6 Picturesque Towns In Arizona For A Weekend Retreat In 2024

With Native American tribes residing on the land of Arizona for more than 15,000 years and the Spanish Empire arriving in the late 16th century, Arizona has a deep history. Many of the state’s small towns have made it their mission to preserve this heritage through museums, archaeological sites, national monuments, and historic inns. This commitment draws countless tourists each year who are eager to spend a weekend immersing themselves in Arizona’s captivating past. For those craving an adventure beyond the city limits, these six towns offer an interesting escape into the old-timey Wild West and breathtaking desert landscapes—perfect for an unforgettable weekend getaway!

Chloride

Chloride holds the distinction of being Arizona’s oldest continuously inhabited mining town. The Mine Shaft Market and Visitors Center is a great starting point, featuring artisan jewelry, souvenirs, and refreshing drinks, along with helpful information about the town’s attractions. After getting more information about the town, visitors can head to Cyanide Springs, a reenactment town that immerses tourists in Chloride’s Wild West history. It even has gunfight reenactments on most Saturdays! Other significant historic landmarks include the Post Office, which is the oldest continuously running post office in Arizona, the Chloride Baptist Church, which dates back to 1891, and the jail, dating back to 1917.

Art lovers can also explore the 1.3-mile mural trail, showcasing vibrant rocks painted by artist Roy Purcell, which can be conveniently enjoyed by car. After a day of exploring, Shep’s Miner Inn in Chloride is the perfect place to unwind. This historic adobe hotel, which opened in the early 1900s, once served as a rest stop for travelers braving the harsh desert.

Tombstone

Affectionately nicknamed “The Town that is Too Tough to Die,” Tombstone has a rich mining and Wild West history that its residents preserve through museums and interactive attractions. The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park museum showcases the area’s silver mining and frontier history, all housed within the Victorian-style building. The O.K. Coral hosts daily gunfight reenactments, taking place on the site of Tombstone’s most legendary gunfight. Those who are curious about the 19th-century miner lifestyle can attend a tour with Good Enough Underground Mine Tours, which offers immersive tours that go 100 feet underground into a silver mine from the 1870s.

After an extensive exploration of the town and its history, hungry visitors can head to one of the town’s many saloons, including Big Nose Kate's Saloon & Restaurant, which has daily live entertainment and a wild west atmosphere, or Crystal Palace Saloon & Restaurant, which is a classic, full-service 1880s-style bar and restaurant that offers live music on the weekends. The Russ House is an excellent accommodation option, featuring a historic inn that has been in operation since 1880.

Kayenta

Located along the red-earthed Colorado Plateau, near the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Kayenta has unique southwestern landscapes and rock formations that date back millennia. The best way to explore Monument Valley is by reserving a tour with certified Navajo tour operators, who will take travelers through the valley in Jeeps to explore its two renowned buttes: Mitten and Merrick. Further down the valley, visitors can also see the Ear of the Wind, a 134-foot tall arch that is only accessible with a guide. Those who prefer to hike can head to the Wildcat Trail, a four-mile loop that circles Mitten Butte.

For those looking for a souvenir, The Trading Post, located in the park, sells a variety of traditional Navajo art, such as concho belts, squash blossom necklaces, and sand paintings. To complete an immersive stay in the Navajo Nation, visitors must stay in FireTree Bed and Breakfast, which is a Navajo Hogan-style Inn, showcasing a traditional form of Navajo housing.

Williams

Known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, Williams isn't just a haven for hikers—it’s also rich with Route 66 and Wild West history. The Route 66 Gallery and Gift Shop, for example, showcases a fine collection of vintage gasoline and oil artifacts, making it the perfect stop for both history buffs and souvenir hunters. A stroll through the town’s six blocks of historic buildings along the famous highway further immerses visitors in the nostalgia of Route 66. Those looking to take a trip out to the Grand Canyon can do so in comfort on the Grand Canyon Railway, operating since 1901, which departs from Williams and travels to the Grand Canyon’s southern rim, offering incredible views of the region’s desert landscape. After the train ride, visitors can rest at the nearby historic Buffalo Pointe Inn, which dates back to 1910. With its inviting front porch, outdoor patios, and a continental breakfast served daily in the old family room, it's the perfect place to relax.

Globe

Globe embodies the essence of a classic Arizona town, with its southwest mountain views, deep western history, and a mining and ranching culture that remains relevant today. The Besh-Ba-Gowah Ruins is one of the most impressive historic landmarks in town, featuring a partially restored, indigenous ruin that dates back to 1225 and 1400 CE. The neighboring museum also contains prehistoric artifacts, including pottery and woven and stone items. The Arizona Trail is another great way to appreciate the region’s nature, as an 800-mile, national scenic trail that connects deserts, canyons, mountains, and wilderness together.

To relax after a long day of history and nature exploration, travelers can head to Waggin’ Vineyard and Estate, Globe’s first winery that has a variety of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Once a boarding house for working men and merchants, the Chrysocolla Inn is a historic hotel, with six bedrooms, several common spaces, and lower garden patios, making for the perfect weekend getaway spot.

Ajo

With a population of just under 3,000, the quaint town of Ajo attracts numerous visitors each year, thanks to its traditional Spanish architecture, colonial heritage, and vast expanse of 12 million acres of surrounding public and tribal land. Its central town plaza, constructed in 1917 with Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture, will remind visitors of a Spanish town. The town showcases a portion of its mining history through the Cornelia Open Pit Mine, once a massive copper mine, that visitors can visit from an overlook slightly outside of the town. 15 miles south of Ajo, travelers can also visit the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a cactus forest recognized by UNESCO due to its rich biodiversity and unique cacti column formations. Ajo's rich history is reflected in its unique accommodation choices, such as the Sonoran Desert Inn. This historic hotel is set in a restored early 20th-century school and offers comfortable rooms designed in a southwest industrial style.’

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your journey through Arizona’s small towns, you’ll find that each destination contributes a unique piece to Arizona’s southwestern culture. Whether you find yourself wandering through the old mining streets of Chloride, exploring the Wild West charm of Tombstone, or soaking in the rocky landscapes of Kayenta, a distinct outdoor or historic adventure awaits. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with stories, sights, and perhaps a little bit of cowboy spirit!