8 Best Arizona Towns For A Weekend Trip
Arizona, the last among the 48 adjoining US states to be ceremoniously admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912, forms a part of the American Southwest’s Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Other than the Grand Canyon National Park - the mind-blowing globally reputed traveler’s delight, this topographically diverse singly landlocked state is widely recognized for its hypnotic desert settings, tall San Francisco Peaks, deep canyons, Colorado Plateau, ponderosa pine forests, and Saguaro National Park. Even though congested urban agglomerations like Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, and the capital city Phoenix are always the first to come into one’s consciousness when visiting ‘The Grand Canyon State,’ the innumerable towns bestrewing this panoramic state are best-loved locales to indulge in family time on rejuvenation weekends.
Bisbee
Bisbee, christened in honor of Jurist DeWitt Bisbee, is the Cochise County seat situated in the Mule Mountains in the southeastern part of the state, approx. 92 miles southeast of Tucson and 11 miles north of the US-Mexico international boundary. Founded in 1880 as a copper mining town, the hamlet’s congenial atmosphere and warm climate all year long have helped transform it into a booming creative community. Bisbee is appreciated for its scrupulously kept properties such as the grand Art Deco-style Cochise County Courthouse and the quondam Phelps Dodge General Office Building presently the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum. Pay a visit to the umpteen art galleries like Belleza Fine Art Gallery filling ‘Old Bisbee’ - the historic town center; the Lavender Pit and Copper Queen Mine where the rich mining heritage of Bisbee is sublimely showcased; and the spacious suites of Eldorado Suites Hotel for relaxing peacefully. Find out more about Bisbee’s creepy tales while traversing the streets, stairways, and old alleys at night with an Old Bisbee Ghost Tour plus visit The Bisbee Séance Room at ‘America’s most haunted town’ to feel “Arizona’s Only Combination of Haunted History & Victorian Parlor Magic.”
Jerome
Positioned atop Cleopatra Hill at an altitude of over 5,000 feet dominating the Verde Valley in the Black Hills of Central Arizona’s Yavapai County, Jerome is located along State Route 89A highway betwixt Sedona and Prescott, around 100 miles north of Phoenix. Labeled the ‘Wickedest Town In The West’ during its days of glory, this tiny mountain town is currently recognized for its artistic sphere and as a cardinal cultural hotspot drawing thousands of tourists every year. Stay overnight at The Connor Hotel after exploring Jerome’s unforgettable sites such as the Gold King Mine Museum & Ghost Town, Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum, the Jerome State Historic Park’s Douglas Mansion, Caduceus Cellars winery, Jerome’s Sliding Jail, the Old Hotel Jerome housing Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, and the Audrey shaft and the United Verde Extension Company built headframe at the Audrey Headframe Park.
Williams
Named for the eminent mountain man William Sherley, this entrancing Old West community in north-central Arizona’s Coconino County is situated only 60 miles from the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, immediately west of Flagstaff. Elementally a railroad, lumber, and ranching pivot and one of the terminal cities whose U.S. Route 66 portion was bypassed to keep Interstate 40’s end segment, the settlement’s burgeoning historic business district consists of a large number of late Victorian-era and early 1900s structures in varied architectural styles. Hop aboard the classic Grand Canyon Railway which makes way via photographic landscapes of Arizona High Country to the Grand Canyon Village Historic District. The next-door Kaibab National Forest, Bearizona Wildlife Park, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, and Bill Williams Mountain Area are excellent for outdoor pursuits, while the ancient memorabilia-filled Pete’s Gas Station Museum, gift shops like Copper Canyon Trading (Souvenirs & Saltwater Taffy), eateries like Red Raven Restaurant, and upscale accommodations like The Lodge on Route 66 are best for experiencing veritable Route 66 vibes.
Sedona
Spanning the limits between Yavapai and Coconino counties in Arizona’s Verde Valley region is Sedona - a glamorous community located completely within the Coconino National Forest. Titled after Sedona Schnebly - the consort of the town’s first postmaster Theodore Carlton Schnebly, the biggest attractions of Sedona are its inestimable red sandstone formations that create an otherworldly scenery against an azure sky. The red rocks are also a favorite backdrop for limitless entertainments ranging from sacred quests to abundant hiking, biking, and off-roading trails. Furthermore, head to Winery 1912 to sample popular regional wines, repose at Amara Resort & Spa, and try to attend periodic celebrations like Sedona Food Truck Festival, St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, Sedona Hummingbird Festival, 1st Friday In The Galleries, and Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop.
