13 Adorable Small Towns In Arizona You Need To Visit
What do you think of when Arizona comes to mind? Cowboys? Rodeo? Cacti? Old West towns? Dust and tumbleweeds? Sure, you'd be partially right, but only partially.
Arizona just isn't like any place on the planet. Where you have downright classic cowboy towns on one corner of the state, you'll stumble upon magical small towns that are sprinkled with natural wonders and sunlit canyons dying to be explored on the other.
It just doesn't feel right keeping all of these adorable small towns to ourselves, so here we are exposing them for the general badass-ness they are. Start planning your next trip to some of these towns, because trust us, they're worth the investment.
Sedona
Drive from Phoenix: 1 hr 55 minutes
Sunshine, red rocks, and laid back vibes come out to play in the dreamy town of Sedona, Arizona. There isn't anything quite like the magic of this unique city. Whether you believe there are magic vortexes of enlightenment in the mountains or simply want to visit for a lunch and a margarita, Sedona has something for everyone.
What to do: Grab breakfast and coffee in town and head to Devil's Bridge for a hike with an amazing view from the top. If hiking isn't your jam, take a ride on a Pink Jeep Tour to see what Sedona has to offer from the ground up. Get a tarot reading at the Center for the New Age, find hidden falls along Slide Rock, grab a cocktail along Oak Creek, and watch a gorgeous sunset against the red rocks.
Tombstone
Drive from Phoenix: 2 hr 49 minutes
Close your eyes and imagine what a wild, wild western town looked like in the 1800's Arizona desert. Did your picture have brothels? Bank robbers? Shootouts and hangings? If so, welcome to Tombstone. The city comes alive reenacting real events that went down in history books, and it is a sight to see.
What to do: Head down to the O.K Corral and visit the Historama Theater for a history lesson on how the town came to be. Stop over at the Boothill Graveyard and pay your respects to outlaws who "died with their boots on" in true cowboy fashion. Grab lunch at the town saloon, interact with the "locals" (i.e. actors), and turn down the evening with a walk down Allen Street to peep at the perfectly preserved town that once was a rip-roaring, mining town.
Page
Driving time from Phoenix: 4 hr 18 minutes
So, I might be biased, but I believe that Page, Arizona is one of the most beautiful natural landscape in the entire southwest. Within Page, you have Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, and so much more. Since we can't leave you with #allthepictures, we will have to settle for the best to represent this amazing town and all of its natural glory.
What to do: Well to start, we recommend you visit all of the places. Spend a day on Lake Powell, eat your heart out inside the lower and upper Antelope Canyon, take a spin around the hiking trails around Page and within Horseshoe Bend. Really, the day is yours to take.
Tubac
Distance from Phoenix: 2 hr 22 minutes
Just before you hit the border Tubac lies waiting, inviting you to come and explore the artistry, magic and Mexican-American wonder that lives here. One of the most un-explored but still highly rated small towns in Arizona, you get the best of both worlds here. On the Mexican side, you have a rich culture, incredible authentic shops, and of course, amazing food.
What to do: Shop with authentic Mexican vendors, explore the painted murals downtown, eat some of the best Mexican food in the state, and hit up the many galleries that display both Mexican and American history.
Prescott
Drive from Phoenix: 1 hr 47 minutes
Did you know Arizona has seasons? Well, it's true! Arizona has winter, spring, summer, summer, summer, and fall all in one year. Sure, the summer feels like it lasts forever, but we have places like Prescott to keep us company while the rest of the valley roasts and toasts.
What to do: The small town vibe hasn't left Prescott despite rapid growth recently. You can still enjoy the sweet smell of ponderosa pine while sipping on locally brewed beer right in town. Explore the trials on the back of a horse, paddleboard or canoe Watson lake or simply enjoy life up north from the comfort of your cabin rental. Don't forget your flannel.
Cave Creek
Drive from Phoenix: 35 minutes
Cave Creek is a small town gem, right outside of Phoenix, that's the perfect marriage between natural beauty, old west, and new hipster vibes. This small town is full of hiking trails, old west shops, and spas that will blow your mind. The greatest part of Cave Creek is that all of these stops along the way are absolutely hidden, calm, slow, and a real treat to experience when your life is filled with fast-paced city life.
What to do: Enjoy a slow day at the Boulders Spa, but whatever you do, DON'T skip the Frose! Hike the many trails available to your disposal for intermediate to easy hiking. Eat dinner at The Horny Toad, and if you're feeling daring, ride the bull at Buffalo Chip Steakhouse and Saloon.
