Join us as we explore some of the amazing things to do in Jerome. Whether you are an art-lover, weekend motorcyclist, xenophile, or fan of the unusual there will be something just right for you in Jerome.

Arizona’s famous mining town of Jerome is perched on a steep hill overlooking the Verde Valley. Attracting art-lovers, weekend motorcyclists, xenophiles, and fans of the unusual, Jerome is a favorite stop on a road trip north of Phoenix. There is plenty to see and do in Jerome year-round.

Jerome’s Mining Past

Jerome, a city of wooden and brick buildings, sits atop a rich copper deposit in an area where early indigenous people sought remarkable rocks and minerals. Settlers and miners came west and staked claims beginning in 1876, with large-scale mining in 1883.

Due to the popularity of copper mining, the town grew to accommodate the influx of people seeking boarding homes, stores, saloons, restaurants, and entertainment. Entrepreneurs and investors soon followed, seeking their fortunes in the Verde Valley. Jerome was a boomtown.

As the value of copper declined, people left Jerome. Some of the wooden structures in town burned down, and eventually, the mines closed in 1953. But others saw value in the ramshackle village on Cleopatra Hill, and they formed a historical society to save what was left of the almost ghost town. Little by little, it became a haven for the artistic and independent types seeking to escape big-city constraints.

Jerome became a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and remains an art-filled center of creativity, nestled among historic buildings and winding, steep streets. Jerome is full of interesting people, with fascinating tales to tell. There are many things to do in Jerome, and these are some of our favorites.

Mark Hemleben, a famous plein air artist, visited Jerome and captured a typical day in the mining town. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Sleep with Ghosts

The ghosts of Jerome are definitely a draw for visitors with ghost tours, fascinating stories told about them, and the opportunity to sleep in one of Jerome’s haunted buildings.

I drove the winding 89A from Prescott, over Mingus Mountain, and spotted the imposing building overlooking Jerome—my destination for a night’s stay. I was a bit apprehensive because of the ghost stories. The rather elegant Jerome Grand Hotel was once the United Verde Hospital, built in 1926 to replace an older 1917 hospital damaged by a mining fault explosion. With mining operations ceasing in Jerome, there was no need for this modern (at the time) hospital, and it was abandoned. The Phelps Dodge Corporation owned the hospital and hired a caretaker for the building. However, even though he exited (via suicide) in the 1980s, the building was boarded up along with its resident spirits.

In May 1994, Larry Altherr of Phoenix purchased the building and turned it into the Jerome Grand Hotel. It opened to the first guests in mid-1996.

The Jerome Hotel is often a part of the Historic Home Tour. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Ghost Stories

Most old hospitals have ghost stories to tell, and Jerome’s Grand Hotel is no different. A couple of TV shows have covered the hotel’s haunting. Several psychics visited the property, and three separate ghost hunters picked up some supernatural activity, including activity surrounding the removal of the original dispensary desks. Apparently, the “charge nurse” was upset about this, creating some paranormal activity. In 2003, the owners brought the desks back from storage and installed them in the restaurant area at their original location. The activity ceased.

This is just one of the ghost stories locals and visitors tell about the old hospital, so, naturally, it is an essential stop on any ghost tour.

Sleeping at the Grand Jerome Hotel

I checked into a standard room with a view of the valley. The updated room had my favorite type of hotel bed—cushy. Aside from the old-fashioned steam heating radiator, it looked like most hotel rooms. But there was just a sense that it had some history. After dinner, I settled into the room and drifted off to sleep. About midnight, I awoke and had a strong feeling that I was in a hospital room—a rather disquieting feeling. I knew the history, of course, but there was a much different vibe in the room at night.

A standard room with a view of the Jerome Grand Hotel. Photo courtesy Jerome Grand Hotel

Dine at the Haunted Hamburger

The next day, after hiking up and down the streets of Jerome and doing a bit of shopping, it was time for lunch. I met with a group at the Haunted Hamburger restaurant perched on the hill—at a table with a valley view, of course. We were told stories of hammer-stealing ghosts that haunted the building during renovation, and of weird things happening, like cans flying off shelves and hot water mysteriously turning on—a poltergeist?

You’d better have a hearty appetite when arriving at the Haunted Hamburger. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

I eyed the dessert case with “mile-high layer cakes” before we were seated. We had salads and the specialty burgers, but what was memorable (no ghostly apparitions) was the size of the meals. Try the Double Haunted Burger if you dare. By the time we enjoyed our entrees, the only way we could experience one slice of cake was to share it. Everything was excellent!

Mile-high desserts are hard to resist. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Drink with the Bikers

The drive to Jerome, with its winding, scenic roads, makes for an ideal motorcycle ride. And of course, there must be a brew and a meal at the end. The Spirit Room under the venerable brick Hotel Connor is known as one of the top biker bars in Arizona. It’s a laid-back tavern, often with live music, and a place where bikers gather with locals to enjoy a post-road trip beer.

A favorite thing to do in Jerome is to mingle with the bikers in the Spirit Room. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Shop the Boutiques and Galleries

When you wander the streets of Jerome, you’ll find unique home goods, galleries with local art, jewelry, and sculptures.

Fun shopping in Jerome. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Down one street, I encountered Tracy Weisel’s La Victoria Studio, an art glass studio in a partially standing building.

