Jerome is the largest ghost town in America and is known for its authenticity.It is more than just a contrived tourist attraction, it is a working town.
Many of the buildings have been restored and serve as restaurants and hotels. Other buildings have been preserved in their state of ruin which only adds to the interest of this quirky town.
Whether you live in Arizona or are just visiting, Jerome is definitely worth a stop. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Jerome, AZ!
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Table of Contents
- 1. See the remains of the Bartlett Hotel
- 2. Watch a demonstration at La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio
- 3. See the Sliding Jail
- 4. Stay at the Connor Hotel
- 5. See a historical film at the Liberty Theater
- 6. Get homemade fudge at OJ’s Copper Country Fudge
- 7. See the kaleidoscope collection at Nellie Bly
- 8. Spend the night at the Jerome Grand Hotel
- 9. Eat at The Asylum Restaurant
- 10. Drive by the Surgeon’s House
- 11. Eat at the Haunted Hamburger
- 12. Stop for brunch at The Flatiron
- 13. Tour the museum at Jerome State Historic Park
- 14. Visit the local shops
History of Jerome, Arizona
It is fascinating to learn about the history of the Wild West and imagine what life was like back in the days of outlaws and spurs.
So many were drawn to the west during the peak of the mining days, which created boom towns.
But as quickly as these towns popped up, they soon grew desolate as the Depression hit and the price of metals and precious stones hit rock bottom.
Jerome is the perfect example of this. During its peak, it was nicknamed ‘The Billion Dollar Copper Camp’ and was home to one of the largest copper mines in the west.
Jerome was considered to be one of the richest cities in the United States with a thriving population of around 15,000 people.
Today, Jerome is the largest ghost town in America and is home to a mere 450 residents.
The Jerome Historical Society has placed plaques on various buildings telling stories and bits of history. And trust me, there is no shortage of stories.
Not only was Jerome considered one of the richest cities, but it was also considered the ‘Wickedest Town in the West’.
There were brothels, saloons, gambling, boozing, brawling, gun fights, and everything in between. It is a fascinating place with a lurid history and whisperings of ghost sightings and hauntings.
However, Jerome is not the desolate ghost town you might imagine.
While it does have its fair share of dilapidated buildings with secrets and stories to tell, you’ll also find a vibrant town bustling with crowds and a palpable energy.
It is easy to see why this place draws so many tourists. It is such a quaint, quirky, and fun place to explore!
Jerome is perched high on the top of Cleopatra Hill. The view is breathtaking, but the roads are narrow and winding and parking is limited.
There is a parking lot as you come into town and some street parking is also available. My advice would be to visit during the week when it is not so busy.
Once you do find parking, the town is small enough that you can walk almost everywhere so you can just leave your car there for the day.
As you stroll the streets you’ll find lots of hidden gems, here is a link to a map of all the locations for a self-guided walking tour of Jerome.
14 Unique Things to Do in Jerome, Arizona
1. See the remains of the Bartlett Hotel
The Grandview Hotel once stood on this street corner. It was the first two-story building in Jerome.
There were four major fires throughout the years that devastated the city. Many of the buildings were constructed with wood and were destroyed in the fires, the Grandview Hotel was one of them.
The hotel was rebuilt out of brick and became the home of the grand Bartlett Hotel. It was a lavish building that also housed the Jerome newspaper, a bank, a drug store, offices, and shops.
The city also experienced many landslips due to the unstable buildings being constructed on the steep mountainside.
The Bartlett Hotel was affected by one such slide and was subsequently abandoned.
The city has now erected interesting art installations and displays in the remains of the old hotel rooms.
You’ll even find a broken toilet in the old lobby of the hotel where people throw money into it to make a wish!
2. Watch a demonstration at La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio
If you follow the sidewalk down the right side of the Bartlett Hotel, you’ll reach the La Victoria Glass Blowing Studio.
The crumbling remains of this building’s facade is also one of the most photographed spots in Jerome. It truly captures the essence of the ghost town.
Behind the facade, you’ll find an open-air studio with free glass-blowing demonstrations. A sign posted out front states that demonstrations are held from 12ish to 5ish.
If you are lucky enough to catch a demonstration in progress, it is a fun experience as the artist shares stories while teaching about the glass-blowing process.
The glass creations are available for purchase and make for a great souvenir.
3. See the Sliding Jail
Take a short walk down the hill in front of the glass-blowing studio and you’ll find the Sliding Jail.
Having a city built on such a steep hill had some downfalls. Literally.
Add some unstable underground mine shafts and explosions, and the result is a concrete jail cell block that slid over 200 feet from its original foundation right into the middle of the town’s main street.
Instead of moving the cell, they just altered the road to go around it.
4. Stay at the Connor Hotel
The photogenic Connor Hotel is located in the heart of Jerome and is full of character and history.
You can book a night in one of their 12 clean and well-kept rooms. The rooms have been tastefully renovated and you’ll feel like you have stepped back in time.
Each room boasts unique characteristics such as beautiful oversized windows, antique furnishings, exposed brick, vintage tin ceilings, and wood stoves.
