dust, leaving their stories, the history of their gruesome deaths, and work tools as the only sign they were once there.
Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon Village is a historical town with a decreasing population of 1,591 people due to climate issues and drought. The town has an Old Mule House, a Train Depot, and a time-traveling trail called The Trail of Time. Go back in time to this gorgeous Arizona town in the Grand Canyon that is just 80 miles from Flagstaff.
Even though it has a decreasing population, the nearby Grand Canyon receives about 5 million visitors annually because of its beautiful scenery. Watch spectacular views of the Grand Canyon from the peak of Bright Angel Trail. It is breathtaking, and the steep rocks make the adventure more frightening and intriguing. You cannot get enough of nature in Grand Canyon Village. Campers can enjoy even more at Mother Campground, where you can watch the beautiful sky all day and night.
Sahuarita
Sahuarita is a larger Arizona town and one of the best places to live in Arizona. The residents love tourists and are enthusiastic to show off the beauty and history of the town. Sahuarita recounts Cold War stories in its Titan Missile Museum, where visitors can take solo and guided tours of the 146-footed missile repository.
It is also a quaint fishing village where the community fishing lake is open to the public within Sahuarita Lake Park. If you visit in November, you can attend the Annual Pecan Festival, which celebrates the world's largest pecan orchard.
Each of these 14 gorgeous Arizona towns holds something special and memorable for every traveler and adventurer. Whether you are searching for a place to lay while watching the world go on or looking for outdoor activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, you will find your place in each town. Bring to life the old and forgotten era when you visit these towns.
