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By Rod Kunkel

 

 Cottonwood, AZ

April 25 - 27, 2025

 

Our first weekend getaway of 2025 will be to Cottonwood, AZ from Friday 4/25 - Sunday 4/27.  The trip will feature a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad, chuckwagon supper and western show, dinner at a local vineyard, plus free time in Jerome and Old Cottonwood.

 

Here is the itinerary:

Friday 4/25

weekend getaway cottonwood az 2025 pines inn and suites

  • ·Arrive at Cottonwood Airport (P52). Cottonwood is a non-towered airport in central AZ with plenty of parking and reasonably priced fuel ($5.49 at the time of this writing).
  • ·Secure rental cars for ground transportation.
  • ·Spend the afternoon in Jerome, which is a historic mining town perched on the mountainside above Cottonwood. Jerome offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and museums to fill your afternoon.
  • ·Check-in at our hotel, Pines Inn & Suites. I have both king and double queen rooms reserved.
  • ·Chuckwagon supper and western stage show at the Blazin’ M Ranch. We’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner, drinks, and entertainment to cap off our evening.
  • ·Overnight at Pines Inn & Suites.

Saturday 4/26

weekend getaway cottonwood az 2025 verde canyon railroad

  • ·Breakfast TBD.
  • ·Free time in Old Cottonwood, which is the more historic section of Cottonwood with several shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, etc.
  • ·Ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Your ticket includes an appetizer, first class seating, and access to an open-air observation car.
  • ·Dinner and wine tasting at Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria. Merkin is one of the newest tasting rooms in Old Cottonwood.  Their magnificent new facility is perched on a hill overlooking the town.
  • ·Overnight at Pines Inn & Suites.

Sunday 4/27

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  • ·Breakfast on your own.
  • ·Return rental cars.
  • ·Return to Cottonwood Airport, leave for home.

 

I’ve reserved 6 rooms (not including mine).  I’m estimating the cost for the hotel, rental car, Friday night dinner and western show, and the Verde Canyon Railroad to be $700 for singles / $1,000 for couples.  Breakfasts, lunches, and Saturday night’s wine tasting and dinner at Merkin Vineyards are not included.

Contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.  I hope to see you there!

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