It is a famous spot for ghost sightings and makes for an exciting stay!
Even if you aren’t staying the night, you can still visit the Spirit Room Bar on the main floor.
It offers live music 4 nights a week and has a fun atmosphere. It’s one of our favorite stops on an Arizona Hidden Gems Road Trip!
As with most buildings, the Connor Hotel has an interesting history as well.
The original hotel burned down twice before David Connor finally rebuilt it using a stone foundation and brick walls.
It was considered an upscale luxury hotel that was too expensive for the ‘Ladies of the Night’.
As an alternative for those looking to get a little frisky, ‘Husband’s Alley’ was created on the west end of the building with a false storefront that led to rows of ‘cribs’, or shacks with beds.
5. See a historical film at the Liberty Theater
The Liberty Theater building is connected to the Connor Hotel.
This historic theater showed silent films and vaudeville acts from 1918 to 1929 until the owner decided he didn’t want to invest money into sound equipment.
The original opening date was actually delayed a year due to the Spanish Flu epidemic.
Today, the downstairs lobby has been converted to a gift shop and cinema museum, but the upstairs theater auditorium remains fairly untouched.
For a few dollars, you can go up to the historic theater and watch a 30-minute movie about the history of Jerome.
6. Get homemade fudge at OJ’s Copper Country Fudge
Step inside this charming ice cream parlor for a delicious sweet treat.
You can grab a scoop of ice cream, but their real specialty is the wide variety of homemade fudge.
With over 35 flavors to choose from, it’s difficult to narrow it down!
We loved the Orange Creamsicle, Snickers, Cookies & Cream, and the Dark Mint Chocolate Swirl.
There is a small city playground up the stairs from the store if you want to take your treat there and let the kids burn off some sugar and energy.
7. See the kaleidoscope collection at Nellie Bly
The Nellie Bly Kaleidoscope Shop is the largest kaleidoscope store in the world and features over 90 kaleidoscope artists.
It is such a unique and interesting store, but what I love most is that they encourage you to touch and handle the different kaleidoscopes.
Their motto is, ‘If you’re not having fun we may have to kick you out’.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous taking two young boys in here, considering some of the kaleidoscopes cost upwards of $3,000, but the staff was amazing
They were so kind and encouraged my boys to play with the different types of kaleidoscopes. My boys especially loved making a kaleidoscope picture out of their faces.
The store also has some kid-friendly kaleidoscopes priced around $10 which makes for a great souvenir.
This shop has an interesting history as well, this is the plaque posted outside the store:
8. Spend the night at the Jerome Grand Hotel
The five-story Jerome Grand Hotel is perched at the very top of the city and overlooks the Verde Valley. Aside from its prime location, it is known for being one of the most haunted hotels in America.
It was once the United Verde Hospital and served the residents of Jerome from 1926 to 1950.
They took pride in offering the best medical care and it was considered one of the most modern hospitals in Arizona, and possibly all of the western states.
Of course, over the years the hospital has seen plenty of patient deaths (approximately 9,000!) and it is now a hot spot for paranormal activity.
It has even been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures”.
For a thrilling experience, book a night in this hotel and see if you manage to get any sleep! Halloween night gets booked up almost a year in advance.
There used to be a photo book in the lobby filled with pictures that guests had taken of apparitions in the hotel. Visitors could also peer into the shaft of the self-service elevator to see the outline of a body.
However, they have made some changes to make the hotel more family-friendly, so they have both since been removed.
But the story still remains of the maintenance man who was tragically found dead after being pinned underneath the elevator.
The elevator was functioning properly which leads some to believe that the death was not accidental, but was actually a murder.
His ghost reportedly roams the hotel, particularly in the basement.
If you ask the receptionist in the lobby, they will have plenty of stories to share and even some printouts of some of the history of the hotel.
You can even see the original front desk bell call from 1915, and the old time stamp machine for employees to clock in.
And if you are visiting around lunchtime or in the evening, you can still hear an alarm that echoes out over the valley.
This was once the alarm that signaled lunchtime and the end of the work day for the employees of the factory just below the hotel.
To hear more exciting ghost stories and fascinating history, I would also recommend booking a guided walking ghost tour!
9. Eat at The Asylum Restaurant
Even if you aren’t staying the night, be sure to grab lunch or dinner at The Asylum Restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel.
The restaurant entrance used to be the actual hospital entrance. The original charge nurse desk is now used as the hostess and cashier desk.
The bar is where the old pharmacy once was, and the bathrooms were once rooms used for minor surgeries.
The Asylum Restaurant offers an award-winning dining experience, and you can’t beat the views from the dining room windows.
Be sure to ask your waitress about any hauntings they have experienced, they always have a tale or two that they’re willing to share!
You can walk to the hotel and restaurant from town, but it is a little bit of an uphill hike. There is a parking lot at the top if you prefer to drive up.
10. Drive by the Surgeon’s House
Once the opulent home of Jerome’s chief surgeon, this historic home is now listed on the National Historic Registry.
