Clarkdale is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona. It is located near the Verde River and the intermittent Bitter Creek. According to the 2010 census, the town has a population of 4,097. It is also home to several attractions, such as the Smelter Town Brewery and the Arizona Botanical Gardens.
Smelter Town Brewery
The Smelter Town Brewery is one of the most popular places to visit in Clarkdale. The brewery was established in the year of 2018. The owners bought a century-old building downtown and made it into a brewery. The brewery has two levels – the lower one houses the brewery and the upper one serves as a hotel. It specializes in brewing craft beer and other beverages that are representative of Clarkdale and reference the city’s mining history.
The Clarkdale Brewing Company is located in a nicely restored brick building on Main Street. The beer here is delicious! I particularly liked their Hop Deposits IPA. You can order food from the restaurant or order takeout if you’re in a hurry.
Another attraction in Clarkdale is the Clarkdale Copper Museum. It’s located in a beautiful stately old building and features copper art, cookware, and winery equipment. The town is located in the Verde Valley near the mountain of Mingus. The mountain has a height of more than seven thousand feet.
Clarkdale is also close to Sedona, Arizona. While there are no major chain hotels in Clarkdale, there are plenty of other places to stay in the area. There are several hotels and motels in Cottonwood, while Sedona is only a 30-minute drive away. Clarkdale is also home to the Cooper Art Museum, an excellent art museum. It also contains a popular Native American ruin and the Arizona Copper Art Museum.
Arizona Botanical Gardens
Desert Botanical Garden is a 140-acre botanical garden located in Phoenix. It is located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. It is located in central Arizona. This botanical garden has more than 3,000 plant species. It is open every day from April through October. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Superior Botanical Garden: This botanical garden was founded in the 1920s by philanthropist Boyce Thompson. It features a 1.5-mile hiking trail and more than 3,200 plant species. Visitors can also see over 800 species of cacti. Fountain Hills Botanical Garden: This botanical garden was founded in 1975 and features native Sonoran Desert plants. You can enjoy the gardens year-round, and you can even purchase plants here.
Desert Botanical Garden: Another garden that offers an oasis in the city is located in Phoenix. Visitors can enjoy desert plants and cacti and get some exercise while walking around the garden. The garden is accessible by car, but you may want to consider public transportation as well. You can take the light rail to Washington/Priest Station and then connect to Bus 56 north. The bus stops in the garden’s parking lot. Tickets are $4 for one day.
Desert Botanical Garden: Located in Papago Park, this garden features one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. It’s one of 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. It features 50 acres of outdoor exhibits and 139 rare plant species. It is home to more than 300,000 visitors a year.
Montezuma’s Castle National Monument
A two to three-story pueblo ruin lies on a limestone and sandstone ridge east of Clarkdale, Arizona. It is elevated 120 feet above the Verde River floodplain. The structure is the remains of a ruined pueblo that was once a stronghold of the Verde Indians.
The ruins are located a short distance from the visitor center. A paved nature trail runs through the ruins, looping back along Beaver Creek. There are interpretive signs and exhibits explaining the 900-year-old Sinagua culture. The ruins have an enchanting valley setting and a picnic area to enjoy.
Montezuma’s Castle is an impressive five-story structure that was carved into the limestone cliffs. The first European-Americans who saw the site believed that it was a castle. However, the structure was abandoned about 40 years prior to Montezuma’s birth. It was not built for royalty. In fact, it was more like a high-rise apartment building.
This historical site is also home to some of the best preserved cliff dwellings in the Southwest. One of the first four national monuments established through the Antiquities Act in 1906, Montezuma’s Castle National Monument provides a unique insight into the life of the ancient farmers from the Verde Valley. The ruins are important for learning about prehistoric cultures and how humans have adapted to the harsh desert climate.
The main structure is a five-story structure, with 20 rooms. The building was built over three centuries by the Sinagua people, who were related to the Hohokam people. A visitor center is available to provide information about the Sinagua people.
Nate’s Cowboy Cafe
A casual Western-style restaurant serving up meat-centric American fare. The restaurant also features a bar and TVs to watch sports. It is open daily from noon to midnight, and is a popular Clarkdale dining spot. Its casual atmosphere and western-style decor are sure to make you feel right at home.
If you’re looking for a place to eat in Clarkdale, Texas, consider Nate’s Cowboy Cafe. This family-friendly restaurant is known for its delicious American fare and affordable prices. This restaurant has been serving the community since the early 1900s and is run by Scott and Chelsea, who each have more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant business. In addition to serving delicious food, Nate’s features art by local artists.
While there, you can also visit the Verde Valley Wine Festival, which is held annually in Clarkdale. Visitors can sample some of Arizona’s finest wine. To accompany your wine tasting, you can enjoy delicious entrees from the menu of Nate’s Cowboy Cafe.
Nate’s Cowboy Cafe is positioned on the main drag of Clarkdale. It’s located at 19 N. Ninth St.
Arizona Copper Art Museum
If you love copper, you’ll want to check out the Arizona Copper Art Museum. This museum is located on Main Street in Clarkdale. You can learn about the history of copper mining in the area. Thousands of objects from the past 500 years are on display.
The museum is located in an old school building on the edge of historic downtown Clarkdale. It’s accessible via Highway 89A from the Tuzigoot National Monument. It’s open daily, except for major holidays, and the admission fee is currently less than $10.
Historically, Clarkdale was a copper town. The copper industry provided jobs for most of the residents. Most of the copper produced was exported to other places. Today, the museum aims to preserve the history of the copper industry and highlight the work of its artists.
The museum is located in a historic former high school building. The building is built in the Spanish-colonial Revival style. The museum is a result of a $100,000 bond approved by voters in 1927. The United Verde Copper Company subsequently paid off the debt. The building was used until the 1960s before falling into disrepair. In 2002, the museum underwent major renovations.
Another place to visit in Clarkdale is Tuzigoot National Monument. This historic site is located north of the city and is easily accessible via Interstate 40. It’s a short drive away and offers a chance to view the ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings. The ruins are 1,000 years old and have some impressive examples of architecture. You can take a guided tour to learn about the area’s history.
Woodchute Wilderness
Woodchute Wilderness is a 5,923-acre wilderness area in the Prescott National Forest. It is located 4 miles west of Jerome, and elevation ranges from 5,500 to 7,800 feet. It is an ideal place to go hiking or camping if you enjoy the outdoors.
The region is home to many different species of plants and animals. The lower elevations are covered with juniper and pine woodland, while the higher elevations feature Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. Most visitors will park at the Potato Patch Campground on Route 89A, and take the well-marked trail to Woodchute Mountain.
Another place to visit in Clarkdale is Verde Canyon Railroad. This restored iron-horse railway offers dramatic views of the surrounding terrain. There are several places to sit and enjoy the scenic views. You can also stop in at the Verde Canyon Railroad Depot, which offers a cafe and gift shop.
The Woodchute Trail is a little more than seven miles round-trip and is located in the Woodchute Wilderness. This trail is connected to Martin Canyon Trail and Rick Tank Trail, and is rated as moderate to easy. It is part of the Great Western Trail that meanders through five western states. The hike starts at an elevation of 7,000 feet and rises slowly.
If you are planning on camping, make sure you bring plenty of water. The campground offers hot showers, water, and trash cans, but there is no dump. There are also two picnic areas, which provide shade. You can choose between a primitive campsite and a more luxurious site with a bathroom.
