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Residents of quirky Jerome are proud to reside in America’s greatest ghost city. A booming copper mining city on the flip of the nineteenth century, Jerome was as soon as residence to fifteen,000 inhabitants. Today, vacationers flock to this Central Arizona city searching for Wild West historical past, artwork galleries, and ghost tales. Take a have a look at 15 depraved enjoyable issues to do in Jerome, AZ!
Jerome, AZ History
After Jerome’s underground mines closed in 1953 the inhabitants dwindled to lower than 100. Slowly artists and free spirits moved into the deserted city. This eclectic bunch was in search of low cost housing and delightful 180-degree views of the encompassing Verde Valley.
Once often known as the Wickedest Town in America, now about 500 folks name Jerome residence and welcome guests. In 1967, the city was designated as a National Historic District.
1. Jerome State Historic Park and Douglas Mansion
A go to to Jerome State Historic Park and Douglas Mansion provides a whole lot of historic background in regards to the city. Stop at this Arizona State Park first to make your time in Jerome extra significant and attention-grabbing. Plan to spend about an hour or two exploring Douglas Mansion.
Douglas Family
The rich Douglas household, which as soon as owned the city’s copper mines, constructed the mansion in 1916. The residence opened as a museum and heart of the Jerome Historic State Park in 1965. This helped set up the city as a vacationer vacation spot.
One room, the Douglas Library, has been restored right into a interval room. Other rooms of the mansion show pictures, artifacts, and details about the Douglas household.
Jerome’s Mining History and Geology
Learn additionally about Jerome’s mining historical past and the city’s distinctive geology. Miniature city fashions reveal how Jerome is perched above a disconcerting Swiss cheese maze of mineshafts.
A Ghost Town Film
While on the museum, you should definitely watch, “A Ghost Town Tour of Jerome, Arizona.” The practically 30-minute movie runs on a steady loop, beginning on the half-hour. Narrated by an old-timey Jerome “ghost,” the film does a very good job of bringing the historical past of Jerome to life, even for youths.
2. Ghost Town Tours
Ghost Town Tours hosts historic and haunted excursions of Jerome. Along the best way, you may hear plenty of tales about life in Jerome throughout its heyday. A Jerome Ghost Town Tour provides a lot shade and depth to your time in Jerome while not having to do plenty of analysis by yourself. Both private and non-private guided excursions can be found.
Haunted Tours
For a mix of historical past and horror, ebook the Original Ghost Adventure, Spirit Walk, or Jerome Haunted History Shuttle Tour. You’ll go to the websites of unsolved murders, deadly accidents, and present-day ghost sightings. Using supplied electromagnetic subject displays, members can supposedly detect paranormal exercise.
Get the History Shuttle Tour
If you shrink back from spooky stuff, then do as my household did and embark on a Get the History Shuttle Tour as an alternative. The focus of this guided tour is much less on ghosts and extra on Jerome’s historic websites. It included a go to to Jerome’s mining trade websites and the long-closed Jerome High School.
This tour usually gives a go to to the city’s cemetery, too. Unfortunately, we needed to skip it as a result of snowy roads. (It snows about thrice per 12 months in Jerome.)
3. Audrey Headframe Park
Picture what it was wish to reside and work as a miner in Jerome at Audrey Headframe Park. You’ll see historic mining tools and a 1,700-foot mining shaft. Step on the plexiglass cowl and picture driving two hours all the way down to work every day.
A go to to Audrey Headframe Park is included within the shuttle excursions led by Ghost Town Tours. You can go to this vacationer attraction by yourself, too.
4. Little Daisy Hotel
From Audrey Headframe Park, you’ll be able to see Little Daisy Hotel on the hill above the mineshaft. Miners as soon as resided right here in sizzling bunks, sleeping in beds in shifts between lengthy hours within the mines and overindulgent play within the metropolis.
Today you’ll be able to solely have a look at Little Daisy Hotel from a distance. The 40-room resort is now privately owned and has been remodeled into an expensive private residence.
