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Fun and Unique Things to do in Jerome, Arizona

May 24, 2021

If you’re considering a trip to Jerome, let us reassure you that there are plenty of cool and unusual things to do and see in this unique Arizona destination. Long promoted as a ghost town, this is about the least ghostly or abandoned place you could visit. Read on to discover the best things to do in Jerome, what to avoid, and where to stay in this truly curious travel spot.

Where to start in Jerome?

Head over to the New State Motor Building and connect with Tours of Jerome, the oldest tour company in town. You can find them by looking out for the ghost minor (pictured above), located on the lower level of the museum. They offer historic tours, haunted tours, wine tours, and custom tours of Jerome that range from 2 to 4.5 hours. Some options depart from Sedona and Cottonwood, and all tours are bookable online.

What is Jerome Arizona Known For?

Once known as the “Wickedest City in the West,” Jerome, Arizona is a former mining boomtown and the largest producer of copper, gold, and silver in Arizona in the 1920s.

At its peak, Jerome was home to over 10,000 people and had a high concentration of bordellos and saloons. The city was constructed on a rock formation called Cleopatra Hill that is 1.75 billion years old. The copper ore mined from these hills was among the richest ever discovered.

Is Jerome Arizona a Ghost Town?

After all its mines closed in the mid-50s, Jerome all but dwindled to a population of less than 100 people, rendering it a ghost town in the making. Over the following decades, its residents promoted it as such, breathing new life into this historic mining district.

Today Jerome is far from dead, drawing tourists from near and far for its ghost tours, mining history, arts district, quirky attractions, and shops.

Fun Attractions in Jerome

Modern-day Jerome is basically a local shopping and arts district set among the ruins of its former self. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of its charm.

Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town -- Explore a former gold mine camp just outside Jerome with a mine shaft that goes down 1270ft. 

Jerome Artists Cooperative -- A gallery celebrating the unique local artists of Jerome.

The Haunted Hamburger -- It’s all in the name, right? With a bookshelf mounted in its ceiling, The Haunted Hamburger is one of Jerome’s top-visited attractions. 

During renovations of this historic building, workers reported their hammers disappearing, mysteriously reappearing again in unusual places. The caveat with eating here? It’s one of Jerome’s top-visited attractions. Expect long waits as there are no reservations. 

For absolutely amazing food and service, we recommend trying The Clinkscale.

House of Joy -- A former brothel-turned 80s video game arcade and art house.

Ghost Tours -- Experience the spooky history of Jerome through tours and ghost walks through tour companies including Ghost Town Tours, Jerome Ghost Tours, or Tours of Jerome.

Jerome History and Mining Tours

Jerome State Historical Park -- A must-see destination for an immersive and fascinating look into Jerome’s history and its sprawling network of underground mine tunnels (seen above).

Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town -- Explore a former gold mine camp just outside Jerome with a mine shaft that goes down 1270ft.

Jerome Sliding Jail

Named for its surprise 225-foot slide downhill in the 1930s, the Jerome Sliding Jail is a top roadside attraction in Jerome. How did it get to its current spot? Explosions in the mines underground unsettled the land, causing it to slip off its foundation and take a ride to the street below.

Is Jerome Arizona Worth Visiting?

For art and history lovers, Jerome is a hidden gem of a destination. Ok, so if you’ve been there, you know it’s actually not very hidden. And it’s not the easiest town to navigate or park in either, not to mention the streets and sidewalks are teeming with tourists. What’s not to love about all that, right?

With that being said, Jerome is absolutely worth visiting and makes a great day trip option if you’re already exploring all the unique sites at Grand Canyon National Park or Sedona.

How Many People Died in Jerome Arizona?

More than 9,000 people reportedly died within the United Verde Hospital, considered the most modern Arizona hospital in 1930. Today the Jerome Grand Hotel occupies the historic former hospital building.

Unique airbnbs in Jerome

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Image Credits:

Ghost Miner - Vincent Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome Hillside - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome Ruins - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome Art Space - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome History and Mining- Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome Sliding Jail - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; Jerome Hillside - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; The Jerome Grand Hotel - Tom Check; Unique Airbnbs in Jerome - Photos Courtesy of Airbnb; Nomad Goods - Photos Courtesy of Nomad Goods; Trail Ridge Road - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; for Pinterest Pin image credits, please click on the Pin.