Alli Talley

January 7, 2020

This Arizona Town Will Take You By Surprise - Prescott, Arizona

Alli Talley

January 7, 2020

When you think of Arizona, what pops into your mind?

We’ve always associated Arizona with warm desert weather, the Grand Canyon, and Saguaro cacti… until now. A couple of weeks ago we road tripped to the small city of Prescott, Arizona, where we saw a new side of the shining Copper State.

Located in Yavapai County, Prescott is an easy hour and a half drive north of Phoenix and an hour and a half west of Sedona. Set at an elevation of 5,200, Prescott is surrounded by Ponderosa pine forests and boasts an average temperature of a cool 70 degrees. We were welcomed by crisp mountain air and rolling meadows, and we knew almost immediately that Prescott is a special place.

THE “TOWN”

The city of Prescott (pronounced “Presskit”) couldn’t be more charming. I (Alli) kept remarking that Prescott reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie, with a quaint town plaza and bustling main street. Prescott was once Arizona’s territorial capitol, so it’s full of historical landmarks and Wild West History - and it’s also home to the ”World’s Oldest Rodeo” (Which occurs around the 4th of July Weekend, and you better believe it’s added to our bucket list!)

There are historic saloons, local boutiques and shops, renowned restaurants (more on the food scene later), museums, and more lining the downtown. We spent an entire day shopping, eating, and leisurely exploring downtown Prescott, and we had a blast! Some must-visit spots include the Jersey Lilly Saloon for a drink at the bar, The Treat Center for an old-fashioned sweet treat, the Wild Iris Coffeehouse for an afternoon pick-me-up, and the famous Hassayampa Inn to warm up by their cozy fire.

Loving the Christmas vibes at Jersey Lilly Saloon.

Alli will always find the best candy shops

THE CULINARY SCENE

It’s impossible to go hungry in Prescott, with cute cafes and farm-to-table restaurants at nearly every turn. And if you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that good food is one of the first things we look for in a new destination! The Palace Restaurant and Saloon is arguably one of the most iconic in the area, as it dates back to 1877 - and it’s even been voted one of the 10 Most Historic Bars in America by USA Today! Don’t leave without trying the Palace Pulled Pork Sliders!

FARM Provisions serves fresh and organic fare that rotates seasonally, and utilizes local Arizona farmers and ranchers. It’s the perfect place to go for a healthy and hearty lunch or dinner, and they have extensive Vegan and Gluten Free menus too! (Alli had the Farm Vegan Tacos, and they were delicious!)

The Barley Hound is Prescott’s beloved gastropub, serving old-school classics like fried green tomatoes and flavorful burgers with a unique and creative twist. Their cocktails are undoubtedly some of the best in the area, our favorite being the Old Fashioned!

And no trip to Prescott is complete without breakfast at The Local, a true local favorite. Everything is made from scratch with local ingredients, and they serve breakfast all day long. Bobby still raves about their Broken Egg Sammie!

If only the walls could talk at the Palace Saloon!

STAY AT THE GRAND HIGHLAND HOTEL

We had the privilege of staying at the Grand Highland Hotel, a boutique gem on Prescott’s famed Whiskey Row. This 115 year old building is full of Prescott history, and the rooms incorporate old time charm with modern flair. We were obsessed! One of our favorite touches is that breakfast is included, and you can have it delivered to your room in the morning!

With a newly remodeled ground floor, the Grand Highland is also an incredible wedding venue with a stunning courtyard. Most importantly, the Grand Highland sits on Whiskey Row which is right on the town plaza. It’s the perfect location to explore downtown!

Excited to check in at the Grand Highland Hotel!

Our favorite part of the Grand Highland was the daily breakfast deliveries!

WATSON LAKE

Just four miles away from downtown Prescott is Watson Lake, a stunning reservoir that ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. The crystal clear water and the staggering rock formations make for one epic backdrop, and an ideal spot to hike, picnic, and explore! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, and the weather permits, we suggest renting a kayak to explore. That’s on our list for next time!

ARIZONA’S CHRISTMAS CITY

Probably our favorite fact is that Prescott is known for being “Arizona’s Christmas City” - and that’s reason enough for us to want to return! From the end of November through mid January there are light tours, parades, live music and performances, cultural experiences, free events, and the Whiskey Row Boot Drop on New Year’s Eve… and due to Prescott’s high elevation, chances are you’ll see some snowfall! It doesn’t get more magical than that! Go to visit-prescott.com/christmas for more information!

