Arizona is called the Grand Canyon State because of its most famous attraction, the majestic Grand Canyon National Park. While the Grand Canyon is an incredible treasure trove of outdoor recreation opportunities, Arizona is far more likely to explore beyond this one park. In fact, there are many small towns in the state that offer everything from the formation of sandstone red rocks to creative local artwork. Oh, there’s one town with an old London bridge at the foot of the Colorado River!

For some fresh and fresh perspectives on this classically colorful desert southwest state, check out these seven whimsical towns you visit in Arizona.

Sedona

Take a scenic trip down highway 89A from Flagstaff and arrive in the charming town of Sedona. Surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, Sedona is most famous for its many red rock formations in the forests that dot the edges of the town, including Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon. Clearly, Sedona is the perfect town to spend quality time hiking in the wilderness.

But whenever you want to change things, Uptown Sedona has a fun mix of quirky boutique and Sedona Arts Centre, hosting exhibitions featuring local artists and regular art classes and workshops. Get a table at the Uptown Brewpub at Sedona Beer Company for great local brewing and fantastic views.

Along the way, take a tour of the gallery in the village of Tlaquepaque to explore more of the art scene. Or try a long Sedona Spa weekend by staying at the Enchant Resort or MII AMO, located in the heart of the beautiful Boynton Canyon.

Jerome

At the turn of the 20th century, Jerome was called “the most evil town in the West” thanks to the copper that created one of Arizona’s hottest mining towns. To better understand how and why Jerome gained “evil” reputation, head to Jerome State Historical Park and tour the spectacular property built by the large mining James Douglas on top of the Little Daisy Mine in 1916, checking out the park’s many exhibits and stations that reveal the internal workings of Jerome’s mining operations. To dive deeper into Jerome’s mining heritage, visit the Jerome Historical Society’s Mining Museum and find everything from vintage mining equipment to highlight the contributions of the various immigrant communities that have settled in Verde Valley (including China, Mexicans, Slavic and Ireland).

When the mines were closed in the mid-20th century, Jerome almost became a ghost town, but the subsequent influx of bohemian artists breathed new life into the town. Today, you can visit town galleries such as the Jerome Art Center and the Jerome Artist Co-op Gallery to witness the town’s lasting creative spirit and timeless ingenuity. Additionally, Verde Valley has recently emerged as Arizona’s hottest wine country region. Stop by the Caduceus tasting room and enjoy a selection of locally produced Caduceus and Melkin vineyard wines. To spend time at Jerome Extra Grand, stay at Jerome Grand Hotel for incredible desert and mountain views along with its own award-winning Asylum restaurant on the premises.

Williams

Usually, when travelers discuss Williams, they mention it in the context of places less than 60 miles south of the South Rim in the Grand Canyon. Certainly, driving Highway 64 North to Grand Canyon Village can also ride one of the Grand Canyon Railway’s historic trains and enjoy a car-free journey like the simple Breeze with old west-style music acts, performances of “train robbers” and a wealth of views of the stunning wilderness of Northern Arizona.

Beyond the journey to the Grand Canyon, Williams includes the Bill Williams Trail, which leads to the summit of Volcanic Building Williams Mountain (9,256 feet above sea level), as well as the calm land and waterscape of Sycamore Falls.

If you’re looking to try something different, try a thrilling ride on a long, one mile mountain coaster track at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park. If you want a more secure trip across a long range of 18 holes and Ponderosa Pine decorations, book your tee time at Elephantrox Golf Course. And for a relaxed stay that is almost all close, check in at the Grand Canyon Rail Hotel, located at the station and away from downtown Williams.

Prescott

Prescott may only be 100 miles north of Phoenix, but it looks like it’s out of the world with its beautiful mountain scenery and a comfortable four seasons of climate. Originally founded as the territorial capital of Arizona by US President Abraham Lincoln during the US Civil War, Prescott cherishes his own homemade take on “cowboy culture.” You can start to incorporate this local culture at the Phippen Museum. The Phippen Museum is dedicated to maintaining “the art of the American West,” with the West Heritage Center and the Indigenous Museum sharing more stories of the region’s growth and development.

