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A variety of stargazing trains roll through rural landscapes and protected dark-sky preserves where the Milky Way still shines bright, sometimes with a telescope or astronomer on board or an open-air carriage for looking up at the night sky. A train ride offers the perfect chance to slow down and enjoy the universe overhead. These scenic and heritage railroads across the U.S. combine the romance of rail travel with the enchantment of the starry sky.

Clarkdale provides a quieter alternative to its neighbor Sedona, with plenty of river-based activities, glorious surroundings, and a rich history to discover. For those seeking an escape to the less hectic parts of Arizona, Clarkdale may be the perfect option.

Some visitors to the Grand Canyon prefer to stay in popular cities like Phoenix and even Flagstaff, but nearby towns are good alternatives, all with beautiful surroundings and much more laid-back vibes. These small, underrated towns in Arizona offer cozy places to stay, fun activities, and unique attractions without the bustle of busier cities like Phoenix and Flagstaff.

Arizona, a southwestern state known for its beautiful scenery (it’s home to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley), has also earned a reputation for its remarkably intact historical sites. Some of the best are to be found in a number of small Arizona towns that appear almost untouched by time, each providing a fascinating glimpse into the state’s frontier days.

Unfortunately, all the fame and Instagram-worthy scenery also makes Sedona one of the most crowded places in Arizona. As a smaller city that was never meant to accommodate thousands of tourists on a daily basis, navigating the idyllic desert town can turn into a real headache.

Thankfully, there are a variety of similar destinations around the state, many of which are relatively unknown (and therefore uncrowded).

All aboard! When in Clarkdale, you have to ride the iconic Verde Valley Railroad. Starting in Clarkdale (only 100 miles north of Phoenix), Verde Valley Railroad operates its fully refurbished vintage trains on a 20-mile and four-hour journey through the marvelous Verde Canyon. While on board, enjoy fantastic views of dazzling fall foliage, the stunning waters of the Verde River, and a wonderfully preserved riparian habitat for bald eagles, great blue herons, wild raptors, and additional wildlife. During the fall season, the railroad even serves locally made craft beers on board.

Join Robin Sewell on Arizona Highways TV as she takes you through the enchanting town of Clarkdale, Arizona. Discover the one-block downtown brimming with art, history, and vibrant nightlife. Experience the scenic beauty of Mingus Mountain, National Forest, and the Verde River with a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.

The Verde Canyon Railroad is one of the greatest day excursions to take near Sedona and offers breathtaking sights & great onboard service. There are many picturesque and historic railroads found all across the United States. Often, these railroads opened the country up, replaced the old arduous trails, and ushered in a new age. Arizona's Verde Canyon Railroad is a stunning passenger excursion line near Sedona running 20 miles on the old Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad.

The Semi-Annual Clarkdale Gem and Mineral Show and Sale; Mingus Gem & Mineral Club, will be held at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse Auditorium, 19 N. Ninth Street in Clarkdale, Arizona on September 27th – 29th, 2024. On Friday and Saturday, the show will be open to the public from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and on Sunday the show hours are from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

The two main heritage railroads operating in Arizona are the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad and the Wild West-themed Grand Canyon Railway. Not only do these offer options for various train rides, but there are also Amtrak's rail rides to consider (when booking an Amtrak Arizona ticket, make sure the train is scheduled to run in the daytime to see the views).

Along the banks of the Verde River, Clarkdale has a rich historic charm and natural beauty that is worth checking out. This quaint town, with a population just shy of 5,000, is built upon a mining heritage evident in the Arizona Copper Art Museum.

A hike down to ancient ruins provides a glimpse into civilizations of centuries past (and the contemporary people who continue their legacy), and a ramble through a historic military fort brings to life the drama of an uncertain time in the American Southwest.

Sedona is a must-visit destination, Arizona, but the town of Clarkdale offers visitors a quieter alternative.

Arizona is full of must-visit destinations while traveling through the Southwestern United States. It holds some of the country's most scenic road trips with some of the most charming towns and truly spectacular natural beauty. One of those places is well-known Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is one of the state's ultimate draws, receiving around 3.4 million tourists every year.

Nestled in the picturesque Verde Valley of North-Central Arizona, Clarkdale sparkles as a true gem among Arizona destinations, boasting a plethora of world-class attractions to captivate visitors.

Clarkdale is a small town located in the heart of Arizona and (like the small Arizonan town of Oak Creek), it is arguably one of the Sunshine State's overlooked gems. Clarkdale is teeming with excellent attractions and can be seen as a great alternative to Sedona and one of the best small towns near Phoenix. Clarkdale is easily one of the most beautiful small towns in Arizona.

The Town of Clarkdale celebrated the reopening of Caballero Park with a ribbon-cutting Monday, Nov. 20. The park, 525 Fiesta St., is in the Patio Park neighborhood also known as Patio Town. Clarkdale received a Community Development Block Grant from the Arizona Department of Housing to refurbish the park for usefulness and safety. After breaking ground in September, crews replaced fencing, added a ramada, added swings (including an ADA harness), gave the basketball half-court a facelift and added a new sign.

The 36th annual Made In Clarkdale Artist Showcase returns to Clark Memorial Clubhouse Nov. 30-Dec. 3. The show is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, with informal music daily 3-5 p.m. They will stay open later on Friday, Dec. 1, with entertainment and beverages from 5 to 7 p.m.

In Arizona’s rugged wine country, experimental techniques are taking root. Gina DeCaprio Vercesitours the state to meet the industry’s maverick pioneers.

As I entered the Verde Valley, about 90 miles north of Phoenix, saguaro-studded hillsides gave way to rolling scrubland. The buds had just broken in the high-desert vineyards—a lush start to my early May road trip through Arizona’s wine country.

