Prescott

Understand

Prescott (pronounced "PRES-kut") was the first (and third) Territorial Capital before Phoenix was chosen as the final site. Prescott, unlike much of Arizona, has clear seasonal changes and is very temperate. Warm summers, cold winters, and a monsoon season that generally starts at the beginning of July and lasts until September. Its elevation is 5,368 feet (1,636 m), which is about the same as Denver.

1 Prescott Visitor Center, 117 W Goodwin St (across from Courthouse Plaza), ☏ +1 928-445-2000, toll-free: +1 800-266-7534. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-2PM. Housed in a historic building which was once the city jail and firehouse.

Getting there

By plane United Airlines offers flights from Denver and Los Angeles into Prescott Regional Airport (PRC IATA). The airport is about 20 minutes from the city, however, and you'll either need to arrange a taxi or rent a car at the airport. Only Hertz has rentals available at the airport, though Enterprise, Avis, and others all have locations in Prescott. A couple of shuttle companies also make multiple daily trips between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX IATA) and Prescott.

1 Groome Transportation (formerly Arizona Shuttle), 740 N Montezuma St, ☏ +1 928-350-8466. Between 6:15AM and midnight, it has hourly departures from the Phoenix airport to Prescott. One way: $37 (adults), $27 (children). (updated Apr 2021)

By car Prescott is at the junction of State Route 89, with access from the north from I-40, and State Routes 89A and 69, with access from the south and east by I-17.

By shuttle The 2 Yavapai Regional Transit runs a shuttle between the Phoenix Greyhound terminal and Prescott, departing Phoenix every two hours between 9AM and 9PM.

Getting around

YavapaiLine Regional Transit (YAV) provides $2 fares for adults and $1 fares for seniors in the downtown Prescott area. YAV connects downtown Prescott to . If staying in downtown Prescott, it's fairly easy to see the most important parts of the town on foot. However, Prescott also has a lot of taxi services, in large part due to the presence of Whiskey Row. For those with a more adventurous side, ATV rentals are available near downtown. Scooters, bicycles, golf carts, and other conveyances are also available for those who'd like to get around a little more quickly.

See

1 Fort Whipple Museum, 500 N Hwy 89, Bldg 11 (on the VA Hospital Campus), ☏ +1 928-445-3122. Th-Sa 10AM-4PM, closed on major holidays. Operated by the Sharlot Hall Museum, this small museum is housed in a former military officer's quarters, with displays of artifacts and history about the fort and hospital. Donation. 2 The Phippen Museum of Western Art, 4701 N Hwy 89, ☏ +1 928-778-1385, fax: +1 928-778-4524, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1-4PM. Named after local artist George Phippen, this museum hosts exhibits of western art. $7 adults, $6 seniors and AAA members, $5 students, free for children under 12. 3 Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W Gurley St, ☏ +1 928-445-3122. May-Sep M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-4PM; Oct-Apr M-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Housed in the former Territorial Governor’s Mansion, this museum has exhibits illustrating the early history in the area of Native Americans and settlers. Its library and archives are open to the public, and it hosts numerous public festivals and lectures. There is also a gift shop onsite. $7 adults, $6 seniors and military, $3 (children 13-17), free for children under 12. 4 Museum of Indigenous People (formerly Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture), 147 N Arizona Ave, ☏ +1 928-445-1230, fax: +1 928-777-0573. M–Sa 10AM–4PM, closed on major holidays. Rotating exhibits illustrated history and culture of regional Native American tribes. This plucky trove of local archaeology has a fascinating history. The "Smoki" name was invented by local settlers, not natives, as a made-up tribe which put on annual shows with appropriated Hopi rituals. From this, the archaeology grew, and the museum was founded in 1935. Look for the small room in the back, the "Smoki People Exhibit". $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students, free for children under 12. 5 Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Rd, ☏ +1 928-778-4242, toll-free: +1 877-778-6008. Daily 9AM-5PM summer, 10AM-4PM winter. A non-profit wildlife sanctu

Do

Outdoor activities

Make sure you've got a hat and a bottle of water, then starting at the plaza, walk the streets of this Old West town finding key points in the locally available book, Historic Prescott. You can also join a free walking tour, originating at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce on the corner of Goodwin St. and Montezuma St every Friday or Saturday morning at 9AM. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours. 1 Highlands Center for Natural History, 1375 S Walker Rd (near Lynx Lake), ☏ +1 928-776-9550, fax: +1 928-776-9530, [email protected]. Daily Apr-Sep 7AM-7PM, Oct-Mar 8AM-6PM. Offers programs for children and families, including lectures, workshops, and summer day camps, with three miles of hiking trails. Free. 2 Hike Thumb Butte. The paved trail is 1½ miles round trip. At the top of the steep trail enjoy the best views in town. Beyond the trail is a protected breeding area for peregrine falcons. 3 Watson Lake Park, 3101 Watson Lake Rd (off of Hwy 89). Summer daily 6AM-10PM, winter daily 7AM-sunset. Centered around an artificial reservoir within the Granite Dells, an area of pre-Cambrian granite bedrock which has been eroded into unusual formations. The park offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, boating, and fishing, as well as overnight camping in the summer. Canoes and kayaks can be rented onsite from Prescott Outdoors (☏ +1 928-925-1410, $10-20/hr, $50-75/day). $2 parking. Mile-High Trail System, Trails Division, 824 E Gurley St (information), ☏ +1 928-777-1121. An extensive network of trails now covering some 48 miles is being developed, with the goal of eventually encircling all of Prescott. Trails include those of the Rails-to-Trails projects, chosen trails within Prescott National Forest, and urban trails running through downtown. A helpful map overview listing all trails, as well as maps for individual trails, can be downloaded from the website.

Festivals and events 4 Prescott Highland Games, Watson Lake Park, ☏ +1 92

Buy

Check out the Indian-made jewelry in the small local shops around town. Drop into a local bookstore and check out the local authors, who write on everything from smirking to exotic recipes.

Eat

1 Ginza Sushi & Asian Cuisine, 220 W Gurley St, ☏ +1 928-445-4198. Authentic Sushi & Asian restaurant in Prescott. Enjoy well-prepared Japanese & Korean cuisine and good sushi in a friendly setting. A little bit on the pricey end, but on par with other restaurants in the area. (updated Nov 2024) 2 Gurley Street Grill, 230 W Gurley St, ☏ +1 928-445-3388. Located in the historic downtown area of Prescott, this bar and grill serves up various styles of food so there is something to please every palate. The atmosphere is relaxed and co