Walking Guide of Historic Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona

Cottonwood, Arizona is a little town with a lot to offer in the heart of Arizona, bursting with restaurants, wine tasting rooms, art galleries, shopping, and boutique hotels.  Cottonwood is part of the Verde Valley, and close neighbor to the Ghost Town of Jerome and ever popular Sedona, each accessed from the 89A highway.

Old Town is a few shorts blocks along Main Street, perfect for a few hours and up to a few days!

Come hungry!  Cottonwood is building a reputation for fantastic local restaurants, with new ones opening every time I visit!  The newest bakery smelled divine and received glowing recommendations from everyone I spoke to in town.

Come Thirsty!  Lining Main Street are Wine Tasting rooms.

  • Arizona Stronghold
  • Burning Tree Cellars
  • Fire Mountain Wines
  • Freitas Vineyard
  • Merkin Vineyards – opened in October 2023
  • Pillsbury Wine Company
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Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room and nearby boutiques
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Iron Horse Inn and Burning Tree Cellars Wine Tasting Room

Accommodations are small, boutique style focused on excellent customer service.  Cottonwood is a great, affordable location to explore the neighboring areas of Verde Valley that have higher priced accommodations.

There are art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, and specialty stores up and down Old Town Cottonwood.  The old movie theater building is now a restaurant.  Many long time businesses are celebrating continued success in town.  During our last visit there were several remodels and new business were moving in to this thriving, little town.

Larry's Antiques
Larry’s Antiques

The best antique shop in town is Larry’s Antiques.  Newly opened in 2008, Larry’s is bursting at the seams with antique, vintage, and unique treasures that you did not even know that you needed!  From vintage pocket watches, collectible signs, and antique tractors, there is something interesting for everyone. It is easy to spend a couple hours browsing and still not see everything at Larry’s!  Worth a visit every time to Cottonwood!

Wild Rose Tea House
Wild Rose Tea House

The far north end of Main Street (0.3 miles from Larry’s) is Wild Rose of Old Town Tea House for a proper tea, and darling outdoor patio.

Wild Rose back patio
Wild Rose back patio

For additional walking, just past the pack patio of Wild Rose is the trail head for Jail Trail.  Take a stroll (in trail shoes or athletic shoes) down Jail Trail river walk along the Verde River.

Cottonwood Jail Trail
Cottonwood Jail Trail

Nearby activities are a short drive to:

  • Tuzigoot National Monument
  • Page Spring Cellars for great wine, beautiful tasting room, friendly staff, and gorgeous views
  • Page Spring Fish Hatchery
  • Javalina Leap vineyards
  • Oak Creek wine
  • Alcantara Vineyards
  • Out of Africa wildlife zoo
  • Montezuma Castle National Monument
  • Mingus Mountains offers beautiful views, hiking trails, and areas for snowball fights and sledding in the winter.
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40 thoughts on “Walking Guide of Historic Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona”

  1. I love Arizona! And I’ve also never smelled a bakery I didn’t like. That Wild Rose Tea House is super cute but the rest of this I’d never guess was in AZ. (Clearly I need to spend more time there!)

  2. These little towns are my absolute favourite I love exploring them and meeting the folks that live there. That little step back in time and history that you can take when you explore these places is what makes a great trip.

  3. I love exploring historic old towns. I’ve never been to Arizona though. When I do visit Cottonwood, I’d love to go to the Wild Rose of Old Town Tea House and the antique shop.

  4. It looks like such an interesting little town, I especially love the cactus in front of the tea house! I’m always a fan of small unknown cities, they have so much to offer!

  5. The Wild Tea House looks like a place I would definitely stop! Not to mention there’s a trail!? I’ll be sure to add this to my SW Bucketlist. I love the American SW!

  6. We enjoy walking around historic towns. I would love to go into the antique shop. I like staying in boutique hotels so this town would be a good base to enjoy the rest of the area.

  7. Lol my mom would be really interested in going to Larry’s antiques….she’s addicted to that kind of stuff and my dad’s name is Larry soooo…. 😀

  8. I love the wine tasting rooms and rustic look of this town. I can’t believe theres so much to do in cottonwood AND close to it. Excellent.

  9. I don’t remember every seeing this city on any sign on the way to Sedona (perhaps I took the other route). It looks rather quaint though. Did you happen to go into any of the wine tasting rooms there? Which one would you recommend? I’m starting to like wine more each day and am always looking for a great place to taste new wines.

    1. My favorite wine tasting near Cottonwood and Sedona is Page Springs Cellars. They have fantastic wines and a gorgeous tasting room (I will write that post on my next visit). IN Cottonwood itself, I really like Pillsbury Wines, and each of the tasting rooms on Main Street are worth stopping in for a couple glasses, which is why this is a WALKING tour. No driving after wine tasting. Enjoy!

  10. This looks like a great place — thanks for sharing! Arizona is on the top of my list — there are so many states I have yet to explore 🙂

  11. Such a cute little place! Where in AZ is Cottonwood? Maybe I can add it to my next road trip through the southwest. 🙂

    1. Cottonwood is in the center of Arizona, a couple hours drive North of Phoenix. There is so much to do and see throughout the state, it is worth exploring!

  12. You had me at bakery and wine tasting rooms, but the whole town looks like it would make me a happy explorer. I’d even love to try the Jail Tail, though I might wait for fall to see if I could skip the famous Arizona heat (I’m such a wuss!).

    1. Cottonwood is quite a bit cooler than Phoenix, so no need to fear the Arizona heat there. I always pack a jacket for Cottonwood, and usually need it.

  13. I love little historic towns. I recently had a blast in Tombstone Az. I would love to check out Cottonwood. How was the jail trail? Sounds interesting.

    1. Amanda, if you like Tombstone, you will love Cottonwood and Jerome! Arizona has many great small towns right of of history. The Jail Trail in Cottonwood is along the Verde Valley, an easy hike with great views!

  14. I must admit I’ve never heard of Cottonwood, but if I ever do visit, I will definitely consult your guide (: What is your favourite thing to do here?

    1. It is so hard to pick a favorite activity in Cottonwood! I love visiting the Antique shops with my Mom & Dad, and the tasting rooms are definitely a nice stop with friends.

  15. This is a charming place with an aura of history which adds to its allure. Would love to spend some great time here. Thanks for sharing.

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