I’ve now been to Prescott several times, and every time I just love it more and want to move there. Prescott (pronounced press-kit, not pres-cott) is just over 3 hours from Tucson or 90 minutes from Phoenix.  At an elevation of 5300′, Prescott has a very different climate from the larger cities of Arizona and therefore makes an excellent weekend getaway if you’re looking for cooler weather, fall color, or winter snow. Prescott also makes a great home base for exploring the surrounding area, including Jerome, Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and the Verde Valley Wine region.

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Things to Do in Prescott, Arizona

Prescott is an outdoor lover’s dream, and the cooler weather means a longer hiking season than in southern Arizona. There are tons of trails close to town, and if hiking is your jam, you’ll love this Prescott hiking list the city put together complete with mileage and links to download maps. If you feel like a scenic drive, Prescott is just 1.5 hours from Sedona and 2.5 hours from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Prescott is a great home base for these day trips!

Watson Lake Park

The granite dells of Watson Lake are super cool and deserve a spot on your Prescott itinerary. I first spotted this beauty on Instagram, and it was also recommended to me by several locals. The trail around the lake is just under 5 miles, and there is a disc golf course as well. You can rent kayaks, but stand-up paddleboarding and swimming are not allowed due to water restrictions.

Watson Lake also has a campground that is open from Spring through Fall. I planned to rent a kayak here on my last visit, but it started storming just as I was filling out the paperwork. Obviously, I’ll be back again. A $3 parking pass is required to stop at Watson Lake. There’s even a disc golf course along the lake.

Lynx Lake Recreation Area

Lynx Lake is a beautiful National Forest property just 5 minutes off the main highway towards Prescott Valley. There is a lovely path around the entire lake, which is just over 3 miles. In season, there are boat rentals as well. Parking is $5 unless you have a National Parks pass. This was my favorite hike in the Prescott area.

Goldwater Lake

Goldwater Lake is another great spot to soak up some beautiful scenery super close to downtown Prescott. There are concessions and boat rentals here as well.

Highlands Center for Natural History

Highlands Center for Natural History has been open since the 90s, and yet somehow I missed it on every visit until 2025! This serene retreat lies just two miles from the bustling highway that connects Prescott and Prescott Valley. This non-profit nature center operates on a special-use Forest Service permit and hosts community events and outdoor educational programs year-round. The site includes a family discovery garden, a classroom, an amphitheater, and a nature store. Hiking trails connect beyond the center borders into the surrounding Prescott National Forest. Regular programs include summer camps, night hikes, gardening demonstrations, concerts under the stars, and the annual Shakespeare in the Pines. 

The Lynx Creek ruins are also nearby, although I have not had a chance to take the short hike to explore these ruins. I will definitely make time on my next trip and add them to my list of Indian ruins in Arizona.

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park

About one hour south of Prescott is the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. This park is a somber memorial to the 19 firefighters who perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. The 2017 movie, Only the Brave, starring Josh Brolin and Jennifer Connelly, brought this tragedy to the big screen. The state park consists of a trail lined with memorials to each firefighter. There is a longer trail that leads to the spot where they were found. It’s very moving and so sad, as many of these men were only in their early 20s.

Prescott Museums

Prescott was once the capital of Arizona, so there is a lot of history in this little town. Take a stroll along Whiskey Row in the downtown historic area and soak in the Wild West feel. I had the chance to visit a few Prescott museums, and would recommend each of these:

• The Museum of Indigenous People, formerly the Smoki Museum: If you only visit one Prescott museum, make it this one. I’ve had a hard time articulating this one, but let’s just say rich white men, including Barry Goldwater, used to dress up as Indians and parade through town, calling themselves the Smoki people. As time went on, the organization evolved (thank goodness), and the museum tells its story through incredibly well-preserved artifacts.
• Phippen Museum: an art museum displaying Western and Native American art in a beautiful setting
• Sharlot Hall Museum: at the site of the former Governor’s Mansion, learn about this famous historian who settled in Prescott.

Other Things to Do Near Prescott, Arizona

• See more of the Verde Valley on the Verde Canyon Railroad, which leaves from Clarkdale, just one hour northeast of Prescott.
• The Natural History Institute has exhibits and events in science, humanities, and art in the practice of natural history.
• Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary is a non-profit animal sanctuary near Willow Lake. With a focus on conservation through education, the organization houses many animals, including black bears, foxes, and mountain lions.
• Elks Opera House Theatre seats 500 in this National Register of Historic Places site. The location near Whiskey Row and the Yavapai County Courthouse makes it a great spot for a night out.
• Hike the Thumb Butte trail for views of downtown Prescott and the surrounding Prescott National Forest.