Bisbee
Drive from Phoenix: 3 hr 14 minutes
Bisbee is not your average former mining town, in fact, it is one of the most quaint and unique cities in the United States. Not only is it historic, being a former mine and all, it is also so picturesque, well, it's hard not to take pictures just about everywhere.
What to do: Grab a beer at Old Bisbee Brewing Company, stroll through the streets of old town and check out the outdoor gallery, hit up Erie Street for classic cars and restaurants, grab the best Mexican food in town at Santiago's, and if you're really lucky, stay for Pride week right in the center of town!
Navajo County
Drive time from Phoenix: 3 hr 45 minutes
Looking to get in touch with your inner water goddess? Navajo County is the place for you. Tucked around three hours north of Phoenix, you will enjoy the best of the best that Arizona has to offer. Waterfalls, pines, and rustic hotels that look a little haunted but also super artistic and edgy.
What to do: The trip to Navajo County isn't a trip without going to Cibecue Falls. If for some reason beautiful, cascading waterfalls aren't your thing, the painted desert and petrified forest aren't far either, and you can stay the night in a fabulous Wigwam overnight. When you get up, snap a selfie next to the Route 66 sign in Holbrook.
Greer
Drive from Phoenix: 4 hr 6 minutes
If you enjoy the great outdoors, do we have the small town for you. Greer is green, lush, full of natural wonder, and will please just about anyone who comes to visit. Greer has four seasons, lots of outdoor recreation, and about a million perfect spots for a gorgeous shot.
What to do: Hike, bike, walk or run around the city. If you are in Greer in the winter, enjoy snowboarding or skiing at Sunrise Resort or place a bet and see if you win the lotto at the Hon-Dah Resort-Casino.
Flagstaff
Drive from Phoenix: 2hr 10 minutes
The sleepy college town of Flagstaff is a laid back, hippy town that has been the main stop for road trips since the iconic Route 66 passed through the town. Any good college town has a perfect mix of dive bars and organic juice bars, so you really can't go wrong in Flag.
What to do: To prepare for your nighttime bar crawl hike Humphrey's Peak which just so happens to be Arizona's highest peak. Ski or snowboard Sunrise Park if it is open, but if not, take the ski lift up anyway and enjoy mountaintop views. Grab a hot toddy in town and enjoy an evening of outdoor entertainment and locally brewed beer that will cap of the night right.
Tonopah
Drive from Phoenix: 56 minutes
Tonopah is just a small, rodeo town in Arizona, but there are tons of secret, hidden gems inside this town. Hot springs, rodeos and a rough and tumble history live inside Tonopah, and we hear it's not only attractive to residents; Bill Gates is building a sustainable town right next door in Buckeye. We have a feeling Tonopah is about to get busy.
What to do: Head over to the Eldorado Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the natural springs that come deep underground. Great news — you can choose to go in with your swimsuit or brave the nude section for only $10 / hour. If you get lucky hunt down a rodeo or simply relax downtown and grab some of the best and most authentic Mexican food at Cafe Charo.
Scottsdale
Drive from Phoenix: 25 minutes
Scottsdale is a mix between old Arizona, new money, and those right in the middle, making it a giant blend of Arizona love. Scottsdale is on the "bigger" side of small towns, but compared to Phoenix, it is truly a small town.
What to do: Hit up a spring training game at Talking Stick field, head to Old Town Scottsdale for mimosas and a cowboy parade (yes, they have both), shop for some new spurs and then head to AZ88 and enjoy a dance, drink and the nightlife downtown. If hiking, golfing, and spa days are more your jam, you're in luck. Stay at the Scottsdale Princess or JW Marriott and get it all in over the course of one weekend.
Jerome
Drive time from Phoenix: 1 hr 59 minutes
If you think most of Arizona's small towns are made up of deserted old mining towns, well, you'd be right. But, Jerome is just a little different. Of course, the origin story is the same, but Jerome has turned around its deserted ghost town history into a success story. Today Jerome has art galleries, wineries, and those who stayed after the collapse of the mining industry have preserved much of its original history.
What to do: Enjoy an afternoon stroll downtown and shop till you drop from both modern stores to old saloon-like retail shops. Head into a mining museum if you wish, or just head straight to the winery and enjoy yourself.