Prescott
Around Prescott
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Metro area · Arizona · 252k people
Prescott
“Everybody's Hometown”, “Quad Cities”
Prescott Valley · Prescott
High country charm
Ponderosa Pine GreenHigh Desert Gold
Welcome to Prescott, where the pines meet the desert and history lives on every corner. Whether you're here for the rodeo, the trails, or just to soak up the small-town vibe, you'll find your place under our big blue skies.
Clubs for Prescott
No clubs for Prescott yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Prescott. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Prescott. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Whiskey Row Historic saloon district with old-west character.
- Prescott Rodeo Grounds Home of the World's Oldest Rodeo.
- Granite Dells Unique rock formations with hiking and lakes.
- Thumb Butte Iconic peak with panoramic views.
- Courthouse Plaza Central square with the Yavapai County Courthouse.
- Sharlot Hall Museum Local history museum with pioneer exhibits.
- Outdoors Hike Thumb Butte
- Outdoors Kayak on Watson Lake
- With kids Heritage Park Zoo
- With kids Verde Canyon Railroad
- Evenings Bar hop on Whiskey Row
- Evenings Live music at the Jersey Lilly Saloon
- Locals love Patio bars on Whiskey Row
- Locals love Hiking trails in the Granite Dells
Through the year
- Prescott Rodeo July World's Oldest Rodeo, held over the 4th of July week.
- Prescott Film Festival October Independent films and workshops in downtown venues.
- Whiskey Row Marathon April Scenic road race through historic streets and trails.
- Prescott Bluegrass Festival June Bluegrass bands perform at the Courthouse Plaza.
- Verde Valley Wine Festival September Tastings from local wineries in Cottonwood.
Prescott enjoys a mild four-season climate with low humidity. Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities. Summers bring warm days and monsoon thunderstorms, while winters are cold with occasional snow. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Preskitt”
- Playful nickname for Prescott.
- “The Dells”
- Refers to the Granite Dells.
- “Mile High”
- Prescott's elevation at about a mile high.
- “Up north”
- How Phoenicians refer to Prescott and the high country.
Getaways
- Flagstaff Mountain town with skiing and Route 66 charm.
- Payson Pine forests and fishing in the Rim Country.
- Phoenix Big city with pro sports, museums, and dining.
- Lake Havasu City Water sports and the London Bridge.
Local flavour
Rooting for Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Utah Hockey Club (NHL), Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)
Eat and drink
- Prickly Pear Margarita A local twist on the classic using cactus fruit
- Cowboy Steak Thick-cut, fire-grilled steak popular in Western-style steakhouses
- Elk Burger Game meat burger found in local pubs and grills
Where people go
- Whiskey Row Historic street in downtown Prescott lined with old-time saloons
- Prescott Rodeo Grounds Home of the 'World's Oldest Rodeo'
- Granite Dells Scenic rock formations and hiking trails
- Thumb Butte Iconic peak offering panoramic views of the area
Heritage and traditions
Prescott and the Verde Valley take pride in their Old West heritage, from the historic Whiskey Row and one of the nation's oldest rodeos to the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people and a thriving wine country.
This time of year in Prescott
- Harvest Fall (September-October) Apple orchards open for picking and wineries host harvest festivals.
- Whiskey Row Chili Cook-Off October Local cooks compete for the best chili on historic Whiskey Row.
Say it like a local: “Monsoon” — The summer thunderstorm season.
Festivals
- Prescott Indian Art Market July Showcases Native American artists and crafts from across the Southwest.
- Prescott Highland Games June Celebrates Scottish heritage with athletics, music, and dancing.
- Yavapai County Fair September A classic county fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local food.
- Cottonwood Jazz & Blues Festival September Free concerts in the historic Old Town Cottonwood.
- Verde Valley Garlic Festival August A celebration of garlic with food vendors, live music, and a garlic-eating contest.
- Courthouse Lighting December The annual lighting of the Yavapai County Courthouse with carols and festivities.
Landmarks with a story
- Tuzigoot National Monument A 12th-century Sinagua village overlooking the Verde River.
- Fort Verde State Historic Park A well-preserved 1870s army fort from the Indian Wars.
- Phippen Museum of Western Art Dedicated to Western art, named after cowboy artist George Phippen.
- Smoki Museum Displays artifacts and exhibits on the Yavapai and other tribes.
- Elks Theatre A 1905 opera house still hosting performances.
- Palace Restaurant A Whiskey Row bar that survived the 1900 fire, with a vintage interior.
Food traditions
- Verde Valley Wine Tasting The region's wineries offer tastings of local varietals like Syrah and Malbec, a growing tradition.
- Apple Cider Donuts in Fall Orchards in Cottonwood and Clarkdale produce fresh apple cider and donuts each autumn.
- Cowboy Coffee at Camp A strong, boiled coffee brewed over a campfire, a staple at outdoor gatherings.
- Dutch Oven Cookouts Heritage events often feature Dutch oven cooking, a pioneer tradition.
- Rodeo Breakfasts During rodeo season, community groups host pancake breakfasts in the park.
Music and arts
- Western Art Painting and sculpture celebrating cowboy and Native American themes, centered at the Phippen Museum.
- Cowboy Poetry Gatherings and recitations of Western verse, often at the Sharlot Hall Museum.
- Bluegrass and Folk The Prescott Bluegrass Festival and local jam sessions.
- Sedona Arts Scene Galleries and studios in West Sedona and Big Park, known for painting and crafts.
A little history
- Prescott founded as the first territorial capital of Arizona. 1864
- The first Prescott Rodeo is held, one of the oldest in the country. 1888
- A fire destroys much of Whiskey Row; the Palace Bar survives. 1900
- Montezuma Castle is designated a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt. 1906
- Fort Verde is established to protect settlers during the Indian Wars. 1865
Rivalries
- Prescott High vs Bradshaw Mountain High Football and basketball rivalry between neighboring towns.
- Yavapai College vs Embry-Riddle College baseball and soccer matchups.
- Cottonwood vs Camp Verde Friendly rivalry over the Verde Valley's best spots.
- Game day Prescott Rodeo
- Game day Whiskey Row Marathon
- Outdoors Rock climbing on the Granite Dells
- Outdoors Visiting Montezuma Castle
- With kids Phippen Museum
- With kids Smoki Museum
Locals speak with a relaxed Western drawl, often using 'howdy' and 'y'all' occasionally, and sprinkle in Spanish words like 'mesquite' and 'arroyo'.
Only here
- The Prescott Rodeo is one of the oldest in the nation, held since 1888.
- Whiskey Row's Palace Restaurant survived the 1900 fire and still serves drinks.
- The Granite Dells' unique rock formations are a favorite for climbers and photographers.
- The Courthouse Plaza features a statue of Buckey O'Neill, a local hero.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce 'Prescott' as 'PRESS-cut'.
- Be ready for the altitude (5,400 ft) and drink plenty of water.
- Embrace the monsoon: afternoon storms are common in July and August.
- Explore the Verde Valley's wineries and historic towns like Cottonwood and Jerome (nearby).
- Attend the Prescott Rodeo in July for a true Western experience.
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Nearby
Every areaFlagstaffArizonaWhere the pines meet the canyonPaysonArizonaMountain air, small-town heart.PhoenixArizonaSunny skies and desert nights.Lake Havasu CityArizonaWhere the desert meets the lake.ParkerArizonaDesert sun, river cool, and wide-open skies.Show LowArizonaWhere the pines meet the painted desert
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.