1. The Superstition Mountains

The Apache Trail in the Superstition Mountains just outside Mesa is one of the most majestic deserts in the world. The volcanic Superstition cliffs rise 2,000 feet above the ground like a ghost crawling out of the earth. At dusk or dawn, the sunlight shining across the valley is breathtaking and casts a golden glow over everything it touches.

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2. Orange Patch

The Orange Patch is a great spot to take a beautiful picture as well as gulp down a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice! The Orange Patch is a family-run Citrus farm where you can come and pick your own oranges as well as marvel at the bright-coloured fruits hanging off their trees!

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3. Usery Mountain Regional Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park is THE place to go if you’re looking to spot saguaros. There are over 29 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in this area and most of them are relatively easy and short hikes bring you to incredible vistas. A favourite of locals and visitors alike is the Wind Cave Trail, which looks out onto the adjacent Tonto National Forest.

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4. Mesa Community College Rose Garden

Take some time to stop and smell the roses…no, literally stop and smell the roses. The Mesa Community College Rose Garden is one of the most colourful places to visit in Mesa. Over 400 volunteers tend to over 9,000 rose bushes all year round to ensure that no matter the time of year, there is always something extraordinary to see here.

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5. Starlite Motel

Along the famed Route 60, there is plenty to see, but while passing through Mesa, stop outside the famous Starlite Motel. What makes this such a popular spot is their ‘Diving Lady’ sign on East Main Street. Neon signs were once all the rage in America but have become somewhat of a relic today. This classic sign was preserved by the Mesa Preservation Foundation at $120,000 and can now be seen by passers-by for years to come!

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6. Goldfield Ghost Town

Goldfield Ghost Town offers a wealth of interesting and beautiful photo opportunities with its preserved historic buildings, old-fashioned saloons, and vintage western decorations. The surrounding desert landscape with its rugged mountains, cacti, and scenic vistas adds to the town’s charm and makes for an excellent backdrop for photographs. Visitors can capture the essence of the Wild West by taking pictures with the costumed performers, the old steam engine, and the antique mining equipment. The ghost town also offers a range of activities and events throughout the year, including gunfight reenactments and live music performances, which provide additional photographic opportunities.

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7. Paddle along the Saguaro Lake

Believe it or not, some genuinely breathtaking lakes are found in Arizona, and one of my favourites is the scenic Saguaro Lake in Mesa. This lake was formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam and stands in one of the most majestic desert landscapes. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard at the Saguaro Lake Marina to explore the area and get fantastic pictures of this incredible slice of nature.

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8. Park of the Canals

Park of the Canals is an ancient Indian canal system used to grow corn, beans and squash in approximately 300 B.C. The Park of the Canals preserves about 4,500 feet of ancient canals. Along these canals, you can admire the amazing technology employed by these ancient cultures and look at some of the most gorgeous desert flora in all of Mesa.

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9. Downtown Mesa Street Art

Along West Main Street, from South Country Club Drive to Centre Street, you can wander along looking at a series of some of Arizona’s most colourful and creative street art! A new mural by a local artist is always being painted, and the sculpture walk is one of the best in town. No matter how often you visit there is always something new to see!

10. Jarrod’s Coffee Tea and Gallery

After all this driving, it’s time to sit back and relax! And there is no better place than Jarrod’s Coffee Tea and Gallery (and not just because it has the most amazing rhyming names!) Jarrods is located right off the main street in Mesa, and just upon stepping in the door, you are overwhelmed by not only the sumptuous smells of roasting coffee but by an onslaught of incredible artworks spirling around you! All the art covering the walls is from local artists, and it is one of the coolest (basically free) community art galleries you can visit in Mesa.

Throughout the year, Jarrod’s hosts live performances from poetry nights to live music, improv shows and more. Stopping in here to participate in one of their lively events is a fantastic way to get insight into a slice of the community life and have a wonderful end to your day in Mesa!

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The best way to explore Mesa and its wondrous attractions is by vehicle! To find out more about riding with USA Auto in Mesa, Arizona, check out their website!

The post Discover the 10 Best Photo Hotspots in Mesa, Arizona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

This shortlist is best for first-timers who are looking to get an introduction to the Ren Faire. I’ve also organized the list chronologically so you can use it as a schedule for the day. But if you want to make your own schedule feel free to use this as a thought starter. Read our Complete Ren Faire Guide for more tips on visiting the Ren Faire for the first time!

Table Of Contents

1. #1 Breakfast and Bagpipes
2. #2 Laugh and Lunge with Swordplay and Comedy
3. #3 Admire the Artisans at the Glass Hut
4. #4 Gnaw on a Turkey Leg
5. #5 Shopping till you Drop!
6. #6 Be Amazed by the Death-defying Sword Swallower
7. #7 Try out Archery
8. #8 Relax to some Renaissance Music
9. #9 Learn all About life in the Medieval Times
10. #10 Cheer on Your Knight at the Jousting Tournament

#1 Breakfast and Bagpipes

Try to arrive about 30 minutes before the gates open to ensure you get inside the festival right as it opens. This will give you enough time to head directly to the Cappucino Inn, where you can pick up a delicious iced coffee and sweet to enjoy while watching the Breakfast and Bagpipes show! Located in Falconer’s Heath, this show is one of the best ways to start your day! The band ‘Tartanic‘ starts the party by burning up their bagpipes and drums, creating this amazing barrage of sound throughout the entire festival. Dancers accompany the band, and lots of “bagpipe groupies,” who dance alongside!

#2 Laugh and Lunge with Swordplay and Comedy

Next, walk towards the ‘Theatre de la Rose’ stage where you can find the ‘Renaissance Men.‘ This hilarious duo of Rowland and Florian perform a thrilling and hilarious sword-fighting demonstration for an enraptured audience. I laughed so hard my face hurt by the end of the show and enjoyed both the comedic aspect as much as I was impressed by the wizardry with a sword. This performance felt very Shakespearean and was a great way to get into the medieval spirit. 

#3 Admire the Artisans at the Glass Hut

Right next door to the theatre, you’ll find the glass blowers hut, where they put on demonstrations four times a day. Owners of Old Castle Glass, Dylan Crouch and Rob Beckham, set up their studio here are the Arizona Ren Faire for four months out of the year, working almost 7-days a week. Not only are the glass-blowing demons entertaining and informative, but it was also amazing to see that the art of glass-blowing hasn’t changed almost at all in over 500 years. It still feels like a truly Renaissance art form. 

The only modern technology they use is a gas line to keep the fires burning instead of using wood. Watching these artisans at work, we got a glimpse into the hard labour and artistic talent it takes to create these pieces made of glass. And their prices are extremely reasonable for this type of glasswork, so buying a piece from them is a wonderful souvenir.

#4 Gnaw on a Turkey Leg

If you’re feeling pecking, it’s a good idea to head over to the King’s Kitchen to grab a bite for lunch. There are plenty of food and drink options available at the festival. But if you want to try one of the most iconic meals at the festival, you should try one of their traditional turkey legs! These things are MASSIVE, so plan to split it if you aren’t a huge meat eater. You can also pair this with corn on the cob and a glass of mead, a type of honey wine, to really complete that meal plucked from medieval times.

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#5 Shopping till you Drop!

To work off all that food, spend some time meandering around the artisan marketplace. This area is a treasure trove of handmade crafts and unique gifts. Browse through booths selling everything from leather armour to hand-crafted jewelry. While there are definitely lots of booths that cater to Ren Faire clothing and costuming, there are also shops that feel on the theme while still being accessible to the everyday person. Places like the Apothecary shop sell soaps and teas that everyone can enjoy in their everyday life. 

#6 Be Amazed by the Death-defying Sword Swallower

Lynx’s Comedy Sword Swallowing Show was one of those performances we were so keen to see, as it had been recommended to us by multiple people! Lynx is one of eight performers from around the world who can perform various death-defying feats! The show was hilarious, and I still am absolutely confounded about how he performed a myriad of those stunts.

#7 Try out Archery

Archery is one of those medieval skills that pop up in every movie set in that time. And most of us have seen many a bow and arrow but never had the chance to try it out. Well, the Ren Faire is the perfect place to do so. Twelve arrows will cost you only $6, which is a super fair price for this activity! We had a BLAST, and I was surprised how quickly you could pick it up. Alas, neither of us got bullseyes, but something to look forward to trying next year.

#8 Relax to some Renaissance Music

The festival features a variety of live music performances, from traditional Celtic tunes to medieval court music. While there are lots of planned performances on the schedule, one of my favourite things to do was simply to happen across the wandering minstrels you would find as you explored the festival grounds. Dora Viellette was my absolute favourite. 

Dora Viellette plays on the hurdy-gurdy. Never heard of a hurdy-gurdy? Well, me neither. The hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound by a hand crank that turns a wheel that rubs against the strings to make music. The sound is ethereal and enchanting. The music she plays combines classics of the Medieval and Renaissance era. She casts a spell upon all those who pass her by. 

Another of my favourites was harpist Sarah Marie Mullen who played captivating Celtic tunes on her gorgeous harp. She can be found right outside the jousting arena. My dad’s favourite was the Iron Hill Vagabonds. This duo roams the fairgrounds playing songs on their fiddle that will definitely pluck at your heartstrings.

#9 Learn all About life in the Medieval Times

A section of the fairgrounds is dedicated to education, which I know sounds boring, but it was one of the most interesting parts of the festival. Towards the far end of the grounds, you’ll find the Yokel Village & Croft Thistlewood Cottage. Here are various members of the Celtic Reenactment Organization of Fellowship & Trades who aim to promote fellowship while researching the lifestyles and trades appropriate to the Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. They work on handicrafts, recipes and other techniques employed in medieval times that people would have needed to know to survive their everyday life. If you have kids, making a little part of your day out educational is nice. 

Also nearby the old village and cottage are Lady Tess, Countess of Trueheart. Lady Tess is, most importantly, the Fashion Advisor to Nobility. Lady Tess gives presentations to the public, explaining medieval bathing, hairdressing, and the application of make-up. She also demonstrates various garments and accessories worn by Noble men and women. Lady Tess is a performance unto herself and absolutely worth checking out!

#10 Cheer on Your Knight at the Jousting Tournament

To end your day at the festival, make your way toward the tournament arena, where you can watch the final joust of the day, the joust to the death! I like leaving the joust to the end of the day when the heat dies down slightly. Plus, it really feels like a finale you don’t want to miss. Choose your seat from the 5,000-seat arena of champions. Depending on where you’re seating will determine which knight you will be cheering on in the battle.

The joust pits two knights on horseback, wearing their finest armour, who gallop onto the field with their ten-foot lances to win the Queen’s honour. During the joust to the death, the knight also gets off their horses and fights with their swords to the literal death (ok not literally, but they pretend to do so) to the shock and awe of the crowd. You can buy flags with the banner of your chosen knight upon them to help cheer on your side of the arena. After the battle is over, you can also come down and say hello to the knights after the fight is won. Although it might just be a show, the skills required to perform it are genuine and a real sight to behold. The festival’s jousting tournaments are a must-see event. Watch knights on horseback compete in thrilling battles that will transport you back in time.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is an unforgettable experience that’s sure to transport you back in time. With so many things to see and do, you’ll want to plan your visit carefully to make the most of your day. Don’t miss out on these ten must-see attractions, and have a blast at the festival!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post 10 Best Things to See and Do at the Arizona Renaissance Festival 2023 first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Part of my never attending a Renaissance Fair was because there wasn’t one in my hometown. I simply never happened across one. I would have had to travel to New York or southern Ontario to find the closest Ren Faire. The other reason was I simply felt like the older I got, the harder it would be to “fit in.” I thought everyone who went would be old-timers. And the attendees would be overprotective of their event, and newbies would be less welcome. Literally, nothing could have been further from the truth. I have never felt so welcome in my life than attending my first Renaissance Fair as in my beloved home away from home of Phoenix, Arizona.

Finding Joy at the Ren Faire

The Arizona Renaissance Fair was one of the most fantastic experiences I’ve ever had. Having lost my mom a few months ago, I was there with my dad to bring a bit of joy back into our lives. And this was the absolute best decision we could have made. For one day, we got to be someone else. Live in a different world full of excitement and wonder. And just absorb all the amazing vibes that were all around us. I wish so much I had gone to my first Renaissance Festival years.

But in truth, I just didn’t know what to expect or what it was all about. Attending a Renaissance Festival for the first time can be an exhilarating and memorable experience. However, with so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. In this guide, we will help you make the most of your first Renaissance Festival visit.

Table Of Contents

1. What is a Renaissance Fair?
2. What to Expect
3. Arizona Renaissance Fair
4. How Large are the Fairgrounds?
5. How Much Does it Cost?
6. Where to Find Your Nearest Ren fair
7. Parking 
8. What's Included in Your Admission?
9. Extra Costs
10. Essential Tips
11. Where to Spend That Extra Cash!

What is a Renaissance Fair?

The first official Renaissance Festival was held in 1963 in California. It was started by a schoolteacher Phyllis Patterson who wanted to create an immersive event to teach his class about medieval times. But the event caught on, and it quickly gained popularity. Spreading to other states across the country. Today, there are over 100+ Renaissance fairs are over the world, but most of them are located in the USA.

