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Known for its history, Western frontier vibes, rodeos, stunning Arizona scenery (complete with beautiful rock formations), and thriving Whiskey Row, Prescott has many attractions to offer visitors. If you only have a day in Prescott, these nine attractions are some of the best to consider. They’ll give you a taste of what the city offers and keep you entertained for your entire visit.
1. Whiskey Row
This attraction in Prescott was named Whiskey Row after all the saloons that once lined the street. Prescott thrived during the Gold Rush and brought many people who enjoyed spending their free time at saloons, leading to nearly 40 saloons being established in this area.
Whiskey Row is still a bustling strip in Prescott with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and bars, and it’s still home to several saloons. This makes it an appealing place for people of all ages to explore during the day, and it becomes a hub of live music and enjoyment in the evenings. There’s always something happening on the Row, day or night, making it a must-see spot during your day in Prescott. If you time your day trip just right, you might even see Old-West-themed events and reenactments celebrating the area’s history here.
2. Sharlot Hall Museum
Arizona’s history is displayed over four acres of property, including multiple buildings (many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and gardens at the Sharlot Hall Museum. The museum is named for its founder, Sharlot Hall, a frontier woman who wanted to collect artifacts and preserve the area’s history for public viewing.
Hall’s vision was realized, and today, the museum is open to the public. It’s a place where visitors can learn about the state’s history through the many exhibits that explore topics as diverse as fashion, transportation, and the history of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.
3. Downtown Historic Area
The Sharlot Hall Museum is not the only place where historic Prescott buildings officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places can be found. Several downtown buildings are also listed. You can easily go from site to site in a couple of hours, and one of the best ways you can see it is through a guided tour of the area. You’ll see all the buildings in person and gain insights you may not have otherwise discovered yourself.
4. Museum of Indigenous People
The Museum of Indigenous People explores Southwest Indigenous groups’ historical and contemporary arts and culture. The museum’s mission is “to instill understanding and respect for the indigenous cultures of the southwest.” It achieves this through exhibits that display art and cultural artifacts from the Southwestern United States and the Northern part of Mexico.
5. Phippen Museum
The Phippen Museum is an art space comprising four gallery spaces, two studios, an Arizona Rancher and Cowboy Hall of Fame, and other local artifacts and exhibits that engage visitors in the local culture and history. The museum is named after George Phippen, an artist from Arizona known for being a founding member of Cowboy Artists of America, a group dedicated to portraying Western-themed art (such as depictions of ranches and cattle). Anyone charmed by tales of cowboys living in the Old West will be interested in the Phippen Museum.
6. Bucky’s Casino
At the Prescott Resort and Conference Centre, you’ll find Bucky’s Casino. The casino offers a variety of table and slot games, and it has two different dining spaces, which are worth visiting even if you don’t plan to visit the gaming floor during your 24 hours in the city. And if you don’t have time to stop in but still want to place a wager or two during your trip, you can always visit casinos.com when you’re back in your hotel room.
7. Watson Lake
Prescott is a city surrounded by natural beauty and has many natural sites to immerse yourself in it. One of the most picturesque of these attractions is Watson Lake. Granite boulders and hiking trails surround the brilliant blue lake, and there are plenty of water activities, such as fishing and boating, making it an appealing place to spend a few hours of your day.
8. Highlands Center for Natural History
Another great place to explore Prescott’s natural beauty is the Highlands Center for Natural History. Like Lake Watson, it offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, and educational experiences for all ages. The center offers guided walks with naturalists who explore the area’s flora, fauna, and geological formations while instilling a love and respect for the environment.
9. Prescott Frontier Days, the World’s Oldest Rodeo
On July 4th, 1888, Prescott held the first formally organized rodeo, calling it a cowboy tournament (the term “rodeo” didn’t come about until the early 1900s). The tournament offered prizes to the cowboys and ranchers who competed.
The event has continued since and is referred to as the World’s Oldest Rodeo, though the official name is the Prescott Frontier Days. The rodeo is a massive seven-day event with performances, parades, and ranchers wrangling cattle. It’s typically held at the end of June and the beginning of July. If you’re planning your day trip around this time, you might want to prioritize this event.
Conclusion
Prescott offers an abundance of attractions and activities that you can pack into a 24-hour trip to get a sense of the culture, history, and natural wonders that the city is built upon. Odds are, you’ll find yourself wanting to stay just a bit longer before heading back to your regular routine.
