Jerome

Jerome, a former mining town, is perched on a mountainside to view the valley below and distant mountains. Jerome, which had been abandoned and become a ghost town, has regained new life via tourism.

Many of the wrecked structures still exist on steep slopes, serving as a somber reminder of the town's inhabitants and past. Today, you may tour the renovated buildings' historic businesses, cafés, and museums. Or simply enjoy the still-standing collapsing facade. The town has been renovated enough to make it appealing to tourists while yet retaining some of its Old West charms.

The drive to Jerome, over a paved road with switchbacks, adds to the allure of this day excursion. The one-way travel from Phoenix takes roughly two hours. A full-day excursion may be made by traveling to Sedona, then up to Jerome, and finally over the mountain behind Jerome to the historic town of Prescott before returning to Phoenix.