The best things to do in Jerome can all be enjoyed in one day or just a few short hours, making a visit here well worth your time. In fact, the town was one of my favorite stops on my recent Arizona road trip.
Jerome, Arizona is a quirky little hillside town with a haunted past. The town is located just a short drive from nearby Sedona and makes a great day trip destination.
Jerome is considered the largest ghost town in the United States, and its haunted past makes the town a uniquely fun stop.
If you’re one who likes ghost town tours then this is the perfect place for you. As an old copper mining town, the city has an interesting history and learning about it makes your visit all the more fun.
This guide to the 5 best things to do in Jerome is based off my own recent trip. I hope you have as good of a time here as I did.
10 Best Things to Do in Jerome AZ
Jerome is located about 40 minutes southwest of Sedona or two hours north of Phoenix.
To get to Jerome you’ll need a car, though you can also take a taxi. You can also book a Sedona to Jerome Ghost Tour, which of course comes with transportation.
Once you arrive in Jerome you can easily explore the town on foot. You’ll want to set aside at least half a day and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. As mentioned above, Jerome is a hillside town, so the streets are hilly and narrow.
Don’t forget your camera as well, there’s lots to see and take pictures of.
1. Main Street
I recommend starting off your visit to Jerome with a walk down Main Street. This is where you’ll find many local restaurants, cafes and local boutiques.
You’ll get a good sense of the town after exploring this area, as Jerome’s character is on full display here.
You’ll also come across a few of the town’s local wineries and tasting rooms (more on that later), and of course, the local saloon.
2. Sliding Jail
To be totally honest, I didn’t visit the Sliding Jail during my visit to Jerome because I had not heard about it beforehand. However, I’m including it here because it seems to be quite the attraction.
You can read more about Jerome’s Sliding Jail, but you’ll come across it if you walk down Hull Avenue which runs parallel to Main Street.
3. Jerome State Historic Park
Jerome State Historic Park is located a short drive from downtown Jerome. This is where you can visit the famous Douglas Mansion, built in 1916 by wealthy mining entrepreneur James S. Douglas. For its time, the mansion was rather luxurious with its own wine cellar, billiard room, and even a marble shower.
Today, the Douglas Mansion functions as a museum where guests can learn about Jerome’s mining history and the Douglas family’s role in that industry. The museum features historical exhibits, artifacts, a restored Douglas Library, and interestingly, a model of the town that shows its underground mines.
In addition to all of the above, you’ll also get to enjoy the beautiful views of the Verde Valley from the grounds of the hilltop mansion.
If you’d like to see more of the mines in Jerome you can also stop by Audrey Headfame Park located just next to Jerome State Historic Park. At Audrey Headframe park you can stand on a glass floor over a 1,900 foot mine shaft. It’s a unique experience and worth the stop if you’re already in the area.
Douglas Mansion is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p..m. Adult admission is $7. Audrey Headframe State Park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4. Jerome Historical Society and Mine Museum
To get a real sense of what life was like in Jerome’s early days make a stop at the Jerome Historical Society on Main Street.
Here you can visit the town’s Mine Museum where you can learn about what it was like to live in Jerome back in the town’s booming copper mining days all the way to present times.
The Historical Society has a large archive of photographs, maps, and newspaper articles that tell the many fascinating stories of this unique town.
The Jerome Historical Society and Mine Museum are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adult admission is $2.
5. Jerome Ghost Tour
If you’re planning to visit Jerome, I highly recommend joining a local tour. The ghost tours can be particularly fun, but the wild west tours and historical tours are also worth while.
Whether you take a tour or not, don’t miss out on learning more about the history of Jerome as you explore the town. Knowing about the town’s history will make your visit here more fun and give you a sense of what Jerome is all about.
