Old Town, Cottonwood AZ is historically known as the "Biggest Little Town in the State of Arizona." The 3-block section (from bridge to bridge) of the old part of town, was listed on the National Register as the "Cottonwood Commercial Historic District".
Surviving the depression years during prohibition, bootlegging was 'Big Business' in this district. Cottonwood had 'the' Arizona Bootlegger Kings and the best booze within 150+ miles.
Today, Old Town Cottonwood has the largest section of the Verde Valley Wine Trail 'Wine Tasting Rooms' and the largest section of the Verde Valley Antique Trail, with over a dozen stores carrying antiques, vintage, collectibles, arts and rare 1-of-a-kinds', and the latest consortium HOT Fashion Galleries. It also has the most popular restaurants for dining and bars and cafes serving breakfast and lunch in the whole Verde Valley!
Cottonwood is the 'Heart' of the Verde Valley. So when visiting Northern Arizona, Cottonwood is the most centralized location, as it connects to its neighboring towns Clarkdale, Jerome, Cornville & Sedona and has always served as the hub for trading.
The Cottonwood Hotel is in the center of the three-block section of Old Town with its balcony overlooking this downtown area.
Below is a list of many 'Things To Do' in Old Town and other Things To Do in Cottonwood, Jerome, Clarkdale and the rest of the Verde Valley.
Free Things to do in Downtown Cottonwood Arizona This Weekend...
WALK the western OLD TOWN streets where legends have. see more
Browse the largest section of the Verde Valley Antique Trail, Cottonwood's stores carrying antiques, arts, collectibles, vintage, boutique thrift items...
Visit the haunted 1929 JAIL where Arizona's Bootlegger King stayed for 10 months while his still sat upon his wagon the WHOLE time!
See where AL CAPONE carved his name on the steel wall with his stiletto knife! see more history
The Verde Valley celebrates Historic 89A with "Walkin' on Main" on annual every 2nd Saturday of November. Old Town, Cottonwood Historic District, which sits between Jerome and Sedona, will be blocked off from traffic. Under two big tents will be a juried art show, surrounded by the charming galleries, shops and local foods of Old Town Cottonwood. Live music plays throughout the day. The main stage will feature some the state’s best entertainers. Verde Valley winemakers and vineyards will host an outdoor wine tasting on Main Street, in Cottonwood.
This is a great weekend to stay at the Cottonwood Hotel. Watch the Christmas parade from the hotel balcony Saturday morning. The best view in town! While watching the parade, enjoy some Christmas cheer, coffee and cask & cream, and chocolate. Then starting at 4pm until 8pm enjoy more chocolate by attending the Chocolate Walk, where you will pick up over 40 pieces of chocolate created by Old Town merchants.
Other Fun Things to do in (Old Town) Downtown Cottonwood Arizona
Take a SELF-GUIDED HISTORIC WALKING TOUR... Call the Cottonwood Hotel for a brochure & brief intro... $2 COST for this brochure... You'll learn about Cottonwood's colorful history exploring the historic buildings in this 3 block section of Cottonwood Commercial Historic District; yesteryears "BIGGEST little Town in the State of Arizona!" If you get lucky, you may even get a tour of the most historic hotelin COTTONWOOD. See where John Wayne romanced Gail Russell and Mae West wooed the locals. see more
Customized TOURSwith Karen (call the Cottonwood Hotel 928-634-9455 for a historic, bootlegging, wine, paranormal and other interests tours customized just for you.
Start the Verde Valley WINE TRAIL by visiting the local WINE TASTING ROOMS.
NOW HERE'S A FUN IDEA!!! Try a progressive dinner 1 night in OLD TOWN. With some of the FINEST RESTAURANTS & CAFES in the WHOLE VERDE VALLEY and you don't even have to get in a car and drive! You can start at a wine tasting room, then go to one of the restaurants for appetizers. Go to the next for soup or salad. Another for an entre (main course). Are you stuffed yet??? There's more for desert! You can always have an after dinner drink or evening cocktail back on the Cottonwood Hotel balcony and watch the night time sky!
All of this and more in ONE LOCATION... Come and park your car Spend the night and ENJOY our small town!!!
"The Biggest Little Town In The State of Arizona!!!"
