Positively Prescott / Things to do
Things to Do in Prescott, Arizona
Our favorite ways to spend a few days in Prescott: the lakes and trails, Whiskey Row’s restaurants and saloons, antique shopping, casinos, museums and more, all within a short drive of Positively Prescott.
Top outdoor activities
At about 5,400 feet, Prescott is surrounded by ponderosa pines, granite boulders and the Prescott National Forest, with hundreds of miles of trails and four lakes within a short drive. These are our favorite ways to get outside.
Paddle Watson Lake
Kayak, canoe or paddleboard between the giant boulders of the Granite Dells. Rentals are available right at the lake from Prescott Outdoors, the City’s authorized rental provider.
Hike Thumb Butte
The classic Prescott hike, just a few miles from the house: a short, steep loop with views over the whole city.
Explore the Granite Dells
Hike the loop around Watson Lake or walk the Peavine and Iron King trails, flat old railroad beds that wind through the rock formations.
Lynx, Goldwater and Willow lakes
Lynx Lake has a shady loop trail and good fishing, Goldwater is a quiet lake in the pines, and Willow Lake has big sunsets over Granite Mountain.
Granite Basin and Granite Mountain
Longer hikes, rock climbing on Granite Mountain and a small lake for a picnic.
Mountain biking and off-roading
The Prescott National Forest is a few miles up the road, with singletrack for bikes and forest roads for side-by-sides. There is room at the house to park a trailer.
Golf at Antelope Hills
Two public 18-hole courses, North and South, with tall pines and mountain views.
Horseback riding
Horses are allowed on almost every trail in the Prescott National Forest, and local outfitters offer guided trail rides for every level.
Downtown and Whiskey Row
Five minutes from the house, the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza is the heart of Prescott. Its big lawn and shady elm trees host festivals most weekends from spring through fall, and the whole square lights up for the holidays.
Across Montezuma Street, Whiskey Row is lined with historic saloons, restaurants, galleries and shops. The blocks around the square are easy to walk, so park once and spend the afternoon.
- Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza
- Whiskey Row
- Cortez Street
- Gurley Street
Breakfast, coffee and bakeries
Prescott takes breakfast seriously, from cowboy-sized plates to crepes and fresh donuts. Our personal favorites are marked with a star.
b. simple
A small breakfast and lunch spot on Montezuma Street known for its “butter browns” and big, fluffy biscuits with house-made jam.
Bear & Dragon
A cozy, English-style cafe and pub on Montezuma Street with specialty coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Allena Crepes & Coffee
Sweet and savory crepes made to order, plus good coffee, downtown.
Waffles-N-More
Crispy Belgian waffles, hash browns and classic breakfasts on Iron Springs Road.
That Apple Pan
Home-style breakfast and lunch on West Gurley Street.
Outlaw Donuts
Donuts baked fresh every day on Goodwin Street, plus coffee. Don’t skip the giant apple fritter.
Grama’s Bakery
Homemade cookies, cakes and donuts in a little shop on Gurley Street.
The Raven Cafe
A relaxed downtown cafe on Cortez Street with breakfast, brunch and plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Cowboy Kitchen
Hearty American and Mexican breakfasts and lunches with Southwestern flavor on Gurley Street, in the old Lone Spur space.
Prescott Junction
A locally owned diner on Sheldon Street with a huge breakfast and lunch menu and a cod fish fry on Fridays and Saturdays.
Zeke’s Eatin’ Place
A western-themed diner on Highway 69 with big breakfasts, burgers and the motto “No one goes away hungry.”
Lunch and casual eats
Burgers, tacos, subs and pho, all a short drive from the house.
Taco Don’s
A small, order-at-the-counter Mexican spot on Miller Valley Road where almost everything is made from scratch. Locals say a Prescott trip isn’t complete without it.
Nick’s Feed Your Face
A Prescott sandwich shop since 1981, with bread baked fresh every day. Grab a 12-inch sub for a picnic at the lake.