When the United Verde Copper Company purchased the townsite of Jerome for 1 million dollars, it built the United Verde Hospital along with this luxurious mansion for the chief surgeon.
This elegant home was decorated with all the finest furnishings and was built with all the modern amenities. Many parties were hosted here for the wealthy upper class.
After the mines closed in 1953, the home housed various residents such as councilmen, mayors, policemen, and even the local postmaster.
As the town grew vacant, the home fell into disrepair until it was lovingly and painstakingly restored in the 1990s.
The Surgeon’s House is now a beautiful and eclectic bed and breakfast.
You aren’t likely to see any ghost hauntings during your stay, but you will enjoy the peace and tranquility of this “island in the sky”.
Even if you aren’t planning to stay the night, it is still a notable landmark.
Admire the gardens and beautiful Spanish-style architecture and imagine what life in that home would have been like over 100 years ago.
11. Eat at the Haunted Hamburger
The Haunted Hamburger joint has become a Jerome institution. Visitors come from all over to grab a bite at this local haunt.
It is perched on the top of the hill and boasts a 100-mile view from the outdoor patio and large picture windows.
The menu offers a wide variety of food from juicy mouth-watering burgers, like the Southwest Sourdough Burger, to lighter options like a veggie wrap.
Be sure to save room for their Ghirardelli Carmel & Sea Salt handspun milkshake!
This restaurant is very popular and on busy weekends it is not uncommon to have a 2-hour wait.
My suggestion would be to stop here first and put your name on the list before strolling around exploring the town.
12. Stop for brunch at The Flatiron
Another delicious spot to grab a bite to eat is at The Flatiron.
The architecture is reminiscent of the famed Flatiron building in New York, and this quaint little cafe offers some of the best food in town!
The portions are generous and the dishes are made fresh with locally sourced ingredients.
The Flatiron is one of the longest-running businesses in Jerome and is a favorite brunch spot among locals and tourists alike.
13. Tour the museum at Jerome State Historic Park
The Jerome State Historic Park is the best stop to gain insight into Jerome’s history.
Guests can tour the Douglas Mansion which was built just above the Daisy Mine.
Today it has been converted into a visitor center and museum that unfolds the history of this mining town.
The mansion was originally built in 1916 at the height of the boom by the legendary James S. “Rawhide” Douglas.
Douglas was a billionaire copper miner who owned the Daisy Mine and this is the home that he built for his family.
The museum features a 3-D model of the town and underground mines, along with exhibits containing historic photographs, artifacts, and minerals.
I would also highly recommend watching the 30-minute video that dives into the history of Jerome.
Outside, you can view different mining equipment as well as the carriage house with original automobiles.
Picnic tables are also available on the grounds and offer some of the best views of Jerome and the Verde Valley.
From the museum grounds, you can even catch a glimpse of the Powder Box Church, also known as the Scrap Church.
It’s the building in the bottom of the picture below that looks like it belongs in the countryside of Tuscany.
This unique structure once served as a Methodist church for the Mexican miners and was built using old scraps of dynamite boxes and other leftover materials from the mines.
Today, it is the private residence of renowned interior designer, Anne Gale.
The park is open from 8:30 am-5 pm daily. Admission is $7/adults, $4/kids, and children 0-6 years are free.
The Audrey Shaft Headframe Park is also located right next to the Jerome State Historic Park
Here, visitors can stand on a glass floor and peer down into the 1,900-foot mine shaft. The shaft is 650 feet taller than the highest point of the Empire State Building!
14. Visit the local shops
One of the best things to do in Jerome is just wander the streets and pop into the local shops.
You are bound to find all sorts of treasures!
Pick up some souvenirs at the House of Joy, an old brothel.
Or shop for vintage finds at the Retro Roadrunner.
This store operates out of an old family home perched on a hill and is worth checking out.
You can find vintage second-hand items for sale, as well as new boutique items.
Be sure to pick up some sweet treats at the Rickeldoris candy shop.
Stock up on different flavored hot sauces at Jerome Ghost Pepper Co., and find antiques as well as handcrafted gifts from local artisans at a variety of shops.
There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes housed in historic buildings. Stop in for a bite to eat or a drink, and be sure to ask your waitress about the history of the building.
We hope you enjoy your time in this historic ghost town and that this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Jerome, AZ. It is bound to be a unique and memorable experience!
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If you’re interested in checking out more ghost towns, see our guide 7 of the Coolest Ghost Towns in Arizona!
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Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a speculative conclusion outstanding post! .
It’s so strange to see a ghost town so busy with tourists! I have definitely seen a few videos of Jerome as I remember the Haunted Hamburger. What a name for a restaurant! I love that they have kept a lot of the crumbling buildings, I think it really adds character to a town. I love all the pictures you took! When I finally visit Jerome I will take your advice and visit during the week when it’s not so packed with tourists.
It definitely was not at all what I had imagined! I had pictured it to be desolate but loved that it was a living ghost town, although I wouldn’t have minded a few less tourists! I hope you get a chance to visit someday!