9 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Arizona You Should Visit

Down in the southeast of the USA, Arizona dazzles visitors with deserts, towering red rocks, and a rich Wild West legacy.

From the iconic Grand Canyon to big cities like Phoenix, the state offers both unparalleled natural beauty and modern amenities.

From Sedona's stunning red rocks to Tombstone's vibrant Wild West atmosphere, there are many towns worth exploring for an unforgettable adventure.

While there are plenty of worthwhile options to see, these 9 towns are some of the most beautiful in Arizona.

Sedona

Around Sedona, massive red rock sandstone formations rise from the sweeping desert, sculpted by millions of years of natural elements.

These formations have elaborate textures and crevices, so during sunrise and sunset, light illuminates these features, creating a stunning contrast of colors.

One of the most majestic sites of the area is Cathedral Rock, with its piercing spire erupting into the Arizona sky.

Courthouse Butte is another stunning colossal red formation, showcasing nature's sculptural power, and captivating visitors with its imposing figure.

The town itself is worth every minute of your time. Sedona's town center has a cozy, rustic feel and the architecture features adobe-style buildings, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

Oak Creek flows lazily through town, with tall sycamore trees lining the banks. It is a great spot to stroll on the hiking trails that run alongside the creek or sit down for a nice picnic on a sunny day.

Tombstone

Tombstone is a love letter to an old bygone age, where cowboys roamed and the spirit of the Wild West lingered in the dusty streets.

Known as 'The Town Too Tough to Die,' Tombstone is an iconic Wild West destination. The town is notorious for the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881, a famous event in American Wild West history.

Visitors can explore historic Allen Street, which has a collection of preserved saloons, theaters, and the Boothill Graveyard, where light-hearted gravestones offer a departure from the town's murky past.

For a dip into local history, Wyatt Earp’s house is now a museum and gallery and houses a huge collection of Earp memorabilia.

If you are feeling brave, step into the Bird Cage Theatre. This building is an iconic 1881 theater and saloon, preserving the glamour and grit of Tombstone's past entertainment scene. It is rumored to be haunted, so make sure to be careful.

Carefree

This town is hidden away in the Sonoran Desert, where a rich collection of wildflowers and massive Saguaro Cacti welcome visitors.

Carefree earned its name from a development project led by two business partners who wanted to create a community with a relaxed lifestyle amidst the Arizona desert.

The town holds the stunning Carefree Desert Gardens, with a vast collection of indigenous flora, celebrating the uniqueness of the Sonoran Desert.

For something a little bit different, check out the Carefree Sundial, the third largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The device combines old-fashioned timekeeping with artistic creativity and stands as a reminder of the brilliance of human invention.

Black Mountain offers a striking backdrop to Carefree, rising 4,000 feet over the desert. It is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, and the peak offers sweeping views of the Sonoran Desert and Carefree below.

Bisbee

Aged but beautiful brick buildings line the streets of Bisbee, contrasting modern life with its Old West heritage.

Built into the Mule Mountain hillsides, Bisbee's steep, terraced streets, are connected by over 1,000 staircases. Its streets are lined with Victorian-era architecture, showcasing the town's industrial past.

In the old days, silver, gold, and high-quality turquoise were dug up from the nearby hills. The Queen Mine, now a tourist attraction, offers underground tours, providing a firsthand look at mining operations.

The town has an assortment of fun and spooky hotels to stay in. The Cooper Queen Hotel casts a grandeur image over the town from its hillside perch and has a long history of being haunted.

For a unique and nostalgic stay, the Shady Dell offers vintage airstream trailers, an old school bus, and even a boat.

Built into the Mule Mountain hillsides, Bisbee's steep, terraced streets, are connected by over 1,000 staircases.

Prescott

Recognized as 'Everybody's Hometown,' Prescott boasts a rich history dating back to the 1860s.

The town offers a blend of Old West charm, cultural vibrancy, and outdoor adventure in the scenic highlands of central Arizona.

