Jerome Arizona Tour: Mining Town & Tuzigoot Ruins

Jerome sits on a hillside so steep that homes are built into the Black Hills themselves.

A five-hour guided tour from Sedona-area hotels visits Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient Sinagua ruin above the Verde River, then heads to Jerome, Arizona: a former mining town now filled with artist studios and quirky architecture. The guide takes you through both lower and upper Jerome, pointing out historic buildings like the Douglas Mansion and the Sliding Jail, with time to browse local shops and eat lunch on your own. Pickup and drop-off at most Sedona hotels are included, along with bottled water and a professional guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jerome and Tuzigoot Ruins

• Visit Tuzigoot National Monument
• Explore historic buildings in Jerome
• See the Sliding Jail
• Visit Jerome State Park or Copper Museum
• Lunch on your own in Jerome
• Shop local art and crafts

The experience

The tour starts around 9am and runs five hours total. On the way to Jerome, you'll stop at Tuzigoot National Monument, where the Sinagua people built a pueblo above a bend in the Verde River centuries ago. The name Tuzigoot means "crooked river," and the ruins sit high enough to give a sense of how the ancient inhabitants chose their ground. A guide walks you through what remains and explains the history of these native people.

Jerome itself was a booming mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the tour covers both the lower and upper sections of town. You'll see the Douglas Mansion, the Little Daisy Hotel, the Sliding Jail, and other relics of the mining era. What catches most visitors off guard is how the town is literally built into the hillside: homes and shops are stacked and wedged into the slope of the Black Hills, creating a maze of quirky, uneven architecture. The town has reinvented itself as an artist community, so you'll find working studios, galleries, and local craftspeople throughout. You have time to shop, eat lunch on your own at one of the local spots, and wander the streets. Depending on time and weather, the itinerary may also include Jerome State Park or the Copper Museum.

Hotel pickup and drop-off cover most Sedona-area hotels, and you'll need to provide your hotel information 72 hours before the tour. Children eight and younger must be in a car seat or booster seat, which you'll need to bring yourself. Bottled water is provided during the drive.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at most Sedona-area hotels.
• bottled water.
• professional guide leading you through Tuzigoot National Monument and both sections of Jerome.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Ma Pa Tours, INC.

Is this one for you?Five hours is long enough to see Tuzigoot's ruins and explore Jerome's mining buildings and artist shops without rushing, but short enough to leave your afternoon free for other Sedona activities.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Tuzigoot National Monument and what will I see there?

Tuzigoot is an ancient Sinagua pueblo ruin that sits above a bend in the Verde River, built centuries ago by native people of the region. You'll walk through the ruins with your guide, who explains the history and layout of how the pueblo was constructed on the hillside.

How much time do I get to spend in Jerome itself?

The tour allocates time for lunch on your own and for shopping and exploring both the lower and upper sections of town, though the exact amount depends on the full day's schedule and any weather delays at Tuzigoot.

What are the historic buildings I'll see in Jerome?

The tour includes the Douglas Mansion, the Little Daisy Hotel, and the Sliding Jail, along with other relics from Jerome's mining era. You'll also see the quirky homes and artist studios built into the Black Hills that now define the town's character.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included. You'll have time to eat on your own at one of Jerome's local restaurants or cafes during the tour.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The tour departs around 9am and returns between 3pm and 3:30pm, for a total of five hours including the drive to and from your hotel.