2022-08-30 12:08:37
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 hometurned- 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. Totally Unexpected (AND UNFORGETTABLE) Experiences for All Ages Amid North Central Arizona’s mountains, pine forests and historic towns, these six 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. Opened in 2012 and housed in a historic school building, the two-story museum tells the story of the ruddy metal and showcases thousands of copper items in several galleries. 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 Who isn’t dazzled by a kaleidoscope? Since 1988, Nellie Bly has been offering artistic scopes—new and antique—plus glass art from a historic storefront in Jerome. And yes, you’re encouraged to touch and play with the kaleidoscopes, handcrafted of wood, metal and glass by artists. A recently opened sister store offers steampunk-inspired objects, ranging from pens to sculptures. Want to learn more about the art form? Kaleidoscope Weekend in October features hands-on classes taught by artists. THIS AIN’T MY FIRST RODEO In fact, the annual World’s Oldest Rodeo has been happening in Prescott since 1888—hence its official moniker. What started out as a modest “cowboy tournament” that tested the mettle of local ranch hands has morphed into a week-long celebration, presented by Prescott Frontier Days, around the Fourth of July. Look not only for rodeo performances, but family-friendly dances with live music, a dress-up parade for kids and, for Steve McQueen fans, an outdoor showing of the 1972 rodeothemed movie, Junior Bonner, filmed on location in Prescott. 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, a 3-acre site meant for roaming and learning about the area’s mining history. Check out the 180 vintage vehicles dotting the grounds, a stamp mill, working sawmill and blacksmith shop. For junior members in your group, there’s a petting zoo populated with baby goats, chickens and Bella the pig, plus the chance to learn gold panning. GET WILD Think of Arizona wildlife as coyotes and roadrunners? At Out of Africa Wildlife Park, you’ll also see lions and tigers and bears. The 104-acre 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 zip line to soar above animals. Want more close encounters? The African bush safari tour rolls through the park’s Serengeti preserve, where curious, freeroaming giraffes are known to stick their necks out for treats. LLAMA NIRVANA Sure, you can hike along lakes, through meadows and among pine forests with a backpack stuffed with your water and supplies. Or, you can do a slightly different trek with Arizona Backcountry Llamas, a Prescott-based outfitter that uses the South American domesticated camelids to carry food, drinks and gear for their guided adventures. Choose an easy, two-hour stroll with the gentle critters (who spit at each other, not humans, to settle disputes), or half-day and full-day adventures. Multi-day camping trips are also available. PIT STOP: REVEL IN ROUTE 66 KITSCH IN SELIGMAN Ever wish you could experience the carefree days of classic Route 66 travel? If so, Seligman awaits! BY ELIZABETH EXLINE Seligman may just be the ultimate underdog story. This once thriving town was consigned to oblivion with the opening of Interstate 40. But rather than fade into the background, the town reinvented itself as a colorful, outsized destination where classic cars, retro signage and a host of throwback restaurants and shops await discovery. Start your adventure with a bite at one of the city’s best-loved restaurants. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap serves up “dead chicken,” “oink burgers” and ice cream with a side of joviality that has made the place a local legend. Or, stop by Route 66 Roadrunner, a dealershipturned- restaurant that invites you to browse local art, American Indian goods and Americana after a pizza lunch. Feeling extra brave? Then order a buffalo burger or an order of “fender tenders” at The Roadkill Café/O.K. Saloon. Before you go, pick up a souvenir at the Rusty Bolt, which offers leather goods and handmade jewelry, or at the family-owned Angel & Vilma Delgadillo’s Original Route 66 Gift Shop, which specializes in Route 66-themed gifts.
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