Downtown Historic Area - Prescott, AZ - District full of Old West history

The Downtown Historic Area in Prescott, Arizona, is home to some of the oldest buildings in the area. In fact, many of the city's buildings that are in the National Register of Historic Places reside in the downtown area, so it's a great place to go to indulge in some true Old West history.

Many of the buildings in the area date back to the 1800s, and most have been beautifully restored to reflect the era. Prescott's downtown area boasts a huge selection of historical hotels, saloons and other buildings, all with a story to tell.

One of the most famous parts of the downtown area has got to be Whiskey Row. Whiskey Row dates back to 1864 and was frequented by many well-known figures of the time, including the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday, who were made famous thanks to the gunfight at O.K. Corral in 1881. It was home to numerous saloons and breweries, before fires destroyed most of the buildings in 1883 and again in 1900.

Since then, however, Whiskey Row has been restored and today it stands as a monument of days gone by, with old-style saloons, bars and restaurants filling the street. The Palace is one such place that has been beautifully restored and is now Arizona's oldest saloon, and the Hotel St. Michael, dating back to 1891, is also one of the oldest hotels in the area.

There are plenty of other streets to explore in the downtown district, all of which are full of history and wonderful old buildings. Many of the buildings have been turned into antique stores and artisan shops, all oozing with a taste and feel of the Old West. The area is also home to numerous street performers and theatre shows, meaning that it will always be an experience. Several museums and art galleries also line the streets, offering a bit of extra history.

The dining is said to be particularly good in the downtown area, with plenty of restaurants, old-style saloons, diners and cafes to choose from. Most of the prices are particularly reasonable, and all are sure to be accompanied by some proper Western hospitality.

There are even trolley tours of the area, which take visitors around the whole of the district allowing people to see much more than they could by foot. The Old West Trolley Tour starts at the corner of Cortez and Gurley and runs several times a day, however prices and specific times can vary so be sure to check in advance. It not only takes visitors around the business/shopping district but also to the residential neighborhoods, allowing people to see all of the beautifully restored Victorian homes and hotels in all their glory.

As you can see, there is plenty to do in the Downtown Historic Area of Prescott. Whether people are looking to do some shopping, dining, sight-seeing or simply want to walk around and experience the feel of the Old West, there's something for everyone.