One of our favorite places to visit this time of year is Arizona’s original State Capital, Prescott. Only about an hour and a half north of Phoenix, Prescott has a cooler climate in the summer and plenty of small town adventure for the whole family. The Prescott National Forest surrounds the historic western town, with beautiful forestland and gorgeous mountain views, perfect for hiking, camping, fishing. Prescott is a great place to visit for a day trip, or a weekend road trip. Here are some of our favorite spots to see when we visit the home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo.
Whiskey Row and Courthouse Plaza
One of the most well known, and somewhat notorious, places to see in Prescott is the heart of downtown known as Whiskey Row. Once home to as many as 40 saloons on one block, Whiskey Row embodies the wild west history of Prescott and is a fun place to find everything from art galleries, boutiques and shops, to ice cream parlors and restaurants. You can visit the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona, the Palace, which once hosted the likes of Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday. Then walk across the street to the historic Yavapai County Courthouse and enjoy the shady lawn of Courthouse Plaza.
Sharlot Hall Museum
The Sharlot Hall Museum is a fascinating place to visit, and just a short walk from the Courthouse Plaza and infamous Whiskey Row. The museum lets visitors walk through a historic collection of buildings and displays that represent the history and heritage of Arizona during Territorial times. This educational and cultural center was named after its founder, Sharlot Mabridth Hall, who was a well-known poet, activist, and politician, as well as Arizona’s first territorial historian. In the early 19th century, Sharlot Hall began to collect both Native American and pioneer artifacts to create an historical museum to preserve the heritage and culture of Arizona.
Hassayampa Inn
The Hassayampa Inn is a beautiful, historic hotel in downtown Prescott, and a favorite place for visitors to stay. Opened in 1927, the Hassayampa Inn was one of the first large hotels in town and preserves its heritage with an ornately decorated lobby, bar, and restaurant. The old-fashioned elevator is original and must be operated by hotel staff. It also happens to be the location of quite a few different reported ghost sightings and one of Prescott’s most notorious hauntings. If you are in the mood for a slice of history and a good ghost story, the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott is worth a weekend visit.
Heritage Park Zoo
The Heritage Park Zoological Society is located on about ten acres just north of Prescott, overlooking Willow Lake. This is a great zoo to visit with kids and it lives up to its motto of “Conservation through Education.” As well as offering sanctuary to many endagered species like the Mexican Gray Wolf, a tiger, tarantualas, and various reptiles, it also hosts animals rescued by Arizona Game and Fish, such as a gray fox, mountain lion, and black bear. It provides visitors with a fantastic children’s playground, covered picnic pavillion, and interactive animal experiences. The Heritage Park Zoo is definitely worth a visit when you spend time in Prescott.
Lynx Lake
We love to visit Prescott in the summer months, because it has perfect hiking weather! One of our favorite spots to hike is the lovely Lynx Lake, located just 15 minutes Southeast of Prescott. Very close and easy to reach through the Prescott National Forest, this lake is a great place for fishing, camping, hiking, and boating. The trail is perfect for short hikes with kids, a two-mile trail that leads all the way around the lake and is wheelchair and stroller accessible on one side. There are picnic tables and grills, as well as boat rentals in the summer, a great place to spend a day or two on your visit to Prescott.
Watson Lake
Another one of our favorite outdoor spots in Prescott is Watson Lake, located just a few miles from downtown Prescott. This beautiful lake is surrounded by large granite boulders, which makes it great for hiking, fishing and boating. Watson Lake has picnic tables, campgrounds, and playground areas for kids, and hosts many local events and group activities. The hiking trail is longer and more challenging than Lynx Lake, but the path through the rocky terrain showcases it’s best feature, the stunning lakeside views from every angle.
Summer is the perfect time to visit higher elevations and cooler temperatures in the tall pines of Prescott. It’s a great place for a day trip or weekend stay, with many fun places to see and experience. Take some time to check out local favorites, and be sure to check Ladybug’s Blog for more ideas for great places to getaway and visit in Arizona!
This article was published in the July 2019 issue of the Deer Valley Times, North Tatum Times, North 32nd News, and the Scottsdale North News.
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