19 Must-Do’s in Prescott, Arizona
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. Pop into an old-fashioned saloon on historic Whiskey Row
Whiskey Row is a name given to a block of late 1800’s saloons. Although the block was once home to more than 40 saloons, only a few still remain including The Palace which is Arizona’s oldest saloon (opened back in 1877). Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday all frequented The Palace. If you are interested in the history of the Wild West, stop by to enjoy the historic vibe.
Whiskey Row history & events lineup
12. Take a stroll along the Granite Creek trail
From several points in town, you can access a picturesque trail which runs along Granite Creek. This multi use trail is short and easy (about 1.5 miles total) and nothing too spectacular – just a great place to work off some calories after a meal. And, if your prefer to stay off your feet, several restaurants offer nice views of the creek including El Gato Azul and Dinner Bell Cafe. For more info on greenways and parks, visit the city website.
13. Enjoy Tapas at El Gato Azul
El Gato is a great little local place to enjoy a variety of fun Tapas plates in a nice creekside setting. If you are unfamiliar, Tapas are basically small flavorful Spanish dishes which you can share amongst your party. I love the creative app choices here and also the pretty al fresco dining area.
So many choices here, ranging from Santa Fe Shrimp, to Chicken Tostadas, to Black Beans Cakes. Lots of choices for everyone with Beef, Chicken, Seafoods, and even more than a dozen vegetarian choices. My pick: The delicious Papas Con Queso (Yukon Gold Potatoes topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and scallions – yum!).
14. Check out the annual holiday festivities in “Arizona’s Christmas City”
In addition to being known as “Everybody Hometown”, Prescott also bills itself as “Arizona’s Christmas City.” Although the lineup of events is nowhere near as extensive as those offered in the major cities, it’s a pretty decent lineup when compared to other small towns. Let’s just say I’ve never been bored and I find the events here a bit more festive than Flagstaff.
A small zoo lights display, a festive electrical parade, over a million lights adorning the grounds of the courthouse, holiday plays, a fantastic drive-thru light show, and a synthetic ice rink at the Prescott Resort are some of the events you can look forward to if you plan your vacation during the month of December.
This festive lineup, along with the chance of snow and old-fashioned Victorian architecture, make the city a holiday oasis for Phoenix and Tucson residents looking for a more traditional holiday ambiance and colder temps. Not surprisingly, the city is crammed this time of year and I’ve been a part of that crowd on many occasions.
15. Hike the Constellation Trail System
After just a few hikes, I could tell that locals love to hike the Constellation Trail System, a 3.5 mile loop of interconnected moderate trails. Featuring picturesque scenery and an attractive quiet vibe, this loop is a good choice for completely escaping the city congestion.
Take a short drive out of town (the trail is located near the Phippen Museum) and completely immerse yourself in the beauty of the barren desert. The trail is moderately taxing, but not totally exhausting, thus great for avid gym goers.
16. Relax with an afternoon coffee break at Wild Iris
With a beautiful shady garden patio, a great menu of espresso & tea drinks, and a delicious display of pastry treats, Wild Iris is the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a leisurely coffee & snack break in between exploring the shops downtown. This was the first cafe I visited on my first daytrip to the city and I returned many times to enjoy the beautiful setting and top notch French press.
All treats are homemade so you can enjoy a sweet treat guilt free (or at least a slightly healthier version of processed junk)! Coffee sourced from Seattle area Rococo Coffee Roasting – they specialize in fantastic single origin coffees.
17. Take a casual stroll along the Lakeshore Trail
In addition to boating, there is a nice trail around Lynx Lake. A beautiful stroll around the lake is the perfect way to spend a summer day. With lush surroundings including tall ponderosas and gorgeous views of the water, there really is no better summer weekend activity. Plenty of shade means that you can still enjoy a little stroll even on those hot 90 degree days.
Birdwatching is particularly great here with the opportunity to see Bald Eagles nesting during the winter and osprey in the summer. Other potential wildlife sightings include javelina, deer, and black bear. The trail is just 2 miles or so, however, you can connect to other trails for a longer workout.
18. Check out The Prescott Resort
The Prescott Resort offers a number of attractive amenities including a full service spa, a heated indoor pool, and a coffee bar. Even if you are not staying here, you can enjoy a scenic meal at Eagle’s Nest restaurant. Attached to the casino is Bucky’s, one of just a handful of casinos in the northern portion of the state. Also, be sure to visit over the holidays as the Prescott Resort is home to “the world’s largest gingerbread display” and a temporary ice rink.
19. Go antique shopping
If you are into hunting for bargains, you will find a few nice antique shops in town. Arizona in general is a really great place for anyone that loves hunting for old treasures. I pretty much hit up multiple antique stores on any given weekend!
