Jerome AZ: Explore it's Mining History and Artistic Vibes
Jerome, AZ is a place like no other. Clinging to the steep slopes of Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is a town with a past as colorful as its present. Once a booming copper mining camp and a hotbed of wild frontier life, Jerome, AZ has transformed into a thriving community of artists, historians, and adventurers. This mountaintop town tells a story of survival, reinvention, and enduring character.
By 1953, the mines closed, copper was no longer king, and Jerome seemed on the edge of becoming a ghost town. The population dropped to just a few dozen.
While many mining towns disappeared with their industries, Jerome refused to die. In the 1960s and ‘70s, artists, musicians, and craftspeople discovered the beauty and creative potential of this weathered town. They renovated crumbling buildings, opened galleries, and built a vibrant community out of the bones of the old mining days. With the help of the Jerome Historical Society, which preserved buildings and historical sites, Jerome staged an unlikely comeback.
Today, Jerome is a designated National Historic Landmark and a living piece of Arizona history. Its past is written in the bricks, timbers, and rusting mining equipment that dot the landscape. But it’s not just about the past—Jerome is alive with energy and artistic expression.
What Not to Miss When You Visit Jerome, AZ
Jerome State Historic Park & Douglas Mansion
Step inside the historic Douglas Mansion, now a museum, to learn about Jerome’s mining era through fascinating exhibits, old photographs, and a 3D model of the town as it once was.
The Sliding Jail
A quirky symbol of Jerome’s unstable ground, this old jail moved over 200 feet from its original location due to decades of earth movement.
Jerome Grand Hotel?Once a hospital, this hilltop building is now a hotel with a haunted reputation. Ghost stories and spectacular views make it a must-visit spot.
Art Galleries & Studios
Jerome is filled with locally owned shops and galleries. Whether you’re into fine art, handmade jewelry, or kaleidoscopes, the town is a haven for artists and collectors alike.
Wine Tasting Rooms
Taste Arizona wine at one of the local tasting rooms, many of which offer great views and even better stories.
Ghost Tours?Explore Jerome’s spookier side with a guided night tour through its haunted history.
Tips for Visiting
- Wear sturdy shoes. Jerome’s steep streets and uneven sidewalks call for comfortable walking gear.
- Arrive early on weekends. Parking is limited, especially during festivals or tourist season.
- Check hours in advance. Some shops and museums close early in the afternoon.
- Stay a while. Jerome has several charming inns and B&Bs for those who want to take in the sunset and night sky from high above the valley.
How to Get to Jerome, AZ
- From Phoenix/Scottsdale: Take I-17 North to Exit 287 (Cottonwood). Follow AZ-260 to AZ-89A and climb the winding mountain road into Jerome. It’s about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive.
- From Sedona: Take scenic AZ-89A west through Cottonwood. The 40-minute drive offers gorgeous red rock views and a dramatic ascent into Jerome.
- From Flagstaff: Drive south on I-17, exit at 287, and follow the same path as from Phoenix. Expect a 1.5 to 2-hour journey depending on traffic.
Related article: Verde Valley Arizona
Jerome, AZ Hotels and Vacation Rentals
THINGS TO DO IN JEROME & VERDE VALLEY
Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and
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Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and up to 6 guests on a completely customizable tour of Northern Arizona. For majestic private Grand Canyon tours to Verde Valley Wine tours & ghost towns in the Sedona area, we cover it all. Let us create the custom tour of your dreams and know that we want to make this a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Private Tours Available | Custom Options Available | Family-Friendly | Professionally Guided | Pickup from Hotel | Romantic
Trade red rocks for river views with Clarkdale Kayak Co., just 25 minutes from Sedona. Paddle 3.5 scenic miles of the Verde River in a stable inflatable kayak, with guided and self-guided options for first-timers, families and experienced paddlers. Kayak, paddle, life vest, water and shutt
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Trade red rocks for river views with Clarkdale Kayak Co., just 25 minutes from Sedona. Paddle 3.5 scenic miles of the Verde River in a stable inflatable kayak, with guided and self-guided options for first-timers, families and experienced paddlers. Kayak, paddle, life vest, water and shuttle are included. Choose a guided adventure, explore at your own pace or finish with craft beer on the Paddles to Pints tour. Perfect for couples, families, groups and outdoor adventurers.
Family-Friendly | Self-Guided | Professionally Guided | Private Tours Available
A Beautiful Northern Arizona RV Park and Cabin Rental resort near Sedona and the Red Rock attractions. Comfortable RV camping sites on West Clear Creek in Camp Verde, Arizona. The location is unique, with a creek-side path and lots of shade. Our friendly staff will make your stay comfortab
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A Beautiful Northern Arizona RV Park and Cabin Rental resort near Sedona and the Red Rock attractions. Comfortable RV camping sites on West Clear Creek in Camp Verde, Arizona. The location is unique, with a creek-side path and lots of shade. Our friendly staff will make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Zane Grey RV Village is open year round to meet your Arizona vacation needs in any season.Zane Grey RV Village is really quite beautiful!A premiere RV park in the Red Rock region of Arizona.
Pet-Friendly | Laundry | General Store | Community Restrooms | Propane Refilling Station | WiFi
Sedona Red Rock Tours combines adventure with refinement, offering guided experiences that showcase Sedona’s stunning red rock landscapes with the elevated service of a luxury tour. Whether you’re exploring world-famous trails, enjoying quiet moments at hidden viewpoints, or indulging in a
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Sedona Red Rock Tours combines adventure with refinement, offering guided experiences that showcase Sedona’s stunning red rock landscapes with the elevated service of a luxury tour. Whether you’re exploring world-famous trails, enjoying quiet moments at hidden viewpoints, or indulging in a private wine-country outing, every element of your tour is crafted with care. With expert local guides, intimate group sizes, and itineraries tailored to your interests, we create meaningful, memorable experiences that let you discover Sedona exactly the way you want, immersive, personalized, and unforgettable.
Family-Friendly | Meetings & Group Facilities | Private Tours Available | Pickup from Hotel | ADA Accessible | Vortex Experience | Hiking | Professionally Guided | Custom Options Available
Saddle up for an unforgettable night at Blazin' M Ranch, Arizona's only Western dinner show, just 20 minutes from Sedona. Meet baby Highland cows, ride the Dream West Express, throw axes, play putt-putt, explore the frontier town and more. Then dig into a ranch-style BBQ feast before the h
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Saddle up for an unforgettable night at Blazin' M Ranch, Arizona's only Western dinner show, just 20 minutes from Sedona. Meet baby Highland cows, ride the Dream West Express, throw axes, play putt-putt, explore the frontier town and more. Then dig into a ranch-style BBQ feast before the high-energy Boot-Stompin' Western Comedy Musical Show. One ticket. A full evening of food, fun and Wild West memories. Perfect for couples, families, groups and special events.
Family-Friendly | Live Entertainment | Western Experience | Activities | All Food
Enjoy a 4-hour sightseeing journey by train aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, which glides through the beautiful wilderness of the American Southwest near Sedona. Nibble light refreshments while traveling on the Verde Canyon Railroad through Arizona’s desert. Ride in a vintage train car or
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Enjoy a 4-hour sightseeing journey by train aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, which glides through the beautiful wilderness of the American Southwest near Sedona. Nibble light refreshments while traveling on the Verde Canyon Railroad through Arizona’s desert. Ride in a vintage train car or open-air viewing car to get a great perspective on the region’s natural and cultural treasures. See ancient cliff dwellings built by the Native American Sinagua people, historic mining sites and more as your train cruises along a route that follows the Verde River.
