"Small town, Big charm" a Prescott Travel Page by treerose

If you want a place to go in Arizona that isn't sweltering hot (e.g., anything Phoenix or below), nor too cold (e.g., Flagstaff), and yet you're also looking to find a sense of culture, historical preservation, and community activities, Prescott is the place to go. If you've never experienced a town with its own charm, just go to the downtown section and park anywhere and walk around, browse the myriad of little shops, push open the old-fashion saloon doors to the Palace on Whiskey Row, step in and sit at the original wooden bar that is probably Arizona's oldest, and where the wait staff still dress in 1800s garb. Or drive almost any direction from there and you'll find yourself traversing a winding road to one of Prescott's many natural summits and surrounding mountains, with unique names that modify their shapes, like "Thumb Butte."
Often when people think of Arizona, they think of dirt and desert and cactus. At least I did. But Prescott is much more than that. In fact, cactuses are much less common than pine trees here in this "mile-high city." If rocks are more of your interest, Prescott again has plenty of different boulder structures, some like the Granite Dells, that are truly unique to this area, and encourage appreciation for natural erosion, or nature's own sculpting hand that carved a petrified history along the way.
Prescott encourages natural preservation and enjoyment; with 5 lakes, several campgrounds, and countless hiking trails, every outdoor-lover can find something to fill a day's time, ... and much more. For those who prefer to relax and watch the views from the car, Prescott affords many scenic drives to invoke serenity. If you've ever heard the description of "whispering pines," but have not experienced it for yourself, come to Prescott and go to any area of the Prescott National Forest. Step outside the car and you'll hear what it truly means for the pines to "whisper."