So what is a Renaissance Fair? In essence, a Ren Faire is an event that attempts to recreate the sights, sounds, and experiences of the “Renaissance” era. This generally refers to the period in European history from the 14th to the 17th century. At a Renaissance fair, visitors can expect to see performers dressed in Renaissance-style clothing, enjoy live music, and watch demonstrations of old-time crafts and skills such as blacksmithing, glass-blowing, and archery. All this occurs outside, set amongst permanent buildings designed to resemble structures from the medieval period.

Many Renaissance fairs include jousting tournaments, theatrical performances, and historical reenactments. Throughout the fairgrounds, visitors can purchase food and drink from vendors. This includes historical food as well as modern consumables (aka cappuccinos.) All visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume, be that historical garb or anything that suits their fancy. A day out at the Ren fair is all about make-believe and expressing yourself. 

What to Expect

While every Renaissance fair might be slightly different, there are generally some overarching themes and tropes that take place across the board that you can expect to get out of visiting the Ren fair. From the moment I walked into the fair, I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of immersive artistry surrounding me. I had only seen a few pictures of the Renaissance Fair online and didn’t know what to think. The images I’ve seen made it seem cheesy and a bit like the theming you’d find at a Midway or state fair. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you’ve ever been to Medieval Times, that pales compared to the gorgeous amount of theming at these Renaissance fairs. It honestly felt like a Disney level of art and design. 

Arizona Renaissance Fair

The Arizona Renaissance Fair is explicitly located in…well, Arizona. Unlike most other Renaissance Fairs in the United States, this one is set in the desert. Most other Ren Fairs are set out in the forest, surrounded by a canopy of trees. I was initially concerned about this lack of forestry. The trees add an almost ‘Robin Hood’ type vibe to the immersion. But honestly, I was amazed by how the desert setting lent itself to that medieval era. Being barren made the buildings stand out, and you could appreciate them all the better. Plus, there were no signs of the modern world all around you. Save for the occasional plane flying overhead. 

Music at the Fair

Another thing that immediately sets your senses light when you walk in the gates is that you can hear music almost everywhere you go. And this isn’t music being pumped in from an audio system over loudspeakers. This is live music played by some incredible historical musicians throughout the park. Some of them play instruments I had never even seen before. Appropriately, some bands specialized in pirate shanties played on violins, and harpists enchant you with their fairy-like melodies. Just wandering the entire park is all you need to do to have a great time. You’ll suddenly hear a song floating through the air and chase after it to find where it’s coming from. Only to discover an old man and his lute weaving a spell across a quiet glade. 

Performers & Entertainment

Music is definitely one of the most important pieces of entertainment that you’ll find on the schedule, but in addition to this, you’ll also find an array of different live performers on various stages spread throughout the park. This includes comedy skits, acrobats, dancers, jugglers, stilt walkers, actors staging impromptu sword fights and more! 

A building held a mermaid tank where a “real-life” mermaid swam in the water. It was like watching something from a fairy tale. Occasionally she would pop out of the water to breathe fresh air, spitting water down upon a surprised audience smiling at the children only to dive back into the water and blow them a heart-shaped bubble kiss. 

We walked by a woman dressed as a pirate with a tiny pirate ship on stage that held a pirate crew of small dogs wearing eye patches and adorable pirate hats. She had them performing tricks much to the amusement of an enraptured young audience. 

Then there were the bawdy sword fighters who performed a slew of shocking acts combined with their quick-witted puns. I was actually surprised at how adult some of the comedy was. Most of it just went over the children’s heads, but it definitely was an interesting thing to behold in front of such young kids. My dad commented that this type of humour was done intentionally as part of medieval theming. Many medieval comedies were often filled with dirty jokes that shocked and amused the otherwise reserved upper classes. 

How Large are the Fairgrounds?

We were handed a hand-drawn map of the Ren Faire grounds when we arrived at the festival. First, the hand-drawn map was one of the cutest things I’d ever seen. The map also detailed to us that we were entering the “Village of Fairhaven,” as each Ren Faire has its one unique fairytale-like setting. What shocked me upon looking at the map was how vast this place was. I had no idea what to expect from the pictures online, but I didn’t think it would be this big! In fact, the festival takes place over 50 acres. And it isn’t even the largest Ren Faire out there! The Texas Ren Faire is 55 acres, New York is 65 acres, and the Bay Area renaissance festival is a whopping 260 acres!!!

Themed Weekends

Themed weekends are a great addition to the flavour of each weekend when the fair is open. These themes range from Viking Invasion, Shamrock Shenanigans, Pirate days, Bring Your Dog or Royal Romances. There might be special events happening on these particular weekends or different character interactions that bring forward the weekend’s theme. These themes can also give you some costuming ideas if you want to dress up!

How Much Does it Cost?

Admission to the different Renaissance Fairs depends on where you are attending. The fairs in larger, more expensive cities will usually cost more than those in smaller towns where the cost of living is lower. The Arizona Renaissance Faire in Phoenix was not only one of the lower admission prices, but the food and drinks inside were shockingly affordable!

The Arizona Renaissance festival costs $33 for adults or $22 for children. You can often find discounted ticket codes being offered in the local newspaper a few weeks before the festival begins. In California, ticket prices are $42 for adults and $22 for children; in New York, $42 for adults and $18 for children; and in Pennsylvania, $32 for adults and $17 for children. 

Where to Find Your Nearest Ren fair

You can check out this website to find the Ren Fair nearest you. But remember, just because it’s the closest doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Travelling out to a specific Ren Fair might make for an exciting trip. If you go to New York City, you may want to spend a day at their Ren fair. Or, like me, find yourself in Phoenix, Arizona; you can check out their fantastical Ren Fair. 

Parking 

It’s also essential to note parking prices. At the Arizona Ren Faire, parking was completely free as it was sponsored by a local grocery store. The walk from the car park to the entrance was also very short compared to other festivals. In California, parking is $12 for general admission, or you can pay $25 for VIP Parking. And in New York, there are free and paid parking options. The free parking is about a 15-minute walk from the entrance, while the $20 cash parking is closer to the door. These additional costs might be something to remember when planning your Ren Faire trip.

What’s Included in Your Admission?

Included in your price of admission are all the entertainment: the joust, parades, music, dance, interactive living history exhibits, Birds of Prey performances and craft demonstrations. 

There are also wandering characters, also called members of the royal family. These actors employed by the fair will spread the day’s news, perhaps filling in a central storyline or just greeting visitors. They will also happily take a picture with those “strange contraptions” we call cell phones.

The Joust

Speaking of the joust…this is one of the day’s major events and an event you don’t have to tip for. The fair employs all the actors and performers participating in the joust. Three different jousts occur throughout the day. And almost every other Ren Fairs follows the same format. There is the joust for royal favour, the joust of champions and finally, the epic joust to the death!

The joust is one of the festival’s most elaborate and entertaining acts. There is a storyline performed at the joust, which continues to escalate throughout the day. But much of the action is similar, so you should only choose one of the three jousts to attend. We choose the joust to the death, where performers ride their horses, get off, and perform a deadly sword fight at the show’s end.

When to Arrive for the Joust

It’s advisable to arrive a little early if you plan on going to the joust. Depending on the festival, seating for the joust is always slightly different. At the Pennsylvania Renaissance fair, the joust takes place in an area where there are three setting locations. At the Arizona Renaissance Fair, the joust is in the center of an arena with four sets of bleachers. We wanted to secure a spot where we could see everything but also wasn’t in direct sunlight. Sitting there for the entire show, you could get pretty sunburned if you weren’t careful. 

Support the Horses

Right before the joust starts, a costumed character will come out to your side of the viewing area to instruct who you will be cheering for. Often two to four different knights take part in the joust. And each will be represented under a different coloured banner. Depending on where you’re seated will inform which knight you’ll be cheering for. 

One of the things I found the most interesting is that they had various flags for sale that corresponded to the knight and his banner. I thought this would be another easy mark to get you to spend a lot of money, but these little flags only cost $5 and were a great souvenir. PLUS, all the money went to supporting the well-being of the horses. It was a cheap souvenir and a really good donation to boot!

Extra Costs

There are other additional forms of entertainment found throughout the fair that require extra means of payment. This everything includes archery and rock climbing to fortune tellers, petting zoos, pirate ships, pub crawls, fair quests and adventure games.

Artisan Shopping

Throughout the fair, you can find over 200 artisans in open-air shops and galleries, demonstrating techniques unchanged for centuries. You can find everything from clothing and costumes to candles, soaps, jewelry, artwork, weapons, ceramics, leather goods, books, and much more. 

Food & Drink

Some iconic food and drinks special to the Ren fair are turkey legs, meat pies, raspberry wine and even modern-day mead! But in addition to these more on-theme meals, there is everything from Mexican cuisine, iced coffee, fried fair goods and lots of different sweet treats!

Tipping

While the entertainment on the various stages doesn’t require additional fees, the performers will always ask for tips at the end of the show. I was surprised by the number of performers asking for tips at the end of their shows. I figured if you paid admission, surely you shouldn’t have to tip. But I learned afterwards that most of these performers rent their space at the fair and are only paid a little, if anything, from the fair itself. Therefore, tipping is highly encouraged (but, of course, not required). A simple thank you will go a long way if you don’t want or can’t afford to leave a tip. 

We saw about 4-5 acts throughout the day and tipped them each a few dollars. When I really thought about it, when you compare the enjoyment you get from an entire day out at the Ren Fair, likened to a comparable experience like Medieval Times, the Ren Fair was much more fun. Medieval Times tickets will cost an adult $45 as the base level, and there are so many add-ons they shove at you upon arrival. Most people need to drop $ 65+ to make it out. And the food could be better. Their shows are very entertaining, but they don’t even hold a candle to all the great acts we saw at the Ren Fair, including their joust to the death!

Rides

At any midway or state fair, you’ll find amusement rides dotted through the fairgrounds. But what surprised me was that every one of these rides at the Ren Faire was powered only by human force. You could take any of these rides and send them back to the Medieval Era, which would work just the same. The carousel spun round and round, with staff members running and jumping atop it to keep it spinning. The rocking horse was pushed by real people, and the fly machine was spun round and round by the arms of incredibly strong cast members. 

These rides all cost a small additional fee, but if I had come with a kid, I would put money aside solely for the uniqueness of the opportunity to ride in one of these ingenious mechanisms. Many were themed on Galileo’s contraptions or DaVinci’s flying machines. And I loved this inspiration and found it mesmerizing just to watch how they worked without using a single plug or generator. Although I can’t imagine how tough this job is, especially come the hot spring weather in Arizona.

Essential Tips

Now that you know much more about what to expect from the fair, here is a list of the most important tips I have for you as a first-timer attending the Ren Faire!

Dress the part

One of the most fun aspects of the Renaissance Festival is dressing. It’s not required, but it does add to the overall experience. Opt for a full costume or incorporate a few medieval-inspired pieces into your outfit to get into the spirit. Some popular costume options include knights, princesses, pirates, and peasants. While many people opt for period-appropriate costumes, you can dress up as anything! We saw fairies, trees ents, anime cartoons, and even people expressing themselves as an entirely unique character. Even if you just have a few small pieces to play the part and find yourself enraptured by all the costumes inside, you’ll find a plethora of vendors who sell costumes and accessories at the festival to bring your costume to the next level if you so choose. 

Renting a Costume

Maybe you don’t want to buy a whole outfit but want to dress up for the day. Almost all fairs have costume shops where you can rent an entire outfit! The rental costume shop at the Arizona Renaissance Festival was located even before you entered the gates, so you could get all dolled up before entering the Village of Fairhaven. 

Cost of Renting a Costume

Outfit rentals vary in cost depending on the location of the festival. But at the Arizona Fair, at Belrose, prices range for adult-size rentals from $18 to $65. After you select a costume, you can change into their dressing rooms and put your clothes in a provided bag which goes into your own personal box. At the end of the day, you can return, change back into your everyday clothes and return the items you borrowed.

What to (and not to) Wear

Since this was our first time attending the fair, and we didn’t know how quickly we would become enthusiasts, we opted not to spend too much money on our first costumes. And while I think, in retrospect, I wish I had gone all out, I think what we did is the best action plan for anyone going to their first time. 

An easy Peasant DIY

We found items from our closet that were even vaguely appropriate for the medieval era. This meant looking for textures or colours of clothing that were very common back then. My dad went with a peasant-type theme for his costume. This included a lot of tans and beige colours. He found an old button-up top and cut off the button. Then he used some old string from an old shoelace to lace up the front of the shirt, which was very period appropriate and an easy DIY. Then he added an extra large leather belt and a straw hat. All in all, for $0, it was the perfect first-time look.

Robin Hood/Maid Marian DIY

For my costume, I had a beautiful green velvet dress that I’ve had forever that felt suited to the fantasy setting. I decided to go with a Robin Hood meets Maid Marian outfit. This amazing brown lace-up corset belt immediately made it look medieval. Then, I layered some old leather belts around it, and the look instantly came together. I wanted to add texture to the velvet dress, so I layered a light cotton blouse/tunic underneath. I thrifted both the tunic and the belts for under $10. It really just goes to show that you can absolutely find things in your current wardrobe that can be restyled to fit the Renaissance era. 

Avoid Polyester Clothing

One thing to remember when planning your costume is to avoid buying anything made of polyester. Most of those cheap costume shop outfits are made entirely of polyester. And I understand wanting to save some money, but as mentioned above, I think DIY is a great affordable option, and polyester might not be worth it in the end… Polyester traps heat, and you’ll get sweaty and overheated on hot days in the sun. Anything made of cotton or similar breathable material is a much better choice. 

