Arizona
Small-Town Weekend Getaways from Phoenix
Red rock vortexes, copper-mining ghost towns, and high-desert artist colonies, all within two hours of the Valley.
At a glance
Phoenix has 3 small-town weekend escapes, each with a full 48-hour guide to where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. Drives run from 1 hr to Wickenburg and 2 hr to Jerome. The headline draws: Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Cathedral Rock Trail, Jerome State Historic Park. Most of these towns are at their best October-April.
- Escapes
- 3 towns
- Drive range
- 1 hour to 2 hours
- Closest
- Wickenburg, 1 hr
- Best months
- October-April
Pick your trip
Three ways to start planning a weekend from Phoenix.
Shortest drive
Wickenburg
Wickenburg is 1 hr from Phoenix. The dude ranch capital of Arizona, an 1863 gold rush town that became the West's original wellness resort.
Worth the drive
Jerome
Jerome is the longest haul at 2 hr. A copper-mining ghost town that became an artist colony, perched on a 7,000-foot cliff above the Verde Valley.
The short version
Small towns near Phoenix worth a 48-hour trip
Phoenix weekend trips climb out of the desert into red rock, mining ghost towns, and dude-ranch country. Within two hours you reach the most photographed red-rock town in Arizona, a cliffside artist mining town, and a desert dude-ranch outpost. These are weekend trips from Phoenix built on red rock, altitude, and old-west character.
Sedona (2 hours north on I-17) is the red-rock town, surrounded by sandstone formations and built around Oak Creek, with a walkable uptown and trailheads in town. Jerome (2 hours north, past Sedona) is a copper-mining ghost town built on a cliff at 5,000 feet, now an artists' colony with switchback streets and valley views. Wickenburg (1 hour northwest) is the desert dude-ranch town, with working guest ranches and a western downtown.
Compare the Phoenix escapes
Drive time, character, best season, and the one thing to do first, for every town within reach of Phoenix.
| Town | Drive | Character | Best time | Do first |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickenburg | 1 hr | Like a working Sedona, with horses | October-April | Desert Caballeros Western Museum |
| Sedona | 2 hr | Like a desert Big Sur, with energy vortexes | March-May or September-November | Cathedral Rock Trail |
| Jerome | 2 hr | Like Bisbee, smaller and steeper | March-May or October-November | Jerome State Historic Park |
On the calendar
Coming up in the Phoenix escapes
Events happening in the small towns themselves, not the city.
Refreshed weekly
Nov 6 to 8
Oak Creek Arts & Crafts Show at Sedona Vista Village
Sedona · Sedona Vista Village
This outdoor juried arts market showcases regional fine artists, craftspeople, and vendors in the red rock country. It is an ideal stop for visitors looking to collect unique handmade southwest art during a weekend retreat.
Nov 13 to 15
47th Annual Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival
Wickenburg · Historic Downtown Wickenburg
One of Arizona's longest-running music celebrations brings top-tier bluegrass bands, instrument competitions, and outdoor camping to town. It offers music lovers a quintessential weekend of lively acoustic tunes and Old West heritage.
Dec 5
Holiday Music Walk & Christmas Tree Lighting
Wickenburg · Historic Downtown Wickenburg
Historic downtown comes alive for the holidays with live musical entertainment, festive storefronts, and the lighting of the town Christmas tree. It makes for a charming, family-friendly evening stroll to anchor an early winter escape.
The roundup
3 Best Weekend Escapes Near Phoenix | 48-Hour Trip Ideas
Three easy Arizona getaways for Phoenix locals who want a real change of scenery by Saturday morning.
Read the guide →All Phoenix escapes
3 weekend trip ideas from Phoenix, sorted by how far you have to drive. Vibes covered: mountains, nature, food.
Under 1 hour
1 escape from Phoenix
1 to 2 hours
2 escapes from Phoenix
What to do
The top attraction in each Phoenix escape town, pulled straight from the 48-hour guides.
Sedona
Cathedral Rock Trail
Free. The most photographed rock formation in Arizona. 1.2 miles round trip, 700 ft gain, mostly climbing. Trailhead parking is tight, arrive before 8am. Best at sunset.
Jerome
Jerome State Historic Park
$7. The 1916 Douglas Mansion, built by the mine owner. Mining exhibits, a 3D model of the mine tunnels, and the best view of the Verde Valley. 45 minutes.
Wickenburg
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
$12. One of the best western art museums in the US, with Remington, Russell, and a 19th-century firearms collection. 1.5 hours. The Hopi katsina gallery is the surprise.
Questions & Answers
Phoenix weekend FAQ
Wickenburg (1 hour), Sedona (2 hours), and Jerome (2 hours) are the strongest small-town escapes from Phoenix, covering a desert dude-ranch town, the red-rock destination, and a cliffside mining ghost town.
Sedona is about 2 hours north of Phoenix via I-17, surrounded by red sandstone formations with trailheads accessible from town and a walkable uptown district.
Jerome, about 2 hours north of Phoenix past Sedona, is a former copper-mining town built on a cliff at 5,000 feet, now an artists' colony with sweeping Verde Valley views.
Wickenburg (1 hour, a desert dude-ranch town), Sedona (2 hours, the red-rock destination), and Jerome (2 hours, a cliffside mining ghost town) are the best weekend getaways from Phoenix, covering desert, red rock, and altitude.
Wickenburg: October-April; Sedona: March-May or September-November; Jerome: March-May or October-November.
The escapes split by mood: mountains (Wickenburg, Sedona, Jerome); nature (Wickenburg, Sedona); food (Jerome). Every one is a 48-hour trip with specific places to stay, visit, and eat.
Wickenburg, about 1 hr away. Like a working Sedona, with horses Start with Desert Caballeros Western Museum.