If you’re a native Arizonan or have lived here for a while, then you know the essence of our state can be found in its tiniest towns. Some of the country’s finest downtowns can be found in the smallest towns in Arizona, and that’s a big point of pride here in the Grand Canyon State! These six small towns have the best town squares in Arizona, and you’ll want to explore each and every one.
- Bisbee
DenisTangneyJr / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images Our list of charming towns in Arizona begins with Bisbee, a quirky small town whose past is deeply rooted in the mining industry. Its downtown area is brimming with eclectic charm, and museums, great restaurants, and artisan boutiques abound. You could easily spend a whole day just strolling up and down the streets and taking it all in! Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
- Winslow
DOUGBERRY / E+ Collection / Getty Images Everything changed for the sleepy little town of Winslow when it was name-dropped in the Eagles’ hit song “Take it Easy.” The most photographed destination in the town square, Standin’ on the Corner Park, commemorates the feature. Winslow is also located along Route 66, so there’s plenty of kitsch to go around. Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
- Flagstaff
Flickr/Darryl Kenyon A nature lover’s paradise, Flagstaff is a mountain town in northern Arizona that has become a hub for outdoorsy types. While the surrounding mountains and ponderosa pine forests are great, let’s not forget about the town itself! There’s so much to see and do in the town square, from delicious restaurants to one-of-a-kind shops to historic hotels. Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Jerome
Flickr/Mike McBey Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Verde Valley, Jerome is a former mining boomtown founded in the late 19th century. It’s now a popular tourist destination - and, supposedly, the most haunted town in Arizona. Whether or not you believe the local lore, the picturesque town square is reason enough to visit. Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
- Tombstone
Flickr/bambe1964 Best known for being the site of the infamous O.K. Corral gunfight, “The Town Too Tough to Die” keeps the spirit of the Old West alive. Take a stroll down Allen Street and pop into one of many saloons for a cold sarsaparilla. Then, watch a live shootout reenactment before heading to Boothill Graveyard, a spot in Tombstone, Arizona, where several notorious outlaws are allegedly buried. Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
- Prescott
Flickr/Mike McBey With over 800 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Prescott is a portal back to the days of yore. It’s also the home of the world’s first rodeo, which started all the way back in 1888! Spend some time perusing all the quaint shops and restaurants, paying equal attention to the intricate details of the architecture. Prescott, AZ, USA
Have you visited any of these small towns in Arizona? If so, do you agree that they have the best town squares in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section! For more picturesque small towns in Arizona, check out our previous article.
DenisTangneyJr / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
Our list of charming towns in Arizona begins with Bisbee, a quirky small town whose past is deeply rooted in the mining industry. Its downtown area is brimming with eclectic charm, and museums, great restaurants, and artisan boutiques abound. You could easily spend a whole day just strolling up and down the streets and taking it all in!
Bisbee, AZ 85603, USA
DOUGBERRY / E+ Collection / Getty Images
Everything changed for the sleepy little town of Winslow when it was name-dropped in the Eagles’ hit song “Take it Easy.” The most photographed destination in the town square, Standin’ on the Corner Park, commemorates the feature. Winslow is also located along Route 66, so there’s plenty of kitsch to go around.
Winslow, AZ 86047, USA
Flickr/Darryl Kenyon
A nature lover’s paradise, Flagstaff is a mountain town in northern Arizona that has become a hub for outdoorsy types. While the surrounding mountains and ponderosa pine forests are great, let’s not forget about the town itself! There’s so much to see and do in the town square, from delicious restaurants to one-of-a-kind shops to historic hotels.
Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Flickr/Mike McBey
Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Verde Valley, Jerome is a former mining boomtown founded in the late 19th century. It’s now a popular tourist destination - and, supposedly, the most haunted town in Arizona. Whether or not you believe the local lore, the picturesque town square is reason enough to visit.
Jerome, AZ 86331, USA
Flickr/bambe1964
Best known for being the site of the infamous O.K. Corral gunfight, “The Town Too Tough to Die” keeps the spirit of the Old West alive. Take a stroll down Allen Street and pop into one of many saloons for a cold sarsaparilla. Then, watch a live shootout reenactment before heading to Boothill Graveyard, a spot in Tombstone, Arizona, where several notorious outlaws are allegedly buried.
Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
With over 800 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Prescott is a portal back to the days of yore. It’s also the home of the world’s first rodeo, which started all the way back in 1888! Spend some time perusing all the quaint shops and restaurants, paying equal attention to the intricate details of the architecture.
