Visit These 7 Historic Western Towns in Arizona

Arizona used to be the epitome of the “Wild Wild West,” a place where lawlessness predominated and tiny boom towns appeared out of nowhere. Following the discovery of gold and other minerals in a number of locations around Arizona in the 1800s and early 1900s, miners and wealthy individuals flocked to these sites, establishing communities that were eventually abandoned decades later. These abandoned settlements can be found in various isolated parts of Arizona; some are completely deserted, while others are still inhabited. These quaint, Old West communities are now well-liked vacation destinations or peaceful retirement areas. Any of these communities can provide you a window into the colourful past of Arizona.

In this article I brought to you the best old western towns in Arizona to visit:

1. Tombstone

The most well-known (or infamous) of all the ghost towns in Arizona is unquestionably Tombstone, the scene of the cowboy gunfight in which the Earp brothers engaged renegade men who were suspected of robbing a stagecoach in 1881. Several films and television series have depicted the ensuing combat, which is among the most popular stories from the Wild West. During the next few decades, the silver mines in Tombstone brought in thousands of dollars, appearing out of nowhere as a mining town in the middle of the desert in 1877.

2. Bisbee 

Originally established as a mining town in the late 1800s, this diverse town is well-known for its galleries, art museums, retail establishments, restaurants, and authentic Wild West atmosphere. You may step back in time by strolling through the Old Bisbee neighbourhood, where many of the stores still have their original façade.

With eighteen galleries to peruse, it’s understandable why the majority of tourists to Bisbee here for the art scene! In addition, there are over thirty dining options, a number of lodging options, and museums that have preserved the essence of the Wild West for many years.

There are several mines near Bisbee that are open for tours, the most popular being the Queen Mine. Donning a hard hat, yellow vest, and headlamp, tourists are taken 1,500 feet down into the depths of the mine and seemingly back in time. Word is that parts of Bisbee are haunted, so jump into one of the walking ghost tours if you dare! There are both family-friendly and “more scary” tours available. Whatever you decide to do in Bisbee, you’ll be glad you made the time to visit this quirky small town near the Mexico border.

3. Prescott

Almost 47,000 people still call Prescott, a thriving western town located 100 miles north of Phoenix amid the highlands, home. Prescott has the impression of a little town while being larger than other western communities in Arizona. The Palace Restaurant and Saloon, the oldest business in Arizona, is located on Whisky Row, and is a must-see destination for any tourist to Prescott. The Palace was once visited by well-known cowboys Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday. Today, it is part of Whisky Row along with a number of other historic saloons. See all of the items in the expansive Sharlot Hall Museum, which outlines the history of Prescott and the surrounding environs, to gain knowledge about the town’s past and heritage.

The world’s oldest annual rodeo takes place in Prescott (pronounced Pres-citt by locals) during Prescott Frontier Days, which takes place over the Fourth of July weekend. The Prescott Circle Trail, a 56-mile trail that around the entire city, originates in the mountains that ring this sizable town. Watson Lake, with its charming rocky shoreline, is another great spot to enjoy a warm day. Watson Lake is not a place to swim, but you can explore some of the coves by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.

4. Jerome

Jerome, another quaint Old West town close to Prescott, is well-known for its gorgeous location atop Cleopatra Hill with a view of the Verde Valley. When visiting Jerome, be prepared to climb stairs—many, many stairs—because of its unusual environment! During its peak, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Jerome’s 10,000 inhabitants were sustained by the abundant copper mines in the vicinity.

Once the mines ran out, Jerome quickly became a ghost town. Over the next several decades, some of the town’s buildings were restored or turned into museums, restaurants, and dwellings. Due to erosion in this area from mining and natural causes, some of the buildings were lost forever or, in the case of the Sliding Jail, were moved over the years from their original location.

5. Benson 

Benson, another little southern Arizona boom town from the 1880s, was a railway centre and is best known now as the entry point to Kartchner Caverns. The stalactites and stalagmites in these massive underground caverns are “live,” meaning that water seeping through the limestone causes them to continuously grow. If you’re ever in the region, you should definitely check out the Kartchner Caverns!

Don’t forget to also visit the Holy Trinity Monastery, a historic and still-active Benedictine church that is open to visitors. The bookshop also doubles as a bakery, and the homemade bread at the Monastery is legendary! For fans of railroad history, the Benson Visitor Center is sure to educate and delight. Be sure to try out the brand new train simulator, situated inside the building which is a replica of the original railroad depot. There are also hundreds of artifacts, photos, and documents that outline the history of the railroad in this area.

6. Oatman

Situated in the northwestern corner of Arizona along historic Route 66, Oatman is best known for its non-human residents- the burros. These wild but friendly donkeys are descendants of the original mules and donkeys used by miners in the area, and today the burros outnumber people in this tiny Wild West town. Wander down Main Street—actually Route 66 since it passes right through the centre of town—and see a bit of 21st-century Old Western history. The Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters performed in the afternoons, enacting a fictitious bank theft and gunfight.

You can finish your trip to Oatman with food, art and souvenirs from the stores that line the main thoroughfare.

7. Goldfield

The restored ghost town of Goldfield is located east of Mesa. Once a sleepy mining hamlet next to the Superstition Mountains, it is now a popular tourist destination with an Old West-style restaurant/saloon, museum, and other amenities.

Goldfield is a fantastic day trip destination because of its close proximity to the Phoenix suburbs. Take a mile-and-a-half train ride around the town on a historic rail engine and caboose, or pan for gold and bring home your vial of gold flakes. You may take tours of the 100-foot-deep Goldfield Mine that will make you feel as though you’ve travelled back in time.

The newest attraction to Goldfield is the Superstition Zipline, allowing you to take in the views of the nearby mountains and surrounding desert like never before! Visit the Goldfield Museum and follow up with a horseback riding tour through the cacti on experienced mounts, letting you pretend to be one of those tough cowboys of the Old West.

FAQ’S: 

Read More: Top Canadian Destinations for 2024