Escape the Phoenix heat with a road trip to Prescott
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
/2022/06/23/1656026819511.gif?w=3840)
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
It's time for another Arizona road trip to escape the unrelenting Valley heat. This week, we're guiding you through Prescott, the former territorial capital of Arizona.
The big picture: Prescott, built around a quintessential small-town courthouse square, is known for the Western saloons of Whiskey Row.
- Distance from Phoenix: 99 miles north via Interstate 17 and State Route 69.
- Average June temperature: High of 85, low of 51.
What to do:
If you like history and nature — and alcohol — you're gonna love it here.
- 🌊 Visit Watson Lake in the beautiful Granite Dells for picnicking, kayaking or hiking.
- 🏡 Tour the Sharlot Hall Museum, home to six historic buildings, including the former governor's mansion and the oldest log cabin in Arizona.
- 🥃 Grab a drink at the Whiskey Row saloons (many of which still only accept cash) once frequented by the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.
- 🌇 Watch the sunset on the roof of the Raven Cafe with a glass of local wine or pint of beer.
What to eat and drink:
A mix of longtime favorites and culinary newcomers make Prescott a fun place for meals and libations.
- 🍝 Papa's Italian Restaurant boasts a huge menu of classic recipes and a rosé sauce to die for.
- 🐄 Farm Provisions rotates its menu seasonally to make use of the best local products on the market.
- 🍾 Superstition Meadery's Prescott Tasting Room offers quirky mead flavors (like the Peanut Butter Jelly Crime).
- 🍸 The Point Bar and Lounge is a swanky speakeasy with creative (and strong) cocktails.
Where to stay:
If you're anything like us, it's best you stay stumbling distance from Whiskey Row.
- The Hassayampa Inn and Hotel St. Michael are both vintage hotels in the courthouse square.
- Or, check out the list of nearby Airbnbs we compiled.
🙋🏻♀️ My thought bubble: I'm getting married in Prescott next April. What other spots should I recommend to guests?
You tell us: What other Arizona places should we feature in our summer road trip series?