NORTH CENTRAL ARIZONA BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON Asylum Restaurant, Jerome Jerome 1 Perkinsville Rd. Sunshine Hill Rd . Lunch: Located in an 1899 building, 2 The Clinkscale is Jerome’s newest restaurant (and hotel), offering everything from cauliflower steak burgers to scallops with cilantro lime couscous—plus craft cocktails, nat-urally. Experience the terroir of the Verde Valley wine region by strolling up the street to the tasting room of 3 Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards , Arizona wineries founded by alternative rock icon Maynard James Keenan. Afternoon: Walk off lunch and wine with retail browsing. Located in a 1917 building, 4 Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery showcases work by dozens of local artists, and nearby 5 Pura Vida Gallery focuses on handicrafts such as home decor and glassware. Meanwhile, 6 Nellie Bly is said to be the largest kaleidoscope shop on the planet, filled with handcrafted eye candy plus marbles and dichroic jewelry. Dinner: Toast your Jerome journey with a glass of Arizona wine from the view-grabbing patios of 7 Asylum Restaurant , perched atop the hill, where signature dishes include roasted butternut squash soup and grilled achiote pork tenderloin. Hull Ave. Beale St. agnolia gnol g n Giroux olia ia M 6 3 2 Ave Av St e. . 5 4 S ark Clark t. School St. 7 3 Places to Time Travel From a frontier governor’s mansion and a 19th-century military base to a heritage railroad, North Central Arizona offers a trove of historic attractions. BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON 1 Those with a penchant for the past will enjoy a few of North Central Arizona’s historic highlights. In Prescott, Sharlot Hall Museum is a shady, 4-acre site dotted with 11 buildings, including the two-story, territorial-era governor’s mansion, circa 1864; and the 1877 Bashford House, a fanciful Victorian. The main exhibit building tells the tale of Arizona’s pre-history, Prescott’s timeline and the story of museum founder Hall, a poet and historian. 1871 until 1891. Buffalo Soldiers also served at the fort, starting in 1885. Wander the square to see four remaining examples of 19th-century military architecture, including living quarters and the administration building. Fort Verde State Historic Park, Camp Verde Verde Canyon Railroad, Clarkdale 3 Finally, do some literal time traveling with a trek on the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad , which has 1950s-era FP7 locomotives pulling restored vintage passenger cars from the Clarkdale depot through high desert, past dramatic cliffs and along a river on tracks originally built for hauling copper from nearby mines. Keep your eyes peeled for eagles and cliff dwellings. 2 Fort Verde State Historic Park in nearby Camp Verde was built as an Army outpost during the Central Arizona Indian Wars, active from 70 VISITARIZONA.COM TOP TP BOTTOM: COLLEEN MINIUK-SPERRY; AZ STATE PARKS AND TRAILS; VERDE CANYON RAILROAD A Day Trip to Jerome Jerome has been a copper mining boomtown, ghost town, hippie enclave and artist colony. Today, the hillside town above the Verde Valley retains its historic roots and boho vibe, perfect for a delightful detour. Morning: Past is present at 1 Gold King Mine and Ghost Town , a spot where gold—not copper—was struck in 1890. Old buildings, antique artifacts and vintage vehicles dot the grounds. Gold panning and a petting zoo keep kids in awe. Aka State Park Hull Ave. Rd . Main St .
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2021-22: Page 70
