Just a short drive north is the town of Cave Creek, featuring western-themed shops, bars, restaurants and fantastic antique shopping. It also boasts Frontier Town, a shopping and special event venue complete with a main street, a gallows and boot hill cemetery.

Once nicknamed “The Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome was Arizona’s mining center and still overlooks what once was the state’s largest copper mine. While the mines are silent, Jerome is a lively destination featuring historic shops and restaurants and excursions befitting of the largest ghost town in America. The Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, where they searched for copper and struck gold instead, is now a museum offering demonstrations of antique mining equipment and the operation of a turn-of-the-century sawmill. Approximately 100 miles from Phoenix, a 2-hour drive.

After Jerome, stop in nearby Cottonwood. Their historic Old Town is lined with wine-tasting rooms, quaint shops and vintage retailers. Close by Dead Horse Ranch State Park is popular for bird watching, camping, canoeing, hiking and horseback riding. Cottonwood is a 20-minute drive from Jerome.

With its striking red sandstone formations, Sedona is a magnet for spiritual pursuits, hiking, mountain biking and back country touring. Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh) is fashioned after a traditional Mexican village and entices you with inviting architecture, tasteful galleries, unique shops and lively restaurants, all under a canopy of lush Sycamore trees. Approximately 100 miles from Phoenix, a 2-hour drive.

Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff is surrounded by one of the largest pine forests on Earth. Flagstaff enjoys four distinct seasons, including skiing at Arizona Snowbowl. In addition to being a mecca for exploring the outdoors, top sights include Walnut Canyon National Monument, Wupatki National Monument and Lowell Observatory. Approximately 150 miles from Phoenix, a 2-hour drive.

Globe is centrally located in Southern Arizona along the Historic Old West Highway. Visit the Salado Indian Ruins at Besh-Ba-Gowah Archeological Park. Walk historic downtown and enjoy antique shops, or view the work of local artists at The Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. Take a scenic drive to the Pinal Mountains or Roosevelt Lake to see the desert landscape. Approximately 90 miles from Phoenix, a 1.5 hour drive.

Stroll historic Whiskey Row, known for its bars and live music venues. Visit Sharlot Hall Museum to learn about pioneer-era history. The Smoki Museum exhibits artifacts from indigenous peoples. Prescott is also prized for its many antique and vintage shops. Approximately 100 miles from Phoenix. Up to a 2-hour drive.

A monument to the ingenuity and resilience of people 1,000 years ago, Montezuma Castle invites you to gaze into one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Nestled into a towering limestone cliff, this 20-room high-rise apartment tells a story of survival and, ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape. Marvel at this enduring legacy of the Sinagua culture and explore your own strengths as you appreciate the fortitude of those who have gone before us. Approximately 90 miles from Phoenix, a 1.5-hour drive.