7 Must-Visit Small Towns in Arizona That I Personally Love

Want to know the best small towns in Arizona? I’ve got you! Read on to find out my favorites after multiple visits to the Grand Canyon State…

Arizona is one of the best states to experience the charm and beauty of small town America, with towns that feel like Old West time capsules, haunted mining towns with quirky residents, red rock hiking paradises, and kitschy Route 66 stalwarts.

The heart and soul of Arizona lies in its quirky small towns, so you have to add at least a couple to your Arizona itinerary. Visiting small towns in Arizona made me fall in love with the state. Truly.

I haven’t been to every small town in Arizona (yet), but they are on my list. This particular list is of my seven favorite small towns in Arizona so far. I hope it encourages you to get out of the cities and somehow tear yourself away from the mighty Grand Canyon to experience these charmers.

7 Small Towns in Arizona You Should Definitely Visit

1) Jerome

I’m going to start with my favorite small town in Arizona – the former copper mining town of Jerome. This unique and quirky town sits precariously on the side of a steep mountain overlooking the Verde Valley and the Mogollon Rim. It is full of characterful historic buildings, and the views are spectacular.

It’s also known as one of the most haunted towns in the United States, with numerous ghost stories and paranormal anomalies recorded here.

This rugged town’s heyday was in the 1920s, and after the Great Depression hit and the mines shut down in the 1930s, the town was virtually abandoned and slowly started to decay. Luckily, artists and alternative types started moving in from the late 1960s, and the town had a second chance at life.

Jerome today still looks like a ramshackle ghost town, but it couldn’t be more alive. It is incredibly vibrant with excellent art-driven gift shops and boutiques, and a handful of great restaurants and bars. And the locals – they are definitely a bunch of characters, and if you stay long enough, you may be lucky enough to get to know some of them.

Don’t miss learning more about the history of the town at the jumbled but incredible Gold King Mine and Ghost Town and the interesting Jerome State Historic Park, eat at Haunted Hamburger or Bobby D’s BBQ, grab drinks at Spirit Room or historic Paul & Jerry’s Saloon, and check out all the shops – this is the perfect place to buy gifts (for yourself or others or both!). And do a ghost tour, if you dare.

Where to Stay in Jerome: We stayed at this beautiful apartment for a week and loved it. Alternatively, stay at the regal and haunted Jerome Grand Hotel, modern and classy The Clinkscale, or the historic Connor Hotel.

Other great vacation rentals include this restored 1898 John Riordan house and this beautiful two-bedroom with incredible views.

2) Bisbee

Bisbee is a very close second on my list of the best small towns in Arizona, and has a lot of similarities to Jerome. 

It is also a quirky former mining town with majestic historic buildings, it’s famous for being haunted, and it attracts a ragtag bunch of creative residents, making it an absolute joy to visit, in my opinion (and the shopping here is great too!)

Bisbee has ten times the population of Jerome, and is located in the very south of Arizona, nestled in the rolling desert peaks of the Mule Mountains.

Mining here was for copper and lasted until 1975 when the last mine in the area closed, although the heyday of the town was in the 1920s. The town never became a ghost town like Jerome, quickly turning to tourism after the last mine closed, starting a mine tour, and revitalizing the downtown.

While visiting Bisbee, you can visit a 1950s ghost town that died along with the mine it supported in nearby Lowell, travel deep into the Copper Queen mine on an underground mine tour, do the short hike up Youngblood Hill for views over the town, and eat at Patisserie Valerie and Thuy’s Noodle Shop.

Explore Bisbee’s ghostly side by taking a ghost tour, staying at the haunted Copper Queen Hotel, and booking a magic show with a difference at the wonderfully creepy Bisbee Seance Room.

Where to Stay in Bisbee: If you want a possible ghost encounter (and have a lot of money), stay at the haunted and pricey Copper Queen Hotel. Otherwise, there are a few other great hotel options, including the quiet Jonquil Motel, the elegant Warner Hotel, and the stylish Hotel La More at The Bisbee Inn.

If you prefer to stay in a vacation rental, stay at this two-bedroom boho bungalow or this luxurious historic two-bedroom home.

3) Tubac

Tubac is a cute art village only 20 miles north of the Mexican border. It is a popular day trip destination from Tucson, but I think it’s worth spending a night or two here to enjoy its quiet charms.

The number one thing to do in Tubac is to browse the numerous art galleries and unique stores. The vibrant art scene is what the town is most well-known for, and it’s the perfect place to get homeware and gifts. The small town center is beautiful with colorful art pieces and sculptures displayed outside adobe buildings.

The Tubac area also has a rich history, and I highly recommend visiting the interesting Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, which preserves the ruins of the oldest Spanish Presidio site in Arizona, and the nearby Tumacacori National Historic Park, home to the ruins of a 17th-century mission and an attached museum.

If you are traveling through Tucson, you should definitely add Tubac to your itinerary, even if it’s just for a day. Make sure to also check out my detailed post about the best things to do in Tubac.

Where to Stay in Tubac: The two best places to stay in Tubac are the Tubac Country Inn, a historic boutique hotel in the heart of the village, and Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, a luxury resort set on 500 acres that is home to three golf courses, a spa, a restaurant, and a pool.

If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, stay at this pet-friendly one-bedroom townhouse with a community pool and jacuzzi or this sunny adobe retreat with hot tub and mountain views.

