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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
