Overview
Prescott is a city in Arizona, and the county seat of Yavapai County. It is home to the world's oldest rodeo, and to the famous Whiskey Row
5 sights · 8 things to do · 4 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Prescott
Fort Whipple Museum
Operated by the Sharlot Hall Museum, this small museum is housed in a former military officer's quarters, with displays of artifacts and history about the fort and hospital.
Sharlot Hall Museum
Housed in the former Territorial Governor’s Mansion, this museum has exhibits illustrating the early history in the area of Native Americans and settlers. Its library and archives are open to the public, and it hosts num…
Museum of Indigenous People (formerly Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture)
Rotating exhibits illustrated history and culture of regional Native American tribes. This plucky trove of local archaeology has a fascinating history. The "Smoki" name was invented by local settlers, not natives, as a m…
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
A non-profit wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the protection of native and exotic animals.
Hike Thumb Butte
The paved trail is 1½ miles round trip. At the top of the steep trail enjoy the best views in town. Beyond the trail is a protected breeding area for peregrine falcons.
Watson Lake Park
Centered around an artificial reservoir within the Granite Dells, an area of pre-Cambrian granite bedrock which has been eroded into unusual formations. The park offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, boating, a…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Aug–Oct. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Jerome)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PRC Prescott Regional Airport - Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott — 6 mi away. Directions
- FLG Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff — 60 mi away. Directions
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix — 83 mi away (major hub). Directions
United Airlines offers flights from Denver and Los Angeles into Prescott Regional Airport (PRC). The airport is about 20 minutes from the city, however, and you'll either need to arrange a taxi or rent a car at the airport. Only Hertz has rentals available at the airport, though Enterprise, Avis, and others all have locations in Prescott.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $14–$99 a night (typical $18), from 11 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $5 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$40, mid-range ~$60, comfortable ~$190.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fort Whipple Museum, Arizona Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Museum of Indigenous People (formerly Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture)
- Lunch Murphy's Restaurant
- Afternoon Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott Frontier Days
- Dinner Raven Café
- Evening The Raven Cafe
Day 2
- Morning The Phippen Museum of Western Art, Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
- Lunch Ginza Sushi & Asian Cuisine
- Afternoon Prescott Highland Games, Watson Lake Park
- Dinner Gurley Street Grill
- Evening Lyzzard's Lounge
Day 3
- Morning Highlands Center for Natural History
- Afternoon Mile-High Trail System
- Evening Prescott Brewing Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Prescott (pronounced "PRES-kut") was the first (and third) Territorial Capital before Phoenix was chosen as the final site. Prescott, unlike much of Arizona, has clear seasonal changes and is very temperate. Warm summers, cold winters, and a monsoon season that generally starts at the beginning of July and lasts until September. Its elevation is 5,368 feet (1,636 m), which is about the same as Denver.
Get in
By plane
United Airlines offers flights from Denver and Los Angeles into Prescott Regional Airport (PRC). The airport is about 20 minutes from the city, however, and you'll either need to arrange a taxi or rent a car at the airport. Only Hertz has rentals available at the airport, though Enterprise, Avis, and others all have locations in Prescott.
A couple of shuttle companies also make multiple daily trips between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Prescott.
By car
Prescott is at the junction of State Route 89, with access from the north from I-40, and State Routes 89A and 69, with access from the south and east by I-17.
By shuttle
The Yavapai Regional Transit runs a shuttle between the Phoenix Greyhound terminal and Prescott, departing Phoenix every two hours between 9AM and 9PM.
Get around
YavapaiLine Regional Transit (YAV) provides $2 fares for adults and $1 fares for seniors in the downtown Prescott area. YAV connects downtown Prescott to Prescott Valley.
If staying in downtown Prescott, it's fairly easy to see the most important parts of the town on foot. However, Prescott also has a lot of taxi services, in large part due to the presence of Whiskey Row.
For those with a more adventurous side, ATV rentals are available near downtown. Scooters, bicycles, golf carts, and other conveyances are also available for those who'd like to get around a little more quickly.
See
See Sharlot Hall Museum
Housed in the former Territorial Governor’s Mansion, this museum has exhibits illustrating the early history in the area of Native Americans and settlers. Its library and archives are open to the public, and it hosts numerous public festivals and lectures. There is also a gift shop onsite.
See Museum of Indigenous People (formerly Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture)
Rotating exhibits illustrated history and culture of regional Native American tribes. This plucky trove of local archaeology has a fascinating history. The "Smoki" name was invented by local settlers, not natives, as a made-up tribe which put on annual shows with appropriated Hopi rituals. From this, the archaeology grew, and the museum was founded in 1935. Look for the small room in the back, the "Smoki People Exhibit".
- Look for the time line etched in the sidewalk in the town plaza, and in front of the library.
Do
Outdoor activities
- Make sure you've got a hat and a bottle of water, then starting at the plaza, walk the streets of this Old West town finding key points in the locally available book, Historic Prescott. You can also join a free walking tour, originating at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce on the corner of Goodwin St. and Montezuma St every Friday or Saturday morning at 9AM. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
Do Hike Thumb Butte
The paved trail is 1½ miles round trip. At the top of the steep trail enjoy the best views in town. Beyond the trail is a protected breeding area for peregrine falcons.