Prescott is full of fascinating history and culture, but the town also has many natural beauty. Visit Lake Watson and try out kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards while enjoying the stunning views of the granite Dells Rock Formation. For outdoor adventures, head to Goldwater Lake and see a scenic array of hiking trails and boat ramps to access the lake. Try the Penn Basin Loop and lead into the lush mountain wilderness. After spending a day traveling around town, take yourself in a cool stay at the historic Grand Highlands Hotel, located in the bustling whiskey queues in Prescott.

Lake Havasu city

What exactly does the London Bridge do in the Arizona Desert? In short, the 19th century London Bridge had to be replaced with a structure that could handle 20th century London’s automobile traffic, and Robert P. McCulloch, Sr., co-founder of Habas City, saw the opportunity to bring about a unique, groundbreaking Colorado River.

So in 1968, McCulloch won a bid for the Old London Bridge, directing efforts to rebuild it in Arizona for the next three years. Since 1971, the bridge has utilized traffic to connect the “mainland” Havasu to Lake Havasu Marina, a river island that houses diving site 5, making it ideal for scuba diving.

Of course, the island also has some of the best resorts in the area. Perhaps the closest thing to Arizona’s proper “beach resort experience.” Before Robert McCulloch, Sr. brought the London Bridge to Habas, he built a voyage accommodation to begin the development of Lake Habas as a major boat destination. Currently, the nautical beachfront resort has 139 rooms and suites along a heated infinity edge pool, two private beaches and a private boat ramp for the easiest access to the river.

ajo

For many Arizonans, Ajo is a town on highway 85 on the way to the sunny beaches of Puerto Penazco in Sonora, Mexico. But before you reach the US-Mexico border, take a moment to stop and enjoy the unique desert scenery of this small town. After all, Ajo sits on his feet in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. It is the only place where organ pipe cacti grows in native habitats and is grown in the overall beautiful corners of the Sonoran Desert, and has the incredible biodiversity of being the official network of UNESCO world biosphere reserves.

Before the monument was established, Ajo was best known as a copper mining town, but the official lookout point of the new Cornelia Mine and nearby Ajo Museum offers a large glimpse into Ajo’s rough and tumble mining past. The “jewels” produced in Ajo today have returned to town and returned to Carly School to stop by for the gorgeous 1920s Spanish colony Revival Building, which currently houses Ajo’s local live work artist residency program (including its own in-house art gallery). Right next to the Artist Residence at Carly School is the Sonora Desert Inn and Conference Centre, another wing of the historic school, converted into a “Sansunshi Kogyo” style hotel.

Patagonia

South of Tucson, Patagonia offers a refreshing oasis in the high desert between the Santa Rita and Patagonia Mountains. This is a major area for nature lovers as more than 300 species of birds move regularly to their riparian habitat along Sonoita Creek. The Patong Hummingbird Centre is a great place to see some of the many birds calling this corner of the desert home. Patagonia Lake State Park offers additional birdwatching opportunities, boat ramps and campsites.

Back in town, you can learn more about Patagonia’s backstory and display local art at the Patagonia Museum. While in town, go on a east feast like the “king” of Velvet Elvis Pizza. When it comes to night, it’s hard to think of a better place than a micro hotel designed specifically with adventurers in mind.

Come for curiosity. Stay for the unique views of Arizona.

Arizona may be famous for certain landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Scottsdale in the Old Town, and these are the perfect places to visit. But if you want to discover more about this state, try the open roads and head to Patagonia for a true desert riverbank paradise and Jerome. Even on the way to the Grand Canyon, Williams is a lovely town offering more than just a rest.

Whatever you want to see in Arizona, these seven whimsical towns prove that Arizona is far more spectacular than one mere canyon.