Jerome Guide

Attractions

Jerome Art Center

Whenever we drive into Jerome, we always drop by the Jerome Art Center. Located in the Old Jerome High School (the school closed in 1960), the art center features a variety of studios for artists, musicians and other creatives that are in the former classrooms. Enjoy seeing vibrant work and practically feel the history that happened here. A few artists you might see include the Desert Lace Studio, which sells art and jewelry crafted out of prickly pear cactus and abstract prints and paintings by artist William Root. Plus, the views from this place are simply stunning.

Jerome State Historic Park

Jerome’s history is fascinating and captured at the city’s very own state park. The city was a copper mining town and is named after Eugene Jerome, the primary backer of the United Verde Copper Company. Another key figure in the town’s development was James S. Douglas. In 1912, he purchased the Little Daisy Mine. He also built a mansion, which serves as a museum dedicated to Jerome’s history and the Douglas family.

Jerome State Historic Park

The museum features pictures, artifacts and minerals. Visitors can check out a 3D underground model of the mines. Located next door to the historic park is the Audrey Headframe (a structure above a mine shaft) Park. At this free attraction, stare down an old mine shaft that stretches down to 1,900 feet.

Gold King Mine

To experience even more of Jerome’s colorful history, consider visiting the Gold King Mine. Stroll amongst vintage automobiles, historic buildings and mining tools, and check out a 1,270-foot mine shaft. Visitors can see over 180 trucks, cars and motorcycles. Kids can pan for gold and interact with animals like chickens, roosters and baby chicks at the on-site petting zoo.

Shops

Jerome is chock full of plenty of vibrant boutiques. Take a closer look at a few of them.

Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery

Find art by local creatives at this gallery. Look forward to jewelry, a mesquite bowl, vibrant paintings and an assortment of other handmade treasures that rotate regularly.

House of Joy

The House of Joy is easily one of Jerome’s most recognizable structures. The design is striking. The two-story brick building features red doors, a balcony with a plastic skeleton hanging from it and a sign with a single stocking covered and high heeling wearing leg on the front – a playful nod to the structure’s past as a brothel. Inside, look forward to seeing art by local artists along with 80s arcade games.

Tommy Rocks

As the name of this shop suggests, it’s devoted to rock music. Owner Tommy Anderson has bona fide music chops too. He’s the creator of the Jerome Ukulele Orchestra and stocks many ukuleles. Shoppers also can find rock posters, guitar pick earrings, vinyl LPs, signed memorabilia and plenty of music-centric gifts at this colorful shop.

Raku Gallery

For over 30 years, the Raku Gallery has old art from local artists. Find paintings, glass, ceramics and sculptures from exclusively Southwestern artists here.

Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes

As this shop’s name suggests, it exclusively stocks over 90 kaleidoscopes from artists all over the world. Shoppers can enjoy looking through the variety of unique kaleidoscopes here to see colorful, vibrant patterns. Some of the more elaborate kaleidoscopes which are crafted out of wood.

Copper Canyon Christmas, The Christmas Store

It’s Christmas year round at Copper Canyon Christmas. Expect to find a festive environment and the décor to match. This shop stocks ornaments in shapes ranging from a Coca-Cola can to a copper gecko.

Arizona Copper Art Museum Gift Store

An offshoot of Clarkdale’s Copper Art Museum, this store sells all things copper. Find pots, pans, cups and other home goods in the shiny metal.

Altai Leather Designs

Look forward to finding a variety of handmade leather goods like purses, belts and even wine bottle carriers in a turquoise color that are all made in the United States.

The Blazing Owl

Candlemaker and artist Angie Arndt founded The Blazing Owl in Jerome. Shoppers can find her colorful candles along with her wood burnt art. Nearby, you’ll also find one of Jerome’s most famous sites: the Sliding Jail. As the name suggests, this jail literally slid from its original location and is now a hollowed-out structure that’s a popular attraction.

Where to Eat

The Asylum. Photo by Cucoloris.

The Asylum

Tucked inside the spooky Jerome Grand Hotel, The Asylum Restaurant is more than just a spot to enjoy lunch or dinner – it’s a fine dining experience that’s hard to come by. Start with The Asylum’s sophisticated and award-winning wine list or browse the cheeky cocktail menu. The dinner menu features fish, pork, steaks and pastas with a decidedly Southwestern flair.

The Asylum. Photo by Cucoloris.

We ordered the Char-Broiled Boneless Rib Eye Steak and Sonoran Spiced Grilled Chicken Tenderloins as our main courses. The 12-ounce steak was one of the best we’ve ever had and was set on tomatillo salsa and horseradish sour cream sauce and served with steamed veggies, fried leeks and a choice of fries or mashers. As for the chicken, it arrived swimming in a cilantro, onions and chili-pepper cream sauce on top of organic brown rice. Both entrées arrived covered in silver domes, which our server removed with a flourish. The views from the patio are truly stupendous. Be sure to take them in before you leave.

The Clinkscale Hotel, Bar + Grill

The Clinkscale takes its name from the historic building (constructed in 1899) it’s inside of. Upstairs is a six-room boutique hotel. The Clinkscale manages to feel both modern and historic. Expect hardwood floors, leather and steel accents and exposed brick. Brunch here is always a good idea. We devoured our savory and sweet Lemon Ricotta Pancakes topped with blueberry compote and maple syrup. The Original Egg Sandwich – bacon, avocado, tomato, American cheese and basil aioli – was flavorful and hearty. The rest of the menu is packed with sandwiches and salads.

Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room

Try some of Arizona’s very own wine at Merkin Vineyard’s Jerome tasting room. Enjoy individual glasses or flights of wine alongside charcuterie board here. This spot also sells food products like a variety of hot sauces, olive oil and jarred olives – most of which hail from the Grand Canyon State. Or take home a bottle of Merkin’s wine.

Bobby D’s BBQ

Open up the wood doors and step inside Jerome’s BBQ spot that’s been open since 2011. Like nearly every building in Jerome, Bobby D’s BBQ is housed inside the historic English Kitchen building that was established in 1899. The restaurant claims it’s the oldest operating dining facility in Arizona. Bobby D’s is named after one of its owners and serves up plenty of BBQ. The menu also features steak burgers, salads, sides and starters too.

The Flatiron Café

This signature triangle shaped building was constructed in the early 1900s and features a café on the ground floor. Diners can enjoy coffee, breakfast and lunch in a one-of-a-kind setting. Breakfast options include breakfast salad, an egg sandwich and a parfait with organic yogurt. Lunch items include salads, soup and sandwiches like the vegan chickpea salad sandwich.

Where to Stay

Jerome Grand Hotel. Photo by Cucoloris.

Jerome Grand Hotel

Perhaps one of Jerome’s most famous sites, the historic, spooky and iconic Jerome Grand Hotel stands tall and offers up truly breathtaking views of the area that make it worth a quick visit. The hotel was the United Verde Hospital, which was open from 1926 to 1950. The building fell into disrepair until Larry Altherr purchased it in 1994 and converted it into a hotel. Given the hotel’s history, it may be haunted. We were in the lobby when someone walked in and said she was born there. Step inside, and expect plenty of historical details throughout like the circa 1920s Otis elevator.

The Connor Hotel

Built in 1898 and named after owner David Connor, the two-story, 12-room hotel used to have miners as guests and is one of the only structures in town that’s still being used for its original purpose. Not a hotel guest? No problem. Consider popping into the hotel’s shop on the ground floor. The hotel also features The Spirit Room bar.