7 of the Quirkiest Towns in Arizona
From deep underground to the cosmos, these seven quirky towns in Arizona each offer a unique experience for travelers. The cadence of the planet and her human inhabitants is revealed across the land in petrified wood, ancient structures, historic endeavors and the changing times of roadside Americana. Visitors come to travel Route 66, stay in vintage motor hotels, shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, experience the dramatic scenery of the desert, and make memories of time on the road.
Gila Bend
In this unlikely location, generations of farmers have successfully raised cows, cultivated thousands of acres of land and now raise shrimp! (For the latter, tour West Valley Farms.) The famous metalwork dinosaurs still stand around the Shell station at the intersection of Highway 85 and Highway 10. Feel the 1960s space race come to life at Stovall’s Space Age Lodge where visitors can eat or stay the night. A pair of Vietnam-era fighter jets sit quietly on Highway 85 at the entrance of an abandoned airfield. Rare celestial bodies, constellations, meteor showers and planets show themselves in the dark skies above this destination.
Holbrook
Located in the Painted Desert, one of the most unique stops here is in the Petrified Forest National Park. The 28-mile road offers many opportunities for close-up views of ancient trees that have turned to multi-colored quartz over the eons. Pueblos, petroglyphs and paleontological animal skeletons complete the journey back into prehistoric times. The Wigwam Village Motel welcomes visitors to 1950s roadside teepee accommodations. Wild Bill, the 2.9-million-year-old alligator, is on display along with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Company. Take a tour at the 1898 courthouse museum to hear creepy stories and see the spooky jail cells.
Quartzsite
This small town is a well-known destination for RVers and boasts more spots to park them than there are houses. It is known as “The Rock Capital of the World.” Surrounded by thousands of acres of desert classified as public lands, thousands of campers and vendors make their way here for several famous gem shows and swap meets throughout the year. On display are sculptures repurposed from scrap metal at Hassler’s RV Park and the “World’s Largest Belt Buckle” at the Main Trading Post. The name of the town is spelled out in rocks 100 feet long, supposedly as a directional aid to early pilots. And, near downtown, Joanne’s Gum Gallery displays the owner’s collection of more than 4,000 packs of gum.
Sedona
Located in the heart of Red Rock Country, Sedona and the surrounding landscapes are best seen from the sky. Helicopter and hot air balloon rides offer unique perspectives on the fantastical shapes and structures of the escarpments with names like Cathedral Rock, Seven Warriors, Coffee Pot, Snoopy (sleeping on his doghouse) and more. Grab a bite at the only McDonald’s restaurant in the world with teal green arches. Just south of downtown is a collection of vintage signs, kitsch and (of course) items with an alien theme – all for sale. Stay the night and watch the skies for visitors from the cosmos.
Seligman
No trip to Arizona would be complete without a stop at the “Birthplace of Historic Route 66” where residents rallied to preserve this iconic roadway. On this longest stretch of remaining highway, snap photos at the Copper Cart and Route 66 Motoporium (opened in 1952). Angel and Vilma’s Route 66 Shop, once a barbershop, is now a museum and souvenir shop founded by the first president of the Historic Association of the Mother Road. Motorists enjoy ten sets of historically themed Burma-Shave signs along the route. Stop and support Keepers of the Wild who rescue and rehabilitate ‘exotic’ animals. Hike, horseback or fly to the nearby village of Supai for waterfalls and swimming at this remote (little-known) location.
Tombstone
In addition to the most famous gunfight in American history, this location is the destination for multiple quirky attractions. Walk the streets of the O.K. Corral and interact with period performers (Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and more) and visit the Boot Hill cemetery in the morning for photos. The “World’s Largest Rose Bush” is alive and well, producing thousands of white blooms each spring. The Bird Cage Theater Museum, a 19th Century party establishment, complete with bullet holes in the walls, creepy displays and maybe even a few ghosts is a popular stop. Tour the Good Enough Mine for a glimpse of life underground by those who tried to make their fortunes in silver.
Winslow
Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona… is a popular thing to do! A bronze statue, sign and mural (with a flatbed Ford) await at the intersection of 2nd and Kinsley for the perfect photo snap. Just down the street is the Tiny Church of the Mother Road – the “world’s smallest” worship edifice. The 9-11 Remembrance Garden has a prominent sign and two ‘towers’ made of salvaged girders from the actual site. Walk along the rim of the “best-preserved meteorite impact site” on the planet via a guided tour of the Meteor Crater. A 30-foot sculpture of a ‘skinny Indian head’ by famous artist Peter Toth remains in excellent condition in the desert climate since its creation in 1974.
There are as many reasons to visit these seven unique small towns in Arizona as there are attractions to see. This list of favorite spots and sites including a silver mine and historic gunfight in Tombstone, a song lyric in Winslow, desertscapes in Sedona, gemstones and petrified wood in Quartzsite and Holbrook, dinosaurs and celestial bodies in Gila Bend and The Mother Road in Seligman are mere samplings. For the attentive traveler, more discoveries await across this state rich with history, beauty, adventure and quirky fun.
