Prescott, Arizona is a charming historic town nestled in the mountains just over an hour north of Phoenix. With its Victorian architecture, outdoor activities, and small-town appeal, Prescott makes a wonderful getaway destination any time of year. There is plenty to see and do without dealing with the large crowds of bigger cities. Here are ten top things to enjoy during your visit to Prescott.
1. Walk Around Courthouse Plaza
No visit to Prescott is complete without spending time in Courthouse Plaza, the lively downtown square at the heart of the city. Laid out in 1864, it remains much as it was in the late nineteenth century with mature trees, manicured lawns, and a symmetrical layout. Take a stroll around the plaza and check out some of the interesting historical buildings that surround it like the Yavapai County Courthouse, prescott’s first courthouse building which now houses a museum. Look for street performers or farmers markets taking place on weekends. It’s a perfect spot for people watching amidst the Victorian architecture.
Just off the plaza, be sure to visit the Palace Saloon, claimed to be one of the oldest continuously operated saloons in the United States. Step inside to get a taste of the Old West atmosphere and have a drink at the famous bar. Don’t forget to check out the bullet holes left from a gunfight that took place over a spilled drink back in 1887. Strolling around Courthouse Plaza is a must to get a feel for Prescott’s historical small-town charm.
2. Hike Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park
Opened in 2016, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park pays tribute to the 19 elite firefighters who lost their lives battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Located just outside of Prescott, the park has several short hiking trails through beautiful ponderosa pine forest with views of Granite Mountain where the tragic event occurred. The centerpiece is The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Carved with the names of the fallen hotshots, it’s a moving monument. Hiking the peaceful trails provides the opportunity for solace and reflection amidst natural splendor.
Be sure to also check out the Visitor Center which has exhibits telling the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and their heroic work and sacrifice. Rangers are available to answer questions. Combining remembrance with exercise and the outdoors, a visit here is a respectful way to experience part of Prescott’s history and the Arizona landscape.
3. Tour Whiskey Row
One of the most colorful areas of Prescott’s historic downtown is Whiskey Row along Montezuma Street. In the late 1800s, this stretch was home to dozens of saloons and dance halls frequented by miners and cowboys. Many buildings still stand today, though now housing shops, restaurants and bars. Plan to spend an afternoon strolling the block, stepping inside some of the restored establishments to learn about the rowdy past through historical exhibits and displays.
Be sure to stop in to the Bucket of Blood Saloon, named for a bar fight that once took place within its walls that left blood splattered all over the place. Sip a cocktail while soaking in the Old West ambiance. You’ll also want to check out The Shoppe, full of Southwestern gifts, art and jewelry, as well as Huster’s Tavern for a bite to eat in their dining room bedecked with antlers, mounts and historic photos. Imagining the rowdier days of yore makes for an entertaining walking tour.
4. Explore Sharlot Hall Museum
To delve deeper into Prescott’s pioneering past, spend a couple hours wandering the grounds of the Sharlot Hall Museum located just off Whiskey Row. Founded in 1928, it’s named for Prescott’s first female mayor and is Arizona’s oldest cultural institution. Exhibits focus on the territory’s history from the days of Native American inhabitants to Arizona’s evolution as a state. Don’t miss the Governor’s Mansion, a replica of Sharlot Hall’s Victorian home, and the 14 historic buildings that have been relocated to the museum, including a log cabin, schoolhouse and newspaper office.
Temporary exhibits often showcase local artists and topics like mining, agriculture and Native American culture. Families will enjoy the children’s hands-on area withPeriod dress-up, crafts and gold panning. Outdoors you’ll find gardens and a replica 1880s frontier town with blacksmith shop and livery stable. Allow at least a couple hours to fully explore this informative museum dedicated to Prescott’s heritage.
5. Drive to Thumb Butte
For dramatic vistas over Prescott Valley and beyond, make the short drive 9 miles east of the city to Thumb Butte. This distinctive pink sandstone formation juts over 1500 feet above the desert floor and was a prominent landmark for travelers on the Bradshaw Trail in the late 19th century. Pull over at any of the scenic turnouts along FR24 to gaze at the peaked butte and surrounding grasslands and hills. It makes for great photo ops – you can even spy Prescott’s downtown in the distance on a clear day.
Those wishing to stretch their legs can make the steep 1-mile roundtrip hike to the top. Start early to beat the midday heat as you gain 500 feet of elevation. At the summit, you’re rewarded with 360-degree views stretching to mountains, national forests and beyond. Look for signs mentioning the railway that was once planned to cut through the butte! Soak in the solitude and landscape to feel like an early pioneer surveying virgin territory.
