6 Delightful Towns To Visit In Arizona
Arizona, the 48th state to be formally admitted to the Union, forms a portion of the Four Corners region of the American Southwest, bounded by the adjoining US states of Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California, and New Mexico, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. Aside from the Grand Canyon National Park - the most awe-inspiring internationally famous attraction, this geographically diverse landlocked state is widely known for the sky-high San Francisco peaks, Colorado Plateau, bewitching desert sceneries, ponderosa pine forests, Mogollon Rim, Sonoran Desert, and Saguaro National Park. Although the high-spirited cities of Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and the state capital Phoenix receive the maximum attention from tourists, the innumerable delightful towns of the Grand Canyon State, ranging from rustic valley paradises to bygone mining centers, deserve a spot on your Arizona itinerary.
Williams
Williams, christened after the famed mountain man William Sherley, is an enchanting Old West community west of Flagstaff, just 60 miles from Grand Canyon’s Southern Rim in Coconino County of north-central Arizona. Primarily a lumber, ranching, and railroad hub and one of the terminal cities whose part of U.S. Route 66 was bypassed to keep the end segment of Interstate 40, Williams’s flourishing National Register-listed historic business district comprises numerous late 19th and early 20th century structures in various architectural styles. Train enthusiasts visiting Williams must ride on the heritage Grand Canyon Railway, which makes its way to the Grand Canyon Village Historic District via the picturesque landscapes of the state’s High Country. For an authentic Route 66 vibe, stop by the plethora of gift shops, eateries, welcoming accommodations, and especially the Pete’s Gas Station Museum, filled with ancient memorabilia and vintage vehicles. Additionally, head straight to the Bearizona Wildlife Park, the Bill Williams Mountain Area, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, and the adjacent Kaibab National Forest to partake in endless recreational activities.
Ajo
Named by Spaniards after wild garlic found in the abutting hills, this desert mining town in southwestern Arizona’s Pima County sits on State Route 85 approx. 43 miles from the Mexico-US international border. The town serves as an official gateway to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - a UNESCO biosphere reserve and the nation’s sole place where organ pipe cactus and senita cactus grow in the wild. Visitors are also drawn to Ajo’s growing art scene - the non-profit Art Under The Arches Fine Art Gallery & Gift Shop, which sells fine art paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and other quirky artisanal gifts; the Artist Alley Murals, the awe-inspiring Spanish Colonial Revival Plaza at the heart of the town, the Ajo Historical Society Museum, the Historic Train Depot (Ajo Visitor Center), the Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center, Desert Diamond Casino Why, and the nearby Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
Sedona
This captivating community, situated fully within the Coconino National Forest in Arizona's Verde Valley region, straddles the boundary between Coconino and Yavapai counties. Called Sedona after Sedona Schnebly - the wife of Theodore Carlton Schnebly, the first postmaster of the settlement, the town’s principal attraction is its myriad red sandstone formations that create an unearthly scenery against the blue sky. The red rocks are also a favored setting for numberless recreations ranging from spiritual pursuits to the many hiking, off-roading, and biking trails. Furthermore, to savor the region’s popular wines, a visit to the local vineyards is a must for all wine connoisseurs. Every year, thousands of merrymakers flock to Sedona to be present at the Sedona Food Truck Festival, 1st Friday In The Galleries, Sedona Hummingbird Festival, Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, and St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival.
Seligman
Dubbed the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66,” this census-designated place on the northern frontier of northwestern Arizona’s Yavapai County, is home to 446 inhabitants as per the latest US Census. Originally known as ‘Prescott Junction’ for being a prominent railroad stop, the town was relabeled in honor of Jesse Seligman, one of the founders of New York’s J. & W. Seligman & Co., who funded the construction of the area’s railroad lines. The Northern Yavapai County’s trading mecca and Seligman’s business center, the Seligman Commercial Historic District features a huge collection of early 20th-century commercial buildings by the side of Historic Route 66 that superbly reflects the roadside architectural style. Some noteworthy sites of interest in this quintessential Route 66 town include the Aztec Motel & Creative Space, Historic Route 66 Motel, Return to the 50s Museum & Gift Shop, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In eatery, Rusty Bolt Gift Shop, the Historic Seligman Sundries, Westside Lilo’s Café, etc. Yearly, the town hosts a 3-day event “The Annual Route 66 Fun Run” luring hundreds of classic car and truck fanatics from across the globe to travel a 140-mile stretch of Route 66.
Bisbee
Cochise County’s seat of government, Bisbee, baptized after Jurist DeWitt Bisbee, is located in the Mule Mountains of southeast Arizona, roughly 92 miles southeast of Tucson and 11 miles north of the international boundary with Mexico. Settled as a copper mining town in 1880, the settlement’s year-round warm climate and lovely ambiance have helped turn the town into a thriving arts community. Bisbee is esteemed for its numerous meticulously preserved landmark properties, including the Art Deco-style Cochise County Courthouse and the former Phelps Dodge General Office Building, currently the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. Multiple galleries such as the Sam Poe Gallery and Belleza Fine Art Gallery fill ‘Old Bisbee’ - the historic town center, and Bisbee’s rich mining heritage is beautifully showcased at the Copper Queen Mine and Lavender Pit. Learn more about the town’s spooky chronicles as you traverse the old alleys, streets, and stairways with an Old Bisbee Ghost Tour at night and visit The Bisbee Séance Room to experience “Arizona’s Only Combination of Haunted History & Victorian Parlor Magic” at ‘the most haunted town in America.’
Jerome
Located betwixt Prescott and Sedona along State Route 89A highway approx. 100 miles north of the state capital, Jerome sits atop the Cleopatra Hill overlooking Verde Valley at an elevation of more than 5,000 ft in the Black Hills of Central Arizona’s Yavapai County. Called the “Wickedest Town In The West” during its heyday, this teeny alpine copper mining town is at present distinguished for its art scene and as a leading tourist hub attracting thousands annually. When in town, tour the Douglas Mansion in Jerome State Historic Park, Gold King Mine Museum & Ghost Town, Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery housed in Old Hotel Jerome, the Caduceus Cellars winery, Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, Audrey Headframe Park housing the sophisticated Audrey shaft and headframe built by the United Verde Extension Company, and Jerome’s Sliding Jail.
From Seligman - the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66” to the hypnotizing red rock structures of Sedona, the tiny communities of the nation's 6th largest and 14th most populous state are waiting to be discovered. Having mind-blowing natural wonders, intriguing local histories, thriving Western cultures, artistic inspirations, scintillating outdoor adventures, and above all the generous hospitality of the residents, these wonderful towns should be on your radar. Whether you are a history buff, a cultural connoisseur, an adrenaline junkie, or a road tripper navigating down Route 66, the Valentine State towns will surely offer you an all-embracing vacation experience away from crowded metropolises.
