Arizona is often defined by its icons—including the Grand Canyon and the Phoenix sprawl — but the essence of the state is just as alive in its smaller towns. Tucked into Arizona’s canyons, deserts, and high plateaus are small communities that carry the stories of the miners, artists, ranchers, and Indigenous groups who shaped the region.
These small towns, which range from just a few hundred people to almost 10,000, each offer something different. In Bisbee, Travel + Leisure’s Best Small Desert Town of 2024, the steep, colorful streets are filled with galleries and cafés, while the town of Winslow along Route 66 preserves a slice of midcentury Americana, complete with neon signs, diners, and roadside curiosities. Down south, near the Mexican border, is the tiny town of Tubac, a beloved art and culture hub brimming with adobe storefronts set against the backdrop of the Santa Rita Mountains.
I have visited or driven through many of these small towns from my home state of Colorado and have selected a few that stood out—including communities known for their historical relevance, art, and access to nature. Yes, the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Scottsdale are worth a visit, but for travelers willing to look beyond Arizona’s landmarks and cities, these towns offer a quieter kind of discovery, often paired with wide-open space and scenic views.
Bisbee
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Cityscape of Bisbee, Arizona during dusk.
The former T+L “Best Small Desert Town” was a shoo-in for this list. It’s small, with just over 5,000 people, and has a vibrant arts scene and a funky personality you won’t find anywhere else in the state. And it helps that Bisbee has a charming, walkable downtown that’s filled with galleries and coffee shops in a scenic location in the Mule Mountains.
“Bisbee is surrounded by the Mule Mountains, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. The nearby Sabino Canyon Recreation Area has scenic hiking trails and stunning views,” said Renee Harper, a Bisbee local and spirit advisor with Old Bisbee Ghost Tour.
But beyond the art and beauty is a long, fascinating history as a copper mining town—a heritage that is still felt today through the still-standing miners’ cabins and an impressive, underground tour of the Queen Mine.
Tombstone
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The O.K. Corral gunfight site in Rombstone, Arizona.
The town of Tombstone, which sits in the southeast corner of the state, has leaned into its Wild West origins. It can feel kitschy at times, but if you embrace it, you’ll be in for a boot-stomping good time.
The town’s main attractions include a reenactment of a 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral on historic Allen Street, a trolley tour, and a few haunted spaces—including The Bird Cage Theatre, which is famous for its bullet hole-riddled walls from gunfighters of the American frontier.
Winslow
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A local landmark in Winslow, Arizona.
Winslow, which has just over 9,000 people, is on the verge of being too populated for this small-town list, but we included it because of its undeniable Route 66 charm. The town sits right on the historic Route 66, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2026, and continues to offer a healthy dose of nostalgic Americana.
There are classic diners with neon signs and kitschy roadside attractions, including the iconic “Standin’ on the Corner” statue made famous by the Eagles song. It’s worth making a stop at La Posada Hotel, a restored railroad hotel designed by Mary Jane Colter that was the last of Fred Harvey’s great railroad hotels.
The Winslow area is also home to ancient Hopi ruins and excavated Anasazi dwellings and petroglyphs.
Jerome
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Historic Connor Hotel on the Main Street of Jerome, Arizona.
Jerome is where history and natural beauty—and a healthy dose of local lore—merge into one enrapturing small town experience. Like Bisbee, the central Arizona town was a former copper mining community turned arts and culture hub. And yes, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and wineries. But what really makes Jerome stand out is its reputation as a “living ghost town,” a town that was almost deserted, but managed to live on. It’s a title that the residents of Jerome seem to embrace.
Beyond the arts, shopping, and ghosts is a stunning landscape. The town is built into the side of a mountain overlooking the Verde Valley and is near Tuzigoot National Monument, which preserves an ancient hilltop pueblo, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Wickenburg
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Frontier Street in Wickenburg, Arizona.
For a Wild West feel, head to Wickenburg, a town where cowboys and horse enthusiasts coalesce in an old mining town that’s long known for its connection to the gold rush. In the historic downtown, you’ll find murals and sculptures, while further afield are Jeep tours, hiking trails, and dude ranches.
A favorite of the latter is Rancho de los Caballeros, an authentic dude ranch on the edge of town. There’s great hiking at the nearby Hassayampa River Preserve, which is owned by The Nature Conservancy. To dive into the town’s gold mining history, book a tour with Vulture City Ghost Town, where you can explore more than a dozen original buildings.
Globe
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Historic Main Street in Globe, Arizona.
The small Arizona town of Globe is perhaps best known for its impressive examples of human history, including the remains of a large pueblo village constructed by the Salado people, which is now protected under the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum. There are also several odes to its 1876 founding as a mining town.
Beyond its human history, Globe is located within Arizona’s magnificent Tonto National Forest and is renowned for its Mexican food and antique shops, including the Pickle Barrel Trading Post.
Sedona
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The red rock landscape of Sedona, Arizona.
Sedona gets quite a bit more attention than other towns on this list and is perilously close to being over the 10,000 population threshold I set (according to the last United States census, there are 9,684 residents), but a “best small towns” roundup just wouldn’t be right without it. Why? Because it is easily one of the most beautiful spots in Arizona.
As Brett Briseno of Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo told T+L previously, “Whether it’s the energy of the land, the genuine hospitality of its people, or the cultures that coexist in harmony … there’s no denying this place feels different than anywhere else.” It is the sort of place that begs you to get out and explore—the landscape is full of red rock buttes, there’s great hiking, and the night skies are known for their clarity. Plus, there’s a great wellness culture and art scene.
Tubac
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The historic downtown section of Tubac, Arizona.
South of Tucson, not far from the U.S.-Mexico border, is the tiny town of Tubac, which has become one of Arizona’s best destinations for art and culture. The tiny town features over 100 eclectic shops, often featuring locally made goods, and a handful of galleries.
Tucked around the town are colorful art pieces and sculptures, only surpassed by the stunning sunsets and views of the Santa Rita Mountains, which rise nearly 6,000 feet from the surrounding desert floor.
Portal
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Fall foliage in Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.
Portal is so small that most people miss it, but for those who like nature, birding, and stargazing, it is unparalleled. It sits in southeastern Arizona near the state’s border with New Mexico and is a renowned birding hotspot with species like the elegant trogon, Mexican jay, and the broad-billed hummingbird.
The best time to catch a wide variety of bird species is in the spring, with lots of sightings at Cave Creek Canyon, nicknamed the “Yosemite of Arizona” (also a great spot for hiking alongside towering rock formations).
Sonoita
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A vineyard in Sonoita, Arizona.
It’s surprising that a town so far south and so close to the U.S.-Mexico border would have a burgeoning wine scene, but Sonoita breaks the mold with a well-regarded wine scene that became one of Arizona’s first federally recognized winegrowing regions. Popular tasting rooms include Dos Cabezas WineWorks and the off-grid Rune Wines.
Just 15 minutes south of Sonoita is the neighboring small town of Patagonia, a close runner-up for this list that is known for its water recreation and hiking at Patagonia Lake State Park, and in-town birdwatching at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds.
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