We had heard that Prescott (pronounced ‘Preskitt’) was one of those cool Arizona, old-west kind of towns, but never realized just how rich in heritage it was. As soon as we stepped out of the truck we knew an adventure was on it’s way. Strolling down Arizona’s First Territorial Capital’s historic downtown district, we were both overcome with a sense of nostalgia - we were walking in the footsteps of cowboys, ranchers, prospectors and politicians, and legendaries such as Doc Holliday, and the Earps, of the ‘Olde West’. With over 500 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, history lives on.

We crossed over to Montezuma Street and thus began our adventure of Whiskey Row. Amidst art galleries, fine gift stores and boutiques, one can still see the remnants of Montezuma Street’s rowdy past --when it was home to about 20 saloons and plenty of pleasure houses. In the late 1880s, Montezuma Street was appropriately dubbed Whisky Row.

We soon discovered historic bars that are still pouring so many years later. Step through the swinging saloon doors and you’ve stepped into the past. The bars are made from real wood - sturdy for bellyin’ up; and they have those old brass rails - perfect for those who need to hold on. Bar tenders are dressed in suspenders and speak as only a gentleman would to a lady. It’s friendly in the bars - the locals, eager to share, have plenty of good stories to tell- including tales about the cowboys and miners; legends like Lily Langtree or even Wyatt Earp--and then there are more stories of ghosts, floods and fires.

Whiskey Row burned to the ground several times during it’s history. At the Palace Saloon they’ll tell you the tale of how drunken patrons saved the their grand wooden bar in a 1900’s fire. They loved their bar so much, they took it apart and ran the pieces out to safety! Cheers!

We started our ‘pub crawl’ at Matt’s Saloon - and ended at Jersey Lil’s (named after Lily Langtree). It was obvious that spending the night was a must, so we partied on - enjoyed live music; had a great dinner at Gurley Street Grill, and spent the night at Hotel St. Michael - right on Whiskey Row. Some say the hotel is haunted........We just want to know who kept moving things in the closet?

Visit www.VisitPrescott.com or call Travel Planner: (800) 266-7534 for information.