6. Visit Whiskey Creek Distillery
Now that you’ve learned about Prescott’s whiskey history walking Whiskey Row, it’s time to sample some of the spirits themselves. Just outside of downtown, pull up to Whiskey Creek Distillery located on a picturesque 40-acre ranch. Tours take visitors through the distilling process from milling to barrel aging. Along the way, you’ll learn about the botanicals and flavors that go into their small-batch whiskey, rum and vodka creations.
Be sure to reserve a tasting of five samples to sip like a cowboy in their rustic tasting room. Flavors range from smooth bourbons to more innovative infusions like Coffee Cask Finished Whiskey. Enjoy live music on weekends too. For lunch, consider ordering a charcuterie board or sandwiches from Iron Springs Cafe, their onsite bistro, and picnic outdoors in the pastures. Whiskey Creek provides an educational look at modern craft spirit-making in Arizona’s high desert.
7. Go Golfing
With over 250 sunny days per year, Prescott is a golf lover’s haven. There are several excellent courses nestled amidst ponderosa pines and granite outcroppings within a short drive of downtown. One top option is Antelope Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole publiccourse designed by Ernie McCray. Rolling hills offer panoramas stretching to mountains and vistas. Challenging but fair, it’s a fun walk especially in autumn when aspens blaze gold. Another classic is prescott Country Club, a par-72 private course with meticulous greens and fairways stretching through juniper and oak woodlands.
For a more pastoral setting, head to Prescott Lakes Golf Course. Designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, this 18-hole semi-private course features 6 lakes, ponds and streams throughout. Geese and herons occasionally cross fairways adding to its peaceful setting. Finished a round? Check out Lynx Lake and admire boats against the granite mountains. Golfing offers a scenic yet competitive way to spend a day exploring Prescott’s outdoors.
8. Wander Iron King Mine Trail
To experience Prescott’s gold mining history up close, spend an hour hiking the 1.5 mile paved and wooden trail that loops around some historic diggings in downtown Whiskey Row. Interpretive signs explain the hardscrabble lives of the prospectors that once worked these underground shafts. Be careful not to get too close to mine openings, some of which penetrate as far as 200 feet deep. Nearby you’ll spot the foundation remains of old ore mills and the engineer cabin.
While lush greenery partially hides relics now, it’s easy to envision days ofback-breaking sluicing and drilling for ore. Look for rusty old mining tools, wagons and machinery scattered about too. Kids will enjoy spotting mine carts and attempting to panning for leftover bits of gold and ore – there might actually still be flecks hiding in the sediments! The Iron King Mine trail provides a revealing sample of Prescott’s mining past just steps from downtown.
9. Check Out Local Art Galleries
No visit to a former artist colony is complete without perusing galleries showcasing regional talent. Prescott is now home to over 30 art galleries featuring every medium imaginable. Start your self-guided studio tour along Grove Avenue where you’ll find Prescott Center for the Arts housing revolving exhibits, classes and a theater. Nearby galleries welcome browsing withworks by local painters, jewelers, photographers and more.
Don’t miss pieces featuring Prescott’s beloved boulders and rugged landscapes at B. Decker Gallery. Another top spot is Vicki’s Art, Fine Art & Gifts exhibiting stunning Western and wildlife oil works. Intaglio Printmakers showcases coveted rare prints made through centuries-old processes. Art lovers will spend a relaxed afternoon wandering these galleries getting inspired by Arizona’s creative community and finding vacation souvenirs with local flavor.
10. Have Dinner at The Palomino
To wrap up a full day exploring Prescott, nothing says “cowboy cuisine” better than grabbing a table at The Palomino Restaurant located in a historic building on Whiskey Row. As Prescott’s oldest running restaurant since 1945, it retains Old West decor like mounted game trophies and a long mahogany bar. Stop in for Happy Hour and sample appetizers like crispy fried pickles alongside a craft beer or specialty cocktail.
Sure to fill you up for the ride home are entrées such as housemade meatloaf, sirloin burgers cooked to order and chicken fried steak. Save room to try their signature deep fried Oreos too! Friendly servers add to the downhome atmosphere. Watch the sunset color over Granite Mountain from large windows as you enjoy a bit of Western hospitality and small-town charm to complete your Prescott getaway.
From outdoor recreation to honky tonks, Prescott offers the perfect blend of Arizonan culture, heritage and natural beauty. Be sure to leave time to wander quaint Whiskey Row, chase vistas and learn local history too. A visit here proves you don’t need a big city to delight in diverse Southwest adventures and hospitality – Prescott is sure to charm in its own right.