Visiting a Ghost Town in Jerome Arizona

Jerome, Arizona is the largest ghost town in America. During its peak, it was nicknamed ‘The Billion Dollar Copper Camp’ and was one of the largest copper mines in the west and one of the richest cities in the United States.

Today it is a living ghost town. Many restaurants and hotels have been restored and yet several buildings have been preserved in their state of ruin, adding to the interest.

Jerome is a walkable city and such a great place to get lost exploring. There are a few sites worth visiting, like the Bartlett Hotel. It was the first two-story building in Jerome but fell victim to fires and landslips.

Remains of the Bartlett Hotel

My favorite building is the Victoria Glass Blowing Studio. The crumbling remains of the building front truly captures the essence of a ghost town.

Victoria Glass Blowing open-air studio

The photogenic Connor Hotel is said to be haunted. You can book a room for the night, or just visit their Spirit Room Bar.

Of course, no trip to Jerome is complete without a stop, or even a stay, at the Jerome Grand Hotel. The five-story hotel is perched on a hill above the city and used to be the town’s general hospital. Today it is one of the most haunted hotels in all of America. Even if you don’t spend the night, you can still walk the halls and make a reservation at the Asylum Restaurant.

If you’re hungry, be sure to stop by the Haunted Hamburger for a Southwest Sourdough Burger and a handspun milkshake. A stop at the old-fashioned OJ’s Copper Country Fudge is also a must for their homemade fudge!

Whether you are looking for some chills and thrills, or just want to learn some fascinating history, Jerome is definitely worth a stop!