Things to Do in Prescott, AZ

Prescott has a thriving art community with new galleries, cooperative artist work spaces and music and festivals throughout the year. It’s pretty common to find art shows, community side walk art weekends as well as visiting artist demonstrations and classes. The landscape and history of the Southwest lives on in both old and modern techniques of capturing or representing this visually stunning terrain and culture. You’ll often find live music in Downtown Prescott and there a several performance art theaters where you can see both community and professional plays performed in a historical theater that’s over a century old. In addition to art, music and performance, there are several staple events that take place every year that Prescott is known for such as Frontier Days featuring the World’s Oldest Rodeo. So don’t forget to also check out our calendar to see what special events are going on in town while you’re here. You’ll never run out of things to do in Prescott.

Prescott has enjoyable attractions for everyone. Spend a day at museums or historical sites that retell the tales of early settlers and their interactions with Native Americans. Or view educational exhibits on the American West like you’ve never seen it before. Not your pace? How about zip lining over tigers or skydiving? Yes, Prescott attractions offer a range of things to do that can be as educational, fun, interesting or exciting as you need it to be! From chuck wagons and wine tastings to children's museums and buildings that look like it came out of a Dr. Suess book, Prescott is full of attractions and activities. The only problem will be that you won’t have time to do them all in one trip.

Where do we begin? Prescott borders three other National Forests in Arizona: Kaibab, Coconino, and Tonto. Prescott’s elevation ranges from 5,300 feet at the lowest, where the primary vegetation is of the Sonoran Desert type, to about 8,000 feet where chaparral bushes become more common, as well as pinon pine and juniper the higher you go up. Above that, are the famous Ponderosa pines. What that translates to is that there is so much amazing terrain to explore!

There's literally an outdoor activity for everyone: Prescott National Forest offers hiking trails; mountain bike trails; rock climbing; bouldering; hunting; picnicking; nature viewing; Prescott recreation areas offer fishing and boating; horses and trail riding; and let’s not forget photography and scenic rides by car, motorcycle or bike.

Climb aboard for one of the many incredible tours in Prescott, AZ. Try horseback riding into the sunset, or take a van tour around the town of Prescott and beyond to towns like Jerome, the Verde Valley, Cottonwood and Sedona. This area has become more and more known for its wonderful wine country - wine tasting tours are something you won’t want to miss! There are even train ride tours nearby, haunted tours and walking tours of this charming, historical town. If you find yourself looking for things to do in Prescott, you can’t go wrong with a Prescott tour. You’ll learn and experience something new in the heart of the great American West.

As it is with most cities, Downtown Prescott is the heart of this historical town. With the old courthouse as its centerpiece, Downtown Prescott only grows in character from there. Many of the buildings are old, restored, repurposed, rebuilt layers upon layers of history moving into the modern times. Through it all, intimations of the early settlers can be found everywhere. Not much has changed in a way. People still gather in the town square, these days for festivities and live musical performances. People are still drinking in the saloons that make up Whiskey Row. And Downtown is where you’ll find the good places to dine, see art and become part of the pulse of the town. Remember, Prescott is Everyone’s Town, and you’ll feel instantly like a part of it when you spend time in Downtown Prescott.