Park Plaza Liquor & Deli
A full liquor store with a deli on Goodwin Street: hand-crafted pizzas, salads and smash burgers, a huge beer, wine and spirits selection, one of northern Arizona’s largest humidors and a smoking patio. Handy for stocking up for your stay.
Marino’s Mob Burgers & Ice Cream
Mob-themed burgers, fries and ice cream on Cortez Street. Try the Tommy Gun.
Pho Cafe
A family-run Vietnamese spot on Highway 69 with steaming bowls of pho, fresh spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee.
Gurley Street Grill
A casual downtown grill and bar for a burger, a light meal or a drink, good for families and groups.
Bill’s Pizza
A Whiskey Row institution for pizza.
Bill’s Grill
Fresh-beef burgers, sandwiches, vegetarian options and premium shakes on Montezuma Street, just south of Whiskey Row.
Rosa’s Pizzeria
Neapolitan-style pizza a short walk from the plaza.
Dinner
From historic dining rooms to steak, seafood, Latin and Italian, downtown Prescott has a great dinner for every night of your stay.
Farm Provisions
A local favorite for seasonal, farm-to-table dinners, with outdoor seating.
El Gato Azul
A cozy, highly rated spot for tapas and Mediterranean-inspired small plates.
The Barley Hound
A gastropub on Cortez Street with comfort food, craft cocktails, Arizona beers on tap and a heated, dog-friendly patio.
Murphy’s
A downtown classic for steaks, prime rib and seafood. Save room for the carrot cake.
Papa’s Italian
Homemade pasta, lasagna and tiramisu with fresh bread, in a cozy spot on Cortez Street.
Modern Agave
Latin dishes on Gurley Street: ceviche, empanadas, paella and a full bar.
The Badger’s Den
Steaks, seafood and smoked meats on White Spar Road, from the team behind the Hungry Badger food truck. Reserve ahead on weekends.
Superstition Meadery
Sample a long list of meads in a cellar tasting room downtown.
LazyG Brewhouse
A brewpub three blocks south of the Courthouse Plaza with house-brewed beer, pub food and a big outdoor patio with picnic tables and a stage.
The Palace Restaurant & Saloon
Steaks and ribs in Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon, open since 1877, with its original carved bar on Whiskey Row.
The Peacock Room at the Hassayampa Inn
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the historic 1927 Hassayampa Inn, a block from the plaza.
Hours and menus change, so check ahead, and make a reservation on busy weekends.
Nightlife and live music
Whiskey Row has been Prescott’s place for a night out since the 1800s, and most of the saloons still have live music on weekends. Our favorites are marked with a star.
Matt’s Saloon
A classic country bar on Whiskey Row with live country music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Point Bar & Lounge
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden in the alley behind Whiskey Row. If the light over the door is on, it’s open. Craft cocktails, a deep whiskey list and live bands on weekends.
Whiskey River Tavern
Live music several nights a week, upstairs and on the back patio, plus food. Families and dogs welcome.
Founding Fathers Collective
A creekside hangout on Granite Street with 65 self-serve beer taps, a coffee bar, rotating food trucks and a big, shaded, dog-friendly patio with live music. Bring your own food if you like.
The Palace Saloon
Grab a drink at the historic bar where cowboys, miners and lawmen drank in the territorial days.
Jersey Lilly Saloon
Known for its balcony overlooking the Courthouse Plaza, a great spot to watch the square at sunset.
Bird Cage Saloon
A long-running Whiskey Row bar with a lively crowd and live music.
Granite Mountain Distillery Tasting Room
Small-batch spirits and tasting flights at the tasting room on Cortez Street.
Elks Theatre
A restored historic theater on Gurley Street with concerts, tribute shows and musicals throughout the year.
Shopping
Prescott is a great town for antique hunting. Cortez Street, just north of the plaza, has the highest concentration of antique malls and vintage shops, and the streets around the courthouse are full of boutiques, galleries, western wear and gift shops.
Antiques on Cortez Street
Spend a morning browsing the antique malls and vintage shops along Cortez Street and the surrounding blocks.