Prescott, AZ, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Towns in Arizona September 21, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best towns to visit in Arizona? Looking for a small-town getaway in the Grand Canyon State? You have lots of options! For families, there’s no better place for an Arizona getaway than Williams. Like history? Scenery? Family attractions? Williams, Arizona has it all. The “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” located an hour south of the park, Williams sits between the city of Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park and manages to blend early 20th-century history, a mid-century road-trip sensibility, and quintessential Arizona scenery. In short, everything you want out of a getaway is in Williams, Arizona. Another small(ish) town we love for a getaway is Sedona. Sedona is a small desert town surrounded by incredible red rock formations and stunning geological wonders, making it a perfect, less-crowded destination for outdoorsy travelers and adventurers. The town itself is filled with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and attractions, including the iconic Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which features handcrafted artisanal products and wares, as well as local restaurants serving authentic Arizona cuisine. Visit and you’ll see why Sedona, Arizona is the coolest, most underrated small town in the West! Finally, Winslow has long been hailed as one of the best small-town getaways in the country, and it’s easy to see why. This town is known for its ties to Route 66 and the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner Park” (made famous by The Eagles song!) in its square is a popular place to pose for photographs. History buffs will also want to visit Homolovi State Park, which preserves over 300 Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites. About 18 miles west of Winslow, the Meteor Crater at Barringer Space Museum is the best-preserved meteorite impact site in the world. And after all your adventures, if you need a place to rest your head for the night, we highly suggest La Posada, a historic hotel with Southwest-inspired furnishings that’s home to perfectly manicured gardens, a museum, and an art gallery.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Towns in Arizona
September 21, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best towns to visit in Arizona? Looking for a small-town getaway in the Grand Canyon State? You have lots of options! For families, there’s no better place for an Arizona getaway than Williams. Like history? Scenery? Family attractions? Williams, Arizona has it all. The “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” located an hour south of the park, Williams sits between the city of Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park and manages to blend early 20th-century history, a mid-century road-trip sensibility, and quintessential Arizona scenery. In short, everything you want out of a getaway is in Williams, Arizona. Another small(ish) town we love for a getaway is Sedona. Sedona is a small desert town surrounded by incredible red rock formations and stunning geological wonders, making it a perfect, less-crowded destination for outdoorsy travelers and adventurers. The town itself is filled with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and attractions, including the iconic Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which features handcrafted artisanal products and wares, as well as local restaurants serving authentic Arizona cuisine. Visit and you’ll see why Sedona, Arizona is the coolest, most underrated small town in the West! Finally, Winslow has long been hailed as one of the best small-town getaways in the country, and it’s easy to see why. This town is known for its ties to Route 66 and the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner Park” (made famous by The Eagles song!) in its square is a popular place to pose for photographs. History buffs will also want to visit Homolovi State Park, which preserves over 300 Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites. About 18 miles west of Winslow, the Meteor Crater at Barringer Space Museum is the best-preserved meteorite impact site in the world. And after all your adventures, if you need a place to rest your head for the night, we highly suggest La Posada, a historic hotel with Southwest-inspired furnishings that’s home to perfectly manicured gardens, a museum, and an art gallery.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Looking for a small-town getaway in the Grand Canyon State? You have lots of options! For families, there’s no better place for an Arizona getaway than Williams. Like history? Scenery? Family attractions? Williams, Arizona has it all. The “Gateway to the Grand Canyon” located an hour south of the park, Williams sits between the city of Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park and manages to blend early 20th-century history, a mid-century road-trip sensibility, and quintessential Arizona scenery. In short, everything you want out of a getaway is in Williams, Arizona.
Another small(ish) town we love for a getaway is Sedona. Sedona is a small desert town surrounded by incredible red rock formations and stunning geological wonders, making it a perfect, less-crowded destination for outdoorsy travelers and adventurers. The town itself is filled with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and attractions, including the iconic Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which features handcrafted artisanal products and wares, as well as local restaurants serving authentic Arizona cuisine. Visit and you’ll see why Sedona, Arizona is the coolest, most underrated small town in the West!
Finally, Winslow has long been hailed as one of the best small-town getaways in the country, and it’s easy to see why. This town is known for its ties to Route 66 and the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner Park” (made famous by The Eagles song!) in its square is a popular place to pose for photographs. History buffs will also want to visit Homolovi State Park, which preserves over 300 Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites. About 18 miles west of Winslow, the Meteor Crater at Barringer Space Museum is the best-preserved meteorite impact site in the world. And after all your adventures, if you need a place to rest your head for the night, we highly suggest La Posada, a historic hotel with Southwest-inspired furnishings that’s home to perfectly manicured gardens, a museum, and an art gallery.
