Jerome

In the late 1800s, rich copper deposits attracted miners to this area of Central Arizona and a city quickly grew on the hillside. By the peak of mining in the 1920s, Jerome had become one of the largest cities in Arizona. When the mines closed in the 1950s, the town was nearly abandoned. If not for the artists who saved it, Jerome would be the largest ghost town in the nation. Visitors today browse art galleries that were once bordellos, mingle at restaurants that were once opium dens and make new friends at some of the oldest saloons in the state.

Get the Backstory

Notched atop a hill below the city center, Jerome State Historic Park preserves the rough-and-tumble stories of Jerome’s early days. See large-scale mining equipment on the grounds of Douglas Mansion, the family home of the Little Daisy Mine owner that today is a museum and visitor center. Step inside the sprawling home to see other artifacts from the mining boom and pioneer history of the Verde Valley. To explore the town’s spookier side, join a ghost tour to hear the stories of catastrophes that happened in buildings that welcome visitors today.

Take a Walking Tour

Watch your step and bring a sense of adventure to enjoy a getaway to Jerome. Exploring Jerome by foot is the best way to see all the side streets interwoven on the hillside. But expect a workout. Sidewalks along the remaining stretch of Main Street are level-ish and lead to art galleries, gift shops and cafes. Getting around town requires steep climbs and descents made more manageable with long stretches of narrow stairways. Getting to the former hospital that is now Jerome Grande Hotel and reaching the former high school that is now filled with artist studios at Jerome Art Center is easier by vehicle.

Explore the Verde Valley

Jerome overlooks the cities of Clarkdale and Cottonwood, popular visitor destinations today that owe their origins to the mines in Jerome. The historic city also overlooks the red rocks of Sedona in the distance. Get a room at Jerome Grande to extend the trip to explore Central Arizona’s wine country, which spreads across the valley below. The area is also a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts who immerse themselves in the area’s natural beauty on trails that bring red rock country and the Verde River into play.

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