Arizona's first territorial capital, Prescott is a great resort community encircled by the
Prescott National Forest. For
outdoor recreation you can find camping, horseback riding,
hiking, fishing, rockhounding and picnicking.
History: Prescott dates back to 1864 when the area
was first settled with the discovery of gold. President Abraham Lincoln
then designated the area as the local capitol seat for the newly
created Arizona Territory. The territory capitol moved to Tucson in 1867,
returned in 1877 and then permanently moved to Phoenix in 1889.
The town was incorporated in 1883 and named in honor of historian
William Hickling Prescott. The town was nearly destroyed by fire in 1900
but was rebuilt by determined residents.
Major Points of Interest:
Prescott area activities center around the Prescott Valley Entertainment District and the historic Prescott Courthouse and Whiskey Row.
Year-round events take place, such as Whiskey Row Marathon, Acker Musical Showcase and the World's Oldest Rodeo.
The brand new 5,100 seat Tim's Toyota Event Center is home to the Arizona Sundogs Hockey Team and the venue for concerts, trade shows and conventions.
Yavapai College Performing Arts Theatre hosts numerous celebrity events througout the year.
Prescott is the gateway to Northern Arizona and a short drive to the Grand Canyon, Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort, Cliff Castle Casino & Sedona.
Prescott Downs
Thoroughbred racing Memorial Day thru Labor Day.
Call 445-0220 for info. Races Thurs-Sun.
Whiskey Row / Courthouse Square
Shopping area downtown at crossing of SR-89 and Cortez Street.
Includes antiques, souvenirs, apparel and several restaurants.
Cordes Junction
This vicinity abounds with deserted mining camps and ghost towns.
Yarnell
Popular today as a summer tourism escape from the desert heat. Active gold, silver and copper mines still work in the area.
Bucky's Casino
530 E. Merritt; Open daily 24 hours; 778-7909;
Mountaintop resort and casino features swimming, tennis,
health club, ballroom, conference center and restaurants. Part
of Phoenix Resort.
Sharlot M. Hall Museum
3.5 acres of galleries and gardens in downtown Prescott. Includes
the mansion of Arizona's first territorial governor.
The Bead Museum
140 S. Montezuma St, Open Mon-Sat 9:30-4:30; Donations; (445-2431);
This facility preserves and displays bead decorations from around
the world, including Africa, China, Italy and elsewhere.
Bucky O'Neill Monument
Memorial to Capt. William O'Neill first volunteer and organizer
of Roosevelt's Rough Riders (First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry) famed unit
of the Spanish-American War.
Granite Basin
10-acre lake found about 12 mi. n.w. of Prescott.
Fishing,
hiking and
camping.
Granite Dells
Four miles north on SR-89, big granite formations line SR-89
for two miles near Watson Lake - also popular summer playground.
Heritage Park Zoo
Miller Valley Rd; Daily 10AM-4PM; Adult: $4 / Child $1.50; 778-4242
Located at Heritage Park, contains exhibits of nimals
in natural surroundings.
Smoki Museum
147 N. Arizona St. Donations. Call hours - 445-1230;
Museum is patterned after early Pueblo structures. Contains
artifacts from Yavapai County archealogical sites including
Tuzigoot, Fitzmaurice and King ruins. Displays on ancient
legends and ceremonies.
Thumb Butte
4 miles west of Prescott is a rugged outcropping of granite.
The summit offers extensive views of Yavapai County. Picnicking
and hiking.
Major resort community famed for its brilliant red rock canyons.
Verde Canyon Rail Tour Package
Our most Rail Tour
Departs from Sedona on a fully narrated 11-hour tour of the Sonoran desert heading to Clarkdale
where you will stop for lunch at their famous depot. Then climb aboard for your panoramic 4-hour rail experience to Perkinsville through the Verde River Canyon.
This distinctive geographical area includes desert rock faces, crimson cliffs, and towering bridges accessible only by rail.
Calendar of Events:
Frontier Days Celebration and Rodeo [4th of July]
Weeklong event widely recognized as the first public rodeo
of the country, a tradition dating back to 1888.
Phippen Art Show [Memorial Weekend]
Held at the Phippen Museum.
Prescott Off Street Festival [Memorial Weekend]
Territorial Days [Early June]
Folks Arts Fair held at
Sharlot M. Hall Museum.
Prescott Bluegrass Festival [Mid-June]
Fair on the Square [Labor Day Weekend]
Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering [3rd Weekend Aug]
Storytelling, poetry and song Folks Arts Fair held at
Sharlot M. Hall Museum.
Folk Music Fest [1st Weekend in Oct]
Musicians and storytellers gather at
Sharlot M. Hall Museum.
Yavapai County Fair [Late Sept]
Christmas Celebration [1st Week in Dec]
Parade and tree lighting ceremony at the courthouse.
Sharlot M. Hall Museum
Sharlot M. Hall Museum
415 W. Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86302; 445-3122;
Open: Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM / Sun 1PM=5PM; Donations;
3.5 acre complex of galleries and gardens in downtown Prescott.
The museum was first opened in 1927 by poet and state-historian Sharlot
M. Hall. Today six historic buildings and two modern exhibits present
the heritage and history of the State of Arizona. Also found here
are gardens and a amphitheater.
Folk Arts Fair
Costumed artisans demonstrate many pioneer skills and traditions in
a celebration held the first week of June.
Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering [3rd Weekend Aug]
Storytelling, poetry and song Folks Arts Fair.
Folk Music Fest [1st Weekend in Oct]
Musicians and storytellers gather for performances and workshops.
Governor's Mansion
Completed in 1864 for John N. Goodwin, Arizona's first territorial
governor. Noteworthy exhibit of early modes of transportation
include a Concord stagecoach, Conestoga wagon and 1927 Star car.
John C. Fremont House
Build 1875 for the famous mountainman who also served as fifth
territorial governor of Arizona in 1875-81.
Prescott Comfort Inn
1290 White Spar Rd., Prescott, AZ 86303-7230;
Location: South entrance to town on SR-89;
The Comfort Inn of Prescott is nestled in the beautiful Ponderosa Pines. It borders the Prescott National Forest
and is only 2 miles from downtown, which includes the Courthouse, Whiskey Row, Sharlot Hall Museum, restaurants, shops and casinos.
Pet accommodation.
.
California Resort Life
Exciting resort accommodations in beautiful California USA. Come see what's new.
Prescott Residence Inn
3599 Lee Circle, Prescott, AZ 86301;
This Prescott Arizona hotel is located 90 miles NW of Phoenix & 90 miles SW of Flagstaff. This hotel in Prescott is situated between Prescott Valley,
Chino Valley & Downtown Prescott. Prescott has rightfully earned the nicknames "Everybody's Hometown" and "Arizona's Christmas City" because of the
easygoing small town atmosphere and presence of the old west.
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Tour Verde Canyon
This historic route takes you along the floor of the scenic Upper Verde River Canyon which includes such highlights as
the Verde Canyons towering crimson cliffs, crossing old-fashioned railroad trestles, Dark 680-foot tunnel and final
terminus at deserted Perkinsville Ranch.
More Prescott Area Hotels:
 Northern Arizona Hotel Guide
Prescott Comfort Inn - Southside Entrance
Prescott Best Western - Prescott
Prescott Residence Inn - Prescott
Prescott Holiday Inn - Gateway Mall
Prescott Forest Villas - European Ambiance
Prescott Springhill Suites - Whiskey Row
Prescott EconoLodge - Whiskey Row
Prescott Best Value Inn - Historic Downtown Quarter
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Arizona Highways