Nic's Italian Steak & Crab Martini Bar & Crema Cafe
Old Town Cafe and Arizona Stronghold Wine Tasting Room
Verde River Greenway Riparian
Things To Do in Cottonwood, AZ Within 1 mile from the Cottonwood Hotel
• GET A MASSAGE from ASIS MASSAGE SCHOOL in Clarkdale • WALK AROUND the TUZIGOOT NATIONAL MONUMENT RUINS & MUSEUM • Check out the Clemenceau Heritage Museum (GREAT Train room!). Learn the history about this old mining area. • Get a traditional breakfast of potatoes & eggs for $3.19 at Georgie's Cafe • City of Cottonwood RECREATIONAL CENTER (INDOOR SWIMMING POOL, LAP POOL, Cardio equipment, Rock Climbing Wall ($6 per visiting guests per visit) • PUBLIC LIBRARY • 5-Court TENNIS CENTER • COTTONWOOD AIRPORT (Fly in with a small plane, the Cottonwood Hotel will come and pick you up as a courtesy and bring you to and from the hotel) • Go SKY-DIVING from the Cottonwood Airport • Golf at PINE SHADOWS GOLF COURSE (A Must!) • $3 Lunch at the SENIOR CENTER • MAIL a Package ~Local Post Office • Take a stroll through an old cemetary. Grave etchings anyone!! • Verde Valley Medical Center (Hospital)
Things To Do in Cottonwood AZ Within 3 miles from the Cottonwood Hotel
• Ride the Verde Canyon Railway TRAIN RESERVATIONS • Go Grocery Shopping (Strip Mall centers of Cottonwood is Safeway, Fry's Food City) • Browse several thrift stores • Health Food Store • For those that can't stay away from Starbucks (in the Safeway Shopping Plaza)...
Northern Arizona, Verde Valley Wine Trail, Vineyards, Wineries, Wine Bars, Tasting Rooms go HERE then click on the links to each, to see what events they may be having this weekend or upcoming.
MONTEZUMA CASTLE – Over 600 years old, the Montezuma Castle Sinagua Indian Ruins is one of Arizona's most magnificent cliff dwellings. It is five stories high. (928) 567-3322
MONTEZUMA WELL National Monument– This large limestone sink hole was created by the collapse of an underground cave. Prehistoric Indians used it as a source of irrigation.One of my favorite. Don't miss it! (928) 567-4521
TUZIGOOT National Monument – This 110-room pueblo was a bustling community for the Sinagua Indians. It is more than a 1000 years ago. Just one mile from the Cottonwood Hotel (928)634-5564
FORT VERDE HISTORIC STATE PARK– Spanning from 1865 to 1890, it's the best-preserved Indian Wars period fort in Arizona. Tour the museum and buildings. (928)567-3275
DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK – A camping and recreation area on 320 acres along the Verde River. Hiking trails, biking, birding, 3 lagoons, Verde River rare raparian area and horseback riding. Walking distance from the Cottonwood Hotel. (928) 634-5283
OAK CREEK CANYON– Winds its way around huge red rock monoliths, sculptured spires and other natural wonders for 16 miles along State Route 89. (928) 282-4119
SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK– Natural waterslide in Oak Creek Canyon that propels visitors into a natural pool. Near historic Pedley homestead and apple orchard. (928) 282-3034
PALATKI and HONANKI RUINS – An archaeologically significant area known for its outstanding pictographs and wall paintings. Off-road site, hiking. (928) 282-4119
V-Bar-V Ranch Petroglyph Site – The largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley. It's an exciting off-road trip. (928) 606-0560 or (928) 282-4119
JEROME STATE PARK - Revived Ghost Mining Town – Today, it's a thriving artist community with shops and restaurants. Check out the popular 1st Saturday of the month ART WALK. (928) 634-5381
Cottonwood-Sedona Movie/Theaters & Show Times CLICK HERE
Verde Canyon Rail Road TRAIN
Yoga in the Red Rock Country
WITHIN 6 MILES
• Super Walmart... Wally World...Big Box Store is available for those that don't support local! Yes, I know sometimes we have to go there... We are still kind of a small town with limited shopping... • EXPLORE JEROME • 1st Saturday of every month JEROME ART WALK MAP • Go visit Pedro at the GOLD KING MINE • Check out Jerome's WINE TASTING ROOMS (Be careful coming down the hill!) • Have Lunch at the PALACE HAUNTED HAMBURGER • Or Dinner at the haunted ASYLUM
