10 Small Towns in Arizona So Dreamy, You’ll Swear You’ve Seen Them on TV

Have you ever watched a show and felt that the locations the scenes are filmed in look familiar? Because I used to work on TV shows around the country in my past career, it happens to me all the time. When a place on my TV screen looks familiar, I immediately grab my phone and search IMDb for the show I'm watching, then scroll to the filming locations section to see the exact city or town it was filmed in. Of course, there are numerous small towns in Arizona that are so charming or so beautiful, they look as though they've been featured on screen. The following scenic Arizona towns are dreamy destinations that deserve a starring role on the small screen.

1. Prescott

As one of the best small towns to visit in Arizona, Prescott is "Arizona's Christmas City," which goes all out during the holiday season. With its picturesque and walkable downtown featuring stores, restaurants, and saloons in historic buildings centered around Courthouse Square, along with friendly locals, I always feel like I'm in a Hallmark Channel movie when I visit. Among my favorite spots to stop are the Perergrine Book Company and the town's various antique stores for shopping, the Raven Cafe for coffee and breakfast, and Murphy's for dinner.

2. Sedona

Aside from the Grand Canyon, Sedona is home to some of Arizona's most recognizable natural landmarks, including the Devil's Bridge, Oak Creek Canyon, and Cathedral Rock. Not only that, but Sedona's dreamy red rock landscape is known worldwide. Every time I visit Sedona, I am still in awe that a place like this even exists! And it's not just its natural landscape that keeps me coming back, but it's also a shopping destination. Head to its bustling downtown area to browse the souvenir and new-age shops, or visit the historic Tlaquepaque Village, featuring boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores. When visiting Sedona for a few days, I highly recommend booking a room at the Amara Resort & Spa, situated in the heart of Sedona's downtown along Oak Creek.

3. Page

If you're up for an outdoor adventure to some of the state's most social-media-famous natural wonders, Page is one of the best small towns to visit in Arizona to do just that. Not only is it home to the undulating sandstone walls of the world-famous slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, but it is also home to the equally notable Horseshoe Bend. Between these destinations, plus Lake Powell for water recreation and the historic Glen Canyon Dam, you'll never run out of things to see and do in Page. In the past, a few of Page's attractions were featured on "The Amazing Race," a show I used to work on.

4. Patagonia

To the south of Tucson in southern Arizona, Patagonia is a tiny town of fewer than 800 residents. Visiting is like taking a step back in time to a place where everyone knows each other. A tiny downtown offers a few shops and restaurants, and the natural landscape provides a scenic backdrop. With its well-preserved 19th-century buildings, you would expect a TV series set in the Old West to be filmed here. But for now, it remains a closely guarded secret to locals.

5. Greer

Home to Sunrise Ski Resort and barely more than 50 residents, Greer is a tiny community where nature beckons visitors to explore the great outdoors. To say it's pretty here is an understatement. With its high elevation in the White Mountains, featuring meadows, groves of aspens, and Ponderosa pines, as well as the Little Colorado River, Greer experiences all four seasons, marked by colorful foliage in the fall, snow in the winter, wildflowers in the spring, and mild summers.

6. Strawberry

One of the most adorably charming small towns in Arizona has to be Strawberry. Not only is the name cute, but there's something about this community of fewer than 900 residents that fills my heart every time I visit the area. Close to Pine and Payson, two of my favorite Arizona small towns, Strawberry is so small that you may pass right through while driving on AZ-87, also known as the Beeline Highway, so keep your eyes peeled for places along the road like PIEBar AZ and the Strawberry Inn.

7. Tubac

Located in southern Arizona, just 35 miles northwest of Patagonia, is the historic town of Tubac. Established in 1752 as a military outpost, it was the first European settlement in what is now Arizona. Its settlement history, along with Native-American history, is preserved within the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, the first Arizona state park.

8. Carefree

To the north of Scottsdale is Carefree, featuring a quaint downtown area with its famous sundial, as well as art galleries, restaurants, and a cafe. An ideal destination for a relaxing day trip, spend some time on the aptly named Easy Street and pop into the English Rose Tea Room for afternoon tea. For deeper relaxation, book a treatment at CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa, which is one of the most relaxing places I've spent the day in Arizona, surrounded by the town's natural desert beauty. You may even want to book an overnight stay at CIVANA.

9. Arcosanti

Not so much a town in the traditional sense as it is a planned, experimental utopian community, Arcosanti welcomes visitors to take a tour, browse its gift shop, and even spend the night to immerse themselves in its unique, sustainable culture and architecture. This place truly resembles something out of a sci-fi TV show. Located off the Cordes Lakes exit on the I-17, Arcosanti is a one-of-a-kind roadside stop on your way to destinations like Flagstaff, Sedona, or Prescott. I have been here before, and between its awe-inspiring architecture and design, it's a place I always recommend people visit at least once.

10. Bisbee

Our final film location-worthy destination takes us back to southern Arizona and the historic mining town of Bisbee. Nestled in the Mule Mountains, homes cover the hillsides and look over the downtown. There are plenty of things to do in this remarkable town, including ghost tours, underground tours at Queen Mine, museum visits, and perusing galleries and boutiques. Dining at one of Bisbee's many eateries, like Cafe Roka or The Copper Pig, is a must. This unique town is also walkable, featuring 33,000 concrete steps throughout the hills. Its steps have become famous through its annual event, the Bisbee 1000, a 4.3-mile stair climb throughout town. If you think you have what it takes to win, sign up for this year's race on the Bisbee 1000 website.

Which of these dreamy small towns in Arizona have you been to? Would you agree they look like film settings for a TV show? If you have any other favorite small towns that didn't make the list, please nominate them.

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