The town embraces its history, and its downtown features over 800 historic buildings, including the renowned Whiskey Row, a strip of saloons and shops.

As well, Prescott hosts one of the oldest rodeos in the world which has been running in town since 1888.

Compared to other areas of Arizona, Prescott has a relatively mild climate and has fun activities for all four seasons.

So, if you are in the mood for some hiking, Prescott National Forest offers a variety of landscapes with over 450 miles of trails and spans over a million acres. One of its standout features is the Granite Dells, a rare geological formation of exposed granite bedrock.

Tubac

Tubac traces its roots all the way back to when it was founded in 1752 as a Spanish fort.

Now, Tubac boasts Arizona's oldest artist colony, with dozens of galleries and studios displaying diverse works, creating a hub for artists from around the world.

Visitors can take a step back into history at the Presidio State Historic Park, as the park acts as the home to the ruins of the original 1752 Spanish fort.

The park takes a glimpse into Tubac's colonial past, with interpretive exhibits and guided tours revealing its complex history.

Another interesting connection to the town’s colonial past is the Anza Trail. This classic path is the same one led by Spanish explorer and military officer Juan Bautista de Anza during the 18th century.

Starting in Tubac, hikers follow desert landscapes, passing historic sites like Tumacácori National Historical Park.

Jerome

Once known as the 'Wickedest Town in the West,' Jerome is now home to around 500 people and boasts a rich history of colorful stories.

Jerome was a booming copper mining town in the late 19th century, producing around 3 million pounds of copper monthly.

Fast forward to the present day, where the mines may be dead, but Jerome was reborn as the largest ghost town in America. Now, abandoned mine shafts and precariously stacked homes characterize its steep, winding streets.

The town embraces the paranormal side of things and the Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital, is a focal point of ghostly tales. Apparently, guests have reported unexplained footsteps and whispers in its halls, so only those brave enough should venture in.

The town’s high location provides fantastic views of the Verde Valley below. The rugged terrain and distant horizons offer a sublime view of the town and surrounding area.

Wickenburg

All the way back in 1863, Henry Wickenburg, a German immigrant, discovered gold at Vulture Mine in the Sonoran Desert. All these years later, the town of Wickenburg continues to hold a distinctively Old West charm.

The town’s historic Frontier Street has well-preserved buildings, like the 1905 Santa Fe Depot, now a museum, which chronicles the town's railroading past.

Another great stop is the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, which shows a remarkable collection of Western art and artifacts, a cultural gem within this vibrant desert town.

Adventures await outside of town at the Hassayampa River Preserve, both a desert oasis and a birdwatching haven, with almost 300 species of birds being identified there.

For a trip through time, the Vulture City Ghost Town is a must-see. Adjacent to the Vulture Mine, the town is a well-preserved reminder of a once-thriving mining town, with original structures awaiting your visit.

Arcosanti

Arcosanti's beauty is found in its distinctiveness, both in its physical qualities and in the spiritual essence of the town.

Located in central Arizona, Arcosanti is an experimental urban community that was envisioned by architect Paolo Soleri to demonstrate ecological principles and compact urban living.

Every year tens of thousands of people visit to see the architecture, characterized by its use of concrete structures and domes.

These concrete structures glow in the soft hues of sunset, casting long shadows and creating an interesting contrast of shadows and the desert surroundings.

These elements are important to the town’s concept of 'arcology,' which envisions a fusion of architecture and ecology.

The on-site Foundry is a huge attraction, producing bronze windbells. Every bell is a one-of-a-kind work of art, using one of the thirty-two original Soleri bell designs.

Conclusion

One of the first things people think of when they hear of Arizona is either the intense heat or the incomparable views of the Grand Canyon.

The state has so much more to offer, and Arizona's diverse landscapes and history offer a captivating journey for any visitor.

From iconic red rock formations to old ghost towns, the state's collection of experiences unfolds. Artistic havens, mining legacies, and architectural experiments tell a timeless story, unlike any other state.

So, pack some sunscreen, grab a hat, and explore the best Arizona has to offer.