These charming Arizona towns are perfect to escape the winter blues!
Hidden within the rough landscapes of Arizona are charming small towns that ooze with undeniable charm, waiting to be discovered by travelers and adventure seekers alike.
Must See Places takes an enchanting journey through the Grand Canyon State, and we’ll unveil the allure of a few charming Arizona towns that absolutely deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
Just imagine strolling down the adorable streets decked out in rustic charm, where you can hear history whispering through the adobe walls and the friendly communities that embrace you.
These charming Arizona towns offer a unique blend of natural beauty, culture, and hospitality that will charm you instantly.
So, pack your bags and grab your travel essentials as we embark on a scenic exploration of the lesser-known gems scattered across this Southwestern sanctuary.
From hidden oases to artistic havens, these beautiful places promise an authentic experience that goes beyond the ordinary.
Discover the magic of our 8 favorite charming Arizona towns, inviting you to immerse yourself in the stories they hold and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Tombstone
The scuffle at the O.K. Corral, the most famous shootout in American frontier history, occurred in Tombstone, a 19th-century silver-mining boomtown loaded with over 100 saloons, a bowling alley, and even an opera house.
Sidenote: the famous deadly shootout didn’t happen at the O.K. Corral, but a few doors down. After the mines began to flood in 1886, this charming Arizona town was headed for seclusion.
But it hung in there as a Wild West ghost town, eventually becoming one of the most popular historic attractions in America.
Nowadays, you can check out the gunfight reenactments around the quaint town, take a stroll through a restored version of the boomtown’s main interest, Allen Street, and pop into a few museums to dig deeper into Tombstone’s history.
Bisbee
Like many of the charming Arizona towns on our list, Bisbee, located in the Mule Mountains, was established as a mining town sometime in the late 19th century. And that means there’s a lot of history to get through during your visit.
Begin by going underground to take a tour of the Copper Queen Mine, which, besides producing copper, also produced a rare type of turquoise called Bisbee Blue.
After that, stop by the enormous Lavender Pit to experience an entirely different kind of mine: an open-pit copper mine. After your immersive adventure, make your way downtown to discover even more about mining at the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum.
Or, if you need a break, drop by the Old Bisbee Brewing Company for a chilled pint. As you take a leisurely stroll around town, be sure to check out the boutiques and galleries see the Victorian-style homes and Art Deco county courthouse.
You might even want to spend an evening on a ghost tour.
Arcosanti
Named after the concept of “arcology,” a portmanteau of architecture and ecology, the experimental town of Arcosanti was dreamed up by architect Paolo Soleri, who began building his utopia in 1970.
The sci-fi-looking place, which the Cosanti Foundation operates, is an active architectural laboratory examining how to minimize human environmental impact. It’s still under construction to this day.
Locals are volunteers and students who spend six-week terms developing the city additionally or working in the bronze foundry, making Soleri’s famous bells.
Travelers are welcome to this charming Arizona town’s public areas from 8 to 4 each day. And resident-led tours are also available, as are overnight stays.
Carefree
Well, that name just says it all, doesn’t it? This charming Arizona town takes its name pretty seriously, too.
It’s well-known for leisure, from laid-back but upscale resorts to fantastic golf clubs and even to the names of its streets…two perfect examples would be Tranquil Trail and Ho Hum Road. It’s also famous for its incredibly scenic hiking opportunities.
But Carefree’s biggest claim to fame, and I mean that literally, is what’s declared to be the largest sundial in the United States of America. Built by an engineer named John Yellott and architect Joe Wong back in 1959 to honor the town’s founder, K.T.
Palmer, the sundial has a diameter of a whopping 90 feet. The gnomon, a.k.a. the shadow-casting swell, is 35 feet tall with its shadow twice that length.
Jerome
At the beginning of the 1920s, the mining town of Jerome led the state in silver, gold, and copper production.
Its bang in wealth led to a growth of unsavory behavior, with dozens of bordellos and bars scattered throughout its streets, earning it the famous nickname “the Wickedest City in the West.”
But by the mid-1950s, the mines had shut down, and Jerome was ultimately deserted. Not for long, though, because in the 60s, a significant restoration project revitalized the charming Arizona town, and it gained its National Historic Landmark status in 1967.
It’s a small community of historic buildings filled with restaurants, shops, and bars. And even though only 450 people live here now, Jerome’s ghost town days aren’t over! Rumor has it that this is one of Arizona’s most haunted places to visit.
Winslow
If you’re a fan of the Eagles, not the football team or the band, you may remember a lyric from “Take It Easy” that says, “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.” Well, as it turns out, the place ACTUALLY exists!
Eagles member Jackson Browne once visited the place on a road trip. Because of that song reference, it’s home to “Standin’ on the Corner” Park and the “Standin’ on the Corner Festival” which takes place each year when Eagles fans descend upon the destination to hear some incredible live music.
But besides its musical legacy, this charming Arizona town is known as an old Route 66 town. While here, you can visit the historic La Posada Hotel for a blast from the past to the old railway days and have a bite to eat and drink at its Turquoise Room restaurant.
Sedona
Arguably the most famous of charming Arizona towns, Sedona is very well-known for its spa retreats, hiking trails, and stargazing from unbelievable wilderness areas.
That said, not too many of those things happen in the town itself.
But Uptown Sedona, which is the more touristy side of this area, and West Sedona, the more local side of town, are worthy of a visit on a day when you’re not scrambling over red rocks or being pampered with a massage, particularly if you’re into arts and crafts or shopping.
There’s a lively cultural scene in this charming Arizona town, with craftspeople and artists peddling their wares in the town’s shops, plus loads of bars and restaurants for post-hike refueling.
Williams
If you happen to be visiting the Grand Canyon but wish to stay ina place with a bit more action, drive a bit further south to the lovely town of Williams, also known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
Since it’s the last city on Route 66 to be sidestepped by Interstate 40, this charming Arizona town still proudly shows off its Mother Road roots. The historic highway is striped with retro details, from an old gas station turned museum to street lamps.
But the area has some Wild West history, as well. We recommend staying at the Red Garter Inn, a former bordello and saloon that was built in 1897, to get a true feeling of the history here.
And to truly get in the spirit of things, be sure you pack a pair of cowboy boots for your adventure! Here are our favorites from Amazon: Dixhills Western Cowboy BootsÂ
Williams is also the end of the line of the Grand Canyon Railway, which departs from the historic Williams Depot. But there are lots of modern attractions here, too, from adventure activities like the Canyon Coaster and a zip line to local wineries and breweries.
Have you ever been to any of these charming Arizona towns? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments section. Meanwhile, the editors at Must See Places think you might also like: 10 Magical European-Style Christmas Markets in the US