Enter through what’s left of this historic building, and you’ll find an intriguing glass studio. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Visitors are welcome to sit down in this open-air workshop to watch him blow glass and listen to his entertaining tales.  And, like with most places in Jerome, there will be a valley view out the window.

La Victoria Studio art glass. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

There are shopping surprises along the way, too. I found some artists set up in a vacant lot between two historic buildings. One of the artists, Doré from Sedona, held up her beautiful beaded wares in the sunshine to impress us. And with most of the creative people we encountered, there were stories to go with the stones.

Lovely earrings in a pop-up open-air market. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Spend $300 on Wine

Jerome is home to some excellent Verde Valley and Southern Arizona wine tasting rooms. Arizona wines are gaining popularity, and tasting rooms are popping up all over.

The story of two sisters traveling from Arkansas illustrates just how far-reaching and special these wines can be. As these two women made their way along on their road trip to Arizona, they had a mission. One’s son was a huge fan of the rock band TOOL and the lead musician, Maynard James Keenan. And they were given a $300 budget to spend at the Caduceus Cellars tasting room. Caduceus Cellars is a small production, family-owned and operated winery co-owned by Keenen, whose family is from the local area.

Blood Into Wine

The 2010 documentary “Blood Into Wine” tells the story of how Keenan set out to bring fame to Arizona’s burgeoning wine regions. The film takes you through his trials and tribulations as he establishes his vineyard and develops his award-winning wines.

The Wine Tasting Experience

The two sisters found that if you show up early to the Caduceus Cellars Tasting Room, you can fortify yourself with traditional Italian-style espresso drinks (served from 8 am to noon daily).

Known for Spanish and Italian varietals, Caduceus has some hearty reds to taste. As the two sisters tasted through their flight, accompanied by rock music, they had difficulty deciding how best to spend that $300 wine budget.

Fans of TOOL and wine aficionados alike will have plenty of merch to choose from at the Caduceus Tasting Room. Photo courtesy: Caduceus Winery Facebook

But in the end, they selected the 2015 Nagual Del Marzo—a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet—and a 2018 Nagual Del Judith—a Nebbiolo—spending $232, just short of their budget. And as the story goes, the grateful son may not ever open those special bottles of wine!

The treasured Caduceus wine arrived in Arkansas safe and sound. Photo courtesy Don Newton

Hit the Junkyard with Your Camera

The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town on the outskirts of Jerome is not top on some lists of things to do in Jerome, but as a photographer, it’s one of my favorite places. If you want to get a look at the structures, tons of equipment, and vehicles that were used in Jerome’s early mining days, visit this place.

A chicken wandered through the old car parts and became a subject of my photography. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Amidst the ramshackle buildings, including a sawmill and blacksmith shop, you’ll find farm animals and plenty of places for interesting photos.

The burro was a favorite at Gold King. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Watch for special events such as Jerome Mining Days, and call ahead to see if they are having opportunities to pan for gold. And, for the lovers of all things quirky, you can even arrange to have your wedding there.

There are hundreds of vehicles to explore at Gold King. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Visit the Jerome State Park

At the state park, you’ll see the Douglas Mansion and learn about Jerome mining. James S. Douglas built the large home in 1916 on the hill just above his Little Daisy Mine. The mansion is now a museum featuring old Jerome photos, historical artifacts, and a model of the town.

The Douglas Mansion, now a State Park museum, is situated on the edge of the mine pit. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

A favorite among visitors is the video about Jerome’s mining days. And, of course, a beautiful view of the Verde Valley below. Outdoors, you’ll see mining equipment. The carriage house stores a buggy owned by the Douglas family and a 1929 Ford Model A truck from Jerome.

Roam in Jerome First Saturdays

On the First Saturday of each month from 5 pm to 8 pm, the Jerome Chamber of Commerce hosts “Roam in Jerome.” I always enjoyed their First Fridays Art Walks, but the event has now morphed into an evening of strolling the artist studios, galleries, wine tasting, stops with shops like the candy shop, and more. They offer live music, weather permitting. To help you get around the hilly streets, they offer a shuttle.

Check out the shops when they open late on Roam nights in Jerome. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Tour Historic Homes and Buildings

There are many historic homes and buildings throughout Jerome. Many of them, which you can visit only once a year, are on the Historic Home Tour held in May. Watch the Chamber of Commerce website for upcoming events with dates.

There are significant historic buildings in Jerome, including the Jerome Fire Department. Photo by Raul Rodriguez via iStock by Getty Images

Getting to Jerome

Jerome is about two hours north of Phoenix. And if you are staying in Sedona, Jerome is less than 28 miles southwest via State Route 89A to Cottonwood, then through Clarkdale into Jerome. If you are coming from Wickenburg, you’ll be taking the winding route over Mingus Mountain, a very scenic drive.

Coming into Jerome from the west. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Articles Related to Jerome, AZ

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• Romantic Places in the Southwest
• Sedona Summer Getaway
• Exploring Arizona Wines

Jerome is one of those great survival stories—boom-to-bust and back again. It is filled with history, fun, and plenty of quirkiness that is common as you explore the backroads across the US. There is plenty to see and do in Jerome year-round. For more ideas on things to do in Jerome, the Verde Valley, and Arizona enjoy these articles by our Wander writers.