Currently under construction, the 44-room, two-story Taawaki Inn is scheduled to open in June of 2024. Subscription required to read article. (Image VVN/Vyto Starinskas)

The Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale will soon be expanding with a window exhibit in the neighboring building to the west of the museum on Main Street. The display, which will be in place by the end of 2024, will be themed as a general store. This is fitting because the building located at 901 Main Street used to be a general store. Daulton Venglar/Larson Newspapers

What sets this haunted house apart from others? It's inside a phantom train that is permanently derailed on abandoned tracks at Verde Canyon Railroad's depot in Clarkdale, Arizona. For those brave enough to enter … or for those who love the entire month of Halloween … or for those who love the opportunity to be terrified, these eerily furnished rail cars, long forgotten by the living, are open to explore. A bloodthirsty werewolf, eerie circus clowns, a gory, blood-splattered crime scene and a spine-chilling wedding party are but a few of the shocks and jump-scares that greet or eat you in this fresh spin on a classic Halloween haunted house.

The Patty McMullen-Mikles Art Gallery at Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus is proud to announce Clarkdale Artists Exhibition. This mixed media exhibition is an opportunity for Yavapai College to feature and support local artists from Made In Clarkdale. Made In Clarkdale is a juried artists association founded by local artists in 1986. They are well known for the Annual Made in Clarkdale Showcase in historic Clarkdale’s Clark Memorial Clubhouse.

Its location on the Verde River and the discovery of copper in the area secured Clarkdale's importance in the early 1900s. Established as a company town in 1912 and the state's first master-planned community, the town's population has started growing again after the decline of the mines here, with its remoteness and rugged surrounds being particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. It's also increasingly popular as a tourist destination. A star attraction is the Verde Canyon Railroad, a fun adventure that ferries visitors through some of Arizona's spectacular but lesser-seen landscapes.

The Town of Clarkdale will again be having ‘Tommy Rocks The Beatles’ perform for the Concert in the Park Series. The outdoor show in Clarkdale will be the final event of the season, and for Beatles fans, it will be a show not to be missed. Last year, Tommy’s band performed for a record 1,200 people.

How about something fun to do? You can be an engineer for a day at Verde Canyon Railroad! Learn more at VerdeCanyonRR.com.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city or a country with a bustling rail network, chances are you’ve rarely thought of train travel as little more than a modern convenience (and certainly preferable to a bus). But the history of rail travel – both from a commercial and commuter level – is one that tracks (pun intended) the very history of our technological advances from the steam age.

CLARKDALE -- Saturday, Aug. 12, Clarkdale presents a playful band steeped in the most classic of blues lore, S.E. Willis & the Willing. Join your friends and neighbors from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Clarkdale Town Park gazebo for an evening of fun, dancing, and engaging blues music.

Bathtubs, fire hose nozzles and cognac cooking equipment are a few of the things Clarkdale could use to become an even bigger player in the Verde Valley economy.

With the former classrooms built as part of the old Clarkdale school building now filled with hundreds of types of copper creation, the Arizona Copper Museum has become one piece of what local leaders hope will be a resurgence of the town.

The Grand Canyon State not only has one region where grapes are grown and wine is made, but three. These include the areas of Wilcox, Verde Valley, and Sonoita. Wine is a big deal in this state and there are more than 30 wineries to visit. So, if you’re looking for a small-town getaway in Arizona and want to do some wine tasting, we are taking you to Clarkdale. This small town is located in the heart of Verde Valley’s wine country and makes for a charming place to get away.

Trains helped settle the American West, bringing supplies to remote communities and transporting precious metals, cattle, and other resources from those communities to larger cities where they could be sold. They were essential to survival, and every city or town of any significance had train tracks running through it.

Housed in a little red caboose parked on Main Street in downtown Clarkdale, there’s a true slice of Parisian life. Violette’s is an authentic French and Belgian café.

1. Clarkdale, Arizona
Nestled amongst the natural beauty of the Verde Canyon, this small Central Arizona town is one of Julie Diebolt Price’s picks for where our readers should travel in the Southwest this year. Clarkdale’s copper ore mining history is evident in the town’s charming 1930s appearance. It was the first master-planned community in Arizona and the Clarkdale Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hermosillo Hot Dogs has opened up in the former Su Casa Restaurant building on Main Street in Clarkdale. Need subscription to view article. (Image VVN/Vyto Starinskas)

There’s something magical about spending time in a small town. The pace of life slows down and you’re able to relax and soak in the atmosphere around you. Our writers were busy seeking out and exploring charming small towns in all corners of the U.S. this year, including charming villages steeped in history, mountain towns with plenty of adventure, and sleepy beach communities where the only thing on your agenda will be to soak up the sun.

The Grand Canyon is one of the best World Heritage Sites in the US. The Grand Canyon is a sight, from the bright red stones to the dramatic cliffs. However, the world-famous canyon often overshadows the Verde Canyons, referred to as the state's "other grand canyon." Overlooking the Verde River, the Verde Canyon Railroad is an exhibit of Arizona's lush vegetation and diverse wildlife.

Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum is delighted to welcome Virginia Val “Ginny” Chanda to the First Friday stage on Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. Professor Chanda moved to the Verde Valley from Chicago in 1979 to accept a position as the full-time English instructor at the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai College. She’ll never forget her father’s reaction as they drove along Black Hills Drive: “But there can’t be a college up here.”

Overshadowed a bit by the neighboring mountainside marvel of Jerome and the fun Old Town scene of Cottonwood, the little town of Clarkdale, Arizona, is a true under-the-radar gem. It might not get the tourism attention of some of its Verde Valley neighbors, but Clarkdale positively glows with charm and history.