Prescott

The small city of Prescott can feel a world away from the desert climate of Arizona’s south. In fact, Prescott can feel a world away from the rest of the Southwest. The town was pushed into creation by Congress and Abraham Lincoln in 1864 as the territorial capital of Arizona, a move to secure the region’s natural resources for the union during the Civil War. As result of this Yankee influence, Prescott’s architecture and grass-covered front yards had more in common with the Victorian vibe of the wider U.S. at the time than the otherwise unique aesthetics of the Southwest. While a massive fire in 1900 pressed the reset button, both culturally and architecturally, on the mountain town, much of the older flavor remains.

Whiskey Row is the contemporary center of Prescott’s nightlife, as it was 100 years ago, but this part of the state is best appreciated outdoors. Prescott’s 250 miles of mountain biking trails are nothing short of phenomenal (get your hike and ride maps here), as are hiking options like Thumb Butte and the Granite Mountain trail. If you’re short on gear, Prescott has plenty of outfitters to help fill out whatever’s missing in your day bag.