5. Jerome’s Sliding Jail
Built into the aspect of a mountain smack alongside the Verde Fault and located over mines blasted by dynamite, Jerome’s place is precarious certainly. It’s no marvel sinkholes, earthquakes, and landslides have rocked Jerome over time.
The greatest seen proof of those risks is Jerome’s Sliding Jail. This constructing started its sluggish slide downhill in 1938, following a mine blast. Until then, the concrete construction was used to carry ruffians in a as soon as infamous city that included 24 saloons, 18 brothels, and an opium den.
Nowadays the jail could be discovered 200 ft from its authentic location, alongside the principle avenue of Jerome beside a car parking zone. The jail has been stabilized by retaining partitions however cannot be entered. An on-site plaque tells the historical past of the jail.
6. Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes
Want to go to the world’s largest assortment of kaleidoscopes? Of course, you do!
Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes is price visiting to view a powerful array of scopes. These artworks are constructed from wooden, steel, and glass.
Visitors are welcome to the touch and peek, however households with very younger kids needs to be cautious on this store. Kaleidoscopes vary in value from novelty to downright extravagant.
You may even purchase a kaleidoscope necklace to hold out of your neck. Then, regardless of the place you go, you’ll be able to see the world by way of a bedazzled lens.
Who Is Nellie Bly
The retailer is called after Nellie Bly. She was a journalist and world traveler made well-known within the 1800s for an exposé she wrote in regards to the horrific circumstances of a New York psychological establishment.
Christina Ricci and Judith Light starred in a horror movie referred to as Escaping the Madhouse about Bly’s time spent posing as a affected person within the asylum whereas researching her story.
7. Art Galleries and Art Walk
You’ll discover pottery, work, handmade jewellery and a lot extra in over 25 artwork galleries on this ghost city. For many vacationers, meandering by way of these galleries is the first function of a go to to Jerome.
If visiting on the primary Saturday of the month, then you definately’re in luck. Jerome First Saturday Art & Wine Walk takes place month-to-month within the night (5 to eight pm).
Get an Art Walk map and go it by yourself. Or, catch a free shuttle from the outdated Jerome High School, the place some artwork studios are positioned. Live music and refreshments typically add to the festivities.
8. La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio
Kids and adults alike get a kick out of watching Jerome resident and artist, Tracy Weisel, blowing glass. He creates stunning, delicate artworks at La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio.
My youngsters begged me to purchase a small glass pumpkin so as to add to our Halloween ornament assortment, and I fortunately obliged. You can even purchase hen feeders, glassware, and different glass goodies right here.
La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio is open noonish to 5-ish day by day. Alas, at 4:45 we have been too late on the day we visited. But Weisel was glad to pretend it for my picture!
9. Laura Williams Park
After touring artwork galleries and studying Arizona historical past classes, reward youngsters with some playtime. Laura Williams Park provides a playground and grassy house.
During our winter go to, a portion of the park was lit with vacation lights. When the climate is good, native artists promote their creations right here.
10. Wine Tasting
Wine tasting might not spring to thoughts when planning an Arizona trip. Jerome, nevertheless, is residence to a number of tempting tasting rooms.
This is as a result of Jerome sits above Verde Valley, which is named Arizona wine nation, because of its temperate local weather. Take a have a look at a listing of Jerome wine-tasting venues out there in Jerome.
While on the town, I finished into Cellar 433 (for analysis, after all!). Kids are welcome. You can hold them content material by ordering a cheese and fruit tray. This tasting room spans two flooring and has sweeping views of the valley under. If beer is extra your bag, they provide microbrew tastings as nicely.
11. Jerome Candy Shops
Choose from a tantalizing number of selfmade fudge at OJ’s Copper Country Fudge. Look for flavors like Candy Cane, Orange Cream, and Chocolate Jalapeño, in addition to extra conventional choices. Ice cream and sizzling cocoa are additionally out there.
