Some would argue that outside of Tucson and Phoenix there is nothing but strange cacti and strange desert lizards, but Arizona is home to some of the most charming and charming small towns in the United States.

It’s a wonderful mix of American and Mexican culture, rural and urban, new and old. Rural Arizona has something for everyone who is interested. Behind miles of barren desert and record heatwaves lie some of the most vibrant and vibrant places.

Bisbee

Bisbee was first settled in the mid-19th century by Europeans who took advantage of the gold and silver mining boom in the hills surrounding the town. The glory days of precious metal extraction are long gone, but the charm and history of this era still shines through throughout Bisbee.

The long, winding streets of the downtown core are crammed with small, family-owned shops. Each has an eclectic vibe. Walking through the cobbled streets and narrow alleyways makes you feel like you’re in colonial Mexico, not 21st century America. For a deep dive into local history and culture, the Bisbee Mining History Museum is a must stop.

tombstone

Tombstone has long been a gathering place for Old West enthusiasts who wish to live out their fantasies as an old-time gunslinger darting across the frontier with a trusty horse and six guns at his hips. Tombstone’s modern look still ties in with its Old West past. You can walk the town’s main strip, where some of the original buildings from the late 1800s remain. Visitors can also visit the site of the infamous shootout at the OK Ranch. Live shows are usually held on weekends, where stuntmen engage in brawls and “shootouts” with their co-stars. It’s quite a sight to behold and a great experience if you plan to bring the kids.

to back

A short drive from Tucson brings you to the unique town of Tuback. Tuback has long served as a thriving town for tourism and local production of Southwestern upholstery. Stroll through the city’s open-air markets to choose from an almost endless selection of handcrafted furniture, jewelry and art.

Many of the houses are built of adobe or painted in bright colors, giving the town a very special character. The townsfolk here are friendly to visitors, pointing them in the right direction and recommending the best places to have a hot meal.

Sedona

Arizona’s most famous small town, Sedona has some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Southeastern United States. The town is dominated by towering red clay rock spiers, often reminiscent of this part of the county.

Thousands of tourists arrive in Sedona each year to explore the countryside. Sedona’s natural beauty is undeniable, but the city itself has a lot to offer. Sedona has the fastest growing local arts scene in all of Arizona. Over the past decade, Sedona has transformed into an artist’s paradise, with many new Art He galleries and museums opening throughout the city.

Jerome

Like Bisbee, Jerome’s origins lie in the gold and silver rushes of the late 1920s. Jerome became an overnight boomtown, quickly building a sinister reputation as a town of debauchery and evil. Some even called Jerome “the wickedest city in the West.” Once all of the gold and silver had dried up, the town was abandoned until the 1960s when Jerome earned official National Historic Landmark status. Since then, the town has slowly regained its population and is still a great place to drive and visit.

Jerome is now far from its ‘evil’ past and is a pleasant place to stop and explore on your journey through the desert. There are also many shops and local restaurants to check out.

wickenburg

Wickenburg is best known as the ranching capital of Arizona. Like Tombstone, Wickenberg cherishes its Old West past a lot, barring the shootouts and choreographed fistfights.

Wickenburg’s main district is home to many of the 19th-century wooden buildings that once gave rise to the town. As I mentioned earlier, there are many ranches all over town. If you want to go horseback riding, you have plenty of options. Even if you don’t want to unleash your inner cowpoke, Wickenburg has a lot more to offer than the rodeo. There are plenty of quality restaurants and nightlife that make your time here worthwhile.

Williams

Located on the world-famous Route 66, the town of Williams attracts many visitors year-round. Williams usually serves as a base for those wanting to explore the nearby Grand Canyon, but the town itself has plenty to offer.

Many of the Williams have done a great job of maintaining and preserving a sort of 1950s retro vibe throughout the city. Many of the local businesses and restaurants have a lot of vintage aesthetics. It’s not uncommon for dinners to feature an old-fashioned soda fountain, milkshake machine, and an old-fashioned American muscle car parked in front of the store.

Winslow

Winslow, another small town on Route 66, is also in the middle of Navajo Country. Besides the car culture and Americana that comes with being a major town along Route 66, Winslow is a fascinating mix of Native American, Mexican and American cultures. To learn more about the Navajo’s legendary past, be sure to stop by the Old Trails Museum. Here you can find all kinds of crafts from the indigenous tribes of the American Southwest.

summary

If you can endure the scorching desert heat and take the time to plan, a road trip through the Arizona countryside is an experience like no other. Meet some of the most welcoming people in the United States and encounter some of the most unique towns in the United States. Not to mention the breathtaking background of the desert environment. All of this is enough to keep people coming back for decades to come.