Image credit: #mackidns
Prescott Historic Trolley Tour & Picnic at Watson Lake
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We ended our Fall Break with a Sunday Funday day trip to experience The Prescott Historic Trolley Tour & Picnic at Watson Lake with The Prescott Trolley. Combining the best of history, lakes, hiking, food and music, was the best way to experience Prescott, AZ than on this tour! This 3 hour experience will be one we won't forget.
Historic Tour
We started off by hopping onboard The Prescott Trolley at 12pm (at the Granite St. Parking Garage) for a 1 hour Historic tour led by a Prescottonian Historian and Docent. We ventured through Sharlot Hall Museum, Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, Hassayampa Inn, Historic Hotels of American, Whiskey Row down to the Museum of Indigenous People and continued through the historic city.
* Yavapai County Courthouse
Known as the "jewel" of downtown Prescott, Arizona, the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza is a majestic, man-made urban forest in the heart of a historic district. For more than 140 years it has served as a gathering place for celebrations, commemorations, campaign kick-offs, concerts, movies, and festivals.
* Hassayampa Inn, Historic Hotels of American
Hassayampa Inn, is a beautifully restored 1927 boutique hotel set in the heart of the Prescott, AZ downtown historic district. The hotel has a hand-painted lobby ceiling and dramatic wall murals, a vintage elevator and etched glass and embossed copper panels, the Hassayampa Inn transports you back to the “roaring twenties” with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and features. This “living museum” is where some of history’s most noteworthy celebrities used to come to unwind, including Will Rogers, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable and Steve McQueen.
* Whiskey Row
A saloon from the Gold Rush era was rebuilt on this street after being destroyed by a fire in 1900.
* Museum of Indigenous People
Formerly the Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture, which holds collections of Native American artifacts.
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Watson Lake
After the downtown tour, as we drove to Watson Lake, we learned about the history and interesting facts of the Granite Dells and the lakes of Prescott. Watson Lake is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona, that was formed in the early 1900s when the Chino Valley Irrigation District built a dam on Granite Creek. The City of Prescott bought the reservoir and surrounding land in 1997 to preserve it as recreational land. You will find Watson Lake off Highway 89.
When we arrived at Watson Lake, we were fed a delightful and healthy picnic provided by Prescott’s locally owned “Goods from the Garden”! It was a choice of a sandwich, vegetarian wrap, or charcuterie plate along with sides and drinks. Locally owned Catering Company, created amazing culinary experiences through healthy fusion and outstanding service with the most beautiful view to enjoy.
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But that’s not all!!! While we enjoyed our delicious picnic meal, we were serenaded by Prescott’s incredible singer/songwriter, Johan Glidden! Johan Glidden is a singer-songwriter based in Arizona. He was a founding member of Sugar & The Mint, the youngest band to ever win the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest (2017). Now a solo artist, Johan is working to glorify God with songs that uplift and share his personal experience with Christ.
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After lunch, we were invited to go on an easy 45 minute hike along one of the beautiful Watson Lake trails (guests with mobility issues may hang back at the picnic site and enjoy the views!). It was peaceful and enjoyable to explore the outdoors. Even though we did not make the full 4.8 miles hike around the entire loop of the lake, sitting on the boulder rocks taking it all was just as great. The lake is available for hiking, running, camping, fishing and canoeing year-round.
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This 3 hour experience will be one we won't forget. So, take the day and reserve your spot on The Prescott Historic Trolley & Tour Picnic at Watson Lake. This tour is only available on Sunday's from 12pm - 3pm. You can RSVP HERE
Price includes all transportation, food, and entertainment!
$50.00 to $60 per person.
You can find additional images from our trip on our Facebook page HERE
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Disclaimer: The publisher received complimentary admission to facilitate this article. However, all opinions are her own.
