7 of the Most Walkable Towns in Arizona
There is nothing like taking in the sights and sounds of a new city by strolling through its walkable downtown. Aside from reaping some health benefits and minimizing your carbon footprint, touring a walkable town makes you feel closer and more connected to the locale. Plus, it is harder to miss off-the-beaten-path and hole-in-the-wall spots when you’re walking!
For those keen on stepping up their walking mileage during a holiday in The Grand Canyon State of the United States, consider these 7 of the most walkable towns in Arizona on your next trip. These are quaint, small towns with low population but high on the charm and walkability. Put your running shoes on, and let us stroll!
Prescott
Around 35,000 tourists visit Prescott, Arizona, yearly—and it is not just its mining town past or its long-running “World’s Oldest Rodeo” event that attracts visitors. At the heart of Prescott is Whiskey Row, a historic street that was once filled with over 40 saloons during the Gold Rush era, and the equally historic Courthouse Plaza.
You can walk through this tree-lined block and learn a lot about Prescott. Arizona’s oldest bar and business establishment, The Palace Restaurant and Saloon is on Whiskey Row. Just across the road is the Courthouse Plaza, which houses the Centennial Tree, the iconic Prescott Horse Statue, and the majestic Yavapai County Courthouse. These spots rich in Prescott history are all in one block!
Sedona
Surrounded by red-rock buttes and pine forests, the desert town of Sedona has a beautiful landscape, a thriving art community, and a gathering of vibrant shops with colorful and eye-catching storefronts, all quite near each other. You can start your walking tour at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, where the staff will tell you the must-visit spots of the city. Right across the center is the Oak Creek Scenic Overlook, a sightseeing spot with a breathtaking view of the red-rock formations and trees surrounding Sedona.
Head north towards the Eagle Dancer South roundabout (an icon and tourist spot itself) to taste Sedona’s eclectic shops. From Zonies Galleria, filled with handmade housewares, to 89Agave Cantina’s Mexican spread, strolling through Sedona’s Instagram-worthy downtown is a feast for the eyes!
Tombstone
If you want to fully experience the Wild West, there is no better spot in Arizona than Tombstone, specifically Tombstone’s East Allen Street. It is an absolute theme park—all three blocks are full of Old West attractions, activities, and preserved buildings. The best part is it has a shaded boardwalk, so tourists can comfortably walk in the sun and enjoy the sights.
For cowboy gunfight reenactments, drop by O.K. Corral, The Birdcage Theater, or the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park. The Rose Tree Museum is home to the purported largest rose tree in the world, while Gunfighter Hall of Fame has historical firearm memorabilia. For a full frontier-era lesson that even teeters on the macabre, do not miss out on visiting Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park.
Bisbee
Bisbee has turned its copper-mining past into something educational for tourists through its walking tours. From underground tours that showcase the town’s old mining caves to tours of spectral nature, you will definitely need your best walking shoes (and hard hats) in Bisbee.
Bisbee’s Main Street alone has three walking tours you can do. Start at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, where they display mining artifacts and walk you through their crystal cave. If you are into spooky folklore, learn about the city’s ghostly past through the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour. Walk further down Main Street to join the Queen Mine Tour, where you will be given a hard hat to explore a century-old underground complex and learn a thing or two about mining.
Jerome
Jerome is another mining town in the mountains of Arizona that has turned its history into an interesting travel destination, particularly Jerome’s Mining Museum at the heart of town and Jerome State Historic Park up north.
If you would rather keep your visit near Jerome’s downtown, start your visit at Main Street. It will only take you a few minutes to walk to the Historic Jerome Center, one of the town’s preserved spots overlooking an old mining area. Right across it is the Jerome Mining Museum, where the town’s mining heritage is displayed. If you are up for a hike to the hilly areas of the city, visit Jerome State Historic Park, home to the Douglas Mansion built by a mining magnate. Next to it is the Audrey Headframe Park, which has a glass viewing platform overlooking a 1918 mine shaft!
Williams
If you are on your way to the Grand Canyon, set aside some time and stop by at Williams—known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” and has the historic Route 66 running through it. You will find Americana-style shops and memorabilia havens, like Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum and the Historic Brewing Barrel House, which are conveniently on the same street.
For thrill-seekers, do not miss out on Route 66 Zipline, where you will zip down Route 66 in harnesses that are fashioned like a car! If you would rather just take photos of historic spots, the Santa Fe Railcar Bridge and Williams Rotary Street Clock, which are both on the same block, might be more your speed. Want something silly but educational? Just cross the road and visit the Poozeum—it is a museum of fossilized dino poop!
Wickenburg
The small Arizona town of Wickenburg is beloved for its preservation of history, which can be easily experienced by walking through a small portion of E Wickenburg Way. Start at the Discover Historical Wickenburg Mural, a huge work of art detailing the town’s American frontier era.
You can then go through a row of nearby restaurants, some Western-themed, like the La Cabana Saloon, where you can refresh yourself. Then, head to the Jail Tree, a historic landmark that was once the town’s makeshift jail. Finally, end your DIY Wickenburg walking tour at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Here, you will learn more about the town’s gold-mining history and see cowboy and miner artifacts.
In a country that is becoming more and more car-dependent, it is good to know that there are still places in the United States that can be enjoyed by simply walking from one attraction to another. These 7 of the most walkable towns in Arizona show that taking it slow with our legs can make any trip convenient, serotonin-boosting because of the exercise, and light on the pocket.
Do not let Arizona’s sunny weather deter you from walking and missing out on these walking tour experiences. As long as you have comfy shoes, protection from the sun, proper hydration, and info on the weather beforehand, you’ll be good to go!