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Another key tip is to wear comfortable shoes that are well broken in. Don’t opt for something you bought for this occasion and have never walked more than a few hours in. Most fairs are spread over multiple acres. The Arizona Renaissance fair was over 50 acres large, and just wandering around was one of my favourite parts of the experience. If I didn’t have the right shoes, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I actually found that a pair of Birkenstocks not only fit the environment really well but was also super comfortable and breathable.

If you plan on wearing a long dress, this will hide your shoes anyways. You won’t need to worry about them standing out against the rest of your period-appropriate clothing. But honestly, it’s worth sacrificing some fashion for comfort. You’ll definitely find yourself having a much more enjoyable time if you do so. 

Don’t Try to Do It all but Plan in Advance

Before arriving at the fair, go online and check to see if they’ve posted an event schedule. This will allow you to look at everything going on throughout the day, everything from birds of prey shows to acrobatic acts and sword swallowing, in addition to the dozens of different musical acts throughout the park. I was amazed at how jam-packed the day can get really quickly. You definitely won’t be able to see it all. I advise first-timers to go on the website and pick two to three performances you absolutely must see. For most people, this probably includes one of the jousts and two other shows that catch their fancy. 

One of the most interesting shows that caught my eye was a bagpipe breakfast which I absolutely adored. This was one of the first shows of the day, so we planned to be there as soon as we got inside the gates. Another show that my dad was really interested in was the sword swallower. The stage where this took place was at the far end of the fairground, so we ensured we were in the area around the time of the show. That way, we wouldn’t have to run from one end of the grounds to the other to catch it.

Ensuring we planned the timing and the locations appropriately meant we didn’t feel too overstretched or stressed. While wandering from one stage to another, we would catch various musical acts along the way, just on happenstance. And simply taking a break for food and sitting in the shade admiring the amazing costumes is a show all unto itself. You really want to have the space and time in your day for these moments of respite.

Check the Weather

You also want to check the weather before you leave for the day. Just in case it might rain, it’s good to be prepared. Especially in the desert, when the evening hits, the temperature can drop significantly, so if you see a cold evening in the forecast, you want to plan to bring some extra layers.

Turn off Your Phone 

Another tip that I found super helpful was to leave your phone behind. Or at least turn off any cellular data. That was a little easier for me because where the fair was located in Arizona, there wasn’t much signal anyways. But putting your phone away (when you didn’t need it for photos) really allowed you to get even more immersed. Yes, I did, in fact, take lots of photos with it, but I also put it away for a surprising amount of the day.

Honestly, there were some times when you just wandered around, and it really did feel like you’d walked back in time. And if I’d found myself just checking Instagram, looking at my emails or posting while there, I definitely don’t think I would have felt as immersed. Next time I think I will bring my camera, so I left my phone alone altogether. Sure, a camera is still modern technology, but at least it’s slightly more analogue than the phone.

Bring Cash!

One of the things that surprised me the most about the Ren Faire was everything was almost entirely cash only. When you walked up to the gates, this was made apparent with signs detailing the list of things that were cash only. There were a lot of ATMS outside and a few ATMs inside the fair as well, in case you missed the ones on the way in. 

Many artisans accept credit cards, but you must have cash for tipping, food and drinks, rides, and other attractions that require additional fees (like archery etc.) I rarely carry cash, so using it honestly felt like another level of immersion. It felt very antiquated to have ones and fives at the ready.

In addition to bringing cash, make sure you have it in small denominations. We only had $20 bills when we arrived, and we soon found that we needed to break this up as quickly as possible to tip the performers. You can easily do this by buying food and getting some change that way. But it’s good to bring some dollar bills with you, so you have some already.

Coin of the Realm

Some of the larger Renaissance Fairs have implemented a new payment system: called “Coin of the Realm.” Essentially coin of the realm is a physical coin that represents an amount of money you exchange for it. This is done by swiping your credit card and selecting the amount of coin of the realm you want to buy. Once you have these coins, you can use them anywhere throughout the fair, just like real cash money. If you buy something that costs $8 and use a $10 coin of the realm, they’ll give you $2 cash in return. 

If you don’t use up all your coin of the realm by the end of the day, you can simply go back to the kiosk, and they will refund you that amount in cash. Or you can keep the extra coins of the realm as a souvenir. This is mainly done for people who don’t want to use an ATM because they don’t want to pay the steep ATM fees. And perhaps don’t pay fees to use their credit cards. Plus, using these coins feels really immersive, and I think I would get some just for fun!

Try ALL the Themed Food

Renaissance Festival food is a unique experience in itself. There’s something for everyone, from giant turkey legs to roasted nuts and mead. Don’t be afraid to try new foods or indulge in some of the festival’s signature treats. Just be sure to bring some wet wipes or hand sanitizer, as eating with your hands is often encouraged.

One thing that really surprised me about the Phoenix Renaissance Fair was the food price. I know this isn’t true at many of the other larger Renaissance Fairs, but the food at the Phoenix Renaissance fair was extremely affordable. This made me so happy because it allowed more people to come to the fair to enjoy themselves without this huge financial barrier to entry. At least when compared to the price of food at baseball games, for instance.

You cannot bring in outside food, so you are forced to eat inside the festival. Therefore the fact that the food is a little more affordable inside seems only appropriate. I picked up a large iced coffee for almost half of what I paid at Starbucks. It was even more delicious! 

I’ve heard that places like the New York Fair need to keep up with the cost of rental spaces in New York, so the food there is much more expensive in places like that. This might factor into your planning process when considering where to attend your first Renaissance festival. Phoenix may not have originally been at the top of your list, but if you know you’ll be paying much less for food and drink, that might give you a bigger reason to come here over more expensive cities like New York City or Los Angeles. 

Interact with Performers

One of the best parts of the Renaissance Festival is the interactive performances. Be sure to catch a show or two and interact with the performers. They are often dressed in costume and are happy to answer questions about their craft. Additionally, don’t be afraid to participate in a group dance or learn a new skill from a performer.

Shop the Artisan Markets

The Renaissance Festival is home to many talented artisans, selling everything from pottery and jewelry to leather goods. Take some time to wander through the vendor booths and find unique souvenirs and gifts to take home.

Glass Blowing Demonstrations

One of the souvenirs that I took home from the fair was a piece of hand-blown glasswork. We stopped to watch the glass-blowing presentation. Not only was it so informative, but it was also amazing to see that the art of glass-blowing hasn’t changed almost at all in over 500 years. The only modern technology they use is a gas line to keep the fires burning instead of using wood. Watching these artisans at work, we got a glimpse into the hard labour and artistic talent it takes to create these pieces made of glass. When I picked out my beautiful glass flower as a souvenir, I was taking home with me not only a piece of their craftsmanship but also a cherished memory from the festival.

In addition to the artisanal shops throughout the fair, there is also a Ren Faire gift shop. These stations are often found inside the gates, so you’ll see them as you enter and leave. They sell everything from t-shirts with the Renaissance Fair logo to other souvenir items to memorialize your visit. I returned with a handmade clay mug with the Arizona Renaissance Festival logo, and it’s my new favourite coffee cup!

Stay Hydrated!

Renaissance Festivals can be hot and crowded, so staying hydrated is important to remember throughout the day. Check the website for the specific Ren Faire you will be attending to find out if you can bring in sealed water bottles. While they don’t let you bring in outside food and drink, most fairs will make an exception for water. Other Fairs will allow you to bring in an empty reusable water bottle you can fill up at various locations throughout the grounds. 

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Hydration is half the battle against the heat from the sun. Apply lots of sunscreens or even bring a large hat to keep cool. Since the Ren Faire enters outdoors, you’ll want to ensure protection. In fairs like New York or Pennsylvania, where they take place under the trees, you’ll find it is a little more shaded but not entirely. And even in the shade, you are still at risk of sunburn.

Arrive Early!

We set out to arrive at the festival slightly before the gates opened at 10:00 am. What we didn’t expect was the huge line of traffic formed solely by other attendees trying to get to the festival! We still arrived just before ten, but unfortunately, we found about a 45-minute lineup to get inside. We didn’t get in through the gates until just before 11 am. This was still plenty of time to enjoy every show we planned to see, but we missed the opening ceremonies.

If you’re dead set on getting inside the fair at the opening, I would advise arriving about an hour to 30 minutes before the gates open. We were chatting with a couple of the employees, and they said lots of people arrive as early as 8 am and have a little tailgate party in the parking lot. They bring some coffee and get into costumes while meeting with their Ren Faire friends, who all come together yearly for this special event!

This kind of enthusiasm is infectious, and even just waiting in line, we had a great time observing everyone’s costumes and chatting with all the locals who had been to the festival dozens of times before. They couldn’t wait to share with us their advice and expertise. I never met anyone unwilling to chat with me if I had questions. No one seemed like they were trying to gatekeep this event. If anything, they were only trying to encourage more people to come. To grow the festival so there are more vendors, food, entertainment, and things to enjoy.

Where to Spend That Extra Cash!

I paid for a few additional activities I wanted to share since I felt they were worth the extra money. Aside from the food and drink of course which were highly recommended!

Archery

The first was archery. I’d never shot a bow and arrow before and was so excited to finally try it. And this felt like the PERFECT place to give it a go. I’ve seen archery booths at our local state fair and always found them overpriced. But here you got 12 arrows for just $6. You could take as much time as you wanted to have fun and compete against your friends and family.

It was honestly so much fun. We laughed the entire time as we learned how to use the bow. And screamed with excitement when one of us would get a good shot. I felt like Robin Hood, especially with my outfit that day. It was worth the money, and I think it would be even more enjoyable with the kids. They had both an adult and kids section. The kid’s area was closer to the target with small bows.

Blacksmithing

Another super interesting experience was the blacksmith forge. Here you could buy a small knife and schedule an appointment to work with a real blacksmith to forge a custom knife with some personal carvings. The experience was about $40, and you got to use these amazing dragon forges where the heat came from the dragon’s mouth! It was so cool, and even if you didn’t want to spend the money, you could sit in the audience and simply watch others at work!

Umbrellas 

As mentioned, all Ren Fairs occur in summer and early fall (or the springtime in hotter areas like Arizona and California.) Since the Ren Fair is entirely outdoors, this is scheduled to attempt to ensure the weather is dry. While the fair is held rain or shine, many events, like the joust, can be difficult or cancelled due to the weather. And no one really like walking around in the rain all day. What that means is that you’ll often be out in the sun all day long. So one of the souvenirs I found to be very practical (and beautiful) to buy were these gorgeous paper umbrellas.

Paper umbrellas are something I’ve been seeing more and more people using on vacation in the summertime. I first started seeing this trend primarily in Japan, where people really try to avoid getting sun on their faces. But I’ve seen it being implemented increasingly more frequently in other countries. All of us are learning more about how bad sun damage is for our complexion, and these fabulous fashionable paper umbrellas make avoiding the sunlight all the more chic!

A Personal Tankard

One thing I saw a ton of people wearing on their belts were these gorgeous tankards. They fit through your belt; some people even had custom leather tankard holders to carry their mugs. You can use these throughout the day to drink your more modern beverages, but look the part while doing so! These tankards are for sale throughout the fair. Some are made entirely of wood, which is absolutely beautiful, and if you have the skill and patience to ensure they’re cleaned and maintained properly, I think these could be beautiful additions to your kitchen. Other are more traditional metal tankards with gorgeous fillagree decorations around the handle.

Elf Ears

While I think I would skip on things like face painting and hair braiding (mostly because the lines were always super long), a special costume addition that I think is worth the money is custom-fitted elf ears. These elf ears are sized and painted just for you, and the artisans who make them will even glue them to your ears so you can wear them all day in the park. There are different varieties of ears; some are smaller and more dainty, while others are theatrical and will draw the attention of everyone you pass! After you’re done wearing them in the park, you just need to remove and clean them before using them again. Buy some spirit gum or body-safe adhesives, and you can use these over and over again. Definitely worth the money and such a cute thing to add to your costume. 

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They also had wire elf ears that you could buy that fit over your ears like a piece of jewelry that only cost between $25 and $30 and looked absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely something I can see a lot of more alternative fashion people wearing every single day and isn’t something I’d seen anywhere else. These kind of treasures are what makes shopping at the Ren Faire so much fun!

All in all, I’m thrilled I finally pulled the trigger and visited the Arizona Renaissance Festival! After years and years of never making it out there, I can’t believe I waited this long. Hopefully, this blog post helped dissolve any hesitation you might have in making your trip out and becoming a Ren-head like me! If you’re a seasoned visitor, let me know any tips I might have missed or advice you want to share with others.

Huzzah Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to the Renaissance Festival first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History & Information
2. When to Go
3. Hours, Fees & Parking 
4. What to Pack
5. Accessibility
6. Pets
7. The Trail
8. Staghorns
9. Barrel Cactus
10. The Great Saguaro
11. Teddy Bear Cacti
12. Wildlife
13. Petroglyph Plaza 
14. Waterfall

History & Information

The White Tank Mountains are a fascinating range of carved stone. The mountains were created by the huge flash floods that sent rainwater pouring down the canyon year after year, creating depressions in the white granite rocks. In 1893, gold was starting to be discovered in central Arizona. Because of the water that past through the rocks, a natural basin was formed. Having access to water on the long road through the mountains to central Arizona was so important for the gold miners. The water basin was named “the White Tank” as the water was surrounded by bright white granite cliffs. Between 1898 and 1902 the natural basin which held the water collapsed due to a heavy rainstorm. But the name remained.

