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.

Jerome, AZ Hotels and Vacation Rentals

THINGS TO DO IN JEROME & VERDE VALLEY

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Your home-away-from-home retreat! Known as the 'Prescott Sunset Sanctuary,' this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home features a fully equipped kitchen, an open floor plan, expansive outdoor wrap-around deck for families and outdoorsy groups to relax with a BBQ lunch or a relaxing glass of wine at night. When you want to be close to the downtown action, yet far enough to enjoy the peace and serenity of the Prescott National Forest, this home's central location gives your family the best of both worlds. Book now.

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Zane Grey RV Park (55+ park) - Verde Valley

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.

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Arizona Private Tours

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.

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The Blazin’ M Ranch - A Western Themed Frontier Town, Dinner, and A Show

Join us at the Blazin’ M Ranch for an evening of western activities, dinner, and an unforgettable show! The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western Themed Town located in Cottonwood, Arizona. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with … More

After dinner the Blazin’ M Cowboys entertain ya’ with their award-winning musical talents mixed with cowboy poetry and humor with a 1 hour show from 7:30pm - 8:30pm!

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Prescott Resort and Conference Center

Resting on the "Top of the Hill" offering picturesque views of Prescott, experience Northern Arizona's premier getaway, the Prescott Resort and Conference Center. Located only 60 scenic miles from Sedona, the Prescott Resort is a great escape for a relaxed weekend, corporate retreat, or conference meeting. Experience the charm of Northern Arizona at the Prescott Resort. Each of our newly renovated 160 guestrooms feature modern amenities that cater to our guests needs, i.e. High-Speed Wireless Internet and Flat-Screen Televisions. Each room was designed in the spirit of the Yavapai Tribe and offers artwork indicative to the majestic scenery of the Prescott area.

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Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure

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.