National Forest Zoological Sanctuary Toyota Center County Fairgrounds Smoki Museum Harkins Theater

Prescott, Arizona Attractions

Prescott Courthouse Plaza. Prescott's Courthouse Plaza is the pivot around which the town of Prescott was designed and built. Quaint boutiques, fantastic restaurants and an eclectic array of galleries featuring local, regional and national artists surround this famous landmark.

Prescott National Forest. Comprised of 1.25 million acres surrounding Prescott in North Central Arizona, Prescott National Forest stands in the mountains of Yavapai County. The nation's largest contiguous forest of ponderosa pines features 450 miles of winding trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The area is also a popular destination for boating and fishing in Lynx Lake, recreational gold panning, camping and photography. Prescott National Forest is guardian of 100,000 acres of wilderness represented by 8 wilderness areas, including Granite Mountain Wilderness - only 20 minutes from Prescott by paved road. The forest includes Lynx Lake and Lynx Creek where Sam Miller panned for gold.

Historic Whiskey Row. The 100 block of South Montezuma Street, on the west side of Prescott’s Courthouse Square, Whiskey Row is famous for the numerous saloons that once lined the street. This lively row is lined with unique shopping, dining and entertainment, as well as historic saloons, art galleries and Trapper's Alley, which is loaded with western wear and collectibles. The historic haunts of the infamous line Whiskey Row, such as Palace Saloon, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which serves libations on the bar that served Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp. Visit www.whiskeyrow.us.

World’s Oldest Rodeo. Since 1888 folks have come from miles around to see the rodeo in Prescott. Every year this exciting rodeo gets bigger and the cowboys more daring and bold. When the bulls, the horses, and the clowns come to town, you'll want to see what's kicking up the dust. The show presents more than top rodeo athletes competing for big dollars, it's about broncos throwing their hooves, bulls that are mad at the world, and leather straps holding cowboys together. Held at the Yavapai Country Fairgrounds, the World’s Oldest Rodeo is the main event of Prescott Frontier Days, which also features a Golf Tournament, 10K Run, and the Rodeo Parade. Visit www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.  [Top]

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. Heritage Park Zoo is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and protection of native and exotic animals. The zoo provides recreation, education and entertainment through up-close animal experiences. All animals at this zoo have been rescued and are displayed in natural habitats. See a tiger who was kept as a pet in Texas, a melanistic jaguar who came from the Wildlife World Zoo in Phoenix after his mother rejected him, a black bear whose mother was shot by a hunter, an orphaned mountain lion who was found in a burn pile in Montana, and a gray fox rescued from the Aspen Fire in Tucson. Guided tours are available. Visit www.heritageparkzoo.com.

Lynx Lake Recreational Area. About 5 miles east of Prescott, Lynx Lake is one of the most popular recreation areas in central Arizona, featuring a cool ponderosa pine forest, a serene 55-acre lake, boating, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, archaeological sites, bird watching and trout, largemouth bass and crappie fishing. Only electric motors, non-motorized, oar, paddle, and sail-powered boats are permitted on this beautiful lake.

Thumb Butte Trail 33. This Prescott, Arizona landmark is one of the most popular hiking areas, located 3 miles west of downtown Prescott. Head west on Gurley Street 2.5 miles to Thumb Butte Road and continue northwest for 1.5 miles to the recreation site and parking area. The 1.75-mile loop trail is paved and a bit steep at the start, but the views from the top are worth it. There is a day-use fee of $2.00 per vehicle.  [Top]

Tim’s Toyota Center. Located in the Entertainment District of Prescott Valley, Tim's Toyota Center is Northern Arizona's premiere entertainment and sports venue. This 5,100-seat, state-of-the-art arena is the home of Arizona Sundogs hockey. Tim's Toyota center features concerts, expos and trade shows throughout the year. Visit www.timstoyotacenter.com.

Bucky's & Yapavai’s Casinos. Enjoy non-stop gaming action at Bucky's & Yapavai’s Casinos on Hwy. 69, featuring 500 of Arizona’s exciting big-win slot games, live-action poker, including 7-card stud, Texas Hold'em and Omaha, and blackjack - 24 hours a day. Just across the street from Bucky's, Yavapai Casino offers 175 exciting slots including Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy Progressives, as well as live Bingo daily. Visit http://www.buckyscasino.com.