Restaurants in Prescott, AZ

Prescott has so many restaurant options, from your favorite chain restaurants to historic saloons serving up Western-style fare. There is no shortage of great places to eat and plenty of dog-friendly restaurants in Prescott. These are my favorite Prescott restaurants so far. I’m sure I’ll keep adding to this list.

• Raven Cafe – Thanks to a timely article by Tucson foodie just before my last trip, I decided to check out Raven Cafe downtown. This coffee shop/cafe/craft brew bar was hopping on a Tuesday afternoon. Great menu, and I loved my burger. Raven Cafe, 142 N. Cortez, $15 for a burger with fries. 
• The Barley Hound – If you want a more hipster atmosphere, this spot has an interesting menu and a heated, dog-friendly patio. The Duck burger seemed to be the house specialty, so I went with that. It also came with duck-fat fries, which were pretty good. An added bonus is an actual dog menu – yep, your pup can have his own dish (chicken & rice or steak & rice) straight from the kitchen! The Barley Hound, 234 S. Cortez St., $18 for a burger + soda, Dog-friendly heated patio
• The Palace – the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona, dating back to 1877. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday are some of the famous patrons who used to frequent the saloon. Today, you’ll find the same old west atmosphere (including costumed wait staff) and a nice menu of typical American fare, including steaks and burgers. There is a dog-friendly patio out back, and they’ll even bring you a water dish for your pup. The Palace on Whiskey Row, sandwiches $8-12, steaks $18-35, dog-friendly patio
• Prescott Station Grill & Bar – PS has a very eclectic menu; everything from seafood, pasta, ramen, poke, elk fajitas, and steaks. The service and food were both excellent. What slightly irked me was the 4% “service charge” added to all bills due to “rising healthcare costs.” Ironically, Prescott Station was shut down by the health department in 2020 and recently reopened as Red, White & Brew, which I have yet to try.

Prescott Events

Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City. On my first visit, I arrived just a week too early to see the holiday festivities, but the preparations were in full swing at the Courthouse Square. Starting with the courthouse lighting on the first Saturday of December, followed by weekly events like a holiday parade, lighting parade, and musical performances throughout the town, the Christmas season is a big deal in Prescott! Prescott has a full calendar of fun events year-round.

• Monthly: 4th Friday Art Walk
• June: Prescott Film Festival
• June: Prescott Territorial Days
• July: Prescott Frontier Days – World’s Oldest Rodeo
• September: Prescott Pow Wow & Cultural Celebration
• October: Dogtoberfest
• November: Prescott Holiday Light Parade
• December: Christmas Parade and Courthouse Lighting
• New Year’s Eve – Annual Boot Drop!

Where to Stay in Prescott

Residence Inn Prescott

Marriott’s Residence Inn is one of my favorite dog-friendly hotel chains, but we don’t often stay in them because the $75 pet fee is a bit high for a 2 or 3-night stay. I love the consistency between properties and the layout of the suites always leaves me wanting to move in. I mean, I literally could live in one and be perfectly happy, as there’s everything I need and nothing more! The Prescott location is just on the edge of town as you enter from Prescott Valley. It is close to shopping, dining, and downtown Prescott is just minutes away. Add a hot breakfast, heated outdoor pool, and complimentary grocery shopping service – what more could anyone need? (Weekend rates starting at $179 – book now)

Browse Prescott Hotels

If you prefer a more historic pet-friendly hotel in Prescott AZ, the Hassayampa Inn is a beautifully restored 1927 boutique hotel in the heart of historic downtown Prescott. Pets under 45 lbs stay for free! (Weekend rates start at $179 – book now)

I’ve also stayed at the Hampton Inn and the Holiday Inn Express in Prescott – I wouldn’t recommend either of them unless you get a great deal. (Since I worked for Hilton, I only paid $35 to stay at the Hampton Inn, so I can’t really complain.) Both hotels felt super dated to me, although the Holiday Inn Express was undergoing a major renovation in the Fall of 2018. Neither of these Prescott hotels is pet-friendly.

Check out some of my other favorite Northern Arizona destinations!

Getting to Prescott

Prescott is easy to access, no matter your mode of transportation. It’s an easy drive from anywhere in Arizona. (3 hours from Tucson or 90 minutes from Phoenix) Prescott’s airport has daily flights from Denver and Los Angeles, and Groome Transportation can bring you to Prescott from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport.

Are you ready to start planning your visit to Prescott, Arizona? The Visitor’s Center website is a great place to get all the travel information you need!