Downtown boutiques and galleries
Clothing, jewelry, home decor, western wear and local art around the Courthouse Plaza and on Whiskey Row.
Prescott Farmers Market
Local produce, baked goods and crafts on Saturday mornings, roughly May through October.
Prescott Gateway Mall
Indoor mall shopping and chain stores on Highway 69, with more big-box stores just beyond in Prescott Valley.
Casinos
Prescott has two casinos, both run by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, on Highway 69 a few minutes from downtown.
Bucky’s Casino
Slot machines, gaming and dining next to the Prescott Resort, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Yavapai Casino
A smaller casino just across the highway with slot machines and a casual cantina.
Guests must be 21 or older. Check the casinos’ website for current hours and games.
Museums, history and ghost stories
Prescott was Arizona’s first territorial capital, and the history is everywhere. Sharlot Hall Museum preserves the original log Governor’s Mansion and several territorial buildings. The Phippen Museum celebrates western art, and the Smoki Museum focuses on Native American art and culture.
After dark, take a ghost tour of downtown. The historic Hassayampa Inn is famous for the ghost of Faith, a bride who checked in for her honeymoon and is still said to wander the halls.
- Sharlot Hall Museum
- Phippen Museum of Western Art
- Smoki Museum
- Hassayampa Inn
- Downtown ghost tours
With kids
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, next to Willow Lake, is home to rescued native and exotic animals. The lakes and the courthouse lawn are easy wins for younger kids, and Sharlot Hall Museum brings territorial history to life with its old cabins and the Governor’s Mansion.
Back at the house, there are arcade games, board games, a kids’ craft station, a tree swing and a fully fenced yard to run around in.
- Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
- Sharlot Hall Museum
- Courthouse Plaza lawn
- Watson Lake pedal boats
With pets
Pets are welcome at Positively Prescott, and the half-acre backyard is 100% fenced. When your dog is ready to meet new friends, Prescott has two big dog parks nearby and plenty of patios that welcome dogs.
Willow Creek Dog Park
The Beneful Dream Dog Park on Willow Creek Road: about two fenced acres with a fire-station theme honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
Mountain Valley Park Dog Park
Two acres in Prescott Valley with separate areas for small and large dogs, agility equipment, water fountains and shade.
Watson Woods Riparian Preserve
An easy loop through cottonwoods and willows along Granite Creek, next to Watson Lake. Keep dogs on a leash and pack out waste.
Dog-friendly patios. Rules can change, so check with the restaurant before you bring your dog:
- The Barley Hound
- LazyG Brewhouse
- The Prairie Patio at Wren House
- Creekside 45
- Whiskey River Tavern
- Farm Provisions
- The Fat Frog
- The Crescent Bar at Fairweather Social Club
- Red White & Brew
- Wild Iris Coffee House
- Bear & Dragon
- Prescott Public House
Day trips
Prescott is a great base for exploring northern Arizona. The historic mining town of Jerome clings to the side of Mingus Mountain about an hour away, with galleries, tasting rooms and huge views. Sedona’s red rocks are about an hour and a half away, and Montezuma Castle National Monument is about an hour.
The Grand Canyon’s South Rim makes a long but unforgettable day trip, at roughly two and a half to three hours each way.
- Jerome
- Sedona
- Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Grand Canyon South Rim
When to visit
Prescott has four real seasons. Summers are usually much cooler than Phoenix, which makes it a favorite summer escape, and the monsoon brings afternoon thunderstorms from July into September. Fall is crisp and colorful, winter can bring an occasional dusting of snow, and spring is perfect for hiking.
The house is set up for every season, with central air for summer, a wood-burning fireplace and gas heat for winter, and a hot tub and fire pit year round.
Coming for an event?
From the World’s Oldest Rodeo to the Courthouse Lighting, see what is happening in Prescott throughout the year.
Stay five minutes from downtown
Positively Prescott is a 4-bedroom home on a fenced half-acre lot in the pines, five minutes from Whiskey Row, with a hot tub, fire pit, EV charger and room for the whole family, pets included.