Old Town Main Street Cottonwood Arizona was once known as the "Biggest Little Town in the State of Arizona" for having the most business houses per capita during the 1920's, 1930's depression, as its businesses thrived due to its notorious fame of "Bootlegging" and "Bootlegger Kings". Main Street was lined with Pool Halls that dispensed illegal spirits from their back rooms and underground tunnels that hid it from the law during the prohibition era years of 1915-1933.
Today the spirit lives on. This small 3 block strip of historic buildings now dispense "A Taste of Old Town" with half a dozen wine tasting rooms, (a part of the Verde Valley Wine Trail and Painted Barrel Trail), a diversified choice of the Valley's most popular restaurants & cafes with outdoor courtyards and sidewalk seating, "foodies" sampling shops, eclectric array of unique shops, antiques, books and galleries, historic lodging, and other accommodations of places to stay, plus an old haunted jail.
Take a guided or self-guided tour and explore the wonders of this small town.Old Town borders the Verde River Greenway Riparian. This "rare" riparian area flourishes with unique vegetation and habitat and is a short walk to the Dead Horse Ranch State Park with hiking trails, picnicking, birdwatching, biking, jogging, horseback riding, fishing, finding your own little private beach along the river and more.
Old Town Cottonwood was visited by many movie stars like Mae West and John Wayne. Some of its historic buildings have been used in many classic movie settings. To mention a few was (1946) Desert Fury starring Burt Lancastor and 'Lizabeth Scott, (1967) "Stay Away, Joe" with Elvis Presley and (1987) "Dudes" starring Jon Cryer.The Tuzigoot National Monument watches above Old Town Cottonwood.
Just a mile up the road, the Tuzigoot is one of the most popular Indian Ruins around. It is still one that visitors can walk into and get a feel to how the Sinaguan Indians actually lived.
Cottonwood being the heart of the Verde Valley is central to many other nearby attractions such as the Verde Canyon Train, Jerome (6 miles), Sedona (16 miles), vineyards, and more.
Cottonwood Hotel 1917
Cottonwood Hotel ~ Today
Cottonwood Hotel Balcony
Cottonwood Hotel Location Neighborhood Old Town, 'downtown' Cottonwood, Arizona USA
This small town borders a rare riparian greenway along the Verde River. Within walking distance from Old Town Cottonwood is plenty of outdoor activities. There are hiking trails, birding, biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoing and more. The image to the left shows the old river rock 1929 jail. Behind this historic building starts the 'Jail Trail'. Less than a 1/4 mile is the Verde River. This trail leads to the Dead Horse Ranch State Park trails system just 1/2 mile.
Old Town Cottonwood, AZ is a revived Main Street. It is one of few old western towns left in the state of Arizona. With its unique array of eclectic shops, artists galleries, antique stores, book stores, boutiques, consignment shops, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, wine tasting rooms, martini bar, good beer, Sunday brunch, entertainment, seasonal farmers market, and more...
Within steps from the Cottonwood Hotel, you can get a Jump Start in the morning from a little coffee shop, or breakfast at a small and quaint European Old Town Cafe with awesome quiche and a frothy triple cappucino. There's also a bakery for coffee and baked goods and Crema has coffee, beer, and gelato. Old Town is nothing short of choices for that perky cup of coffee to get your day going.
For your morning exercise regimen you can hike to the Verde River or Dead Horse Ranch State Park hiking trails, where there is also horseback riding, biking, birding, historical ruins and more.
For shopping there is an eclectic array of boutique & funky shops, resale clothing, art galleries, antiques, a jeweler, jewelry, western wear, bike shop and more. There are organic community gardens and a seasonal farmers market.
For unwinding later in the day check out a massage from ASIS massage school or how about attending a yoga class for breathing and relaxation...
For those wanting a cocktail, you'll find a tavern grill, a local pub, and restaurants with a bar area serving a great martini, local ale, wine tasting rooms, and other spirits.
The Old Town historic district of Cottonwood has some of the best restraurants and cafes in the whole Verde Valley ALL within walking distance from the Cottonwood Hotel. Dining choices include, but not limited to are Italian, Thia, American, Gourmet, Mexican and Barbecue. Most have vegetarian dishes.
Cottonwood AZ, the city itself is the hub of the Verde Valley. Old Town is the historic, original part of town and is rich in history and named after the Cottonwood tree. The Cottonwood Hotel is the oldest hotel in Cottonwood. Larger chain hotels are available. The Verde Valley Medical Center (Cottonwood, Arizona's hospital) is less the a mile from Old Town.
For the real newspapers, news of Cottonwood and the Verde Valley click here: news
If you are looking for real estate in the Verde Valley, Cottonwood homes for sale, for honest and down to earth realtors click here.
If you are looking for short term Cottonwood, Arizona, Verde Valley rentals, vacation rentals furnished apartments, apart-hotel, extended stay, hotels, a couple of nights or a week CLICK HERE. The Cottonwood Hotel is ideal for these types of stays, while you explore the Verde Valley for real estate or need a place while you wait for close of escrow.
Come and experience Cottonwood and the Verde Valley energy & weather. Make it a social event.
Ride the Clarkdale train, Verde Canyon Railway or railroad (3 miles from Old Town) Tuzigoot National Monument 1.4mi Jerome 6 miles Sedona 16 miles
Senior Citizens walking their dogs on a quiet Sunday morning
