Jerome ArizonaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Jerome, Arizona.
1. Douglas Mansion
HISTORIC MINING LANDMARK
Douglas Mansion, now a centerpiece of Jerome State Historic Park, was originally built in 1916 by mining magnate James S. Douglas for his family and mine managers. The multi-level mansion houses museum exhibits, period furnishings, and mining artifacts that vividly capture the town's copper-mining heyday. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley from the mansion's vantage point.
2. Jerome State Historic Park
MINING HISTORY MUSEUM
Jerome State Historic Park preserves and interprets the rich history of Jerome's mining past through engaging exhibits and restored structures. The park's museum, housed in the Douglas Mansion, features artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays illustrating the rise and fall of this once-booming mining town. The park grounds offer hiking trails and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Verde Valley.
3. Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town
ECLECTIC OUTDOOR COLLECTION
The Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town is a quirky attraction where visitors can explore preserved buildings from Jerome's mining era, vintage vehicles, and an assortment of old machinery. The site hosts live "gun fight" shows and hands-on exhibits that bring the frontier spirit to life. Animal lovers will also appreciate the friendly donkeys, goats, and chickens roaming the grounds.
4. Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum chronicles the dramatic history of Jerome with artifacts and exhibits portraying the lives of miners, entrepreneurs, and families. Located in the heart of downtown Jerome, the museum highlights the town's transformation and the colorful characters that shaped its destiny. Visitors gain insight into the rough-and-tumble days of this once-notorious boomtown.
5. Jerome Sliding Jail
QUIRKY HISTORIC RELIC
The Jerome Sliding Jail is a famous oddity that showcases the town's unstable, mining-era terrain. Originally constructed in the 1920s, the jail has slid more than 200 feet from its original spot due to ongoing ground movement caused by extensive mining tunnels beneath Jerome. Today, the structure remains a popular photo stop and a symbol of the town's unpredictable history.
6. Jerome Grand Hotel
HAUNTED HILLSIDE HOTEL
The Jerome Grand Hotel, perched high above the town, was once a hospital and is now celebrated both for its historic architecture and its reputation for paranormal activity. Guests and visitors are drawn to its preserved rooms, on-site Asylum Restaurant, and ghost tours that delve into eerie tales from its past. The hotel's vantage point also offers sweeping views of the Verde Valley.
7. Connor Hotel
CHARMING HISTORIC INN
The Connor Hotel is a beautifully restored historic inn located on Main Street in Jerome. Originally built in 1898 and rebuilt after a fire, the hotel combines Old West ambiance with modern comfort. Its prime location and lively Spirit Room bar make it a popular gathering place for travelers and locals alike.
8. Jerome Ghost Tours
SPOOKY NIGHTTIME WALKS
Jerome Ghost Tours provide visitors with a thrilling exploration of the town's haunted history, taking guests through darkened streets and historic buildings. Local guides share eerie tales of spectral sightings and unsolved mysteries from Jerome's mining days. The tours offer a unique, after-dark perspective on one of Arizona's most famously haunted towns.
9. Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
The Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery is a vibrant hub for local creatives, displaying an ever-changing selection of artwork from painters, sculptors, and artisans. Housed in the historic Hotel Jerome building, the gallery features exhibits ranging from fine art to handcrafted jewelry. Visitors can purchase unique pieces and meet the artists behind the works.
10. Audrey Headframe Park
MINING OBSERVATION DECK
Audrey Headframe Park invites visitors to step onto a glass platform above a 1,900-foot-deep mining shaft, offering a thrilling look into Jerome's subterranean past. Interpretive displays explain the engineering and risks of early 20th-century copper mining. Picnic tables and scenic views make it a relaxed spot to absorb Jerome's history and landscape.
11. Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes
WHIMSICAL ART SHOP
Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes is a unique gallery specializing in kaleidoscopes, showcasing a dazzling array of handcrafted optical art from around the world. The shop offers interactive experiences, allowing visitors to peer through these intricate instruments and even purchase custom pieces. Its colorful, whimsical atmosphere makes it a must-visit for art lovers and families.
12. Montezuma Castle National Monument
ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLINGS
Montezuma Castle National Monument preserves a remarkable 20-room cliff dwelling built by the Sinagua people over 600 years ago. Visitors can marvel at the ancient architecture nestled into a sheer limestone cliff and learn about the area's prehistoric cultures through interpretive displays. The monument's scenic trails and lush setting along Beaver Creek make it a tranquil historical destination.
13. Montezuma Well National Monument
NATURAL LIMESTONE SINKHOLE
Montezuma Well National Monument is a natural limestone sinkhole fed by underground springs, featuring ancient ruins and unique desert ecology. A short walk leads visitors around the well's rim for views of prehistoric dwellings and lush vegetation. Interpretive signs explain how local people relied on this life-sustaining water source for centuries.
14. Prescott National Forest
OUTDOOR RECREATION HAVEN
Prescott National Forest sprawls across millions of acres, offering hiking, camping, and wildlife-watching among diverse landscapes from desert chaparral to pine-covered mountains. Numerous trails, picnic spots, and historic sites make it a year-round playground for nature enthusiasts. The forest's proximity to Jerome makes it an accessible escape for outdoor adventures.
15. Clarkdale Arizona Museum
COPPER TOWN HERITAGE
The Clarkdale Arizona Museum documents the town's roots as a company town for the United Verde Copper Company, displaying artifacts, photos, and stories of early settlers. Exhibits explore the social, economic, and technological history that shaped the region's mining era. Visitors can discover how Clarkdale's origins are intertwined with Jerome and the greater Verde Valley.