There's No Community In Arizona More Enchanting And Historic Than Prescott
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 01, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Located in Yavapai County in Central Arizona, Prescott is a historic and enchanting community we should all take some time to explore. While a city of nearly 47,000, it feels more like a small town. It has friendly residents, is laid back, and there are plenty of historic sites to visit here. On top of that, it’s home to five lakes, perfect for when you want to escape the heat of the Phoenix Metro area or just want to spend time on the water. Come and explore Prescott, a historic community in Arizona that will enchant you.
Located 100 miles away from Phoenix, Prescott is a small city in Yavapai County. With a historic downtown area, parks, lakes, and friendly residents, you'll find yourself enchanted during your visit.
When you come to Prescott, you may be surprised at all there is to see and do. Taking a walk downtown and you'll discover unique boutiques, antique stores, cafes, restaurants, and well-preserved historic buildings.
Pictured here is the 1916 Yavapai County Courthouse on South Cortez Street.
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To learn the history of Prescott, a trip to the Sharlot Hall Museum may be of interest to you. This open-air museum has four acres filled with gardens and 11 buildings six of which are historically significant, just waiting for you to explore.
If you have children, you may want to take them to the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. This 10-acre sanctuary sits on Willow Lake and is home to a wide array of rescued animals who would not survive in the wild.
As I mentioned earlier, Prescott is home to five lakes. These are Willow Lake, Lynx Lake, Goldwater Lake, Granite Basin Lake, and Watson Lake (pictured here). Each lake offers some form of recreation like hiking, boating, fishing, and camping.
While in Prescott, you must stop by Murphy's for a bite to eat -- it happens to be my favorite restaurant in town. Why? Well, not only does it offer excellent food and drinks and attentive service but it occupies a former mercantile building that was constructed in 1890. I love dining in historic establishments!
If you're a fan of a good bar scene as well as live music, make your way to Whiskey Row. This area came to be in 1900 during the gold rush era and experienced much of what the Wild West is known for -- saloons, outlaws, cowboys, and shootouts.
Today, you'll find the area to be a bit calmer than its beginnings but it's still a whole lotta fun!
Have you visited this historic community in Arizona yet? If not, what are you waiting for? If you have been to Prescott, tell us your favorite places to visit in town. We’d love to know! To learn more, head to Prescott.com.