We completely fell for Prescott, and we think you will too. Next time you’re planning a roadtrip, or you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path kind of getaway, we highly suggest it. We can’t wait to return - preferably at Christmastime! Oh, and don’t forget your cowboy boots!!

Alli Talley

October 22, 2018

USA, Arizona, Utah

Quick Southwest Road Trip: Exploring Horseshoe Bend and Zion National Park

Alli Talley

October 22, 2018

USA, Arizona, Utah

Since our big “Month Long Roadtripping Extravaganza”, we’ve been itching for an excuse to get back on the open road. After stumbling upon some photos and doing some research, we decided to do a last-minute trip to Page, Arizona and Zion National Park. The amount of natural beauty and grand landscapes that we saw in four days still has us shaking our heads in awe… this trip was life-giving to us in so many ways, and it’s SO DOABLE. Here’s what we did!

Let’s start with Page, Arizona.

You’ve probably never heard of this little town before, but bear with us. It’s located next to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, and countless hikes and areas to explore. It’s an affordable town to stay in, and it’s incredibly close to all of the action. We stayed at the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell, and it was great. Big, clean rooms, hearty breakfasts, stunning views, and a helpful staff. We highly recommend it!

From there you’re just a quick ten minute drive to Horseshoe Bend, and we recommend going early, especially in high season. (Expect crowds year-round, but November-February are generally considered to be slower.) It’s a good 20 minute hike from the parking lot, so be sure to wear good shoes and bring water. And brace yourself for…

THE VIEWS!!

Words don’t do this place justice - so we’ll let the photos do the talking. We happened to be there during some pretty intense rainstorms… We did see some sun break through for an hour (WOO!), but we definitely were soaking wet by the end!

Now because of the rainy weather, we weren’t able to explore Antelope Canyon on this trip, which we were definitely bummed about. (Keep that in mind when planning your trip: rain = mud and/or flash floods, and if it’s muddy they close the canyons!) But we made the best of it and explored other spots - including the Glen Canyon Dam and lookout points. All incredibly breathtaking - especially if you’re scared of heights like we are!!

TIP: We think two nights in Page is perfect. That gives you ample time to see the sights, hike around, and explore. Beyond that there isn’t a whole lot to do there, and dining options are pretty limited. Pack snacks!

Zion National Park

Just two hours northwest of Page, Arizona is Zion National Park - and it just might be our favorite national park yet. We spent the last two nights of our trip at the Cliffrose Lodge, located just steps from the entrance to the park. Not only was the location phenomenal, but the newly remodeled rooms were gorgeous, and the mountain views from our balcony left us in awe. We couldn’t have picked a better place to stay!

There are several stunning hikes in and around Zion National Park, but the big “bucketlist” one for us was “The Narrows”. It’s anything but a typical hike - as you squeeze through slot canyons and wade through a river… and it was absolutely the highlight of our trip!

Things to know:

Rent equipment. We went when the water (and air!) was cold, so we rented waterproof pants along with boots and a walking stick. In the summertime, all you need are good water shoes and a walking stick. You might even find yourself jumping all the way in!
Go early. We left on the first shuttle bus at 7am (it’s only accessible by shuttle), and it was perfect. We almost always had the hike to ourselves!! But on our way back it quickly became a zoo, as it’s one of the most popular hikes in Zion. The earlier you go, the better chance you have at avoiding crowds.
Pack water & snacks. No matter how you do it, it’s a long hike. Plan on being gone at least five or six hours, so plan accordingly. We brought a big canteen of water and some Clif Bars to hold us over, and that was perfect.
Make sure you go to the bathroom. Like we said, it’s a long hike. And there’s no porta potties or rest stops along the way! There’s a bathroom where the shuttle first drops you off - so take advantage of it. ;)

Our time in Zion was limited. Unlike Page, two nights definitely wasn’t enough for all that we wanted to see and do! We recommend going for at least three nights, so you have enough time to hike, drive, and explore. Oh, and the dining options are great. Some of our favorites were Zion Pizza and Noodle Co, Thai Sapa, and Oscars Cafe!

This road trip was quick, and had a fair share of “bumps” in the road - but it’s one of our favorite ones we’ve done yet. We can’t wait to get back to Page and explore Antelope Canyon, and adventure through Zion National Park again… and maybe even bring our pup next time!

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