7 Most Eccentric Towns In Arizona

Attracting over 45 million visitors in 2023 alone, Arizona is no stranger to the tourism industry. While many flock to well-known destinations like the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, where do you turn for something a little more out of the ordinary? For those seeking a surprise, an abundance of lesser-known gems awaits. Desert-raised shrimp, lakes for scuba diving, Wild West saloons, and ghost towns are just a few of the unexpected finds scattered throughout the state. Even lifelong residents may be surprised by some of the attractions in these seven eccentric towns.

Gila Bend

While the concept of desert shrimp might seem strange, Gila Bend is known for its desert shrimp industry. Arizona Desert Shrimp is the primary contributor, harvesting shrimp in a pond near the town. To celebrate this unique tradition, visitors can attend Gila Bend’s annual Desert Shrimp Festival, which highlights the town’s local sweet shrimp in a variety of dishes. The festival also features vendors offering Navajo jewelry, clothing, soaps, refreshments, and more. The surrounding Sonoran Desert provides the perfect conditions for birding, with nearly 100 bird species in the area. In January, travelers can keep their eyes out for raptors, thrashers, sparrows, and waterfowl. Because of Gila Bend’s remoteness from bigger Arizona cities, it is the perfect place to stargaze. After 9 p.m. during the winter, visitors can admire stellar starry nights, undisturbed by the light pollution of larger cities.

Holbrook

Holbrook stands out from other Arizona towns thanks to its incredible natural surroundings. Lying within the Painted Desert, the town is surrounded by colorful hills, weathered buttes, and flat-topped mesas. To fully appreciate this beauty, travelers can head to the Painted Desert Visitor Center and drive along Main Park Road, which offers many scenic views of the geological formations and places to stop and snap pictures.

Petrified Forest National Park is another one of the town’s unusual attractions, featuring prominent petrified logs that have transformed into nearly solid quartz, taking on hues of iron, manganese, and carbon. While in the park, visitors can also appreciate the remains of a 600-year-old Ancestral Puebloan compound and nearby petroglyphs. After a day of outdoor exploration, unwind at the Empty Pockets Saloon, a local, Navajo-, woman-, and veteran-owned historic saloon along Route 66. Here, travelers can enjoy classic American bites and beer in a Western-style setting.

Tombstone

Tombstone, once a thriving silver mining town, still preserves much of its Wild West atmosphere today. The O.K. Corral is one of the most intriguing landmarks in town, the site of one of Tombstone’s most legendary gunfights that took place in 1881. In addition to reenactments, visitors can see life-size figures of the gunmen, an 1880s blacksmith shop, and C.S. Fly's Photo Gallery.

At the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park, travelers can witness the longest-running professional gunfight show in Tombstone, packed with actions and stunts. For a drink in a historic saloon, visitors can stop by Wyatt Earp's Oriental Saloon & Theatre, which hosts periodic reenactments and live music events. At the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum, visitors can dive into the town’s western heritage, appreciating over 12,000 artifacts from Tombstone and the Wild West.

Quartzsite

Quartzsite, nicknamed, “The Rock Capital of the World,” has a rich rock and gold mining history. Today, the town is particularly known for its massive gem & mineral shows that takes place between January and February. During the Desert Gardens International Rock, Gem and Mineral Show, for example, more than 150 vendors from 15 different countries congregate to share and sell their products. Other shows during this period include the Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show and QIA POW WOW Gem & Mineral Show as well.

In addition to attending gem and mineral shows, camping is another popular activity near Quartzsite. The La Posa Long Term Visitor Area, spanning around 11,400 acres, offers abundant camping space along with trails for hiking. Making the hour's drive to Castle Dome Mine Museum is another worthwhile activity, a ghost town that has been sitting atop a patented mine since 1871, featuring 50 abandoned, 19th-century buildings to explore.

Lake Havasu City

With its beaches, watersports, boating, and fishing, Lake Havasu City defies expectations for a small Arizona town. In fact, around town, there are over 400 miles of shoreline to explore. At Lake Havasu State Park, visitors can take advantage of white sand beaches, hiking trails, picnic tables, boat launches, and campsites. There are also over 30 dive sites throughout Lake Havasu, some of the most popular including Miller's Folly, Pilot Rock, and Steamboat Cove. After a day of lounging on the beach, hungry travelers can head to Barley Brothers Restaurant & Brewery, where they can enjoy a wood-fired pizza and house-crafted beer.

Seligman

In 1987, Seligman earned its nickname as the 'Birthplace of Historic Route 66' after a group of local residents successfully campaigned for the route to be designated as a historic highway. Upon arriving in town, visitors can stroll through a number of nostalgic shops. For some old-timey road signs, license plates, or Coca-Cola Memorabilia, stop by Angel & Vilma Delgadillo's Original Route 66 Gift Shop or The Rusty Bolt. Westside Lilo's Cafe makes a good lunch stop, provoking more 1960s nostalgia.

For a memorable photo, travelers can snap a picture in front of the Route 66 Mural, which features the iconic Route 66 logo against a backdrop of a historic railroad, cattle, and the Arizona desert. About half an hour from Seligman, travelers can reach the Grand Canyon Caverns, the country’s largest dry caverns, carved from limestone over 65 million years ago.

Bisbee

Bisbee, once a bustling mining town, began to decline after its mines were depleted. However, an influential art community revitalized the area, preventing it from becoming a ghost town. The Bisbee Art Wall is an excellent representation of the town’s creative energy, featuring an outdoor display of countless art pieces. The Warren Neighborhood is another fascinating area to explore, recognized as Arizona's first planned community in the early 20th century and famous for its Arts and Crafts-style bungalow houses. Those wanting a souvenir can stop by some of Bisbee’s art galleries, including Belleza Gallery, 55 Main Gallery, and Sam Poe Gallery. To immerse yourself in Bisbee’s mining history, consider embarking on the Copper Queen Mine Tour, which takes you 1,500 feet into the mine. Equipped with a hardhat and miner's lamp, you'll get a glimpse of what life was like for miners centuries ago.

Final Thoughts

While you might be tempted to head to Arizona’s larger cities, like Phoenix and Tucson, for an eventful weekend away, there are plenty of other options to consider, some of which may be entirely new to you. Whether you want to attend a gem and mineral conference, marvel at starry desert skies, lounge on the sandy shores of Lake Havasu, or witness an exciting gunfight, the Grand Canyon State offers something for everyone.