The mountain range takes up about 30,000 acres and the highest part is over 4,000 feet. As early as 500 BC, the Hohokam native people began to build villages throughout this area. Evidence of these sites has been discovered in archaeological excavations.

When to Go

The summer is HOT in Phoenix! Even before the sun comes up it can be over 100 degrees in the sun. So I would always advise against going out hiking in the middle of the summer in Phoenix unless you’re a huge fan of the heat. Otherwise, as long as you stick to the beginning of the day, you can usually avoid the heat pretty well. Early in the morning will also mean you will have the desert to yourself! This trail is often busier during the afternoon so if you want a peaceful walk to yourself, come early in the morning. 

My favourite time to go hiking in Phoenix is during the springtime when the desert flowers are blooming! Yes, there really are flowers in the desert. Wildflowers generally bloom in the Sonoran desert from mid-March to late April. And if there has been a lot of rain that year expect a huge burst of colour! This trail is the perfect way to get away from a busy week in the city. It’s a welcome quiet interlude.

Hours, Fees & Parking 

The park entrance fee is $7 USD. If you enter the park on foot, bike or horseback, the fee is only $2. After you pass through the park entrance, continue driving for another 3.5 miles. Drive until you reach the Waterfall Canyon parking lots. In addition to parking, you’ll also find picnic benches and washrooms.

The Park is open: Sun-Thurs: 6 am – 8 pm; Fri-Sat: 6 am – 10 pm.

After paying your entry fee, you can make a stop off at the nature center and library which is located just to the right of the park entrance. Here you can learn more about the mountains or ask the rangers any pressing questions. It’s also a great place to find maps of the trails.

What to Pack

• Water. Always be sure to pack lots of water! Even if you don’t think it’s going to be that hot, it’s always hotter than you expect. And even a short hike will get you dehydrated, especially when you start working up a sweat.
• Good walking shoes! Even though this is a beginner trail it’s still important to wear good footwear. I’ve seen people try to make this hike in sandals and once they get to the top of the waterfalls, the path is much rockier and it’s very easy to lose your footing.
• A hat. Always be sure to wear a large brimmed hat to keep the sun off your head. This helps prevent any chance of heatstroke if its a particularly hot day.
• Sunscreen. Sunscreen is a necessity even on cooler days because the sun is still out. And in Phoenix, we tend to get really cloudless skies. Sunscreen of at least SPF 30 depending on your skin type is best for hikers.
• Sunglasses. A good pair of sunglasses are also important to wear as they can make a big difference in protecting your eyes from the bright sun.
• A picnic! Although the hike isn’t very long, it’s a beautiful place to have a little picnic snack. When you reach the top of the mountain the views across Phoenix are stunning and it’s nice to sit and enjoy.

Accessibility

While the last portion of the path has a set of stones and stairs to climb, the majority of the trail actually has been made to be wheelchair accessible! The first portion of the Waterfall Trail is paved, allowing mobility aids to be used. This route also has a series of benches along the way to ensure those with mobility issues have places to stop and rest. I love that this makes it so accessible for so many people! As all easy trails should attempt to be where possible.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on the trail so long as they are leashed. Since the first mile is very flat animals will find this trail easy to walk on but older or less nimble dogs might find the last mile, with all the rocks and steps, more difficult.

The Trail

The Waterfall Trail is a fantastic beginner hike. It’s only 1.8 miles long and could easily be done in about an hour if you didn’t stop along the way. But definitely stop and look around! That’s half the fun! The trail takes you through all the beautifully weird flora and fauna that Arizona has to offer. Cacti are abundant on the trail. If you’ve never seen the desert before this is an amazing introduction to all the cool varieties of cacti that grow in the Sonoran Desert!

Staghorns

Old staghorns slump on the sidelines as you walk through the trail. The Staghorn cholla (Opuntia versicolor) are one of those cacti that looks like it’s from an alien planet. They have thin branches where crawl up from the ground covered in thin spikes. The name versicolor comes from the fact that their long-lasting flowers come in a range of colours; from ed, yellow, purple or intermediate shades.

Barrel Cactus

Barrel cacti poke their heads out of the rocks as you walk along the path. The Ferocactus, or more colloquially Barrel cactus is one of the most commonly seen cacti in the Sonoran desert. The word Fero means “fierce or wild” as these cacti are some of the most ominous looking plants growing in the desert. In some species of the barrel cactus, the spikes which protrude from the cactus are curved, like a fishhooks. Which are pretty painful if you get stuck. Barrell cacti are one of my favourites when they bloom. Their yellow and red flowers bloom on top, look like a little crown on their head.

The Great Saguaro

The Saguaro cactus (or Carnegiea gigantea) is often referred to as the king of cacti! It has become the symbol of the Sonoran Desert and of Phoenix itself. The cactus grows up out of the earth like a column and develops braches, often referred to as arms. Some saguaros have been known to grow up to 25 different arms throughout their life! Saguaros are covered in large spines that protect the plant from animals. But even still, owls are often seen roasting in the trunks. In the late spring, saguaros bloom and grow beautiful white flowers which are said to smell like overripe melons. After they flower they will produce large red fruit, which is eaten by animals like finches, woodpeckers, doves, bats, tortoise, javelina and coyotes.

Teddy Bear Cacti

The “Teddy Bear” cactus is one of the most interesting cacti found along the edge of the trail. But don’t let that cute name fool you! These cacti are very dangerous! The cactus is officially called the Cylindropuntia bigelovii and is best known for its furry appearance. The furry texture is actually just a solid mass of thick spines that completely cover the stems. The form of the cacti looks almost like an animal and led to the name “teddy bear”. But it’s also known as the “jumping teddy bear”. The jumping part is due to the fact that if you even brush past the cactus, the cholla’s spines will grab onto the fibres of your clothes and dig their way into your skin. Ouch! Not quite the cuddly plant it seems to be….but they are still so interesting to look at from afar.

Wildlife

While most of the animals which live in these mountains are nocturnal there are some bits of wildlife you should keep an eye out for! The most commonly seen birds are cactus wrens and if you’re lucky you might spot a roadrunner! My favourite things to spot are the multitudes of lizards and reptiles which crawl along the rocks and poke their heads out to warm themselves in the sun. Mule deer, coyotes, mountain lions and javelinas have all been spotted by visitors but are extremely RARE!

Petroglyph Plaza 

As you continue along the path, you’ll soon come upon one of the most interesting parts of the trail; the Petroglyphs. The Petroglyph Plaza is where you can find a grouping of these ancient images. Petroglyphs are images created by removing part of a rock surface by carving into the stone. These are the earliest form of art. Ancient tribes would have used symbols to tell stories more than pictorial drawings. The Hohokam tribes which lived here from 100 BC to 1200 AD would have been the ones creating these works of art. Their style was very circular and curvy when compared to the art of other tribes.

Also located inside the Petroglyph plaza is a large rain barrel that has now been riddled with bullet holes and punctures.

Waterfall

After hiking for some time you’ll reach the pinnacle of the trail, the waterfall! Now, truthfully most of the time when you get here there will be little more than a puddle of water inside the basic. But, usually in the spring, when there’s been a significant amount of rainfall, a temporary waterfall appears seemingly from out of nowhere – falling from the sky.

From the top of the mountain, you’ll get one of the most lovely Sonoran deserts views looking across the city. This is a wonderful place to stop and sit. Depending on the time of year, the valley below could be bursting with green or keeping its cool with golden and brown colours.

As you make your way back down, look at the sprawling desert, slowly disappearing as the city pops up in the distance. From above, the rugged mountains that surround the valley seem to tightly cradle that precious little city in their palms, keeping it safe from the world outside.

But all good things must come to an end. As you drive back to city life, enjoy the view of the saguaros spread out across the valley, as if popping up to say goodbye!

The post Discover the Amazing White Tank Mountains Waterfall Trail, the Best Beginner Hike in Phoenix first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

What started as just me watching his journey across America, turned into me watching Dad become a little travel blogger. Even in mico-posts. Reading his commentary of the voyage made me realize where I get all my creativity and drive to share my journeys.

For as long as I have been travelling, I have been writing about it. At first, it was just in notebooks, then as I grew up I started a Livejournal. Then when that folded, I started then a Blogspot account. Now I have thecreativeadventurer.com to share all these memories and moments with the rest of the world. I have always wondered where this desire to write and record came from, and during this horrible pandemic, I think I might have figured it out.

My dad was the first person who really inspired my desire to travel. He travelled all over the world for work, and despite now knowing he probably saw little else than airports and conference rooms, I loved hearing about all the places he would go. When I was 14 he took me with him on a business trip to London. It was my first trip travelling to another continent and, unbeknownst to me, it would be my first time travelling on my own.

When we landed after a red-eye flight, we got to our hotel in Islington and dad handed me a handwritten page of paper which would be my guide to the city. He had meetings all day but still wanted me to be able to go out and experience London for myself. Every single direction was meticulously written down and opened up the city to me like a storybook. I was hooked, and it was his guide that made it so easy for me to explore even as a teen. I think if Dad hadn’t been an accountant, he would have been the Canadian Rick Steves.

Since my dad has a private Instagram account, I asked if he would be ok with him to share some of his stories here with you. He happily agreed and I think that even during this intense time of uncertainty and worry, his little journey across our middle earth is an interesting document of this time in history.

Goodyear, Arizona | 2,475 miles to go

Departure from Goodyear, Arizona. Tough to leave this weather. Returning in the fall? Long drive ahead.

Saguaro Lake | 2,197 miles to go

1st stop at Saguaro Lake, Tonto National Forest. Who knew there was another lake in Arizona!!

Payson, Arizona | 2,141

Pitstop in Payson, Arizona. Lots of elevation gained (and lost). Payson is quaint on old Main Street. Best thing I can see is the magnificent views north to the Mongollon Rim.

Mongollon Rim| 2,116 miles to go

On the Mongollon Rim, near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Seems like top of the world (or at least this part). Spectacular vistas. But, I found snow!!!! Too soon.

Over the mesa near Holbrook, Az to the edges of the Painted Desert.

Petrified Forest National Park | 2,063 miles to go

Detour to Petrified Forest National Park. Pretty amazing wood! A very windswept mesa today. The scale of this “forest” is awesome.

New Mexico | 1,949 miles to go

New Mexico, finally!! Red rock has been a constant feature as I neared New Mexico. Crossed the continental divide (7,300 ft elevation) 33 miles before arriving in Grants, NM where I will bunker down for the night in the shadow of Mount Taylor.

El Malpais National Conservation Area | 1,899 miles to go

Detour into El Malpais National Conservation Area as the sun rises in the east. Near the Continental Divide. Long magnificent stretches of sandstone cliffs and wind blasted bluffs. Views of ancient volcanoes and lava flows. And, great view of La Ventana Arch, one of the largest natural arches in New Mexico.

Petroglyphs National Monument | 1,820 miles to go

Visiting the Petroglyphs National Monument. A field day for petroglyphs is here for sure in the Boca Negra Canyon. Nature emulates art for me at one point. Can you find the flute player?

Albuquerque Old Town | 1,815 miles to go

Stop in Albuquerque Old Town to see the historic buildings. Today “ghost town” could be added to “old town”. Despite this, it definitely shows off a variety of the historic west styles.

Old Town Albuquerque – signs and art. Especially for Laura, who enjoys these things (but has a much better eye for it and camera skill!).

Tucumcari | 1,639 miles to go

Tucumcari and historic Route 66. I have been on I-40 for a long stretch now. It follows near or on historic Route 66. I ducked in to Tucumcari where there are known to be a lot of original commercial and heritage buildings that folded after I-40 was built, and some that still struggle to hang on. A fascinating slice of history.

Amarillo, Texas | 1,576 miles to go

On to Texas. Nice greeting sign!! Most amazing fact … 20 miles after entering Texas I encounter commercial energy production. No surprise!?? Well, it’s not oil. A wind farm. Thirty four miles long. I repeat, 34 miles long, all along the I-40. They do ‘em big in Texas.

Shamrock, Texas | 1,437 miles to go

On the way out of town, paused at the U-Drop Inn, another Route 66 anachronism, but still in business. This morning’s light rain and fog helped the neon jump out. You might love the juxtaposition of the two fueling options in the last two pictures – both were available at the U-Drop!!!

Oklahoma | 1,422 miles to go

Into Oklahoma. The fog and rain are trying to prevent my enjoyment of this (new to me) state. I think I am getting the hang of it. Farming. Red soil. New crops. Also found Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station. An example of a two story filling station / home combo. Apparently Lucille was a legend in the Great Depression for providing assistance to traveller’s, earning her the nickname “Mother of the Mother Road” (the latter being a reference to Route 66).

El Reno, OK | 1,299 miles to go

Detour to historic Fort Reno in El Reno, OK. Part of the difficult history with the native peoples. Fort Reno was established in the period following General Custer’s roundup of the people at the winter camp of Cheyenne chief Black Kettle. They had no reservation here at the time and one was quickly established and needed a nearby fort, so Fort Reno was built. Now home to several organizations, including the US Calvary Association.

Oklahoma City | 1,272 miles to go

Duck into Oklahoma City to stretch my legs before lunch. Home of the Thunder at Chesapeake Center. Smaller downtown than I expected. Beautiful botanical gardens immediately south of the downtown for a quiet walk.

