Summer's on the way and the temperature's rising here in Phoenix - but not everywhere in Arizona! If you're not a fan of "hide inside" you can definitely cool off at any of these beautiful and accessible destination towns. And there's lots to see and do! Following article is excerpted from AZ Central.
First on our list:
Prescott: 100 miles, 85 degrees
Topping our list is an Arizona city that gets you into cooler temps in the least amount of time. Prescott sits at an elevation of 5,200 feet, and the mercury rarely hits 100.
Whether you want to hike, kayak on Watson Lake or check out the art scene, the Prescott Office of Tourism has some suggested itineraries on its website.
Fans of history will enjoy strolling Whiskey Row (don't miss the Palace Saloon, Arizona's oldest bar) or browsing booths at the art festivals on Courthouse Plaza most summer weekends.
If you want to make it a weekend trip, there are plenty of hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from. (Tip: The Prescott tourism website has some lodging specials.) The luxury culinary resort Terra Farm Manor recently opened. The combination lodge, cooking school and working farm in Prescott National Forest is booking months in advance.
As for drinking and dining, there are numerous restaurants, breweries and distilleries to chose from. RateBeer recently ranked Superstition Meadery one of the best breweries in the world.
Flagstaff: 145 miles, 79 degrees
Half the city of Phoenix seems to relocate to Flagstaff in the summer, and it's because of more than just its idyllic daytime temperatures and cool nights. You'll find plenty of things to do and places to eat.
Enjoy the beautiful patio weather while you drink and/or dine, check out an extinct volcano or maybe just hike between breweries, or schedule a tour with an ice cream cone factory.
Learn a few things at Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered, which has daytime and nighttime programs. The family-friendly Museum of Northern Arizona preserves the history and culture of the Colorado Plateau. And the Arboretum at Flagstaff has more than 750 species of plants across its 200 acres. There are guided garden, bird and flower walks daily, or you can explore the paths and themed gardens on your own.
Flagstaff is also a good place to explore Native American history. Within a short drive are the hidden alcove dwellings of Walnut Canyon National Monument, the expansive pueblos of Wupatki National Monument and the neighboring cinder cone and volcanic flows of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
Bisbee: 207 miles, 90 degrees
You might not think you'll get cooler by heading to southern Arizona, but if you visit the historic mining town of Bisbee, elevation 5,538 feet, you'll find temperatures 15-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
Once the largest town between St. Louis and San Francisco, Bisbee dwindled to a small town after the mines shut down. But there's still a lot to explore. Learn about the town's mining history by touring the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and Queen Mine. Visit Arizona's smallest bar, go on a ghost tour or climb the Heritage Stairs.
Bisbee has an eclectic assortment of inns and hotels — including a Polynesian-themed bus and a hotel room with a stagecoach for a bed.
Chiricahua National Monument: 230 miles, 90 degrees
Situated in southeastern Arizona, Chiricahua National Monument spans an elevation of 5,124 feet at the visitor center to a peak of 7,310 feet at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. That elevation makes it a cool, uncrowded mountain getaway where you can hike amid wildly eroded rock formations called hoodoos.
There's no admission fee to the monument. You'll only have to pay if you plan to camp, which costs $20 per site, $10 if you have an America the Beautiful access pass.
If camping isn't your thing, base yourself in Willcox, 35 miles away. The little community is building a reputation among wine lovers for its downtown tasting rooms and numerous wineries within easy driving distance. Tip: Check the hours of the tasting rooms you want to visit. Some are only open Saturdays and Sundays. Others have weekday hours; some take appointments.
Article excerpted from AZ Central by Melissa Yeager, Consumer Travel Reporter covering airlines, resorts and travel deals to destinations in Arizona, Southern California, and Las Vegas.
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