High up on the side of the Black Hills mountain range, on Cleopatra Hill, is the location of the ghost town of Jerome. What once was a booming mining town became a deserted ghost town, but has been revitalized and is now a great place to visit.

Getting to Jerome is quite easy. From I-17 take exit 287 and head north west on AZ 260. In the town of Cottonwood take the 89A west and then head up the winding road to Jerome. The town is small, but it has a decent amount of parking available, though it can easily fill up around lunch time, especially on the weekend.

Since Jerome is built on Cleopatra Hill it has a great view of the valley below, including the red rocks of nearby Sedona and the San Francisco Peaks beyond that. This can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the town.

Founded in 1876, Jerome was a mining boom town that extracted copper, silver, gold, and other metals from the mountain. This mining boom made Jerome the third largest town in Arizona, and it was once known as the Wickedest Town in the West. At its peak the town boasted 37 bars, 13 bordellos, and 4 churches. By the 1950s the mines shut down, and the town was basically deserted. In the 1960s, the town was restored and focused on tourism. In 1967 the town became a National Historic Landmark.

Around the town are many of the original buildings as well as the remains of others. We actually like seeing the partially ruined structures and broken down walls. It’s like seeing skeletons of the town itself, which adds to the charm of this ghost town. Some of the buildings have plaques describing their historical significance. Part of the Bartlett Hotel that was torn down has a large open area behind gates that have been turned into a coin toss.

Throughout the town there are plenty of reminders of its mining past. To the north of central Jerome and up the hill there is the Gold King Mine which has many of the old buildings and machinery from when the mine was in operation. There’s also the Jerome State Park which is located in an old mansion and is filled with the history of the town. The Mine Museum has many pieces from the town’s past. There are also a few tours that can be taken. Perhaps one of the most famous places in the town is the Jerome Grand Hotel, which used to be a hospital and is apparently haunted. Ghost tours are available for any paranormal adventure seekers.

Today, Jerome is full of restaurants, wineries, galleries and art studios. It reminds Taylor of a much smaller Santa Fe. There are a wide variety of galleries showcasing pieces ranging from kaleidoscopes, paintings, rare rocks, sculptures, photography, and much more. There are also monthly art walks. Most of the galleries don’t allow photography, but we did manage to get some of the sculptures and wind chimes outside the Raku Gallery. Our personal favorite is the La Victoria Studio which sells blown glass.

There are plenty of options for food from the many restaurants that range from cafes, barbecue, Mexican food, burgers, and more. Although they have a good selection of places to eat, we always end up eating at the Haunted Hamburger. For those wanting a drink there are also many wineries from the nearby vineyards in the Verde Valley and a saloon. We usually stop by OJ’s Copper Country Fudge as well to get some ice cream.

Other than all the art galleries there are many places for souvenirs. Our favorite is the House of Joy which is located in what used to be a bordello.

Jerome is a charming destination full of history, art, and great food. It makes for a nice day trip from Phoenix, especially when it’s hot.  The town is also quite close to the very popular Sedona.

Google Maps Link: Jerome