Prescott, Arizona is a cool pinewoods getaway from the Valley of the Sun in the summer and a festive holiday town in the winter. Here are 10 things to do in Prescott, AZ.

Prescott, Arizona, located about two hours north of Phoenix, offers year-round fun. You’ll find outdoor recreation, Arizona frontier history, great farm-to-table food, and small-town traditions that will draw you back season after season. These are our favorite things to do in Prescott.

Prescott is considered Arizona’s Christmas City. Experience the beautiful Courthouse at Christmas. Photo by Nancy Maurer Photography

Kayak Watson Lake

Watson Lake, with its granite boulders, was one of two lakes formed when Granite Creek was dammed in the early 1900s. Watson Lake Park is accessible from Highway 89 only four miles from central Prescott and is a fun place for kayaking, hiking, or just to take a picnic and enjoy the scenic boulders of the Granite Dells.

Kayaking on Lake Watson in Prescott. Photo courtesy Visit Prescott

During the season, rent a kayak or SUP and enjoy paddling on Watson Lake, Willow Lake, or Goldwater Lake.

Hike Thumb Butte

No matter where you are in Prescott, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of the rock formation called Thumb Butte. It’s a short three-mile drive from downtown Prescott. Drive west on Gurley Street, which becomes Thumb Butte Road. You’ll find a picnic area at the base of the butte. A favorite trail, Trail 33, takes you up to Thumb Butte, with a 600-foot elevation. Don’t worry, there are benches along the trail and you can take your time to enjoy the pinewoods and views of the butte. You can bring your dog on a leash. Be sure to carry water.

A popular hiking spot is Thumb Butte. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Walk the Art Galleries

On the 4th Friday of the month, you can explore Prescott’s visual arts scene. Galleries will stay open later to welcome visitors. Each month, galleries host featured events and exhibits.  When I visited Prescott, I discovered two local artists’ cooperatives that had marvelous art and friendly artists to chat with.

On Whiskey Row, local artists founded Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery in 1994. Today, it houses artwork by 27 local artists. You’ll find copper and turquoise jewelry, photographic art, weavings, and framed art for decorating your home.

Find a gift or art for your home at the Arts Prescott Cooperative. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Walk over to The Mountain Artists Guild, located on N. Alarcon Street, and you find more local art ranging from woodworking and multi-media wall art to jewelry and small giftable items. Each month two artists are featured and bring a number of pieces in for a special showing.

Ceramic and mixed media art by ceramicist Denise Incao was featured at the Mountain Artists Guild. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Whoop it Up at the Rodeo

Billed as “The Oldest Rodeo in the World,” Prescott’s annual Frontier Days fills the town with the Stetson and boots set. Since 1888, Prescott Frontier Days has presented the famous traditional rodeo and parade. You’ll want a ticket for the rodeo grounds where you can see steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and plenty of traditional rodeo fun.

Barrel racing at the Prescott Rodeo. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Explore Arizona History

While walking down Whiskey Row, and strolling through the Courthouse grounds of the Yavapai County Courthouse across the street, will give you a good taste of area history, you’ll want to find out more about the area and Arizona’s once Territorial Capital.

A bronze statue of an 1890s-era law officer paying his respects to the fallen at the memorial honoring 18 law officials who have died in Yavapai County in the line of duty from 1865 to the present. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

To experience the colorful and rugged history of Arizona, there’s no better thing to do in Prescott than to visit the museums. You’ll find out about the indigenous people of the area, their rich cultures, and then what happened when miners, settlers, and the military moved in.

The Museum of Indigenous People is a good place to start learning about area history. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

You can wander through a living history museum and find out about the heyday of Prescott as the town became Arizona’s territorial capital. And then, you will be drawn into the life of cowboys and ranchers through the eyes of famous western artists from the area. Finally, learn how Prescott became the home of the oldest rodeo in the world and a draw for western movie-making.

Savor Great Dining in Prescott

With all the things to do in Prescott, you’ll probably get hungry. When I explored historic Prescott, I had the opportunity to get to know more about the area’s rich history. I also had a chance to check out spots along Whiskey Row including a historic saloon known for great steaks and burgers. In addition, I discovered some new exciting, contemporary restaurant and bar options in downtown Prescott.

Some of the dishes at The County Seat restaurant overlooking Courthouse Square feature local produce from the farmers’ market. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Spend the Night in a Historic Inn

When visiting the historic town of Prescott, Arizona—the original Arizona Territorial capital—you’ll find three historic hotels right in the vicinity of Courthouse Plaza, the center of Prescott’s historic and cultural activities. A must-see, even if only strolling through the beautiful lobby, is the grande dame of them all—the Hassayampa Inn. And a couple of these inns are reported to have resident ghosts!

The Hassayampa Hotel on Gurley Street. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Shop Fresh at the Farmers Market

On Saturday mornings, I headed for the Prescott Farmer’s Market, which was full of local growers including a farmer roasting his chile crop. It smelled heavenly and reminded me of my time living in Santa Fe. There was music, amazing quiche for sale by the piece, and a coffee stand. A visit to the farmer’s market was an ideal way to spend a sunny Saturday morning.

Chile roasting at the Prescott Farmers Market. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Discover the Victorians

One day I walked up the hill from Courthouse Square on Union Street, I spent some time enjoying the grand Victorian-era homes of Prescott. The beautifully maintained homes on “Nob Hill” included the 1894 Goldwater house, owned by the late Senator Barry Goldwater’s family.

Take the short climb from downtown to see the magnificent homes on Nob Hill. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

On another day, I followed a map-guided walk hosted by an Arizona club of AVA: America’s Walking Association Club. During that walk, I discovered Mt. Vernon Street where white picket fences, manicured gardens, and colorfully painted smaller Victorian-era and bungalow homes lined the shady street. Watch for upcoming historic home tours.

These beautiful historic homes in Prescott and beautifully maintained. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Experience Arizona’s Christmas City

Last but not least, head up to Prescott at holiday time. Prescott is full of the Christmas spirit with colorful lights in historic Courthouse Square, two parades with unique local units, and an amazing night of musicians in more than 100 downtown businesses entertaining revelers. Prescott has clearly earned its designation as Arizona’s Christmas City.

Decorations on Prescott’s Courthouse Square warm the chilly evening. Photo courtesy Michael Wilson

Reading List of Things to Do in Prescott and Arizona

Before you head out to Prescott, we suggest the following books to give you some background on this great little Arizona town.

Articles Related to Prescott, AZ

• Arizona’s Christmas City: Celebrating the Season in Prescott
• Historic Inns of Prescott, AZ
• Ideas for a Unique Arizona Getaway
• Prescott Museums: The History of Arizona

10 Things to Do in Prescott, AZ