2023-10-19 03:28:45
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, Cottonwood, Fort Apache, Globe, Holbrook, Jerome, Prescott, Sedona, Seligman Area Highlights VERDE CANYON RAILROAD, CLARKDALE Board a restored vintage train car (ADA accessible) pulled by a rare FP7 locomotive for an unforgettable fourhour, 40-mile round-trip ride through breathtaking canyon scenery. You’ll pass by the shimmering waters of the Verde River, lush foliage and high-desert rock faces. Keep an eye out for eagles and other wildlife, and be sure to pick up a Southwestern-style souvenir in the Boxcar Gift Store back at the depot. NAVAJO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, HOLBROOK Housed in the historic courthouse on Route 66, this museum tells the stories of the area’s many residents throughout the centuries, from American Indians to early settlers. See ancient fossils, exhibits on Ancestral Puebloans, Apache, Hopi and Navajo cultures and their crafts; an old Hashknife chuck wagon, and artifacts from the legendary Mother Road. SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK, SEDONA This popular state park attracts visitors in search of the pristine waters of Oak Creek (perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day), which you can slip into via an 80-foot natural waterslide. For quieter moments, escape the crowds of sunbathers with a short hike upstream, and enjoy excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout. JEROME STATE HISTORIC PARK, JEROME A landmark in Jerome since 1916, the Douglas Mansion was home to mining mogul James Douglas, and its hillside location overlooked his Little Daisy Mine. Explore this home-turned- museum to see exhibits, photographs and artifacts chronicling the family, mining and town’s history. DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK, COTTONWOOD Escape to the verdant Verde River Valley at this scenic park where you can picnic beneath a shaded canopy of cottonwood and willow trees, go fishing at three lagoons, sleep beneath the stars at one of the high desert campsites; or bike, hike or horseback ride along the shared-use Dead Horse Trail System. PICKLE BARREL TRADING POST, GLOBE In a rugged mining town, discover a century-old post-and-beam-built shop filled with Southwest-inspired treasures: Minnetonka moccasins, Pendleton blankets, sparkly minerals and rocks, Apache beadwork, cowboy hats, one-of-a-kind antiques, rustic yard art and an array of fun gifts for kids. HISTORIC WHISKEY ROW, PRESCOTT Forty saloons once lined Whiskey Row, attracting the likes of Wyatt and 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 paddleboard — or bike, hike, fish and climb. 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, dedicated to Apache heritage and arts, and visit the nearby Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark. INSPIRING ART WALKS These four small-town gallery crawls offer a window into the local art scene. BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON Absorb the cultural landscape of the area by joining a monthly art walk, where you can check out new work, meet artists, watch live music and sip wine. Here are four to add to your calendar. In the midst of Arizona’s copper region, Globe has been attracting a growing cadre of artists and artisans, who helped launch the First Friday art walks in 2020. Look for artist booths, murals, food trucks and live music along downtown’s Broad Street, along with retailers and the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts open for evening browsing. On Cleopatra Hill, this ghost town-turned- arts enclave hosts its Jerome Art & Wine Walk the first Saturday monthly, highlighting artist studios, galleries, retailers and wine tasting rooms. Live music adds to the festivities, and an on-call shuttle can ferry you up and down the steep streets if you don’t feel like strolling. Since 2004, Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walk has drawn hundreds of art aficionados who wander through galleries showing everything from fiber art and jewelry to photography, painting and sculpture. Many of the galleries are walking distance around the historic Courthouse Square (stop for that glass of wine), while others are a short drive away. Long known as an arts destination in the Red Rocks, Sedona’s 1st Friday in the Galleries lets you check out works by local, regional and national artists in genres from Western to contemporary. Look for show openings, artist receptions and more at galleries throughout town and nearby Village of Oak Creek. Shuttle service is available between some galleries. Making Memories TOTALLY UNEXPECTED (AND UNFORGETTABLE) Experiences for All Ages Amid North Central Arizona’s mountains, pine forests and historic towns, these experiences create memories for all ages. BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON COPPER IS KING Arizona is known for copper, and Clarkdale is a historic town that owes its existence to the metal, making it the perfect place for the Arizona Copper Art Museum. Look for everything from trench art made by soldiers during both World Wars and a dormer from the Carnegie mansion in New York to a stockpot used by Martha Stewart on one of her TV shows. EYE CANDY Since 1988, Nellie Bly has been offering artistic kaleidoscopes — new and antique — plus glass art from a historic storefront in Jerome. A recently opened sister store offers steampunk-inspired objects, ranging from pens to sculptures. THIS AIN’T MY FIRST RODEO In fact, the annual World’s Oldest Rodeo has been happening in Prescott since 1888. What started as a modest “cowboy tournament” has morphed into a week-long celebration, presented by Prescott Frontier Days, around the Fourth of July. Look for rodeo performances, family-friendly dances, parade, rodeo dance and boot race. MAKE IT MINE Just outside Jerome, a shaft dug in 1890 for copper yielded gold instead. The surrounding mining camp was abandoned when gold ran out, but it’s been reborn as Gold King Mine and Ghost Town. Check out vintage vehicles, working sawmill and a blacksmith shop. Bring little ones to the petting zoo, plus the chance to learn gold panning. GET WILD Think of Arizona wildlife as coyotes and roadrunners? The 104-acre Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde is home to some 40 exotic big cats and hundreds of other animals, like zebras and wolves. Watch tigers and their caretakers romp in a pool during the Tiger Splash experience or use the Predator Zipline Experience to soar above animals. Or make your way to the Heritage Zoological Sanctuary, overlooking Willow Lake in Prescott. Explore 10 acres of naturally landscaped grounds with exhibits of animals large and small. These rescued and rehabilitated creatures come with their own unique stories — from orphaned and injured animals to donated “pets” from private owners.
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