Arcosanti. Paolo Soleri's urban design laboratory, Arcosanti is an experimental town in the high desert of Arizona with large, compact structures and large-scale solar greenhouses. Arcosanti features architectural tours, hiking, Soleri windbells, a concert season, resident arts, a bakery, café, and conference facilities. Walking tours provide a comprehensive introduction to the history and design philosophy of the Arcosanti project. Begun in 1970, Arcosanti will house 5000 people when completed, demonstrating ways to improve urban conditions and lessen our destructive impact on the earth. Open 9-5 daily. Call 928-632-7135 or visit www.arcosanti.org.  [Top]

Yavapai Downs/Yavapai County Fairgrounds. Located in Prescott Valley, Yavapai Downs is Northern Arizona's newest, state-of-the-art, live horse racing venue. The permanent outdoor arena presents thoroughbred and quarter horse racing Memorial Day through Labor Day, simulcast racing, and is home of the Yavapai County Fair, an annual community event in September that presents livestock shows, events, concerts, exhibits and family rides. Call 928-775-8000 or visit www.yavapaidownsatpv.com.

Yavapai College Performance Hall, Arts Gallery & Sculpture Garden. The largest performance venue in Prescott, Yavapai College Performance Hall and Arts Gallery features guest performances by world-renowned performing artists, the Phoenix Symphony and local groups. The Gallery presents changing and diverse exhibits of local, regional and national artists in the visual arts. The garden is a diverse collection of contemporary sculpture, including a hammered copper fountain, kinetic wind sculptures, sandstone corridors, a leaping frog, a welded family, and an aluminum helix. Native plants, benches, and the creek area enhance the beauty of the Garden. Call 928-776-2033 or visit www.yc.edu.

Sharlot Hall Museum. Sharlot Hall Museum preserves and displays the history of Yavapai County and the region through changing exhibits, lectures, and living history interpretations. The grounds include the Museum, Governor’s Mansion (1864), Sharlot Hall Building, Fremont House (1875), Bashford House (1877), Fort Misery (1863-64), and many historic buildings that form an architectural sequence spanning from the founding of Prescott in 1864 to the present. Exhibits and artifacts tell stories of those who settled Arizona and the West. The Museum’s Blue Rose Theater presents historical theater in an environment that enhances the audience and actor. Call 928-541-9362 or visit www.sharlot.org.  [Top]

Smoki Museum. Resembling an Indian pueblo, Smoki Museum was built in 1935 of native stone and wood. The Museum promotes and presents the historic and prehistoric Native American culture and art of the Southwest and features the largest collection of Kate Cory oil paintings and photographs in the US. The Museum exhibits irreplaceable collections of prehistoric and contemporary pottery, jewelry and stone artifacts, as well as Southwest basketry and kachinas. Artifacts and exquisitely crafted works of art celebrate the lifeways of the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. Call 928-445-1230 or visit www.smokimuseum.org.

Phippen Art Museum. The Phippen Art Museum features contemporary and historic art of the American West and sponsors the annual Phippen Museum Fine Art Show and Sale on Memorial Day Weekend. Call 928-778-1385 or visit www.phippenartmuseum.org.

Prescott Farmer’s Market. Located in the main parking lot of Yavapai College, the Prescott Farmers Market is a tradition in Prescott, Arizona, where you'll find the season's best bounty of vegetables and homemade, home-grown, local products. Saturdays from May through October. Visit www.prescottfarmersmarket.org.  [Top]

Harkins Theater. Located in Prescott Valley, Harkins Theater is a state-of-the-art, 14 theater cineplex that presents new release movies. For movies and show times, Visit www.harkinstheaters.com.

Verde Canyon Railroad. A ride on Verde Canyon Railroad's historic route features towering, crimson cliffs, ancient Indian ruins and a 680-foot, man-made tunnel during this four-hour train trip. First class, caboose or coach seating is available with access to open-air viewing cars. Call 928-639-0010 or visit www.verdecanyonrr.com.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Experience the heart of Africa at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Arizona's wildlife theme park. Ride safari vehicles and encounter giraffes, wildebeests, zebras and animals of the African plains on the Serengeti Safari. Ride or walk within a Wildlife Preserve of large predators such as lions, tigers, panthers and hyena as they prowl their natural environments. Watch the Predator Feed as caretakers toss 800 pounds of raw meat to the carnivores. See tigers frolic in water in Tiger Splash or wrap-up with the world's largest species of snakes - anacondas, pythons and boas - at the Giant Snake Show. Visit www.outofafricapark.com.  [Top]