This day trip combines the artistic ghost town of Jerome (a 1890s copper mining town perched on Cleopatra Hill) with the Verde Valley's emerging wine country. Visit Caduceus Cellars, Pillsbury Wine Company, and Page Springs Cellars before dinner in Cottonwood or Jerome.
Jerome, Arizona, perches at 1,500 meters elevation on the steep slopes of Cleopatra Hill in the Black Hills of Yavapai County, approximately 160 kilometers north of Phoenix via Interstate 17 and State Route 89A. Once known as the Wickedest Town in the West — a copper-boom settlement that at its 1920s peak housed 15,000 residents — Jerome declined to near-ghost-town status by the 1950s before reinventing itself as one of Arizona's most distinctive arts communities.
The approach on SR-89A from Cottonwood winds steeply up the hillside, with switchbacks revealing views over the Verde Valley below. Jerome State Historic Park, centered on the 1916 Douglas Mansion, houses a comprehensive mining history museum with original equipment and documents from the United Verde mine operations. Admission is $7 per adult. Jerome's compact main street on Hull Avenue and Jerome Avenue contains roughly two dozen art galleries, antique shops, and gift stores in Victorian-era commercial buildings. The Mine Museum on Main Street ($5) provides the most accessible introduction to the town's history. Big Nose Kate's Saloon, which operated in the Grand Hotel's basement from 1880, and the Jerome Grand Hotel (1927, formerly the United Verde Hospital) both offer bar service in historic settings.
The Verde Valley wine region, a 40-minute drive down the mountain into the valley floor, has developed since the late 2000s into one of Arizona's most productive wine-producing areas. Wineries cluster around Cornville, Page Springs Road, and Old Town Cottonwood. Page Springs Cellars on Page Springs Road in Cornville is one of the valley's most established producers, open daily. Pillsbury Wine Company in Cornville focuses on Rhône-style varietals. Caduceus Cellars in Jerome itself, operated by musician Maynard James Keenan, produces cult-status wines from Cochise County grapes with a limited-hours tasting room.
Old Town Cottonwood on Main Street, the valley's main commercial center, provides a walkable strip of restaurants and wine bars — Crema Craft Kitchen and Tavern Grille are reliable options — making it a natural final stop before the return to Phoenix.
Suggested itinerary
- Leave Phoenix 9am. Arrive Jerome 11am for gallery exploration and lunch. Afternoon drive down to Verde Valley for wine tastings (Page Springs, Pillsbury, Caduceus). Return to Phoenix by 8pm.
Highlights
- Jerome State Historic Park (Douglas Mansion)
- Jerome art galleries and haunted hotels
- Caduceus Cellars winery (Maynard James Keenan's winery)
- Pillsbury Wine Company in Cornville
- Verde Valley wine tastings
- Old Town Cottonwood restaurants
Tips for visiting
- Start in Jerome while energy is highest — the steep cobblestone streets and staircase paths tire quickly — then descend to the valley wineries in the afternoon.
- Caduceus Cellars in Jerome has variable tasting-room hours; check current times before visiting, as stock of cult-status wines is limited and it is often closed midweek.
- Most Verde Valley winery tasting fees run $15–20 per person; many waive the fee with a bottle purchase.
- Old Town Cottonwood on Main Street is the valley's best dining hub for an end-of-day meal before the return to Phoenix.
- The Jerome Grand Hotel bar on Cleopatra Hill Road is worth a brief stop for panoramic views over the Verde Valley — no overnight stay required.
When to visit
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are optimal, with daytime temperatures in Jerome between 15 and 25°C. Summer at 1,500 meters is noticeably milder than Phoenix but can still reach 33°C on exposed hillsides. Winter weekdays see significantly smaller crowds at both the historic town and the wineries.
Accessibility
Jerome's hillside terrain with cobblestone streets and steep inclines presents significant challenges for wheelchair users. The flat main commercial street section is partially navigable. Jerome State Historic Park's mansion exhibit areas are partially accessible. Verde Valley winery tasting rooms vary — most are at ground level with flat access and no significant steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jerome a ghost town?
Jerome had a near-ghost-town period from the 1950s to 1970s when its population fell below 50 after copper mining ceased. Today it is a fully inhabited arts community of around 400 residents with galleries, restaurants, hotels, and museums operating year-round.
How many wineries are there in the Verde Valley?
The Verde Valley wine trail encompasses over 20 wineries and tasting rooms concentrated around Cornville, Page Springs, and Cottonwood. Most are small-batch producers; a single day trip can comfortably visit three to five tasting rooms.
Can visitors reach Jerome by public transport from Phoenix?
Direct public transport from Phoenix to Jerome is not available. Arizona Shuttle connects Phoenix to Cottonwood (around $50–60 each way), from where a local rideshare or taxi can reach Jerome's main street in approximately 20 minutes.
Is Jerome's terrain suitable for those with limited mobility?
Jerome is built on a steep hillside with significant elevation changes between its main street areas. The flat upper-main-street section is broadly accessible, but cobblestone surfaces and steep connecting paths make much of the town challenging for wheelchair users or those with mobility limitations.
What is the drive from Phoenix to Jerome like?
The two-hour drive follows I-17 north to Exit 287, then AZ-260 west toward Cottonwood, and finally AZ-89A south up Cleopatra Hill. The final approach into Jerome is a series of dramatic switchbacks with open views over the Verde Valley.