4) Prescott

One of the best small towns in Arizona to give you a taste of the Old West, Prescott (pronounced press-kit) was a Gold Rush frontier town founded in 1864 and was once the territorial capital of Arizona.

These days, it still feels like a time capsule with restored historic buildings set around the town square, with many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Along Whiskey Row, you’ll find a high concentration of historic buildings, including a large number of saloons (hence, the name). This is where you will find the state’s oldest continuously operating bar, The Palace, whose patrons during the 1870s included the likes of Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday. These days, you may still be lucky enough to see some real cowboys drinking here, we did and it was fantastic.

Located at 5300 feet above sea level, it’s a great place to escape the heat of Phoenix with pine-covered granite mountains and pretty lakes surrounding the town. There are numerous hiking trails to get you out into nature.

Prescott is also home to the world’s oldest rodeo, and you should definitely attend if you are visiting in early July. Can’t get much more cowboy than going to a rodeo!

Where to Stay in Prescott: There are a number of great hotels in Prescott to stay at, including the tastefully restored Hotel St. Michael, the charming Forest Villas Hotel, and the historic Hotel Vendome.

For vacation rentals, stay at this quaint dog-friendly cottage close to downtown, or this authentic log cabin with seasonal creek.

5) Seligman

Arizona is one of the best places to enjoy kitschy Route 66 attractions and to learn about the history of the Mother Road, and Seligman is the ultimate kitschy Route 66 town, full of vintage Route 66 signs, historic buildings, and lots of nostalgic businesses, including Route 66 gift shops and restaurants.

Route 66 as a historic highway and tourist destination only exists today because of the persistent efforts of Angel Delgadillo, a lifetime Seligman resident who relentlessly lobbied and organized to preserve and promote Route 66 when it had been largely forgotten due to interstate highways largely replacing Route 66 in the 1970s.

If you have seen the Disney movie Cars, the town may seem familiar. That’s because the town of Radiator Springs in the movie was based on Seligman.

Don’t miss visiting Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop and Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, a fun drive-in serving burgers and shakes that was once owned by Angel’s brother, Juan, until his death in 2004, and still run by his family. Other places of interest include The Rusty Bolt Gift Shop and Roadkill Cafe.

Where to Stay in Seligman: If you’re staying in Seligman, you can’t go past staying at an authentic Route 66 roadside motel. The best of the bunch is The Aztec Motel & Creative Space, with other great options including the Historic Route 66 Motel and Supai Motel.

For vacation rentals in Seligman, stay at the two-bedroom Old West Hideout or The Villa which is also a large two-bedroom home. Both are right in town.

6) Sedona

Sedona is a small desert town with an arty/bohemian vibe and is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, spiritual seekers, and creative souls. 

It’s home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, with striking red rock desert, impressive rock formations, and beautiful canyons sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. It is also well-known for its vortexes, which are believed to be areas of concentrated energy and are said to be conducive to spiritual healing and meditation.

The town itself looks like an attractive red-hued strip mall – there’s not a lot of history here, and you can tell – but it’s a great place to shop with lots of alternative stores, including crystal shops, art galleries, and gift shops. Beautiful sculptures and fountains abound, and it is very walkable. 

You don’t come to Sedona for the town center, though, you come for the nature – and you won’t be disappointed. There are a number of breathtaking hikes for people of all fitness levels, as well as scenic drives and lookouts, so there really is something for everyone.

My favorite short hike is Cathedral Rock, and for longer hikes (when the weather is cool enough) don’t miss Devil’s Bridge, Boynton Canyon and Subway Cave, and the Cathedral Rock Loop: Hiline and Templeton Trails.

Nearby Oak Creek Canyon is a must-visit too, a green and shady escape from the heat of the desert. You can hike the peaceful West Fork trail and enjoy a natural water slide at Slide Rock State Park. 

Where to Stay in Sedona: Beautiful Sedona offers lots in the way of accommodation, especially if you are looking for a luxury experience. Stand-out hotels and resorts in Sedona include Casa Sedona Inn, El Portal Sedona Hotel, and Sedona Pines Resort.

For vacation rentals, stay at this refurbished 1940s cottage within walking distance of downtown, or the peaceful two-bedroom Sage Cottage close to hiking trails.

7) Tortilla Flat

The smallest town on this list, tiny Tortilla Flat, is located on the eastern outskirts of Phoenix and was originally a stagecoach stop when the community was founded in 1904. It is the oldest operating stagecoach town in Arizona, and the drive there is beautiful, making it a popular motorcycle route.

These days, you can enjoy a beer or lunch at the dollar bill-plastered Superstition Saloon and Restaurant, check out the gift shop, and eat prickly pear gelato at the old-fashioned Country Store. 

Enjoy the fun photo ops and all the nostalgic junk that is lovingly displayed around the tiny town. Visiting Tortilla Flat is an easy and fun day trip from Phoenix, and I recommend adding a visit to the kitschy Goldfield Ghost Town that’s nearby, too.

Where to Stay in Tortilla Flat: There isn’t anywhere in Tortilla Flat itself, but there are a few hotels located in the Apache Junction area, a short drive away. For luxury, you can’t go past the Quail Mountain Desert Resort in Mesa. More affordable options include the Residence Inn by Marriott in Phoenix Mesa East and Best Western Apache Junction.

For vacation rentals nearby, stay at this beautiful three-bedroom home with amazing mountain views, or this cute casita at the base of the Superstition Mountains.

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