There’s no better place than Prescott for summer fun and activities! With everything from hiking, biking and listening to music on the Courthouse Plaza — you’ll love being in town this time of year.
Places to Go, Things to Do
Visitors may be surprised to learn that Prescott has four museums, and they all have something to do with Prescott’s heritage:
There’s Sharlot Hall Museum, which is both an historic site and a heritage campus with 11 exhibit buildings, more than 40,000 artifacts and thousands of documents, photos, images and maps depicting the frontier heritage during territorial times. It’s an easy three-block walk from the downtown Courthouse Plaza.
415 E. Gurley St., Prescott
The Smoki Museum is an American Indian art and culture center in Prescott and has been active since 1935. It features artifacts from across the Southwest, from prehistoric to contemporary. 147 N. Arizona Ave., Prescott
The Phippen Museum celebrates the art and heritage of the American West offering a centralized venue to fully support Western art. It first opened its doors in 1984 and has grown and expanded, featuring quarterly rotating exhibits. It is the only art museum in Prescott.
4701 Highway 89 North, Prescott
Lesser known is the Fort Whipple Museum, perfect for military and veteran history buffs. Located on the historic grounds of the Veteran’s Administration Health Care System in Prescott and housed in the vintage 1909 military officer’s quarters, this museum serves as a reminder of the wild, wild West. 500 AZ-89, Prescott
The newest kid on the block is the Western Heritage Center on Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott. It will be fully open soon with a stated goal of preserving and promoting the western way of life, acting as a “showcase” of participating museums, historical societies and other organizations from across Yavapai County. 156 C S. Montezuma St., Prescott
Also, you won’t want to miss the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew (GMIHC) Learning and Tribute Center located inside Gateway Mall (inside, toward Dillard’s). This center was built to commemorate the 19 brave firefighters who lost their lives in the Yarnell Fire in 2013. But, it’s more than that, it’s also a learning center to help visitors understand the roles and duties of wildland firefighting and prevention. Open Friday-Sunday. 3250 Gateway Blvd., Prescott
The Highlands Center for Natural History is south of Prescott near Costco. This Prescott nature center located in the pine forest near Lynx Lake considers itself a “…hub for lifelong learning, designed to invite discovery of the wonders of nature.” It offers kid and family programs, adult classes and programs, with a wide variety of festivals and events.
1375 S. Walker Road, Prescott
Four local lakes, Willow Lake, Watson Lake, Lynx Lake and the lovely Goldwater Lake nestled in the pines just south of Prescott offer fishing, canoeing and plenty of trails to enjoy. If you head out on a hike, be sure to take water with you because it’s still easy to become dehydrated.
June & July Major Events
Every Saturday @ Yavapai College — Farmer’s Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon.
9th annual Party in the Pines — June 1, 5-10 p.m. Charity beerfest is designed for those 21+ and takes place at the Prescott Mile High Middle School football field. The proceeds benefit PUSD Education Foundation.
10th annual Prescott Film Festival — June 7-15 at Yavapai College. Short films, long films, westerns, romances and documentaries. All this and more for an entire week of independent films, complete with filmmakers, after-parties and much more!
Prescott Territorial Days — June 8-9 at the Prescott Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. There will be food booths, exhibitors, arts and crafts and more to enjoy for the entire weekend. Alongside the Territorial Days on June 8, the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast takes place.
6th annual Shakespeare in the Pine — June 14, 15, 21, 22
Laark Productions and the Highlands Center bring outdoor performances of “The Winter’s Tale,” a fairy tale filled with love and loss. The $60 tickets include a catered reception. Proceeds support the center’s nature-based programs for children.
The Mile High Balloon Fest — June 15. Billed as Yavapai County’s Largest Hot Air Balloon Festival, come see and experience hot air balloons up close and enjoy samples from distillers, wineries and breweries. Hot air balloon rides and a night balloon glow festival will take place, weather permitting.
Prescott 38th annual Bluegrass Festival — June 22-23. Free admission to this lively downtown event at the Yavapai Courthouse Plaza. Live performances on Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch, and be prepared for a grand ol’ time!
Prescott Frontier Days World’s Oldest Rodeo (C) — July 1-7. Check out the WorldsOldestRodeo.com for a schedule and times.
Fireworks Celebration, July 4th — to be held at Watson Lake for the first time!
The Kiwanis Kiddie Parade starting at 9 a.m. sharp on July 5 — Takes place on Cortez Street in front of City Hall.
Prescott 132nd annual Frontier Days Parade — July 6 from 9 a.m. to noon in downtown Prescott. This is Arizona’s second largest parade; only the Fiesta Bowl Parade is larger.
22nd annual Prescott Indian Art Market — July 13, 14 @ Sharlot Hall Museum.
13th annual Shootout on Whiskey Row — July 27 on Montezuma Street, presented by the Prescott Regulators and Their Shady Ladies.
