Yuma, Arizona is one of those places we’ve grown up hearing about, but never really knew what was there. It wasn’t until our friend Jennifer very enthusiastically convinced us to do some research, that we realized we’d underestimated this historic (and incredibly quirky) desert town. One week later, and we were on our way!
Yuma’s a perfect weekend trip. We were there for just over 48 hours and while our schedule was jam-packed, it felt like a very easy and doable getaway. Below are the spots we visited that we would definitely recommend. Consider this your “hit list” for when you visit!
STAY
HILTON GARDEN INN YUMA :: Overlooking the Colorado River, and walking distance to all the best restaurants and shops, The Hilton Garden Inn is the place to stay when you’re in Yuma. The rooms are clean and spacious, the facilities are beautiful, and the staff couldn’t have been sweeter. There’s a fitness center, pool, cozy lobby bar and restaurant right on property… and it’s very affordable, too! (Win/win!)
Nice, new Hilton Garden Inn in a great location!
DINE (& DRINK)
CAFECITO :: Finding good coffee in a destination is typically our go-to mission when we arrive, and we were overjoyed to stumble upon Cafecito. Located in a quaint, restored little house, this coffee shop and breakfast spot is a favorite among locals - and it’s easy to see why. Their drinks are great (try their cold brew on tap!), and their breakfast bowls (the Cafecito Oats are a must!) are as pretty as they are delicious!
THE GARDEN CAFE :: This tucked-away breakfast spot is a must-visit, if not for the picturesque garden ambiance, but for the made-from-scratch breakfasts they prepare each day! While Bobby is quick to recommend Yuma’s famous Kammaan Sausage (he went back the next day for seconds), I loved their fruit bread - either way, you won’t be sorry!
THE PINT HOUSE BAR AND GRILL :: With over 50+ craft beers on tap, and a mouthwatering menu featuring artisan pizzas, burgers, and tacos, The Pint House Bar and Grill is most definitely our kind of place. Come on a Wednesday and enjoy any burger on the menu + a craft beer, for only $10!
LUTES CASINO :: One of the most iconic (and eclectic) restaurants in town is Lutes Casino, which has been a Yuma staple for almost 70 years! Be sure to try the “Lutes Especial”, a cheeseburger and hotdog combined - and a special since 1951! Owned and run by the Lutes family, chances are you’ll see Bob, one of the Lutes brothers, serving up drinks and laughs behind the bar. If you do, say hi! Bob’s notorious for making friends and flirting with pretty ladies… you might even get one of his famous keychains!
MR G’S :: Ask any Yuma local where the best breakfast burrito is in town, and they’ll most definitely send you to Mr. G’s! Whether you’re eating there or grabbing to go, you can’t beat their hearty, made-to-order, and affordable burritos… no matter the time of day!
PRISON HILL BREWING COMPANY :: Some of the best food (and BBQ) in town can be found at Prison Hill Brewing Company. We’re big fans of their fried avocado appetizer (a must!), and their Smoked Meat Plate is not to be missed. Come hungry.
The craft beer scene is brewing in Yuma thanks to Prison Hill Brewing - check out the upcoming Rio De Cerveza Brew Fest. Savor regional craft beer at the Colorado River State Historic Park, along the water with great live music and lots of sunshine. For tickets and more info check out www.riodecerveza.com
SUNSET ON THE RANCH :: If you plan your trip to Yuma just right, you can make one of the most idyllic (and romantic) culinary experiences in town - Sunset on the Ranch. It begins with a tractor-pulled wagon ride around a farm, which takes guests to a picture-perfect farm-to-table dinner highlighting Yuma produce and a local gourmet chef. Take a look here for dates and times.
Coffee is always a good idea… especially from Cafecito
SO many good beers at the Pint House!
Yummy Mr. G’s breakfast burritos for the road.
Prison Hill Brewing!
Bobby would be back in Yuma tomorrow for more Kammaan sausage.
Hamburger with a hot dog in it at Lutes’ Casino. How have we never thought of this?
Bob Lutes hanging with his girls!
Bobby may or may not of had the meat sweats after eating his whole plate.
Perfect evening for al fresco dining
Loving the views of both the ranch and the food!
DO
KAYAK THE COLORADO RIVER :: We can’t think of a better activity on a warm, Yuma day than kayaking the Colorado River! Our guide Ken and his team are happy to take groups of all ages for a peaceful and educational cruise along the river. And if you’re lucky, you might even see a beaver!
YUMA ART CENTER OPEN POTTERY CLASS :: Roll up your sleeves and get messy! We had a blast learning the ins and outs of sculpting with clay - and the friendly folks at Yuma Art Center made the whole experience a blast! (We even had our “Ghost” moment, if you know, you know.) ;) Check their site for class dates and times.
LUTES’ WEDDING CHAPEL :: Whether you’re a history buff or a fan of old-time hollywood, or if you happen to be looking for an legendary spot to say “I do”, a stop by the famous Lutes' Wedding Chapel is a must! Back in the 1930’s there was an extremely long waiting period to get married in California, so many impatient lovers and Hollywood stars made their way to Yuma to get hitched quicker. And this time capsule of a wedding chapel has barely changed since!
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON :: Another place that’s a must-visit for history buffs is the Yuma Territorial Prison, which ran from 1876 to 1909. It housed over 3,000 criminals during those 33 years, and was named “The Most Haunted Destination in the Country” by Usa Today in 2019! It’s a fascinating look into prison life and the infamous people that spent time behind bars - many of which were women!
THE CAMEL FARM :: Just an easy 20-minute drive from downtown Yuma is The Camel Farm, a family-run farm raises and rescues all kinds of animals, and they currently have over 150! There’s camels, zebras, goats, and donkeys (among others), and many of which you can hand-feed! They even have a “Zedonk” - a mix between a zebra and a donkey!
IMPERIAL SAND DUNES :: When you’re heading in (or out) of Yuma, be sure to make a detour to the Imperial Sand Dunes for a striking photo opp! You’ll instantly feel as though you’ve been transported to the Sahara desert, and your friends and family won’t believe their eyes when they see your pictures!
Family photo before the kayak adventure.
Our “Ghost” moment. It was Bobby’s first time trying his hand at pottery.
8 months pregnant and still kayaking :)
More pottery fun!
Renewing our vows at Lutes’ Chapel!
Please don’t leave us here! It’s spooky!
Feeding the camels :)
Are we really still in Arizona?
Yuma was full of delicious food, lively culture, and captivating old west history. Once you’ve experienced it, it’ll be a place that YoU MA(st) go back to. Got it? Leave a comment if you’ve been, or if you have a suggestion for where we should visit next time around!