Visitors
Welcome to Prescott, Arizona
Our city draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy our unique setting, old-west history and enjoyable climate. Throughout the year Prescott offers a variety of events and activities so that no matter when you visit, you'll get a chance to experience the many faces of Prescott and find out for yourself why Prescott is considered one of the top emerging metropolitan cities.
How to Get Here
Google Maps offers great driving directions from Phoenix (or Sky Harbor Airport), Flagstaff and Tucson. You may also be able to catch a flight into Prescott Municipal Airport.
Where to Stay
Prescott offers a wide variety of places to stay. To find out more consult the Chamber of Commerce Lodging Resource, the Prescott Area Lodging Association (PAL) or search for Lodging in Prescott on Google.
What to Do
There's no shortage of things to do in Presscott. Start by checking out the City Events Calendar and the Prescott Downtown Partnership Events Calendar. You might also be interested in the live entertainment offered by the Elks Opera House or the Yavapai College Performance Hall. If you're interested in Prescott's historic past you shouldn't miss some of our local museums including Sharlot Hall, the Phippen Western Museum and the Smoki Museum. Outdoor recreational activities abound including several Parks & Lakes, numerous Hiking/Biking/Horseback Trails and our Antelope Hills Golf Course. Finish your day with a meal at the Manzanita Grill or any other of our many restaurants. Whatever you choose to do we know you'll love Prescott!
Other Information
- Non-Profit Organizations & Agencies
Historic Prescott
Prescott was founded in 1863 and incorporated in 1883. During the late 1800s, Prescott twice served as the territorial capital, and the Governor's Mansion is now preserved at the Sharlot Hall Museum.
In 1864, the town site of Prescott was surveyed and laid out along Granite Creek where gold had been panned. The town was designated the capital of the new territory of Arizona after Arizona was separated from New Mexico. President Lincoln wanted the territorial capital in the northern part of the territory, far away from the Confederate sympathizing cities to the south.
Whiskey Row in the early 1900's
Lincoln also decided to populate this new capital with Northerners and Midwesterners and this decision resulted in Prescott being the most Midwestern-looking city in Arizona. Victorian homes and peaked roof homes were built, a far cry from the adobe structures that were more common in the Southwest.
The early economy of the area centered on cattle ranching and mining. In July of 1900, a fire destroyed much of Prescott's commercial district. Within hours, make-shift shelters were erected on the Courthouse Plaza and businesses began rebuilding. Following the fire, most buildings in the downtown area were reconstructed of brick, providing today's rich architectural heritage.
The City places great emphasis on historic preservation, with over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
The colorful history of Prescott awaits visitors at Sharlot Hall Museum, the largest museum in the central territory of Arizona. Founded by historian and poet Sharlot M. Hall in 1928, the Museum today explores the rich diversity of regional heritage through festivals, living history events, outdoor theater performances, changing exhibits, publications and research services.