Cottonwood

Cottonwood is sometimes overlooked by tourists shuttling between the better-known destinations of Sedona and Jerome. But the once sleepy town has become a destination in its own right with restaurants, wine-tasting, coffee houses, antique shops, two breweries and frequent festivals.

Lonely Planet named Cottonwood one of its Top 10 Places to Visit as far back as 2013 and it's become more vibrant since then.

Follow Main Street through the new commercial strip to Old Town, a walkable, historic business district. It's been rejuvenated in the past two decades by Arizona vintners and others investing in small businesses. Old Town Center for the Arts adds a lineup of music to the mix with a comfortable 130-seat theater nearby. 

Cottonwood has a mild climate, except for a few months of the summer, and lots of shade from sycamores and its namesake trees. Visitors can take the Jail Trail at the north end of Main Street to walk along the Verde River. Named for the town's historic gray bar hotel, the Jail Trail is ideal for bird-watching, easy hiking or skipping rocks on the river.

Circle the RVs at Dead Horse Ranch

Campers can head across the Verde River to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, which has fishing ponds and river access. There are 100 campsites, most of which accommodate RVs up to 40 feet and truck-trailer campers as long as 65 feet. There are two dozen non-electric sites for tent camping with a heated bathroom and showers.  The state park takes  online reservations. 

Dead Horse Ranch also has an extensive trail system for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The trails ascend a mesa and offer impressive views across the Verde Valley.

The 15-mile Lime Kiln Trail for mountain bikers and equestrians (by permit) connects Dead Horse Ranch to Red Rock State Park in Sedona. 

Campers at Dead Horse might enjoy  the nearby Blazin' M Ranch with its barbecue dinner and a  Western music show.

Hungry hikers and others can  get a good lunch at  the Verde Lea Market Deli & Grill, 516 N. Main St., It has tasty Mexican food -- tacos, tortas and burritos -- and  Italian subs.

Belfry Brewery, 791 N. Main St., is in a remodeled old church with a new belfry and historic bell. It also has a shaded patio.

Red Rooster Cafe, 901 N. Main St., and Pepe's Cafe, 324 S. Main St., are good bets for a tasty breakfast. ​

Tavern Grille in Old Town's historic movie theater is reliable eatery with a casual and affordable menu,  craft beers, wine and a sidewalk patio. It's adjacent to its sister Tavern Hotel with 41 rooms. 

Check out Old Town's wine tasting rooms, shops and restaurants  along North Main Street. It's a pleasant and walkable three-block historic district that's perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Beer lovers have a choice of two local breweries.  That Brewery, 300 E. Cherry St.,  is in a warehouse location that's a  little hard to find, but the beer is good.

Belfry Brewery opened in fall 2020 in a former church at the top of Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood. It's got a nice shaded patio and an elegant "sanctuary." An historic bell is in the belfry that was added to the building during the renovation.

Antique and collectibles shoppers should visit Larry's Antiques in a former feed store across from Belfry Brewery. One  could  get lost in Larry's for hours looking at  its diverse collection of old stuff.. 

Founded: 1879
Elevation: 3,320
Population: 12,199

Hikers on the mesa above Dead Horse Ranch State Park with views across the Verde Valley. (Photo by Gary O'Brien)

A colorful Cottonwood mural decorates one wall of the Verde Lea Market, a popular local deli with tortas, tacos and sandwiches.

One of Cottonwood's best assets is the river that runs through it -- the Verde. It's the lifeline of the town and its beautiful riparian corridor.

Visitors taste wines at the former Cottonwood Water Works building.

Larry's Antiques in Old Town is chock full of collectibles.

The Blazin' M Cowboys play Western and cowboy songs with a side of corny comedy. The big finale is "Ghost Rider in the Sky."

In it's big, red barn, Blazin' M serves up tasty barbecue, beans and ribs, and you get as much food as you want. There's also vegetarian options.