This purple flowering tree. So, I know this is a repeat but from my observation these trees are not just cultivated, as they were at the OKC Myriad botanical garden. I have seen them all over the place in the region around OKC, sort of like lilacs. Research completed now! They are the Oklahoma Redbud. Their deep purple colour makes them easy to spot, even at roadsides. And, since I have you now and flowers are unlikely in most parts of Canada, I am throwing in some bonus flower photos from around the botanical garden!

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield | 1,001 miles to go

Stopping in Missouri at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the site of a major battle in the American Civil war and the first in Missouri, apparently also the first with the death of a Union general (Nathaniel Lyon). The battle is so named for the creek in the valley, pictured at the end. The house pictured had a wide view of the battlefield and served as a hospital for the Confederates, who brought Lyon’s body here after the battle. Sadly, this battlefield saw a large loss of life.

Springfield, Missouri | 989 miles to go

Crossed into Missouri this afternoon. Stopped in Springfield. Found “the largest fork in the work” at the offices of The Food Channel. And, more Route 66 history – A Rte 66 car museum; The Gillioz Theater, opened in 1926 to cater to Rte 66 travellers; and, I learned why Springfield is known as the birthplace of Rte 66 (John Woodruff of Springfield first proposed the number for the Chicago to LA highway; he later became the first president of the Rte 66 business association). And, lovely tree blooms. And, no snow!!

Missouri RV Park | 976 miles to go

Missouri rain. Breakfast in the rain this morning, followed by two hours of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Comforting (?) to see the army on the roads keeping me company as I drove. I seem to be moving faster than the storm as I have emerged to stretch my legs. Not sure if I will beat the rain to St. Louis!

Ozarks | 940 miles to go

Detour into the Ozarks. I got ahead of the rain! Quick “scenic” drive into the Ozark outback. Very rural and very, very hilly! Love the Advanced Animal Control covering armadillos!

Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis | 788 miles to go

Stretching my legs at Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis. Internationally recognized as one of America’s oldest and largest sculpture parks. Large number of walking trails. Lightly busy today and everyone social distancing. Rain caught me again just as I left!

Tower Grove Park, St. Louis | 779

Stop in to Tower Grove Park, St. Louis. Apparently it’s a “classical Victorian” style park. Reminds me a bit of High Park in Toronto, but a bit flatter. Opened to the public in 1872. In a perfect spot for me to eat some lunch, although the rain is catching up to me (as you will see). It’s cool today but that hasn’t stopped a lot of lovely bloom and colour, including Hyacinths, Magnolia, Forsythia, and a red berry bush that I am not familiar with. Lots of active social distancers here as well. See if you can spot the red bird (cardinal ?) in the video near the end. Pushing on to Indiana! (John – you should spot Beethoven in here!)

Terre Haute, Indiana| 609 miles to go

Stop at the “Crossroads of America” in Terre Haute, Indiana. Interesting and fun architecture. Love the piano!

Found two unusual things in Terre Haute, Indiana. First, in an alley behind the Verve (a music club and cocktail bar – see prior post) beside the band entrance (marked by the sculpted faces above the entrance) there is a Kcymaerxthaere marker (plaque). Kcymaerxthaere is the name of an alternative universe that is part of a storytelling art project. You can read more about it at Kcymaerxthaere.com.

Second, a short distance east of Terre Haute I found the Smith Memorial Labyrinth, patterned from the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France. The Smith version is meant as a place of reflection in Hawthorne Park. And, it’s 575 paces long (I measured!). Two odd finds in Indiana!!

Gaston, Indiana | 471 miles to go

Waiting for the morning fog to clear (I hope!). Aiming to be in Canada today and home by tonite. Wondering what other travellers I might encounter on the road? So far, I have seen car license plates from 27 states.

Fort Wayne, Indiana | 424 miles to go

Hello to Fort Wayne, Indiana. And, yes, there really was a fort! The first trading post was built here, on the Maumee River in the mid-1600s. The first dirt was built in 1697 to solidify French claim on this region. The current buildings are a reconstruction of the 1800s fort that withstood a siege in the war of 1812. As you can see, being near water brought some of the fog back. Not difficult to be social-distanced with only two geese and me in the park! Spooky views of the Maumee River

Fort Defiance | 379 miles to go

O-H-I-O!! Stop in to Fort Defiance. Must be “fort” day! Dates from 1794 and saw use. In the war if 1812. Nothing left of the fort but the foundations, grassed over. Interesting Canada connection. According to a placed stone marker, “all land north to Canada is surveyed on a baseline from” the point where the Fort Defiance flagstaff sits. Who knew!!

Toledo, OH | 304 miles to go

Fleeing to Canada – reached Toledo, OH. Stopped to stretch legs and nibble some lunch at the Toledo Botanical Gardens. Flower season has not yet arrived but I found a few blooms, including crocuses. I also enjoyed their Artist’s Village and Secret Wood, by myself!

Detroit | 255 miles to go

Detroit, really? Well, it is a fort day and I needed one more leg stretch. Believe it or not, I found Fort Wayne, and it’s not a rerun and it’s not Indiana. It’s in Detroit, by the river. Wayne is just a mighty popular guy. This fort was closed today, other than a few buildings. Built in the early 1840s when the Americans feared their relations with Britain might lead to a British attack. Didn’t happen, but the fort was re-manned in 1861 when the Americans feared a Canadian (really British) attack during the Civil War. OK, time to put The Canadian border at Sarnia into the GPS!!!

The Bridge to Canada | 297 miles to go

This is it! There is the bridge to Canada. But, am I ready?

Gassed up (check). Car cleaned and last of Arizona fruit chucked (check). Documents in hand, literally (check). Wait – does that unshaven, bed head face really resemble me (check?!). Yeah, but those Arizona plates won’t help! What will? Thankfully I have stored messages from family and friends to offer up. And, the clincher – the tattoo on my hand!! Here I go….

Sarnia Border | 187 miles to go

BACK IN CANADA!!!!

Pinery provincial park | 149 miles to go

Heading home – now by the eastern shores of Lake Huron, passing The Pinery provincial park. Many family memories here. Sadly, in the circumstances, it is closed.

Flesherton, ON | 29 miles to go

Nearing home in the southwestern Ontario countryside – a nice little restaurant in Flesherton, ON that Pam and I quite enjoy. Sadly, and understandably, closed.

Collingwood | 0 miles to go

I have arrived. After logging 3,960 km (2,475 miles) this home is a sight for weary eyes, even if there is still snow! Let the 14 day quarantine begin!

I know these are weird times, but maybe this little journey brought a smile to your face and made you think about all those beautiful things that are still out there in the world. We’ll be able to enjoy them someday soon, but until then, let’s virtually explore this great world of ours!

The post Travelling Home During Coronavirus first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Day One – Trendy & Tasty

The Windsor

Brunch isn’t just for the big cities. There are tons of different restaurants in Phoenix where you can find an amazing Saturday brunch! But the Windsor is one of the best. I love the midcentury decor; the bright red brick walls feel so chic and welcoming. Their Highroad Sandwich made with eggs, belly bacon, tomato & garlic aioli is pure perfection and the best hangover cure. Their Matador is my favourite though; two eggs over easy stacked with griddled cheddar potatoes, a crispy tortilla, salsa verde & avocado relish. It feels like the epitome of Phoenix on a plate, a mix of traditional American, Mexican and southwestern flavours.

Frances & Stinkweeds

After finishing up your meal, head over to Frances to walk off that eggs bacon. Frances is an adorable boutique that features chic women’s clothing, shoes & accessories, and handmade gifts. All with that touch of vintage flair. They always have something super unique that catches my eye. And they also feature Arizonan themed items that you can’t get anywhere else which makes for perfect souvenirs. Stinkweeds right next door sells used and new vinyl records. If you’re a music lover this is one of the most welcoming and unpretentious record stores I’ve ever been too. We always have a great time pouring over the records and listening to their in-store selections.

Heard Museum

After a little bit of shopping, it’s time for some culture at the Heard. The Heard Museum is one of the best places to visit if you’ve never been to Phoenix or Arizona before. Here you’ll be able to learn about the indigenous people of Arizona. The museum has partnered with various native artists and local tribes to create a collection that presents the stories of the American Indian people from a first-person perspective. Inside are you can see more than 40,000 different items and revolving exhibitions. There is always something new to see here. I didn’t know much about the history of Phoenix’s native history before I visited and found the museum incredibly insightful. The indigenous art is so powerful and inspiring that you leave feeling absolutely invigorated!

MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain

After the museum, it’s time to get something to eat. MacAlpine’s is one of those Phoenix institutions that you can’t help but adore. Since 1938, this place has been serving up soda fountain pops inside what used to be an old pharmacy. In the 1950s, this was the place for greasers and pink ladies to hang out and share gossip over milkshakes and desserts. Today the original countertop and malt machine stands as a reminder of all that great history. You can still order up classic treats and get served by a waitress in victory rolls and vintage dresses. It’s like going back in time. Along the walls are an array of antique pieces of ephemera and packaging from as early as the 1930s, which makes you feel like you’re eating inside a museum. The food is delicious, homemade, and a freezing cold ice cream float really does the trick on a hot day in the desert!

2023 UPDATE: Due to the death of one of founders, Cary Heizenrader, MacAlpine’s are temporarily closed. They currently looking for staff and plan to reopen later this spring. 

Lola’s Coffee

If the heat is getting you down, or if you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, head over to Lola’s Coffee. Lola’s offers up some of the best brews in the city with one of the most chill environments. A jumble of vintage furniture makes the place feel like your grandmother’s basement but run by some of the best baristas in the valley. They serve up amazing hand-roasted coffees, which I always order over ice. Their back patio is a sanctuary in the middle of downtown where you can sit with your favourite book or just relax under the warm sun.

Roosevelt Row 

The Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood runs from McDowell to VanBuren and from Central to 7th Avenue. These houses were built between 1893 and 1930. Today the area around these houses is known as Roosevelt Row. It is one of the few walkable districts in downtown Phoenix. The Roosevelt Arts District is home to amazing street art, fabulous restaurants and trendy boutiques. But my favourite activity is walking up and down the side streets to admire the fantastic neighbourhood architecture. There is something so iconic about southwestern architecture and if you’ve never seen this kind of design before, then this little walkable neighbourhood is the best place to see it!

Phoenix Public Market Café

If you’re getting a bit hungry, head over to the Phoenix Public Market Café. This chic open-air market is located inside the heart of urban Phoenix. All the food is sourced from local vendors and farms, and you feel like you’re eating straight from the source. If you’re looking for something sweet, you HAVE to try the cafe sundae. Served atop organic vanilla soft serve, is a layer of raspberry sauce, toasted butter pistachios, and rich chocolate shavings. It makes me drool just thinking about it.

Antique Sugar

Antique Sugar is one of my favourite vintage stores in the city. It is wonderfully curated and a joy to shop inside. The shop is small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed, and their racks are only stocked with the best-used clothing. They curate their selection with items that will suit the current trends while still being vintage. A great way to support the community and sustainable shopping!

Cibo Pizzeria

The best place in the city for a romantic evening is Cibo Pizzeria. The restaurant is located in a quaint, circa-1913 bungalow. Cibo Pizzeria features Italian staples, including red & white wood-fired pizzas. My favourite is the Diavola, with tomato sauce, mozzarella and spicy salami! Their unique and modern white pizzas are also very popular, one of the best being the Tartufata, with mozzarella, mushrooms, prosciutto and truffle oil. In the evening, the trees outside are covered in white twinkle lights, and on the weekends there are even local musicians who come to entertain diners under the setting sun.

The Vig Fillmore

After dining at Cibo, head just down the street to the Vig for a nightcap. The Vig is such a casual place to hang out, it almost feels like you’re at a backyard party. The bar also has a bocce ball playing area and bean toss games to enjoy while you’re having a drink. The outdoor patio is set up with fireplaces to sit around on cooler dessert nights. They have live music throughout the week, which makes it easy just to sit back and relax as the night winds on.

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Crescent Ballroom

If you’d rather have a more lively end to the night, I would recommend going to the Crescent Ballroom. This hip, brick-walled lounge features live entertainment, local and international, every day of the week. But the intimate nature of the place makes you feel like you’re just watching a band playing in your garage.

Day Two – Desert Immersion

Papago Park

Papago Park is one of the most amazing places in Phoenix to watch the sunrise. The enormous red sandstone ‘Hole-in-the-Rock‘ is an easily climbable geological formation whose iconic formations make peep-holes out to the desert. There is nothing like the sunrise in the desert and it an unmissable event. Yes, it means getting up early, but trust me, the view is more than worth it!

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Matt’s Big Breakfast

After a super early morning sunrise, it’s time for some coffee and breakfast! Kick off your last day at Matt’s Big Breakfast. Matt’s Big Breakfast is known for its cage-free eggs made “cracked to order.” There is almost always a line, but trust me, it’s worth it. The decor is hipster cafe meets high-school cafeteria. It feels warm and homey. Like you’re visiting old friends. Be sure to try the Chop and Chick if you’re feeling extra hungry. It comes with two eggs, and an Iowa seared pork rib chop! The enormous waffles are light and fluffy, and the griddle cakes are topped with sweet cream butter – drooling yet? Don’t wait – head on down to Matt’s Big Breakfast for some delicious comfort food.

