Prescott Round Up: Your Guide To The Best Of The City’s Attractions, Tours, And Events

Whether you’re just visiting Prescott, or live here full or part time, there’s no shortage of activities and events for all ages and interests. From the World’s Oldest Rodeo to exploring Prescott’s Western heritage and taking in the area’s nature on horseback, Prescott offers a little something for everyone.

To kickstart your exploration, here is our guide to some of Prescott’s most notable attractions, tours, events, and more.

Western Culture

Prescott is known as one of the Top 5 Western Towns in the United States. Legendary figures like Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday all lived in Prescott for a portion of their lives. Today, you can immerse yourself in Western history when you visit Whiskey Row's saloons in Downtown Prescott.

One of Prescott’s most notable Western events is the annual Frontier Days, a week-long festival which hosts the World's Oldest Rodeo, a much-loved Prescott tradition that began in 1888. Catch the rodeo every summer, with exciting daily performances taking place around the 4th of July.

Whiskey Row

Whiskey Row hosts some of Prescott's oldest, and most legendary, history. This street is named Whiskey Row because of the large concentration of saloons within a couple of blocks. Whiskey Row developed after a fire in July of 1900 destroyed the entire block. When reconstructed, there was an inordinate amount of bars rebuilt in the area—at one point, the block hosted a total of 40 saloons.

The huge number of saloons was primarily due to the gold rush culture that drew settlers, cowboys, prospectors, bawdy girls, gamblers, and outlaws to the town. Today, Prescott celebrates the history of Whiskey Row with annual shoot-out reenactments and the famous street is known for art galleries, candy shops, western wear boutiques, and of course its saloons.

Our favorite Whiskey Row saloons:

Bird Cage Saloon: Arguably Whiskey Row’s best live music venue, this bar hosts a variety of musicians at least six days a week.

Matt’s Saloon: This infamous bar has been a part of Prescott’s Whiskey Row since the early 1960’s and is still going strong as one of Prescott’s last true Honky Tonks.

Jersey Lilly Saloon: Locate the small door on Whiskey Row, climb the narrow stairs, and find yourself in this timeless multi-room bar with a balcony that overlooks Courthouse Square.

Day Tours

Try horseback riding in the mountains surrounding Prescott, or take a van tour around downtown Prescott and beyond to towns like Jerome, Verde Valley, Cottonwood, and Sedona. Pick any tour—including horseback riding, van tours, trail rides, historic Prescott walking tours or even nearby railroad tours—and have an unforgettable experience.

Can’t Miss Adventures:

Prescott Ebike Rentals & Tours: This company a local family-owned business that shows visitors and locals alike the reason Prescott is “Everybody's Home Town.” Choose from guided and self-guided tours that meander through downtown, or explore the Peavine or Iron King trails. Cruise up towards Thumb Butte Mountain and wind up and down the terraced back ridges of Prescott Forest.

Blazin’ M Ranch: Spend an evening partaking in a variety of western activities, dinner, and an unforgettable show. The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western-themed town located in Cottonwood. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with a foil wrapped potato, cowboy beans, our prickly pear coleslaw, flying biscuits and a delicious homemade dessert. Activities include Bull Riding, Ax Throwing and a Shooting Gallery.

Camp Verde Jeep Tour, Horseback Ride, and Winery Tour: Experience Verde Valley Wine Country. Begin your adventure on a one-hour horseback ride, and then head over to Alcantara Vineyard, where you will experience an hour-long Jeep tour, during which you cross the Verde River and have the opportunity to spot ancient ruins in the distance. The tour concludes with an Alcantara wine tasting, perfectly paired with a variety of cheeses.

Art & Museums

The Prescott arts, culture, and entertainment scene offer theatrical performances, musical concerts, independent film screenings and art gallery shows year-round. For a town its size, Prescott has a large number of cultural and artistic attractions that draw visitors from all over.

In addition to formal galleries, art hangs in various non-gallery spaces, such as the The Raven Cafe and new co-op spaces are popping up like the Milagro Arts Center, where artists, environment, and shared resources are all part of supporting this thriving art community.

Traditional museums include Sharlot Hall Museum, Museum of Indigenous People, and Phippen Museum. And don’t miss Prescott’s monthly 4th Friday Art Walk. It’s an opportunity to experience Prescott’s ever-changing visual arts scene, and every month features signature events and exhibits produced by the galleries.