10 Underrated Cities in Arizona to Visit Like a Local

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As temperatures cool down across most of the United States, Arizona’s desert transforms into a temperate, ideal escape filled with breathtaking landscapes and a fun dining scene that taps into the state’s southwestern culture.

While most tourists will gravitate towards hotspots like Scottsdale and Sedona, choosing to step off the state’s beaten path will reward you with fewer crowds, leading to better prices, more enjoyable trail conditions, and easier reservations.

These are the underrated cities in Arizona you should consider visiting:

1. Jerome

Jerome draws in thrill-seeking tourists fascinated by the uncanny. Known as one of Arizona’s most haunted towns, you can’t visit this town without going on a tour of its haunted sites and abandoned mines.

If the supernatural is too spooky for you, learn about Jerome’s mining history at the Douglas Mansion, which has panoramic views of the Verde Valley, or go on an art walk to see galleries and historic buildings.

2. Prescott

Prescott is a coming together of pioneer-era history, indigenous culture, and rust-colored rock formations. Walk Whiskey Row to step back into the Wild West through historic saloons, some dating back to the 1800s. Learn more about the region’s history at the Sharlot Hall Museum. This preserved collection of old buildings and exhibits showcases life from the frontier days.

In Prescott National Forest, visitors can hike among towering pines and enjoy the Thumb Butte Trail or go kayaking at Watson Lake, which has blue waters surrounded by large, reddish boulders.

3. Winslow

Winslow has long been a notable stop on Route 66, one of the most iconic road trips in the United States. Shifting in popularity from railroad workers to motorcyclists over the years, you may know this small town from its mention in the Eagle’s song “Take it Easy.” The town has capitalized on its lyrical fame with Standin’ on the Corner Park, which immortalizes Jackson Brown of the band standing on a corner on his way to Sedona with statues and murals.

Get out of town to Homolovi State Park for easy hiking and ancient Hopi ruins. Petroglyphs and artifacts at the park highlight the region’s indigenous history. Afterward, rest easy at La Posada Hotel, located in a restored train station for unique architecture, great food, and even a bit of art history.

4. Bisbee

Located in the Mule Mountains, Bisbee’s most known for its copper mining history. Uncover this history at the Lavender Pit, an open-pit copper mine with beautiful colors. After, tour the Copper Queen Mine to get up close with former operations.

Downtown Bisbee is filled with eclectic shops and galleries selling locally made artwork, vintage goods, and other crafts that make for unique souvenirs. After sunset, go on the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour. You’ll walk through Old Bisbee hearing urban legends about past hauntings in town.

5. Globe

Founded as a mining town in 1876 for its water supply and convenient location, Globe stays true to its roots today. While tourism may be more prevalent in the small town than it was then, mining and ranching are still two of Globe’s leading industries, with four copper mines in the region still in production. View this history at Old Dominion Historic Mine Park. This restored mine park features trails and outdoor exhibits for learning about the town’s mining history.

Between 1250 CE and 1450 CE, the Salado cultural group occupied the Tonto Basin, where Globe is located. At Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, visitors can walk through ancient Salado ruins and museum exhibits, making it one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the state.

6. Tubac

Arizona’s oldest European settlement is located at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. Spend a couple of hours here ducking into the museum, historic adobe buildings, and quaint schoolhouse.

Tubac has an artistic side that is best discovered at the Tubac Center of the Arts. Discover works from local artists and exhibitions that celebrate Arizona’s artistic legacy, or take a workshop to learn a new skill yourself. Take a piece of this legacy home by exploring Tubac’s shopping district, which boasts more than 100 quirky shops, art galleries, and studios selling everything from Southwest art to handmade jewelry and pottery.

7. Clarkdale

Tiny Clarkdale is an ideal weekend escape from the pressures of life. Take a scenic train ride along the Verde River on the Verde Canyon Railroad, offering views of towering canyons, bald eagles, and ancient cliff dwellings.

In town, the Copper Art Museum showcases exquisite copper art, from military gear to intricate cookware and sculptures. Like the museum, Downtown Clarkdale continues to channel the city’s copper mining history with old-timey shops, cafes, and vintage architecture.

8. Ajo

Take it easy in Ajo, where laidback energy pairs with a mild climate for a relaxing destination. Stroll Ajo Plaza to see the town’s beautiful Spanish Revival architecture and shop at a seasonal farmers’ market. There are plenty of shops to browse artisanal goods, but the Curley School Artisan Studios offers a different way to experience them. A converted historic school turned artist community. Here, you can meet the artists themselves and hunt for unique souvenirs.

Nearby at the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, hike through one of the most secluded wilderness areas in Arizona, just 56 miles away from the southern border. This refuge is the third largest in the United States, filled with quintessentially desert landscapes.

9. Patagonia

Arizona’s Patagonia may look far different than that in Argentina, but its appeal for outdoor activities is anything but. Head to Patagonia Lake State Park for swimming, fishing, and boating in a scenic lake surrounded by rolling hills. Birdwatchers flock to the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, which is home to some of Arizona’s rarest bird species in a lush, protected habitat.

Arizona probably doesn’t come to mind when thinking about wine-growing regions in the United States, but the wineries around Patagonia make a strong case for why it should. Head to local wineries and tasting rooms like Queen of Cups to experience this unusual wine scene yourself.

10. Yuma

Labeling itself as the “Gateway to the Great Southwest,” Yuma is filled with 19th and 20th-century landmarks, like Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. Tour this former prison, whose stonewall cells have been converted into a museum that overlooks the Colorado River.

Catch more views of the river at the Yuma East Wetlands, a river restoration area with hiking trails. Also worth visiting is the Colorado River State Historic Park, which features the history of the old steamboat days and the development of the Southwest in a fascinating museum.

Sedona is a nature lover’s paradise

There’s a reason Sedona is as famous as it is. The city in Arizona boasts stunning red rock formations and tons of fun adventure for those of all ability levels.

The Best Things to do in Sedona

See all Arizona has to offer, from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

The best way to experience Arizona’s beauty is by driving it. Taking a road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is an excellent way to see small towns and natural beauty.

Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road Trip