9 Small Towns in Arizona Were Ranked Among US Favorites
If you have a chance to visit the legendary Grand Canyon in Arizona, you’ll be able to spot the different layers of time forever carved in the rock, displaying different colors depending on the era. The state has a special relationship with space, with its proximity to Route 66 and the Sonoran Desert, but it also has a special relationship with time, as the 1800s and the 1950s come alive in some of the smaller towns, away from the bustling capital city of Phoenix and places like Patagonia and Flagstaff. If you want a pure, all-American experience of the old U.S.A., these small towns should definitely be part of your upcoming itinerary. And that’s the truth!
Williams
The Gateway to the Grand Canyon, situated along world-famous Route 66 and nestled in the Kaibab National Forest, Williams is a town of pure Americana, with 3,000 proud residents. Coconino County city is located 33 miles west of Flagstaff, meaning you can have access to modern urban products and services while spending most of your time in a calm, pure American town full of muscle cars, soda fountains, and milkshake machines. In this context, is it a surprise that Williams is regarded as one of the best Christmas spots in the country? And if you love nature as much as you love America, you have to visit the aptly-named Bearizona Wildlife Park, where you can spot bears, wolves, bison, otters, and foxes.
Winslow
If you want to take an American picture, this is the place. Much like Williams, Winslow is pure Americana, as the Navajo County town was immortalized in the 1972 Eagles song “Take It Easy.” The famous line, “Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona,” inspired the Standin on the Corner Park statue, on the same block as the Old Trails Museum, which showcases Native American artifacts. This is an incredibly friendly place since it’s got a population of 8,810, but it boasts itself as “The City of Ten Thousand Friendly Faces,” which probably means that people smile at you twice! And you’ll probably smile back since you’re close to Route 66, in the badlands, and at the heart of the American experience.
Tombstone
Tombstone is a town frozen in time, as this iconic Wild West location in Cochise County is the site of the infamous 1881 shootout at the O.K Corral that involved notorious gunslingers Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. With over 1,300 souls living in Tombstone, a lot of the locals will dress up and perform some of these famous brawls and shootouts, much to the merriment of tourists, who might also want to visit the original courthouse turned museum, the Bird Cage, which used to host saloons and gambling halls, and the Boothill Graveyard, that you have to visit if you find yourself in a place called Tombstone, which is a 70-minute drive from Tucson.
Carefree
Carefree is a planned community of about 3,700 people, first established in the 1950s in the Sonoran Desert’s foothills, that hosts one of the Valley’s two public botanical gardens. It is about 29 miles away from Scottsdale and the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Apart from the huge Saguaro cacti you can find in the Carefree Desert Gardens, there is also the Carefree Sundial, the largest such structure in the country. However, with road names like Easy Street and Lazy Lane, you won’t feel bogged down by time and urgency here. There are plenty of tennis courts in the area, as well as golf courses, miles of hiking trails, and many different options for fishing and boating in the area. It’s called Carefree. Take it easy!
Sedona
Founded in 1902 in Red Rock Country, Sedona is definitely the place to be if you want to curate a surreal, impressive Instagram feed. Not only are you surrounded by red-rock buttes, but you are also nestled in cooler pine forests, which can provide much-welcome refuge from the otherwise scorching hot climate generally found in Arizona. And this is a place that its residents have fallen in love with, as the local Chamber of Commerce & Tourism has crafted the Sedona Secret 7, highlighting some hidden gems that will definitely charm the most seasoned hikers. And if your Instagram account also needs some relaxing nightlife pictures, the award-winning vineyards should provide some good pictures and quality taste!
Prescott
Nature lovers will definitely not want to miss Prescott, in the northern part of Arizona, with its granite boulders surrounding legendary Watson Lake. The water bed is surrounded by Khaki stone Pires contrasting with the lake’s clear blue water, but all this is something you have to see with your eyes, not your hands or feet, as swimming is prohibited since this is Prescott’s source for drinking water. It is possible to go kayaking and even hiking around Lynx Lake, which is surrounded by thick forest, but alas, you still can’t swim there. And after a fun day of exploring the region’s 400 miles of hiking terrain, you can head to Whisky Row, which is notorious for its bars, saloons, and candy shops, among other tourist favorites.
Bisbee
With the Mule Mountains’ peak towering 7,400 feet high above this mining town known as the Queen of the Copper Camps, Bisbee is rich with its historical mining past and vibrant with its cultural community. The northeastern Arizona town attracts tourists interested in the Lavender Pit, a huge open-pit copper mine. For those interested in history, the Queen Mine Tours and the Copper Queen Hotel can help understand Bisbee’s rich roots. Bisbee also lures in new residents looking for an affordable place to live. For hiking enthusiasts, the Old Bisbee trails and the Juniper Flats Loop offer five miles of scenic bliss, and these adventurers might want to book a day trip to the nearby Coronado National Forest.
Tubac
Founded by Spanish settlers in 1752, Tubac is located 48 miles south of Tucson and is rich in history, with its notable Mission San José de Tumacacori, built by the Jesuits in 1691, and the nearby Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, with ruins and artifacts that are perfectly preserved. The area is a perfect destination for lovers of golf and bird watchers, as hundreds of species of birds can still be found in their natural habitats in the region. The Santa Cruz River flows through the town, populated by 2000 people, like a precious life artery, breathing life into art galleries and chic boutiques. If you’re a fan of fishing, kayaking, or hiking and are interested in affordable costs of living, you definitely have to visit!
Jerome
Located right in the middle of Arizona, atop Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and Sedona, Jerome, also known as “the vertical city,” started out as a small settlement town. It prospered into a thriving mining community thanks to its copper industry, which proved incredibly useful during World War II but has now become a town of a few hundred people, according to the most recent census. The Mingus Mountain towers above this creative town, now known for its affordable cost of living and its idyllic biking, hiking, and fishing trails. History buffs will definitely want to visit the Mine Museum, showcasing the state’s rich mining history, and foodies will want to head to places like Vaqueros Grill and Cantina and the Flatiron Café.
In Conclusion
Arizona is home to some of the most beautiful landmarks in the United States and the world, including the Grand Canyon. By visiting some of the small towns on this list, you’ll be able to experience the authentic American lifestyle, thanks to places like Route 66, the O.K Corral, and the Eagle’s famous song about Winslow. And with Antelope Canyon, Havasu Falls, and Horseshoe Bend, it’s just impossible to go wrong in Arizona!