Prescott
Yavapai County’s seat of government, this erstwhile territorial capital and a frontier gold and silver mining town in west-central Arizona, is situated atop a mile-high basin at an elevation of 5,300 feet amidst the ponderosa pine-dotted Bradshaw Mountains. Baptized in honor of William Hickling Prescott - an eminent historian, the town steadily transformed from being a summer refuge for the desert urbanites of southern Arizona to an enchanting heritage tourism destination. Set out on a saunter through Prescott’s Historic Downtown Area packed with over 809 National Register-listed Victorian-era buildings, must-stop sites of interest such as the Sharlot Hall Museum, the Yavapai County Courthouse, the Prescott Elks Theater & Performing Arts Center, and the Whiskey Row’s Palace Restaurant & Saloon - the state’s oldest operating restaurant and bar. Travelers can partake in ample recreational activities at Watson Lake, the Granite Creek Park, and the Prescott National Forest’s Granite Basin Recreational Area; enjoy annual events like Frontier Days (“World’s Oldest Rodeo”), Easter Egg-Stravaganza, Fourth of July festivities, etc.; and have a comfortable stay at either the beautifully restored Hassayampa Inn or Hampton Inn Prescott.
Ajo
A desert mining town in Pima County of southwestern Arizona, Ajo, styled by Spaniards after the wild garlic found in the nearby hills, sits on State Route 85, around 43 miles from the US-Mexico international boundary. Ajo functions as an official portal to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - a UNESCO biosphere reserve and America’s solitary locale where senita and organ pipe cactuses grow naturally. On top of that, voyagers are also entranced by the town’s blooming visual arts sector - the nonprofit Art Under The Arches Fine Art Gallery & Gift Shop selling ceramics, fine art paintings, sculptures, and other kinky souvenirs; the stunning Spanish Colonial Revival Plaza at the middle of the town; the Historic Train Depot (Ajo Visitor Center); the Ajo Historical Society Museum; the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge; and hotels like Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center.
Seligman
Home to 446 residents as per the latest US Census, this census-designated place nicknamed the ‘Birthplace of Historic Route 66’ is situated in northwestern Arizona on Yavapai County’s northern frontier. Known as ‘Prescott Junction’ for being a noted railroad stop at the outset, the settlement was rechristened in remembrance of Jesse Seligman who financed the making of the area’s railroad lines. The Seligman Commercial Historic District - which is the town’s business center coupled with the trading mecca of Northern Yavapai County, features a colossal cluster of early 20th-century commercial properties parallel to Historic Route 66 that wondrously mirror the roadside architectural style. Yearly, hundreds of collector car and truck fanatics from around the world head to Seligman to take part in the 3-day “The Annual Route 66 Fun Run” Event, in addition to scrutinizing must-see sites like Return to the 50s Museum & Gift Shop, the Historic Seligman Sundries, and Rusty Bolt Gift Shop, and lodging at either Historic Route 66 Motel or the Aztec Motel & Creative Space.
Payson
Called “The Heart of Arizona,” this appealing alpine town in northern Gila County is located close to the state’s geographic center encircled by the Tonto National Forest. To the north of Payson is the Mogollon Rim, which, resting at about 7,000 feet above sea level and functioning as the Colorado Plateau’s southern boundary, is ideal for a day trip by adventurous souls and relaxation seekers alike. Located just 10 miles north of Payson, the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park houses Tonto Natural Bridge - the world’s biggest natural travertine bridge. Take part in fishing and kayaking activities in the artificial lakes of Green Valley Park, gain knowledge about the rich history of Northern Gila County at the Rim Country Museum & Zane Grey Cabin, enjoy musical offerings of the state’s most talented fiddlers at Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin’ Championship, and rest for the night at Majestic Mountain Inn.
From Sedona’s trance-inducing red rock structures to Seligman - “The Birthplace of Historic Route 66,” the charismatic towns in the 14th most populous and 6th most extensive state of the nation have something for all ages and interests. Highlighting jaw-dropping natural environments, thought-provoking community chronicles, creative spheres, growing Western cultures, superfluous recreations, and home-like lodges made warmer by the heartfelt welcome of benevolent folks, these beauteous towns deserve a spot on your itineraries for weekend staycations in the Valentine State.