Another candy choice in Jerome is Rickeldoris Candy & Popcorn Company. Buy treats like popcorn, connoisseur goodies, and novelty candies. This store makes its personal popcorn in such flavors as Prickly Pear, Cheddar, and Mixed Fruit.
12. Gold King Mine Museum
A brief drive simply 1 mile from downtown Jerome, the Gold King Mine Museum is the right place to get a style of life within the Wild West. Miners trying to find copper right here struck gold again in 1901 and arrange their very own city referred to as Haynes. It even had its personal put up workplace for 14 years earlier than the gold ran out and the mine was closed.
Rediscovered in 1981, guests can now wander by way of a recreation of the mining camp. View mining tools, outdated buildings, a working sawmill, and a blacksmith store. Best for households, you may discover a petting zoo and gold panning.
History buffs and automotive lovers will recognize an array of 180 classic vehicles, vehicles, and bikes on show, together with Studebakers and traditional Harleys.
13. Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum
The Jerome Historical Society Mine Museum is supposedly open seven days every week, however was closed (or on the point of shut) each time we stopped by.
That’s partially as a result of we tried to go to this non-profit museum throughout the low season in January. And it is partially as a result of an unbiased Wild West city like Jerome does issues because it sees match!
According to their web site, “The Museum and Gift Shop were opened in the early 1950s. With displays depicting the timeline of Jerome’s past to its present, items such as old miners’ equipment to remains of gambling in saloons can be seen within the Museum.”
14. Unique Jerome Restaurants
Mostly gone is the period of late-night debauchery in Jerome. In truth, these days practically every little thing on the town closes round 6 pm in winter. Choose from an eclectic bunch of family-friendly eating places on the town for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Mine Café
The Mine Café is a wee breakfast/lunch joint with small however tasty, parts. As a gluten-sensitive eater, I used to be glad to search out they provide gluten-free bread (Canyon Bakehouse).
They present a 20 p.c off coupon by way of Yelp. But you should definitely present it earlier than you pay as a result of our waitress did not need to honor it afterward.
Haunted Hamburger
The two-story Haunted Hamburger is a enjoyable restaurant with a hip reward store and nice views of Verde Valley. Open for lunch and dinner, count on ghostly decor together with greasy burgers and sizzling canine.
The kitchen is positioned on the second stage. They use a dumbwaiter to ship meals to diners downstairs. (Ask to see it and also you simply could also be invited into the kitchen for a peek!)
Start your meal with deep-fried pickles and finish it with enormous, shareable desserts. This will not be the place to scrimp on energy!
Vaqueros Grill & Cantina
You may simply discover one of the best meal on the town on the solely Mexican restaurant in Jerome. Enjoy conventional dishes like tamales, enchiladas, and tacos at Vaqueros Grill & Cantina.
Vaqueros boasts probably the most festive decor. Colorful Day of the Dead theming matches the city’s obsession with all issues ghostly.
You have to pay for chips and salsa however there is a free providing on Yelp. (Note: this does NOT depend in direction of the guacamole, chips, and salsa appetizer.)
Bobby D’s BBQ
Don’t let the large “English Kitchen” indicators painted on the adobe partitions at Bobby D’s BBQ confuse you. Established in 1899 by Chinese American immigrant, Charley Hong, the English Kitchen served one of the best Chinese meals in Jerome to miners who hailed from world wide.
The authentic restaurant closed in 2007, however the painted indicators stay. Bobby D’s took over the historic constructing as a smokehouse in 2011.
Bobby D and his sister, Kathryn, have been smoking ribs, sausage, hen, brisket, pork, and extra in an ole hickory smoker day by day ever since. Pull up a seat on their patio for a scrumptious grilled or barbecued meal when in Jerome.
Asylum Restaurant
The Grand Hotel Jerome was as soon as the United Verde Hospital, constructed by the United Verde Copper Company to take care of sick and injured miners. Now it’s residence to the amusingly named Asylum, the fanciest restaurant on the town.
The ambiance is old style dinner membership. There’s no want to decorate up, although. Jerome is mountain city informal, even right here.
