Arizona Road Trip - Prescott - Carlson Concierge Services

Have you ever been to Prescott Arizona? A few weeks ago we took a little Arizona road trip with some good friends. The kids were all busy with this and that and it just worked out to be the perfect chance to steal away.

Why did we choose Prescott? Well, we hadn’t really been there and had heard some good things about the small town in Arizona that way back when (1800’s) was actually the Territorial Capitol of Phoenix.

I feel like a bit of a travel blogger, but I have to tell you about this trip. It was an easy hour and half drive from Phoenix (and no, we weren’t speeding!). We had heard the stories of a quaint downtown plaza area and the famous Whiskey Row. The town center has many cute shops, some tchotchke and touristy by nature, but others hold their own distinct charm. There are also lots of antique stores. Many of the modern day stores are housed in buildings dating back to the late 1800 early 1900’s and are fun to explore.

Although there are plenty of chain hotels and B&B’s in the area, we stayed at the Hassayampa Inn, which was right in downtown Prescott. The hotel is steeped in tradition and although quite old was clean and enjoyable. It sure was perfectly located.

When we arrived we quickly checked in and headed out to find something to eat and a refreshing drink. Our little excursion found us in a number of unique and fun places that we truly enjoyed. (I am going to include a few links at the end so you can read about the places yourselves.) Our first visit was to “The Palace” and was purely in search of food! We were so pleased to find ourselves in the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and the most historically well known as well. Back in the 1870’s Wyatt and Virgil Earp along with Doc Hollywood were frequent patrons of the Palace. All of the Earp brothers stopped at the Palace on their way to Tombstone and the eventual showdown at the OK Corral. Your imagination can’t help but run away thinking of all the stories that bar has been a part of over the years.

In 1900 the whole row of saloons and “other” establishments on Whiskey Row burnt in a fast moving and vicious fire. The patrons of the Palace literally carried the beautiful and ornate Brunswick b
ar from the 1880’s (that still serves countless drinks) across the street to safety and away from the fire. The story goes that they also safely rescued a large part of the alcohol and sat across the street at the bar serving drinks while they watched the whole square burn. Rebuilding of Whiskey Row began just a few days later and by 1901 everything was open again. We had great drinks and appetizers there, in fact, their fried brussel sprouts are on my must list to try again.

From there we “moseyed” here and there from old saloon type places with fabulous live music to the Prescott Brewing Company, which is right in town with good food and a great brewery right on site (might be Lee’s new favorite beer!) We had a fabulous dinner at the “Barley Hound”, an old semi remodeled home just off the square where I am not even kidding; I might have had the best burger ever! It had prime rib and brisket as the patty, with a beautiful bread roll, butter lettuce and a sauce that made it all come together. The food, all of it, was quite good and I would recommend this gastro pub; we look forward to going back on our next visit.

The night was getting on and we decided to have a nightcap before heading back to the hotel. I think we all agree that our favorite place of the trip was “The Point”. This is one of those places that you would not find if someone didn’t tell you. And if you did find it, you wouldn’t go inside! The inside was a surprisingly warm and inviting atmosphere. With a huge U-shaped bar, multiple sitting areas, wood paneling on the walls and ceiling, and old rock on the wall from years gone by. There was a good mix of people in there enjoying the “speakeasy” atmosphere. The drinks all sounded wonderful, I think they served over 90 whiskeys and a huge assortment of beer, wine and cocktails although their claim to fame is their Mule drinks. If you are in Prescott…you should try this place! It was really neat and completely unique.

At this point we were happily on our way back to the hotel when our friend declared that she needed to go into Matt’s Saloon, a well-known bar on Whiskey Row that we had walked by earlier. We obliged and found ourselves in the middle of a honky-tonk bar with swinging saloon doors and a packed dance floor. We didn’t last long but enjoyed seeing yet another side of Prescott. There really is something for everyone.

We woke the next morning, no worse for the ware and had a wonderful breakfast in the hotel restaurant before heading home. We were back in the valley by noon! If you haven’t yet experienced Prescott, you may want to check it out. This summer they will host the annual “Oldest Rodeo” and at Christmas they do a small town parade and beautiful Tree Lighting Ceremony the first weekend in December. Both have come highly recommended and you just may see the Carlson Family there too!

Whatever you do know that Carlson Concierge and Home Watch is here for you when you can’t be. Let us know what we can do to serve you!