Bisbee vs. Jerome (Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona: live, shops, train)

[crazyme4878]

My parents are coming to visit for 10 days next week. We live close to the Bisbee area. They just called me tonight and asked about going to Sedona because "a guy at work said that if you are going to Arizona, you can't miss Sedona." My first thought was, "What the he**? There a ton of awesome places in AZ but we can't go to all of them." But I said whatever they want to do, we are game for. So then they start listing all the things this guy at work said one just had to in Arizona, and one included visiting Jerome. I looked up Jerome on the internet, and you know what, the history, looks, and "charm" of Jerome seem identical to those of Bisbee--except that it is 5 hours away instead of 20 minutes. Can anyone correct me on this?

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

My parents are coming to visit for 10 days next week. We live close to the Bisbee area. They just called me tonight and asked about going to Sedona because "a guy at work said that if you are going to Arizona, you can't miss Sedona." My first thought was, "What the he**? There a ton of awesome places in AZ but we can't go to all of them." But I said whatever they want to do, we are game for. So then they start listing all the things this guy at work said one just had to in Arizona, and one included visiting Jerome. I looked up Jerome on the internet, and you know what, the history, looks, and "charm" of Jerome seem identical to those of Bisbee--except that it is 5 hours away instead of 20 minutes. Can anyone correct me on this?

Bisbee is bigger (about 5K people vs. Jerome's ca. 500) but they do have their similarities............

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

My parents are coming to visit for 10 days next week. We live close to the Bisbee area. They just called me tonight and asked about going to Sedona because "a guy at work said that if you are going to Arizona, you can't miss Sedona." My first thought was, "What the he**? There a ton of awesome places in AZ but we can't go to all of them." But I said whatever they want to do, we are game for. So then they start listing all the things this guy at work said one just had to in Arizona, and one included visiting Jerome. I looked up Jerome on the internet, and you know what, the history, looks, and "charm" of Jerome seem identical to those of Bisbee--except that it is 5 hours away instead of 20 minutes. Can anyone correct me on this?

I never did get the appeal of Jerome myself. However, Sedona is a must-see IMO. I'm glad I researched and saw it for the first time the best way - going up to Flag and taking the road down (89, I believe) Oak Creek Canyon. The view is absolutely stunning when Sedona unfolds before your eyes for the first time. The road itself is quite scenic, too.

[Bummer]

Jerome is ok, Crazyme, but definitely not great or worth the drive.

However, if you're gonna make it to Sedona, The Grand Canyon makes more sense.

You may want to consider The Train . . . GRAND CANYON RAILWAY | THE OFFICIAL SITE to give your parents something to really remember. Well worth the time and money.

[crazyme4878]

Thanks everyone for the backup. It sounds like I can scratch Jerome off any possible Sedona to-do list.

I was a little baffled by my parents' request, because they have been planning this trip for months and now four days before coming, they decide they want to go 5 hours north! I'm still researching things around Sedona because I want to be flexible, but... is there really that much to do to justify the drive? They have seen the Grand Canyon (as have I) and I plan on stopping there this summer on our own family road trip. My husband is in Flagstaff as I type, so hopefully I will be able to get a hold of him yet and ask him to scout around or at least pick up some brochures.

[nitram]

If your going to Sedona and do not want to go to Jerome or the Grand Canyon, then check this site out for the Verde Canyon Railroad. It's a very popular tourist venture just west of Sedona at the base of Jerome and if you want to afterwards then go see Jerome.
Check it out...
Welcome to the Verde Canyon Railroad Homepage

[Ria Rhodes]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

My parents are coming to visit for 10 days next week. We live close to the Bisbee area. They just called me tonight and asked about going to Sedona because "a guy at work said that if you are going to Arizona, you can't miss Sedona." My first thought was, "What the he**? There a ton of awesome places in AZ but we can't go to all of them." But I said whatever they want to do, we are game for. So then they start listing all the things this guy at work said one just had to in Arizona, and one included visiting Jerome. I looked up Jerome on the internet, and you know what, the history, looks, and "charm" of Jerome seem identical to those of Bisbee--except that it is 5 hours away instead of 20 minutes. Can anyone correct me on this?

It's your parent(s). Give in to their needs. Empower them in their adventure. Let them see Prescott and Jerome. Why not? You could do the Prescott Courthouse Square walk-around and drive toward Mingus Mountain to Jerome. Have a snack at Flatiron Cafe, walk around for an hour or two, maybe have a guacamole burger at the Haunted Hamburger? Jerome is a short drive to Cottonwood and Jerona is the best stop for a coffee pick-me-up before heading to Sedona (and you could take the turnoff (off 89A) toward Page Springs and Page Springs Winery for a nice wine sampling and scenic back porch view which is just a little out of the way to Sedona anyway). Wildflower Bread in the Sedona Hyatt Complex shops is a favorite for consistently good food (Sedona for such a tourist destination really doesn't have many decent places to dine, like say another tourist town like Santa Fe). First-timers like taking the Sedona jeep tours, and while blase for locals, they'd like it as red rock first timers. I'd avoid the rubber tomahawk tourist area of Sedona, but that would be up to your parents - right?

[crazyme4878]

Thank you everyone. It ended up being my father's crazy idea (I say crazy, because he thought we could drive there and back in one day with two young boys!) and my mom called hoping I would talk him out of it. Turns out my aunt did that (she was just there, I guess). But this thread has worked doubly for me, because now I can use the Sedona suggests for our summer road trip! Thanks again!