Desert Botanical Gardens

Back on the road, head over to the Desert Botanical Gardens. The gardens are spread over 140-acres outside Papago Park. This park was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 to preserve, document and educate. Over 21,000 local plants and 139 species, which are rare, threatened or endangered are living in harmony and safety inside this huge garden. If you’ve never been to a desert before, you might have an image of it being arid, barren, without plant-life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Many people will go on long hikes around the mountains in search of native flora and fauna. But at the Desert Botanical Garden, you can see everything the desert has to offer without breaking a sweat! The best time to visit is during the Spring when the desert flowers bloom but throughout the year there is always something unique to see and experience.

Lunch at Gertrudes

While some museum cafes contain only awful coffee and stale pastries, Gertrudes Cafe inside the Desert Botanical Garden is a world-class restaurant all on its own. When we had a yearly membership, sometimes, we would come here just for the food! The flavours and recipes are all indicative of southwestern cuisine and the ingredients are sourced from local farmers. Giving guests a taste of the desert itself! Plus, the cafe is mostly outdoors, right in the centre of the gardens, so it feels like you’re dining in the middle of a cactus rich forest.

Taliesin West

Just up the hill from the Desert Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful, hidden sights in all of Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Taliesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most prolific American architects. Very few people know that he called Arizona his winter residence. In fact, he spent years living here even before he started up the architecture school. 2020 was the last year the architecture school was in operation but the house and the school buildings can still be seen today.

Throughout your guided tour, you’ll be entertained and educated by incredibly, knowledgeable guides. They will lead you around this stunning, desert-inspired property. This tour is a great place to learn about desert plants and their contribution to the ecosystem. And how these resilient plants, inspired Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture both in Arizona and beyond! The views across the valley from here are breathtaking and well worth the drive up the mountain.

Old Town Scottsdale

To get yourself something to eat after your tour of Taliesin West, head back down to Old Town Scottsdale. This western district is full to the brim with trendy restaurants, hip cafes, unique art, jewellery stores and anything to satisfy your sweet tooth. While the “old west” vibe and style might be a little on the nose for some, I love it!

The Mission

For dinner, head over to the Mission, which amply, is situated right beside the old Spanish Mission site. The decor inside the restaurant is dark and mysterious. A large Himalayan salt block wall and the twinkle of candlelit chandeliers welcomes you inside. The Mission serves up a mix of modern and traditional Latin cuisine. Don’t skip their Wagyu pastrami taco, they are to die for!

Shakes & Cones

For dessert, head over to Shakes & Cones. While Scottsdale is mostly known for its upscale dining, Shakes & Cones still feels like a simple, family joint. They make small batch, soft-serve ice cream and even offer non-dairy options for vegetarians. There aren’t a lot of bell and whistles here, just simple ingredients that highlight the fantastic flavour of their ice cream.

Rusty Spur Saloon

To end your perfect weekend in Phoenix, head over to the Rusty Spur for one last drink. The Rusty Spur Saloon is the oldest bar in Scottsdale, which opened in 1960. It was actually Scottsdale’s first-ever saloon too. The building is an officially registered historic landmark. Originally, the building was used as the Farmers’ Bank of Scottsdale. Walking inside makes you feel like you’ve entered a different period in time. Cowboys stand at the bar sipping whiskey and every night of the week, they have a band playing old country tunes. But it’s not just cowboys who visit. There are old folks, hipsters, tourists and yes, even cowboys. So you won’t feel out of place. Take a seat near the band, and enjoy the warm desert air before heading back to whatever time and place you had come from before.

Hopefully, this guide will help you on your way to exploring all the wonders Phoenix has to offer on your next weekend away! If you’re looking for more to do, check out my Top 10 Things to do in Phoenix!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post How to Enjoy the Perfect Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. When to Visit
2. History
3. Where to Park
4. Old Jerome Cemetery
5. Ghost City Inn
6. House of Joy
7. Jerome's Sliding Jail
8. Cuban Queen Bordello 
9. Husband's Alley
10. Liberty Theatre & Gifts
11. Connor Hotel
12. The Spirit Room
13. Bartlett Hotel
14. Jerome Park
15. Mile High Inn
16. First Episcopal Church
17. The Haunted Hamburger
18. Surgeon's House
19. The Old Company Clinic
20. Asylum Restaurant
21. The Grand Hotel
22. United Verde Mine

When to Visit

Obviously, since this is a ghost tour, the best time for it is at dusk as it day turns to night. But even during the daytime, the abandoned streets and buildings still have an ominous feeling. Three of the locations on this tour are also hotels so for those brave enough to stay overnight, you’re in for an extra treat. Overnight stays allow you to experience the town without as many tourists, and the silence allows for keener ears and eyes to spot those spectres.

History

Jerome was founded in the late 19th century on Cleopatra Hill. It overlooks the scenic Verde Valley, which is 5,000 feet above sea level. During its heyday, it was home to more than 15,000 people. During the first world war, the price of copper soared, and American citizens came here in droves to mine the rich copper quarries that were abundant in this area of the west. Jerome was dubbed the “Wickedest Town in the West” by the New York Sun newspaper in 1903. It had a reputation for rampant gambling, an abundance of alcohol consumption, drug abuse, gunfights and other mayhem. With all of that debauchery came a series of unfortunate deaths, each one relating to the abandon that was felt throughout the town. It was lawless and rarely were crimes investigated to the full extent of the law.

Over the years the town seemed to be cursed. Jerome was subject to numerous fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters. The population continued to decrease and the copper mines dried up. Eventually, it became a ghost town with little to no sustainable source of income. In the late ’60s, the Arizonian Tourism board saw Jerome’s untouched architectural and cultural history to be valuable for visitors. And in 1967 Jerome was established as a Historical Landmark.

State Park and National Mine Museum

In the late 2000s, art galleries and trendy restaurants started popping up to drive more people into the town. The local State Park and National Mine Museum were established to help preserve the history of mining in this village and to educate travelling visitors on the history of Jerome. But what people come to Jerome for these days, are the ghosts! Even if you don’t believe in these spectres, the dark history of the town’s past is a fascinating way to explore its decrepit streets and abandoned buildings.

United Verde Mines

The United Verde Mines in Jerome were a dangerous place. In 1922, the quality of ore they had been mining began to degrade, and they had to switch to open-pit mining. This resulted in multiple fires which plagued the operations. Often, there was no way to control the flames which burned the ore under the ground. These ever-burning fires resulted in dense smoke on the skyline of Jerome for months, a haunting sight to see. The recklessness of the mine owners was in their quest for power and wealth is thought to have cursed the town. Fire after fire, earthquakes, landslides and rampant diseases seem like something more than just chance.

Dynamite and Explosions

If the fires and dynamite explosions didn’t kill the miners, brawls and shootouts would. In its heyday, it is estimated that there were four murders a day in Jerome! Since these men were poor miners there was no money for a funeral and burial. So they were disposed of in the cities smelting furnaces, and the bone fragments from the corpses are literally now still in the foundation of the city itself. It’s a living tomb. Today, the ghosts of these fallen miners are thought to haunt the town, in search of their final resting place.

So many ghosts died in the fires which tore through the camp in the early days of Jerome. At that time, most of the buildings were made from timber, and once something caught fire, it spread rapidly. Being high up on the hill meant that the winds would pick up any bits of burning embers can carry them past where the initial blaze started. In 1898 one of the most massive fires pretty much levelled the entire town to ash and took with it many lives.

Where to Park

After visiting the cemetery, which is on the outskirts of the town, there is a parking lot for anyone on a day trip marked on the map where you can easily leave your car and then head over to the next spot on tour. If you’re staying overnight, almost all the hotels have dedicated parking.

Old Jerome Cemetery

We’ll start our tour on the outskirts of town. Before you even enter the ghost town, you’re immediately met with a sign of its darkened past. The old cemetery once housed over 400 graves and markers, but today almost nothing remains. Because the ground was so tough, most of the time, the earth wasn’t dug too deep to bury the bodies. This meant that animals, such as coyotes, were able to dig up the corpses and drag them from their “eternal” resting place out to the mountains where they were never recovered. Today, the last of the stones and markers are protected with iron fences to ensure they don’t slide right off the cliffside. From this place, you have a panoramic view of the United Verde Mining Operations and the towering Cleopatra hill which rises up above the city.

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Ghost City Inn

This charming red and white painted two storey bed and breakfast seem anything but nefarious. But like everything in Jerome, it’s not what it seems. The Ghost City Inn was initially built in 1885 by the Garcia family as a lodging house for the managers of the various mines. In 1930, a miner staying in the house had constructed a bootleg still in his room. The poorly made machine exploded, causing an enormous fire which engulfed the entire second floor. In the 1950s and 70s, the house went through multiple renovations. This was in an attempt to keep relevant after the closure of the mines.

It became an art gallery, funeral home, spiritual retreat and restaurant. In 1994, it went through its latest transformation into a bed and breakfast where brave visitors stay the night to see if they can spot a ghost. The hotel’s most popular room, the Cleopatra Hill room, a female spirt it thought to be seen roaming the halls. In the Verde View Room, there is a male spirit seen outside the halls spying through keyholes on those people inside. People have seen doors slam on their own and whispering voices in the hallways when no one is there. Perhaps these are the ghosts of the people who perished in the fire, searching for a way out.

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Ladies of the Night

The ghosts of these ‘ladies of the night’ are thought to roam these streets, searching for redemption. High-class escorts worked in brothers where they had madams who took care of their health and safety. But if you were one of the lower class working women, you worked in what was called “the cribs”. These women saw upwards of 30-80 men a night and exposed themselves to harsh conditions, illness and violence.

Dozens of women died either by the hands of jealous clients or passed away from sexually transmitted diseases they weren’t even aware of. One such woman, who is seen wandering the street, was named Sammie Dean. Sammie Dean was murdered on Tuesday July 7th 1931 inside ‘Lil’s place’, a brothel apartment off Hull Ave. Her killer is a mystery but suspects include the Mayors Son, or Deputies Son. She is reportedly spotted in windows along the street, continually looking for her killer.

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House of Joy

The House of Joy on Hull Avenue is now an eclectic shop, but it was once one of the most famous brothels in town. In front of this house, people have said they feel like they are being watched by eyes in the window, despite no one being home. Often you’ll hear footsteps behind you, only to turn and nothing is there. People have even been said to be able to smell old fashioned perfume wafting from nowhere.

This red and black painted bordello was owned by the famous Madam, Nora “Butter” Brown. She was the very first madam to open a brothel in Jerome and taught Madam Jennie everything she knew. Jennie (who we will learn about late) went on to become much more success than Brown herself but learned everything from good ol’ Nora. During one of the many Jerome fires, Nora ran to the fire department and begged them to save her house over all the others. She went so far as to offer all the firefighters free “business” if they managed to save her property. With that kinda incentive its no surprise to hear, her house was saved.

Jerome’s Sliding Jail

Continue walking along Hull Avenue, and as you climb, on your right, down the hill (pathway marked), you’ll find the famous Sliding Jail. As the miners continued to dig and disrupt the steep hillside, many buildings were lost to landslides. And this jail is one of the remaining examples of this phenomenon. In 1936, the earth gave way under the jail, and it literally slid down the hill. It originally was located 200 feet from here, upon the main street.

The concrete cell block literally fell right out of the tin and wood building it was contained within. One can only imagine if someone had been inside this cell or not when it made a run for it. The cell is now reinforced by a few new walls and an iron fence to attempts to keep people out. Spirits have been drawn to this site for years, perhaps ghosts of old prisoners, searching for somewhere familiar.

Cuban Queen Bordello 

Just up from the sliding jail, is the remains of the Cuban Queen Bordello. This building was finally torn down in 2017 as it had been left to rot and eventually collapsed on itself. The once swanky Bordello was the site of one of the town’s most unlucky couple. After drinks in the bordello, two men had a quarrel in the streets, and one had killed the other. The murdered man’s wife, now left with no income became a prostitute at the Cuban Queen Bordello. There she was also shot to death by an estranged lover. Perhaps the angry spirits of the murdered couple brought down the building itself, but no doubt they still roam the area. But at least they are together again in death.

Husband’s Alley

Husbands Alley is the small alley behind what is now the Nellie Blie building. It had a false store front with access down to the Cribs. The Cribs District or ‘Husband’s Alley’ by the locals, as this was where the majority of Jerome’s prostitutes and ladies of the night would set up shop. Miners rarely brought their families with them when they took a position at a mine, and this meant prostitution was rampant. Although prostitution was technically legal, police would look the other way, and the trade was second only to copper in terms of the money brought into Jerome. At one point over 100 prostitutes were working in town.

Brothels and Saloons

These brothels were once located right on the main street, but when Jerome attempted to become a more “family-friendly” town, these establishments were moved to this new area, away from the saloons on the main drag. This meant men could head down to the main street to drink and gamble, and then walk out the back door, to access Husband’s alley. Then they would head back into the saloon once they were finished their “business” and walk out the front of the bar without knowing anyone knowing any the wiser what they had been up to.

Liberty Theatre & Gifts

Turning up Jerome avenue, we come upon the old Liberty Theatre, which now also acts as a gift shop. This was Jerome’s first silent movie theatre. Although the theatre closed in 1929, you can still explore the space it once resided in, and ghosts don’t just head off because of renovations. To this day, the spirit of a former patron haunts the building. Immigrants often came to mining towns as that kind of labour didn’t require too much legal paperwork.

A German-born immigrant woman to the city had struck up an affair with another one of the town’s immigrants. The two had a fight, and the woman fled to the movie theatre to clear her mind. But the man followed her there. He waited until the music got louder and then he strangled her to death, her screams masked by the tune. Today, people have been said to still hear screams coming from the second floor where the theatre once was.