Do Watson Lake Park
Centered around an artificial reservoir within the Granite Dells, an area of pre-Cambrian granite bedrock which has been eroded into unusual formations. The park offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, boating, and fishing, as well as overnight camping in the summer. Canoes and kayaks can be rented onsite from Prescott Outdoors (+1 928-925-1410, $10-20/hr, $50-75/day).
Do Mile-High Trail System
An extensive network of trails now covering some 48 miles is being developed, with the goal of eventually encircling all of Prescott. Trails include those of the Rails-to-Trails projects, chosen trails within Prescott National Forest, and urban trails running through downtown. A helpful map overview listing all trails, as well as maps for individual trails, can be downloaded from the website.
Festivals and events
Do Prescott Frontier Days (World's Oldest Rodeo)
Prescott is home to the longest running annual rodeo, on or about every Independence Day weekend. In 2013 they celebrated their 126th anniversary. Tickets go on sale in November. Book well in advance, especially for your hotel. Most hotels will be sold out throughout the weekend, with the remaining rooms going for nearly $300 a night, even at lower-end establishments. Also amateur photographers should take note that no cameras with detachable lenses, regardless of how small, are permitted past the gate.
Do Prescott Indian Art Market (PIAM)
One of the best Native American markets in the southwest, featuring traditional and contemporary art, including jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, baskets, and blankets. Participants are selected by an all-Indian jury to ensure the highest artistic quality.
Buy
Check out the Indian-made jewelry in the small local shops around town.
Drop into a local bookstore and check out the local authors, who write on everything from smirking to exotic recipes.
Eat
Eat Ginza Sushi & Asian Cuisine
Authentic Sushi & Asian restaurant in Prescott. Enjoy well-prepared Japanese & Korean cuisine and good sushi in a friendly setting. A little bit on the pricey end, but on par with other restaurants in the area.
Eat Gurley Street Grill
Located in the historic downtown area of Prescott, this bar and grill serves up various styles of food so there is something to please every palate. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable. Private banquet rooms are available upstairs for larger groups.
Eat Murphy's Restaurant
Good food and service in a great, old building. After you order, take a walk around and browse the old photos and remnants of the general that was once housed in the building. Have the hostess show you the ledger for the local townspeople of the day.
Eat Raven Café
Relaxed, hip atmosphere. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a special Sunday brunch menu. Check out their event calendar to see when live music and movie nights are happening.
Drink
Drink Whiskey Row
Prescott's historic "Whiskey Row" deserves a visit if only to say you were there. There are five bars/pubs on Whiskey Row: Matt's Saloon (country western), The Palace Restaurant & Saloon (Arizona's oldest saloon and home to a less-than-spectacular steakhouse), Jersey Lilly Saloon (upstairs from the Palace and with the only balcony on Whiskey Row), and 1881 Spirits (more of a local place, but hosting a pool table and a small dance floor). The Bird Cage Saloon (not to be confused with the famous Bird Cage Theater in Tombstone burned down in early 2012. However, there are many other fine drinking establishments throughout the city center that are worthy of mention.
Drink JJ's Smiles On Tap
The quintessential dive. A scary caged smoking area suggests that nicotine must really be very addicting.
Drink Prescott Brewing Company
Fine ales brewed on site and a friendly atmosphere combine to make PBC an excellent pub. There is no outside area so it is best enjoyed on a cool winter's eve.
Drink The Raven Cafe
The place to hang for the hip, younger crowd as well as the small group of Prescott progressives. All kinds of fine ales and lagers as well as a well-stoked wine cellar. A new outside roof-top area will open soon.
Drink Lyzzard's Lounge
Rough around the edges dive bar with an attitude.
Sleep
Lodging
There are dozens of hotels and motels in and around Prescott. When booking, be sure to check the hotel's location and proximity to the local attractions. There are many hotels within a short walk of the downtown area, but most are independent properties with no national presence (the only exception being the SpringHill Suites by Marriott on Sheldon St.) Most "brand name" properties are located closer to the mall, which is a couple of miles from the Courthouse Square and Whiskey Row. The budget motels are just south of Yavapai Community College on Sheldon Street (Hwy 89).
Camping
Stay Watson Lake Campground
Open April–October, Th-M nights only. Dry camping only, showers and toilets available (for campers only). Reservations can be made by phone or at the Parks and Recreation (824 E Gurley St) at least 7 days in advance. Camping rules and campground map can be downloaded; for park description see listing above.
Go next
- Walker - a small community outside Prescott, with higher elevation and cooler temperatures than Prescott.
Arizona State Route 89A northeast to Jerome is a designated scenic route, known as the Mingus Mountain Scenic Road. From Jerome to Cottonwood, it is known as Historic US 89A, officially named the Jerome-Clarkdale-Cottonwood Historic Road. The route itself is a scenic experience of its own, through forest and canyons. Large vehicles are not recommended along 89A due to the many hairpin turns and elevation changes.
Nearby
Walker
City / town · 9 mi away
Jerome
City / town · 26 listings · 24 mi away
Arcosanti
City / town · 2 listings · 26 mi away
Cottonwood
City / town · 7 listings · 28 mi away
Camp Verde
City / town · 9 listings · 35 mi away
Agua Fria National Monument
Park · 2 listings · 36 mi away
Sedona
City / town · 60 listings · 45 mi away
Ash Fork
City / town · 4 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.