The Small Town In Arizona Where You’ll Never Be Bored
Looking for a chance to get out of town and check out a new part of small-town Arizona? If you want to enjoy a quiet area with an unexpected number of things to keep you entertained, then you might enjoy checking out the tiny town of Willcox. Located a bit over an hour east of Tucson via Interstate 10, this community has stayed true to its farming roots over the decades and you’ll find it to be surprisingly rich in culture and activities! Check out some of our favorite things to do in Willcox Arizona:
1. Let’s start with one of Willcox’s most popular attractions: the Rex Allen Museum.
A singing cowboy of Hollywood’s western genre, Rex Allen grew up on a ranch near Willcox and has been a source of pride for the little town since he gained fame in 1948. At the museum, you’ll find memorabilia that depicts his success in film, TV, and radio, as well as a Cowboy Hall of Fame. Learn more about the museum on the official Rex Allen Museum website.
Rex Allen Museum, 150 N Railroad Ave, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
2. Spend an afternoon at one of the wine tasting rooms, like Keeling Schaefer Vineyards.
Willcox is one of Arizona’s prime wine-producing regions and you’ll find some delicious, award-winning wines. Other favorite tasting spots are Flying Leap Vineyards and Coronado Vineyards. Learn more about this amazing experience on the official Arizona Wine website.
Keeling Schaefer Vineyards Willcox Tasting Room, 154 N Railroad Ave, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
3. Attend a Wines of Willcox event for drinks, food, and music.
Celebrating Willcox’s emerging wine country, Wines of Willcox has two premier events typically held in May and October. If you love wine, be sure to plan out your trip around one of these weekend-long events! Learn more on the official Willcox Wines website (say that three times fast).
Prepare to take home your own bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables by visiting Apple Annie’s Orchard. The produce available depends on the season and you pay per pound. There is also a country store filled with jar goods, baked goods, and gifts.
Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard, 2081 Hardy Rd, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
5. If you want to catch a movie or enjoy some of the local art, check out the Willcox Historic Theater.
The theater dates to 1937 and has seen a major turnaround over the last few years. It underwent renovations and now serves as an arts and cultural center for the community. It's one of the oldest theatres in Arizona and definitely worth a look!
6. Enjoy a quiet day birding at the Willcox Playa Wildlife Area.
One of the best places to spot wildlife in the area is the Willcox Playa, which is 595 acres of land home to a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles. It's in a rather interesting area known as Kansas Settlement, which really does kind of feel like Kansas.
7. If your idea of fun involves golfing, then you’ll enjoy an afternoon on the green at Twin Lakes Golf Course.
The 1929 train dining car has turned into a barbecue restaurant serving mouthwatering ribs, burgers, and other tasty meals. Because of the train car’s history, it’s a particularly special place for train enthusiasts to visit. Come see why this might just be the best bbq in Arizona.
Big Tex BBQ, 130 E Maley St, Willcox, AZ 85643, USA
9. And, if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of other places located nearby.
Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historical Site, the Hot Wells Dunes, The Thing, and Ghost Town Trail offer a variety of additional activities to keep you entertained! Willcox might be tiny, but it's mighty, with plenty of amazing, interesting, or otherwise entertaining things to do, see, and experience.
Want to check out another fantastic little town with fun sights? Read about Seligman along Route 66 in the small town on Route 66 in Arizona with a story that will fascinate you.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do In Willcox Arizona
March 18, 2023
Tori Jane
What are some fun, unique things to do in Willcox, Arizona?
Willcox, Arizona is an underrated small town that’s perfect for anyone hoping to find a low-key destination. Some of our favorite things to do in Willcox, Arizona include:
Fort Bowie National Historic Site – This is one of the most scenic places in all of Arizona, if you ask us.
Hike the Heart of Rocks Trail – This hiking trail in AZ is a favorite among nature lovers and geology geeks alike.
Rex Allen Arizona Cowboy Museum – When people think about Arizona, they usually think of cowboys and the wild west, too. This museum celebrates all of this and more.
What places are considered wine country in Arizona?
Believe it or not, yes, Arizona does indeed have wine country of its own. In fact, there are several areas in the state known for their amazing wines, like:
Cottonwood – This old western town is an amazing destination in and of itself, with a delightful main street filled with local shops, boutiques, and, of course, wine.
Jerome – Not far at all from Cottonwood, Jerome celebrates a continuation of Cottonwood’s winery culture with the added benefit of some amazing galleries and restaurants.
Sonoita – This stunningly beautiful little town north of the border is home to the rolling emerald hills you’d likely associate with wine country.
Elgin – Not far from Sonoita, Elgin is known for its wonderful wineries and more.
Learn more about one of Sonoita’s most famous (and oldest) wineries.
What are some other unique places in Arizona to explore?
Naturally, your exploration of Arizona doesn’t need to end in wine country! Arizona is an incredibly beautiful, diverse state full of endless things to experience. Some of our favorite uniquely Arizonan places are ones such as:
Sedona – We're pretty sure that it doesn’t get more iconic or incredible than the stunning red rocks of Sedona (and the beautiful houses you’ll find there).
Jerome – Worth mentioning again literally just for the shops, restaurants, and ... ghosts.
The Superstition Mountains – This unusual mountain range in Arizona is a favorite among hikers and is said to contain secret hidden treasure (that some folks have literally died trying to find).
Learn more about the beautiful, artsy little town of Jerome, AZ.
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Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
