NORTH CENTRAL ARIZONA Totally Unexpected 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 (AND UNFORGETTABLE) 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. 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. Arizona Backcountry Llamas, Prescott 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. Gold King Mine Ghost Town, Jerome 66 VISITARIZONA.COM LEFT TO RIGHT: GOLD KING MINE GHOST TOWN; ARIZONA BACKCOUNTRY LLAMAS 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. 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 rodeo-themed 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. 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, free-roaming giraffes are known to stick their necks out for treats.
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2022-23: Page 66
