At over 150 years old, Prescott is one of Arizona's most characterful cities, surrounded by mountains and dotted with tree-lined plazas. The downtown district is home to handsome Victorian buildings and an impressive collection of 19th-century saloons. You can sip on whisky, visit local galleries and discover Arizona's Native American roots.
Things to do in Prescott
There's no better place to discover Prescott's "Wild West" roots than Whiskey Row. The strip anchors downtown Prescott and is lined with a host of frontier bars, including the iconic Palace Saloon. The saloon dates back to the 1800s and has attracted famous patrons like Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday and Steve McQueen.
Prescott's Historic Downtown district is also dotted with galleries and studios, including local institutions like Van Gogh's Ear. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of forged metal jewellery, glass homewares, hand-carved woodwork and artisan leather goods.
For a glimpse at Prescott's former role as the Arizona capital, visit the open-air Sharlot Hall Museum. You can wander around nine historic buildings that house a collection of vintage guns, handwritten letters and opium pipes. It's named after Sharlot Hall, the first female to hold an office in the Arizona Territorial government.
The Smoki Museum immerses you in Arizona's rich Native American roots. It showcases a colourful collection of Indigenous artefacts including pottery, baskets, weapons, folk costumes and kachina dolls.
Getting around Prescott
The best way to explore Prescott and Yavapai County is by car. The town is about 1.5 hours’ drive from both Phoenix and Flagstaff. You can also fly into Prescott Municipal Airport, which offers daily connections to major US cities.