Connor Hotel

Built in 1898 by David Connor, the Connor Hotel is one of Jerome precious jewels of the past. Formerly this hotel was built with over twenty rooms on the second floor to house all the different travelling miners, businessmen and contractors coming from all over the west to cash in on the natural resources to be found here Verde Valley. Rooms only cost $1.00 but back in that day that was a king’s ransom and the Connor Hotel didn’t disappoint. There were a bar, card room and even billiard tables on the first floor. Everything inside the Connor Hotel felt luxurious. It was the top of the line for hotels in the West, know all over Arizona. Just like the Bartlett hotel down the street, the Connor hotel also suffered at the hands of the flames and burned down in 1898.

Because there was so little land that could be built upon and all the buildings downtown were built do close together once a fire started, it spread very quickly, and there was no stopping it. But unlike many other shop owners, Connor had purchased insurance and was able to start construction on his new hotel very quickly. He made some lavish improvements on the previous hotel, including making this one in brick (much more fireproof) and was up and running right away.

Trouble at the Hotel

But as the mines began to run dry and the travelling miners went back home, the hotel started to run out of money. And by 1931 the hotel had to close its doors, for what they thought would be the last time. It still tried to rent out its first floor to different shops to make some money but the second floor remained dormant. It wasn’t until the late 60s with the tourist boom that it was transformed into a hotel once more. After a considerable renovation to update the hotel to modern safety codes and health standards, the hotel is inviting travellers back through its doors to experience a piece of history.

The Connor Hotel is haunted by an unnamed male spirit who loves to play with and manipulate electronics. He loves to turn on and off radios, TVs, telephones, and computers. This man’s presence can be sensed with cold spots in an otherwise warm room, or sometimes the echo of his voice can be heard calling from down the dark and creaky hallways.

Ms. Marie Gallagher

Another famous incident at the hotel involved a woman named Ann Hopkins. Ann’s husband was having an affair with a local school teacher, Ms. Marie Gallagher. In a jealous rage, Ann bought carbolic acid and waited till Gallagher was coming to the hotel to meet her husband. Ann caught her in the lobby and threw the acid in her face. The school teacher, Ms. Marie Gallagher, was not killed in the acid attack, but Ann was sent to jail for about 6 years, and came back to Jerome, living for a time inside the Connor Hotel room #1. Today, her spirit returns to haunt the hotel.

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The Spirit Room

On the lower level of the Connor Hotel, you’ll find the Spirit Room. Be sure to stop in here for a drink along your journey as the desert heat can leave any traveller mighty thirsty. This famous ghost sighting stop is a must-see building along your tour. Many people have seen a mysterious woman in red who comes into the Spirit Room to quench her ever-present thirst. She is a bit of a flirt and is thought to caresses the fingers, faces and necks of visitors. Whispering sweet nothings in their ears. If you take photos inside the spirit room, look for a red smudge, as this is her telltale lipstick stain. The lady in red has also been known to crawl right into bed with male guests who she takes a particular liking to.

Bartlett Hotel

The original building built on this spot was once called the Grandview Hotel and was constructed in 1895. It was a dancehall, a dining room and a high-society social club. In 1898 a great fire broke out throughout the city, and the hotel was destroyed. The Bartlett Hotel was rebuilt in 1901, this time using bricks, hoping this would help withstand another fire. It was a lavish hotel. Each room was decorated in a different colour, making every guest feel uniquely special.

The New Jerome’s Times, the longest-running newspaper, ran its offices out of the Bartlett hotel for 20 years until it had to shut its doors due to poor circulation. But in the late 1940s, the building became unstable and eventually abandoned. Now, all that’s left of it is the framing. The Jerome Historical Society has set up wooden ghosts for tourists to throw pennies into. The money collected is raised for future repairs and hopefully more preservation efforts throughout the city. 

Jerome Park

Across from the Bartlett, the hotel is the old Jerome Park. I hesitate to call it a park; it’s little more than a rusted swing set and an empty patch of land. But this is where one of the many deadly shootouts in Jerome took place. Alcohol and boredom fueled the fires of many a miner’s heads and after one too many, feuds between men, often over the love of a woman, would get heated enough to be taken outside and ended in a bloody shoot out. People often walking the streets at night have heard the sound of gunshots, but the shooter is never found and often thought to be echoes of the past.

Mile High Inn

Beside the park is the infamous Mile High Inn. This establishment was once owned by a woman named Madam Jennie Bauters. She was the wealthiest woman in northern Arizona. Jennie arrived in Jerome when it was nothing more than tents and shacks. There was no real main street to be heard of. But what there were was men. The original building which became the Mile High Inn was first the Clinkscales Building. It was built in 1899 by an insurance adjuster from Los Angeles. It was many things over the years, including a mortuary, one of Jennie’s Brothels, then a Hardware store when Jennie left Jerome in 1903.

The brothel was exceptionally well furnished, with a large front reception room and interior bedrooms dripping with luxurious velvet. These were for the elite of Jerome and Jennie made a pretty penny from these extravagances. The “sinful” business flourished, but despite her seemingly perfect life, Jennie had her fair share of troubles. One of her best girls, Maggie Shults, was murdered in the house by a rejected suitor. He shot her multiple times and then turned the gun on himself on the second floor.

Jennie’s Murderer

But Jennie didn’t let one measly murderer get her down. No, her business was booming, and she was buying up more and more property on Jerome’s main street. Jennie was killed in the small mining town called Acme Gold Road. The town changed its name to just ‘Gold Road’ in 1906. She was seen running down the street in her nightgown barefooted pleading for her life. Clement, her lover, was a gambler, heavy drinker, and always asked her for money. She turned him down one night for money, and he got angry and killed her.

After he realized what he had done he shot himself in the chest. The he lay down next to her dead body and covered his face with his hat, ready to die. He survived, was arrested and taken to jail, and was hung for Jennie’s murder in 1907. She was buried in Kingman at the old Pioneer cemetery. But has been seen still returning to Jerome to visit her old haunts.

Today’s Mile High Inn

Today, the Mile High Inn is much as it was in the 1940s, although remodelled to become a restaurant and hotel. The Madame herself is known to be seen roaming the halls of her institution, looking after the girls as she would have done in life. Jennie is pretty particular about how her home is kept and has been seen throwing dishes if they are not put away correctly or leaving fingerprints on the bed frames as she attempts to clean them. Visitors have come back to their room with the furniture moved around and doors locking and unlocking by themselves.

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First Episcopal Church

The First Episcopal Church was built in Jerome in 1900 but moved to its current building on Clark Street in 1927. Although the church closed its doors in 1953 when the mines closed, the Jerome Historical Society bought the property in 1953 to ensure it was not lost to the ages. Today they use this place for their archives and administration. If you come to her at twilight, you’ll get the chance to meet the church’s resident ghost. She is a woman, robed in white mist, who often stands in the doorway of the church, looking out at the town from this high vantage point.

The Haunted Hamburger

If you’re looking for a place to eat which serves up a side of the spooks, then you must head over to the Haunted Hamburger. While the menu is pretty standard diner fare, the ambience and stories from the locals you’ll learn while visiting are what you really come for. Chefs say that while in the kitchen, ghosts like to throw utensils around to tease them. Contractors swear that the ghosts have been known to steal their tools. A spirit by the name of Claire is thought to wander the second floor, and often you can head footsteps when they swear no one is up there.

Surgeon’s House

This old home, once the residence of the town’s surgeon, is haunted by many spirits. The surgeon was like a celebrity. He was often the richest man in Jerome who was old not a miner. He was a scholar and an educated man. Women were enthralled by these men from big cities. And miners were impressed by the stories they would tell of these lives, so different from the ones they knew. The Surgeons House was the site of many cocktail parties that would rage well into the late hours of the evening.

To this day, phantom music has been known to play, heard all across town. These days the old house is bed and breakfast. And guests have been known to see spectres dancing through the halls. These ghosts seem rather friendly and are just there to have a good time, as they did in life. A famous ghost dressed in a blue gown is frequently seen laughing through the halls. Often chasing a man seen carrying a leather doctors bag, perhaps the surgeon himself.

The Old Company Clinic

The Old Company Clinic was the second hospital to be built in Jerome. It was where, during the 1918 flu epidemic, hundreds of Jerome’s residents came to attempt to be treated. Unfortunately, hundreds of those people died, and their souls are thought to haunt this building. People claim to have said they’ve seen eyes in the windows and patients in turn of the century gowns walking around the 2nd floor. Doctors and nurses rush from room to room, as they would have done while they were alive, trying to cope with the hundreds of sick and dying people who came through their doors. The flu was genuinely horrific to behold and the imprint this terror wrought on the people who witnessed it made a lasting impression on the town, even years after the fateful events.

Crematory

When the third hospital was built, now the Grand Hotel, this one was left to rot. But not for long. The doctors and nurses began using it as a kind of social clubhouse in 1927, to retire in after a long day at work. It had a library, pool tables and lounge. But once the winter came, they found there was no heating in the building. Going on at the same time, the new hospital realized they did not have a working crematory to dispose of their dead bodies. Never to squander an opportunity, the doctors saw a solution to both their problems. They began using the crematory in the old hospital to burn bodies and heat their clubhouse all at once. Despite the ingenuity of the solution, this imbued the entire place with ghosts angry to be thought of as nothing more than coal for these doctors.

Ghost of the Little Girl

The last famous ghost to see if you can spot is that of a little girl. She is often seen sitting near the front door of the old hospital waiting for her mother. Her mother had come down with the flu and the little girl starved to death waiting for her mother to return home, although she never did as she died in hospital of the flu. The little girl often will only come out to maternal figures who she thinks might be her mother returning to her.

Asylum Restaurant

The Award-Winning Asylum Restaurant located at the Jerome Grand Hotel offers lunch and dinner services every day. The restaurant overlooks the entire Verde Valley and provides the diners one of the most amazing views. Although the name seems a bit cheesy, the decor inside is beautiful art deco from the period the building was constructed. The food is all classic dishes and is wonderfully prepared by some of the best chefs in the Valley. The select dishes include Pastrami Salad, Char-Broiled Chilean Grilled Salmon and Mesquite Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon. If you’re looking for a spot to eat dinner, this is an excellent choice for something a little more luxurious!

The Grand Hotel

The new Jerome Grand Hotel was initially built in 1926 as the Verde County Hospital. The hospital was designed in the Spanish mission revival style of architecture which was so popular at the time. It was one of the last significant buildings to be constructed in Jerome. Since it was so far away from the city centre, it avoided a lot of the fires that broke out downtown and therefore remained its original facade. Also, because it was a hospital and contained so many expensive machines, it was made to be fireproof and withstand dynamite blasts of up to 260,000 pounds.

In 1926 it was the most modern and well-equipped hospitals in Arizona as the mining finances paid for the best services money could afford. But by the 50s, when the mining dried up, the hospital closed down. The building stood unused for 44 years until it was renovated by the Altherr family in 1994 and was turned into a hotel for tourists. The family made many efforts to keep the structure and design of the original hospital to maintain its historical memory. But this also kept within its walls, the ghosts who passed away inside these walls. It was thought that over 9,000 people lost their lives here in this very spot.

Ghosts of the Hotel

Even if you’re not staying in the hotel, venture inside the lobby where some of the most restless spirits are found. Sitting in the dimly lit waiting room, you might spot the old woman in elegant clothes who is thought to be waiting for her husband. Items have flown off the gift shop shelves, doors close on their own and the front desk phone often rings with calls from unoccupied rooms. Behind the front desk of the lobby is still in working 1920’s elevator.

Claude Harvey

The most famous ghost of them all who lives in the hotel is Claude Harvey. Claude was a maintenance worker in the hospital during the 1930s. Claude was well-liked by everyone in town, and when he was found dead at the bottom of the elevator shaft, pinned under the elevator, everyone was shocked. There was an official inquest into his death where they discovered that his neck had been broken before the fall, and there were several strange scratch marks on his body not caused by the fall. In the end, the death was ruled an accident, but many people in town thought otherwise.

Shortly after his death, strange occurrences began at the hospital, specifically around the elevator. Even when no one is inside the lights go on and off and it sounds like someone is walking around inside. The owners went so far as to think someone had been breaking into the hospital and living there unbeknownst to anyone else, but no one was ever found. To this day, any strange occurrences in the elevator are thought to be the ghost of Claude.

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The Old Hospital Ghosts

The 3rd floor was where the operating room was and where most patients lost their lives. For years people have reported hearing coughing, painful groans and cries of distress echoing through the halls. Despite replacing the old wooden floorboards with sound cancelling carpet, guests have been known to hear the rolling of old hospital gurneys on wood floors. The most famous spirit on the 3rd floor is that of an old bearded miner who has been seen turning the lights on and off in the hallways.

Strange occurrences have happened to the living inside the hotel as well. In-room number 32, a man in wheelchair mysteriously managed to fall off a balcony, reportedly committing suicide. In the same room, only a few years later, a businessman shot himself in the face. A caretaker was hanged, and there were multiple murders throughout the hotel. Although this could be due to the “wildness” of the town, the thought of these deaths being influenced by ghosts of the past is hard not to imagine.

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Maternity Ward

On the 4th floor, where the maternity ward once was, there is a ghost of a mother who lost her baby in childbirth. She still roams the halls, frantically searching for her little baby. People report smells coming from unoccupied rooms such as cigar smoke and whiskey, in the waiting room where expectant fathers would have once waited.