Although the usual menu is spendy, younger diners can select from an inexpensive kids’s menu. For dinner, select from such choices as Grilled Achiote Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, Sonoran Spiced Chicken, and Prickly Pear Barbecue Pork Tenderloin.
Be looking out for the leg lamp à la A Christmas Story, on show within the bar year-round.
15. Historic Jerome Hotels
Jerome would not supply slick, trendy motels with indoor swimming pools and room service. The focus of this must-see vacation spot is on lodging in historic buildings and ghostly sightings. Sure, you might swing by way of city throughout a day journey however to essentially get a way of the historic city of Jerome, I like to recommend an extended weekend getaway.
The Connor Hotel
I selected the Connor Hotel for my keep in Jerome with my youngsters. It’s located proper on Main Street in downtown Jerome, close to the Mine Museum and many of the eating places and retailers. You actually cannot discover a higher location for exploring.
The resort was initially in-built 1898. Then it burnt down, not as soon as, however twice. It was rebuilt a last time with brick in 1899.
The resort closed within the Nineteen Thirties, however the Spirit Room bar downstairs remained open. After the flip of the twenty first century, the Connor Hotel was transformed and restored. The Connor consists of 12 rooms embellished to move visitors again in time to the early 1900s.
This resort claims to be haunted by The Lady in Red. Apparently, she makes most of her appearances in Room 1. (We did not see any signal of the apparition.)
Rooms 1 – 4 are positioned above the Spirit Room, which has been named the Best Small Town Bar in Arizona by Thrillist. Since this historic bar provides reside music 4 nights every week, count on to listen to some noise in these rooms. Typically, the music stops by 11 pm or midnight and we did not discover it overly raucous. If you are touring with a child or toddler, although, then you definately may need to select a distinct room.
Families wanting more room ought to ebook Room 2. It encompasses a king mattress for folks within the bed room and a twin mattress with a pull-out twin trundle for the youngsters within the connected sitting room.
Private baths include every room. Our suite additionally contained a mini-fridge, moist bar, and microwave. The resort even gave us free microwave popcorn and nightly chocolate mints.
Read opinions and ebook the Connor Hotel by way of TripAdvisor.
Jerome Grand Hotel
Opened in 1927 as a hospital, Jerome Grand Hotel is the most important lodging choice on the town. After the hospital closed in 1950, the constructing stood empty for over 4 many years.
It reopened because the Jerome Grand Hotel in 1996. The 30,000-square-foot constructing sits atop Cleopatra Hill, the mountain into which Jerome was constructed. Numerous apparition sightings lure ghost hunters to this resort.
For households, Jerome Grand Hotel boasts all kinds of room configurations, together with 1- and 2-bedroom suites in addition to connecting rooms.
Even in case you don’t remain right here, I like to recommend making the 7-minute stroll up the hill from Main Street to dine one evening on the Asylum Restaurant.
Read extra in regards to the Jerome Grand Hotel and make your reservation by way of TripAdvisor.
Other Hotels, B&Bs and Rental Homes
There are a handful of different motels and mattress & breakfasts in Jerome, none of that are chains. Take a have a look at lodging choices in Jerome by way of TripAdvisor.
Many Jerome householders lease out their locations, too. This provides households much more decisions. Here’s a number of rental properties out there in Jerome by way of VRBO.
Explore More of Arizona
Looking for less difficult Arizona street journeys? Head to the intriguing Montezuma’s Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument.
Discover all there may be to do in Arizona’s former territorial capital, Prescott with youngsters.
Take a have a look at my useful ideas for visiting the Grand Canyon.
Read in regards to the greatest issues to do in Flagstaff in northern Arizona.
If you are contemplating a transfer to the desert, examine what it is wish to reside in Arizona.
Save These Jerome, AZ Activities
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A Note from The Travel Mama: My household paid full value for every little thing talked about on this story. I’ll at all times let you recognize if I obtain something totally free or at a reduced media fee. All opinions are mine, as at all times.