2020-09-05 08:44:58
One of the most beautiful cities in the world is located in North Central Arizona. But that’s just part of the region’s appeal. Beyond the red-rock resplendency of Sedona you’ll find historic sites in Prescott and Fort Apache, family-friendly activities like the Verde Canyon Railroad, and some of the state’s best restaurants and wineries. IN THIS REGION Camp Verde Clarkdale Fort Apache Jerome Prescott Sedona Area Highlights RED ROCK STATE PARK, SEDONA Brilliant red plateaus, green meadows dappled with colorful wildflowers and the cool waters of Oak Creek meandering through stands of trees are just a few of the highlights at this 286-acre state park. Bring the whole family along the 5-mile trail network for panoramic views of this area’s natural beauty. HISTORIC WHISKEY ROW, PRESCOTT Forty saloons once lined Whiskey Row, attracting the likes of Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday and countless other settlers, prospectors, cowboys and gamblers during the Gold Rush days. Today, you can still order a drink here and browse the numerous art galleries and souvenir shops. WATSON LAKE AND THE GRANITE DELLS, PRESCOTT Dramatic rock formations—known as the Granite Dells, an assemblage of large granite boulders with a strikingly rippled appearance—surround Watson Lake, making it one of the most ruggedly beautiful spots in the region. Explore the waters by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle-board— or bike, hike, fish and climb. VERDE CANYON RAILROAD, CLARKDALE Board a fully restored vintage train for a 4-hour, 40-mile round-trip narrated journey through the Verde Canyon, from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back. Take in the spectacular scenery from your indoor seat or from one of the train’s open-air viewing cars. TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS & CRAFTS VILLAGE, SEDONA With its cobblestone walkways, twinkling lights, water fountains and dramatic archways draped in vines, this retail and entertainment area is a picturesque retreat. Stroll more than 50 specialty shops and art galleries, which showcase an array of media, from sculptures and pottery to silks and weavings. JEROME STATE HISTORIC PARK, JEROME From the late 1800s to the late 1920s, Jerome was a boomtown for copper mining thanks to the Little Daisy Mine. Time travel to this era at the Douglas Mansion—once the opulent home of mining magnate James S. Douglas—which now houses historical exhibits, artifacts and minerals. MONTEZUMA CASTLE NATIONAL MONUMENT, CAMP VERDE Gaze into the past at this remarkably preserved cliff dwelling: a 20-room multi-family home tucked into the recess of a craggy limestone cliff where the Sinagua people lived over 600 years ago. Take in the views from the self-guided loop trail that follows the spring-fed Beaver Creek. TUZIGOOT NATIONAL MONUMENT, CLARKDALE Perched atop a desert hillside overlooking the Verde River floodplain is an ancient village dating back to A.D. 1000, where the Sinagua people once lived in its 110 rooms. Explore the ruins of this sprawling pueblo, and then peruse the exhibits and artifacts—from pottery to arrowheads—at the visitor center. FORT APACHE HISTORIC PARK/NOHWIKE’ BÁGOWA (HOUSE OF OUR FOOTPRINTS) MUSEUM, FORT APACHE One of the best examples of an existing Apache Wars-era military post, Fort Apache Historic Park displays more than 20 structures in its historic district. You can also tour the Nohwike’ Bágowa Museum, dedicated to Apache heritage and arts, and visit the nearby Kinishba Ruins. 3 UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES WITH THE KIDS BY TERESA BITLER 1 Chuckwagon Supper at Blazin’ M Ranch Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood is perfect for the whole family. Before dinner, kids can try roping or go on a tractor pull ride. Following the chuckwagon supper, there’s plenty of toe-tapping music and laughs. 2 Out of Africa Wildlife Park This wildlife park in Camp Verde is more than a zoo. Families can watch animal shows—like the Tiger Splash, where tigers “hunt” their toys—and view free-roaming animals on the park’s safari attraction. 3 Sharlot Hall Museum Kids can step back in time at this Prescott museum, which consists of the 1864 Governor’s Mansion and five other historic buildings. On the second Saturday of each month, interpreters in period garments bring history to life. EPIC HIKES AND WHERE TO EAT AFTER Work up an appetite trekking one of these awe-inspiring trails, and then refuel with a post-hike lunch at a nearby eatery or craft brewery. HIKE At Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, walk down and back on the 2,200-foot Gowan Trail to an observation deck offering sweeping views of the world’s largest natural travertine bridge, which soars 183 feet high. Towering canyon walls, semi-shaded trails and scenic stream crossings are the hallmarks of the 7.2-mile out-and-back West Fork Trail in Coconino National Forest’s Oak Creek Canyon, which is especially dazzling in autumn. In Prescott, stick to the 2.74-mile outer loop of Constellation Trail, or venture into the numerous spurs that loop into each other as you explore scrub oak passageways and take in views of the Granite Dells. EAT Grab a seat on the patio at Old County Inn in Pine, where wood-fired pizzas are loaded with from-scratch toppings—from the sausage to the sauces. Finish up with an Adult Float made with craft root beer or stout. At Oak Creek Brewery and Grill in Sedona’s Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, take in the views as you fill up on burgers, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas, and be sure to pair it with a mug of craft beer made on-site. Refuel with loaded-up salads, gourmet flatbreads and small-batch beers at downtown Prescott’s European-style Raven Café, where the focus is on local, organic ingredients. A WEEKEND IN Cottonwood BY KERIDWEN CORNELIUS Thanks to a group of pioneering winemakers, once-sleepy Cottonwood has matured into a gastronomic hotspot. With its smalltown hospitality, riverside scenery and tasting rooms lining charming Old Town, this central Arizona idyll is a feast for the senses. Friday Evening: When rock-star-turned-vintner Maynard James Keenan opened a series of tasting rooms in this previously unsung area, he attracted viticulture enthusiasts from around the nation. Sample flights of the Tool vocalist’s bold wines at his signature restaurant, Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria. Belly up to the glittering mahogany bar and pair a spicy Tarzan Tempranillo with house-made mac and cheese—pink in hue from prickly pear cactus fruit. Saturday: Fortify yourself for a day of adventure at Crema Craft Kitchen + Bar, famous for breakfast burritos and stick-to-your-ribs Southwestern dishes. Next, explore the Verde River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River and the lifeblood of the local vineyards. Kayak under a canopy of cottonwoods on Verde Adventure Tours’ 2.5-hour Water to Wine excursion. The leisurely paddle culminates with a tasting at Alcantara Vineyards’ Tuscan-esque, riverside villa. Then decant back to Historic Old Town Cottonwood to pop into pastel-painted shops and tasting rooms. On Main Street, Pillsbury Wine Company is renowned for its award-winning whites, while Burning Tree Cellars pours small-batch boutique wines. Browse exquisite, locally made woodwork and jewelry at Cartwheels Gallery. And don’t miss Larry’s Antiques, a bastion of zany miscellany, from clawfoot tubs to vintage gas pumps. Sunday Morning: At Dead Horse Ranch State Park, satisfy your craving for nature by strolling trails that tangle around a trio of lagoons. Despite its name, the lush park is home to a lively cornucopia of creatures, including great blue herons, bald eagles and beavers. Finally, lounge on the patio at Pizzeria Bocce, savoring wood-fired pizza from Naples-trained Chef Michelle Jurisin. Then cap off your Cottonwood getaway with a game of bocce ball.
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