United Verde Mine

From the parking lot of the Grand Hotel, you have a beautiful view across Verde Valley, and the old United Verde Mines. Beneath the entire city of Jerome, there are old mine shafts and tunnels which are thought to be the resting place of hundreds of miners. One famous ghost is named “headless Charlie” who was decapitated in an accident years ago. His head was recovered but the rest of him, much like the headless horsemen, was never found. After his death, many other miners would report hearing groaning and shuffling as if it was the ghost of Charlie searching for his lost head.

Today, standing on the cliff of these mines, the wind can play tricks on you, and you might hear what sounds like the echos of men trapped beneath the earth for eternity. Cries in the distance are a common occurrence, and here in the uneasy quiet, there is almost always something which can trick your mind into thinking it heard something quite not of this earth…or many it was just that.

Jason S. Voss

A BIG thanks to Jason S. Voss, who helped clear up a few facts for us! Jason has worked for the Jerome Historical Society and works for Jerome’s oldest local tour company, Tours Of Jerome. He is also an amazing local artist. Feel free to contact him for a personal tour of the city! Jason was a contributor to the book “Haunted Jerome” which just came out 3 months ago written by Midge Stueber and Pat Jacobson. If you’re interested in learning more about Jerome I would highly recommend you pick up a copy!

I’ve been to Jerome multiple times, and the people who live here LOVE telling stories. In addition to taking this walking tour, make time to chat with the locals as everyone seems to have had their own personal ghost encounter which they are eager to share! If you’ve ever had your own haunted happening let me know in the comments!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ADVENTURERS

The post Explore the eerily beautiful haunted streets of Jerome, Arizona, on a self-guided walking tour first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History of Jerome
   • Wildest town in the West
2. #1. Jerome State Historic Park
3. #2. Cleopatra Hill Lookout
4. #3. Bartlett Hotel
   • History of the Bartlett
   • New Jerome's Times
5. #4. Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum
6. #5. Hotel Connor and Spirit Room
   • The Connor Hotel Fire
   • The Spirit room
7. #6. Bobby D’s Bar-B-Q Pit at the English Kitchen
8. #7. Caduceus Tasting Room
9. #8. Shop Along Jerome's Historic District
   • OJ's Copper Country Fudge
10. #9. Asylum Restaurant
11. #10. The Grand Hotel
    • Mission Architecture

History of Jerome

Before we get into the places to visit, just a bit of history to set the scene… Jerome was founded in the late 19th century on Cleopatra Hill. It overlooks the scenic Verde Valley, which is 5,000 feet above sea level. During its heyday, it was home to more than 15,000 people. In WWI, the price of copper soared and American citizens came here in droves to mine the rich copper quarries that were abundant in this area of the west.

Wildest town in the West

Jerome was known as the wildest town in the west. It had a reputation for gambling, alcohol abundance, drug abuse, gunfights and other mayhem. But when the copper deposits were exhausted and the town became subject to numerous fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters, the population continued to decrease and eventually it became a ghost town with little to no sustainable source of income. As of 2010 the population was only 444 people. In the late 60’s, the Arizonian Tourism board saw it’s untouched architectural and cultural potential and established Jerome as a Historical Landmark in 1967. In the late 2000’s, art galleries and trendy restaurants started popping up to drive more people into the town.  The local State Park and National Museum was established to help preserve the history of mining in this village and to educate travelling visitors on the history of mining in Jerome.

#1. Jerome State Historic Park

To begin your journey in Jerome, the best place to start is at the Jerome State Historic Park located inside the old Douglas Mansion. The Museum is located on the other side of the town and provides fantastic views of the city and the phenomenal Verde Valley. Inside the museum you’ll get a great primer for what you’re going to see once you step inside the city. It’s a fantastic historical resource devoted to the preservation of the city of Jerome.

The Douglas Mansion was built in 1916 by James S. Douglas. He built it up on the hill beside the Little Daisy Mine which he owned. You can still see the old mine from the Mansion viewpoint. After his death, the house was turned into a National Museum and features photographs, mining artifacts, and minerals. They also have a video presentation and a 3-D model of the town as it was in the 1900s along with a model of the underground mines. Outside the mansion, you can visit the Audrey Headframe Park. It’s open from 8am-5pm where guests can stand on a glass floor above a 1,900 foot shaft where miners used to descend daily to begin their duties in 1918.

#2. Cleopatra Hill Lookout

One of the best views of the city and Cleopatra Hill is from inside the Museum. The lookout point in the courtyard provides panoramic views of the Verde Valley as well as the entire city of Jerome. You are provided with a map and an infograph of all the buildings (past and present).

#3. Bartlett Hotel

Once you’ve had your fill of history, it’s time to get back in your car and drive into the city. Main Street is the perfect place to find parking and drop your car off before you begin your walk. If you plan on staying overnight, then your hotel might provide overnight parking as well but there are lots of great spots right across from the Bartlett Hotel. Once you’ve parked your car, jet back across the street and look over the plaque dedicated to the Barlett Hotel.

History of the Bartlett

The original building built on this spot was once called the Grandview Hotel and was constructed in 1895. It was a dancehall, a dining room and and a high-society social club. In 1898 a great fire broke out throughout the city and the hotel was destroyed. The Bartlett Hotel was rebuilt in 1901, this time using bricks, hoping this would help withstand another fire. It was a lavish hotel. Each room was decorated differently, making every guest feel uniquely special.

New Jerome’s Times

The New Jerome’s Times, the longest running newspaper, ran its offices out of the Bartlett hotel for 20 years until it had to shut its doors due to poor circulation. The building was also used as a bank, drug store, and has four different offices and shops along the ground floor. But in the late 1940’s, the building became unstable and eventually abandoned. Now, all that’s left of it is the framing.  The Jerome Historical society has set up set up wooden ghosts apparitions for tourists to throw penny’s into to help raise money for future repairs and hopefully more preservation efforts throughout the city.

#4. Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum

After visiting the Bartlett Hotel, wander down the street until you get to the Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum. When you think “Museum” you might think “Oh no, we just were at one of these today!” But fear not! This place only costs $2 and takes only a few minutes to walk through. It gives you a better glimpse into what the lives were like for the miners who lived in Jerome during these boom times. It tells you stories from the perspectives of the miners themselves. You’ll learn why Jerome was named the Wickedest Town in The West and hear about how the miners sought their fortunes in the “billion dollar mining camp“.

They also have over 11,000 maps, newspapers and documents. The Historical Society also is responsible for protecting and preserving this town so you know your entry fee is going toward the preservation of this old city for future visitors.

#5. Hotel Connor and Spirit Room

Walking north east along Main Street and you’ll come upon the Hotel Connor and the Spirit Room. Be sure to stop in here for a drink along your journey as the desert heat can leave any traveller mighty thirty. This famous ghost sighting stop is a must see building along your tour.

Built in 1898 by David Connor, the Connor Hotel was one of Jerome precious jewels of the past. Originally this hotel was built with over twenty rooms on the second floor to house all the different travelling miners, business men and contractors coming from all over the west to cash in on the natural resources to be found here Verde Valley. Rooms only cost $1.00 but back in that day that was a kings random and the Connor Hotel didn’t disappoint. There was a bar, card room and even billiard tables on the first floor.

The Connor Hotel Fire

Just like the Bartlett hotel down the street, the Connor hotel also suffered at the hands of the flames in the great fires and burned down in 1898. Because there was so little land that could be built upon and all the buildings downtown were built do close together once a fire started it spread very quickly and there was no stopping it. But unlike many other shop owners, Connor had purchased insurance and was able to start construction on his new hotel very quickly. He made some lavish improvements on the previous hotel, and was up and running right away.

The Connor Hotel was one of the first hotels in Jerome to have electricity and telephone lines. What was their telephone numbers you ask? Well just dial “8”. There were only a few places with telephone so each one had a single digital number. Everything inside the Connor Hotel felt luxurious. It was the top of the line for hotels in the West, know all over Arizona. But as the mines began to run dry and the travelling miners started back home, the hotel started to run out of money and by 1931 the hotel had to close its doors, for what they thought would be the last time. It still tried to rent out its first floor to different shops to make some money but the second floor remained dormant until the late 60s when the tourist boom awakened the city once more.

The Spirit room

After a huge renovation to update the hotel to modern safety codes and health standards, the hotel is inviting travellers back through its doors to experience a piece of history. But for day trippers that just want to see a piece of this treasure, go inside the Spirit Room to grab a drink inside the bar. It’s full of little treasures from the original hotel and had so much character to it. It feels like a saloon from an old Western movie and you just expect a cowboy to walk through the door at any minute.

#6. Bobby D’s Bar-B-Q Pit at the English Kitchen

By now you’re probably pretty hungry and I’ve got the perfect lunch spot picked out for you! There’s a lot of pretty cheesy restaurants when it comes to ghost towns. A lot of them themed on “ghostly” menu items featuring plenty of random western decor all over the walls. But Bobby D’s BBQ Pit is just plain good food at great prices. In tourist towns, sometimes you just stuck with terrible food at high prices but this little gem is neither. It’s just around the corner from both the Connor hotel and the Historical Society so it’s the perfect place to grab something to eat before heading up the hill for the rest of our tour.

Their drinks are all served in wonderfully western mason jar glasses which just adds to the down-home atmosphere to the place. Try any of their local craft beers or iced teas. Some of their most popular menu items are the brisket and ribs tips, Mac ‘n Cheese, Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread and Pulled Pork! Everything is smoked in house and you can smell the BBQ all over town – it is pretty hard to resist. Everything is absolutely delicious and the best picks for a great western luncheon.

#7. Caduceus Tasting Room

Once you’re all full up on BBQ, it’s time to relax and sample some of Verde Valley’s best vino. Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill along the main street is Caduceus Tasting Room and Espresso Bar. In here youou can sit and relax while you sip on your wine selection provided to you by a wonderfully kind and knowledgeable group of staff. This place also has lots of room to sit and enjoy one of their incredible charcuterie platters. If wine isn’t you thing, this place also has a selection of incredible espressos to give yourself a boost for the rest of the day.

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#8. Shop Along Jerome’s Historic District

As you finish your last sample of wine, take one last look at the view and head out the door. We’re going to head back along the historic Main Street where local artisans and souvenir shop owners have begun to pop up over the years. It’s here you can find the most unique and interesting delights from chocolate fudge to vintage dresses to kaleidoscopes and hand painted art.

There is something for everyone along this strip. Among the different shops you’ll also pass by old run down houses, abandoned for years and years. It’s interesting to see the marriage of old and new. But despite new tenants moving into these buildings, the facades and the structures haven’t changed much, or at all, over the years. 

OJ’s Copper Country Fudge

One of my favourite shops is OJ’s Copper Country Fudge. It sells different sweets treats made using the same recipe they’ve used sine the 1930’s. This feels like the kinda of place a miner might have taken his family to relax after a long week in the mines.

#9. Asylum Restaurant

Walk along Clark street toward the fork in the road where Clark meet Hill Street. This is where you’ll veer off the path and start walking up Hill street. Before you start up Hill street, you’ll pass by the scenic Surgeons house which was built in 1916 for Jerome’s Chief Surgeon and used all throughout the heyday of Jerome mining boom for the nurse’s residence. Many people were treated by the doctors here as mining was one of the more dangerous professions and it is widely rumoured that the ghosts still haunt the house today.

The Award Winning Asylum Restaurant located at the Jerome Grand Hotel offers lunch and dinner services every day. The restaurant overlooks the entire Verde Valley and provides the diners one of the most amazing views. Although the name seems a bit cheesy, the decor inside is beautiful art deco from the period the building was constructed. The food is all classic dishes and are wonderfully prepared by some of the best chefs in the Valley. Their best menu meals choices include Julienne Pastrami Salad, Char-Broiled Chilean Grilled Salmon and Mesquite Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon.

#10. The Grand Hotel

If you decide to stay the night, or even if this is just the last stop on your tour, ending the day at the Grand Hotel gives you a breathtaking view of the city and puts a historical button on the day. The Grand Hotel, as it stands today is fairly different in appearance from its original. The Jerome Grand Hotel was constructed in 1926 as the Verde County Hospital. In 1920 it became one of the most modern and well-equipped hospitals in Arizona as the mining finances paid for the best services money could afford.

But by the 50’s, when the mining dried up, the hospital closed down. The building stood unused for 44 years until it was renovated by the Altherr family in 1994 and turned into a hotel for tourists. They made sure to try and make as little changes to the building to keep it as historical memory of this town as well as a functional attraction.

Mission Architecture

The old hospital was built in the original mission revival style of architecture and was one of the last major buildings to be constructed in Jerome. Since it was so far away from the city centre it avoided a lot of the fires that broke out downtown and therefore remained more intact architecturally. Also, because it was a hospital and contained so many expensive machines, it was made to be fireproof and withstand dynamite blasts of up to 260,000 pounds.

If you’re brave enough to stay the night, you’re up for a few chilling surprises. There have been several hauntings known to appear throughout the halls of the hospital. People report hearing smells coming from unoccupied rooms such as cigar smoke and whiskey. Others report televisions sets turning themselves on and off without explanation. There have also been two apparitions known to be seen on occasions. One in a white hospital gown and the other in a nurses outfit. Are you brave enough to survive a night in this ghost town? 

I hope you enjoyed this walking tour. Jerome is a great place for a day out and will give you a taste of what a historic mining town was like back when it was the “Wildest Town in the West!”

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