Does it feel like this summer is never ending? I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little tired of walking outside and feeling as though I stepped into literal fire. Any resident of the valley knows how great it is to travel to the Northern part of Arizona where the elevation is high and you can be reminded what cool air actually feels like. While the Valley is in triple digits, Northern AZ will have a high of 70 degrees. . .seems almost unfair until we realize it's a closer drive than we think. Here are some 'cool' places to visit that are under 3 hours away from the metro Phoenix area.
Downtown Prescott
Historic Downtown Prescott offers a multitude of fun activities for you and your family. Grab to-go lunch from a local restaurant and have a picnic in Courthouse Plaza. There are plenty of small businesses to support with art galleries, retail stores, and the best ever fudge from Pralines of Prescott. For those who want to get crafty, there are numerous art fairs hosted here where you can find one of a kind pieces from local artists.
Sedona
A breathtaking town located around 2-2.5 hours north of Phoenix. Sedona is home to several ultra popular red rock hiking destinations and has plenty of shops and reputable restaurants. Spirituality is the name of the game here, you can have your aura read, discover healing crystals, and hike around spiritual vortexes. Some of its most popular destinations include Bell Rock, Slide Rock State Park, the Devil's Bridge trail, and Tlaquepaque Shopping Village.
Jerome
Nestled atop Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is a historic copper mining town with breathtaking views of Sedona and Flagstaff. It began as a mining town in 1876 and was home to 15,000 people in 1920. In 1952, when the price of copper dropped significantly it became a ghost town. . .literally, you can take ghost tours of Jerome Grand Hotel, and even grab a bite at the Haunted Hamburger.
The Grand Canyon National Park
This list would not be complete without the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The South Rim is located about an hour and a half north of Flagstaff, but the drive is well worth it. Not only can you admire the canyon's beauty for hours on end, there are multiple hikes and walks, and even lodging & restaurants located in Grand Canyon Village. This is a must see trip to Arizona's pride and joy.