Courthouse Square

Loved!!! I highly recommend for New Years Eve. Live music, hot chocolate, amazing Christmas lights and fireworks. Oh, and can’t forget the dropping of the boot!!!

My wife and I absolutely loved this town square! It’s an absolute must to come here during Christmas time. We came on Christmas Eve so we missed the parade and lighting ceremony but still got to experience the lights, Christmas tree and bandstand. The courthouse was also very palatial, definitely giving off that feel of being in the Old West. The highlight of our time there had to be the 103-​year-​old pine tree planted the same day AZ became a state: 02/​14/​1912. The thing was huge and had music with synchronized lights attached!
Pretty much every attraction in Prescott is around this square so you can’t miss it. Stop by for a day trip or on your way to Sedona or Flag!

You can’t beat Prescott’s Courthouse Square ChristmasLighting event! An amazing crowd, streets around the courthouse blocked off, Christmas choir music, a reading of the Christmas story, and then the lighting of the magnificent courthouse trees! A 5 star event!

How anyone can give Courthouse Square less than 5 stars is a mystery to me. It is a postcard perfect, lovely little park downtown. Dog friendly, lots of parking within a block (try east side of courthouse), lots of mature shade trees… utterly delightful!

DOG FRIENDLY! Always something happening here and my favorite town square of any that I have traveled to. Weekends are busy with frequent art shows, people enjoying frisbee and lots of dogs socializing! The grass is well kept and the square is clean. Bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks so feel free to stroll around and take it a little slower!

Every town should have a spot like this in it! It is a lovely park, civic center, and gathering spot for various community activities. I have been here for both an afternoon picnic after an art festival as well as a late night burrito binge post drinking on Whiskey Row. Both times it was a memorable and pleasant experience.
I also love the fact that they have so many free performances throughout the summer. I realize a lot of locals complain about the parking issues but I don’t think they appreciate what a gift it is to get those free arts and cultural experiences… even if you do have to walk a little ways. Fortunately I am a tourist and usually staying at one of the hotels nearby.

I passed through Prescott years ago and admired the town square so I took the opportunity to check it out again during an art fair.
I was curious about the two main sculptures on the square by Solon Borglum (the brother of Mount Rushmore sculptor, Gutzon Borglum). After taking some photos, checking out some of the western art on display at the fair, and, unexpectedly, downing some really good fried samosas sold by one of the food vendors, a woman noticed my camera and said that I just had to take a photo of the Mike the Community Dog plaque. (Awkward pause.) Uh, okay.
I walked around for a while and then found the plaque. After asking someone who was standing on it to move, I read the inscription:
‘Self-​appointed guardian of the plaza, official welcomer of visitors and general ambassador of good will, Ol’ Mike was known and beloved by all.
‘Regardless of age, color, creed or station in life, he was a silent, tolerant, loyal friend.‘
Now, I’m no sleuth but my take is that Mike the Dog (1945 – 1960) was a four-​legged dignitary and major power broker in downtown Prescott who led an exemplary canine life and was not a racist dog. I had no idea that some dogs in the 40s and 50s were racists so it goes to show that we’ve come a long way in this country and Mike the Dog was a true pioneer.
So, my visit to Prescott was quite memorable and you have to give points to any town that is willing to erect a plaque in the town square for a dog. Three cheers for Prescott, Arizona.

This century old Courthouse Square green space feels like it’s out of a movie, but it’s great for us back to the future.
We were up here for a conference and found the Yavapai County Court House impressive. In any other town, the Courthouse would be the the major attraction and take up most of the space in the town square. Here, thanks to great planning by the founders of Prescott, we have this wonderful large green space that surrounds it.
Thanks to their great planning and foresight it allows for a nice area to picnic or just relax under a shady tree. Now that summer is approaching, Prescott’s allure for it’s cooler temps, the fun of Whiskey Row’s galleries and bar life, may spur us in the Valley to make this ninety minute trip. But when you come, plan to sit and catch some sun on this four sided park. It’s beautiful and feels right out of a movie.
Enjoy!

Love the many art and craft festivals held right here. It’s a pretty good mixture of people ranging from retirees, young family to tatooed bikers!
We usually buy raw organic honey with the comb in it from a local bee keeper. I was bummed they were not there the last time. Lots of hand made jewelry ranging from $ 5 to very expensive. I particularly like the iron garden sculptures. Food concession galore, if you want something quick.
We always find awesome covered parking structure ($ 5 event) on McCormick St. right off Gurley St. (pass the Sharlot Hall Museum at the corner). Easy walk to any destination.
Fun day trip or an overnight stay.

You won’t find parking here. If you’re staying at a hotel, just walk. Hotel St. Michael’s and Hassayampa Inn are right there. Many choices of restaurants, bars and cafés surrounding it. Some fancy but plenty of affordable, casual places. Lots of shade. People playing instruments there that seem to be local. Lots of artists. Sharlott Hall complex is just west of Whiskey Row.

Today, they are having art in the square, and there are very talented artist and their work set up along the square. It’s beautiful work, and would be lovely to pick out something for the house, but not in the budget this trip!
The square is just that, with the courthouse in the middle, there are some historical plaques along the walk, so we stopped and learned a few things about the town of Prescott and how it came to be. Across the street we discovered was «Whiskey Row» and there are many stores with souvenir items.

I love going to the courhouse square it’s so much fun I even been in the courthouse becasue someone I know used work there actally two people I know used work there one a judge and two a court reporter.
I’ve been there for the courthouse lighting which was awsome and just watching people dance it kind of made me want to get and dance with them.

Oh Prescott– such a historic lil community.
Courthouse square follows suit. Walking through this one block park one can’t help but think about how old the courthouse and surrounding buildings are.
I happened to pop in during a historical weekend celebration. The square was transformed into an open-​air, antique fair. There were so many interesting pieces to look at and some real unique bargain to have be had.
There was a live band. Some kind of competition in between songs. People dressed up in pioneer-​esq apparel…
Plus its a convenient place to catch a snooze, especially since Whiskey Row runs along one side of the square ;)

Some cool events happen in the Square. I really like the art events; very cool! I like the variety :)
It’s nice to have a big open space across from Whiskey Row where you can «walk it off.»

Gotta love the Square. They have stands when the weather is nice with food and art. Kids hula hooping and playing. In October you get Dogtober fest, but it’s always a great place to walk your dog. If you like the movie Billy Jack, the scene where he gets in the fight and throws the guy through the window was filmed across the street. They deck the place out at Christmas with tons of lights. It’s just a nice place to hangout.
And if you need anything notarized, just go inside the courthouse.

For years I have been visiting Prescott and have always visited the downtown area known as «Courthouse Square.» During the years there have been various arts and craft fairs, live musical performances and the square is within walking distance to the historical «Whiskey Row.» Restaurants, shops and bars are located near by. Recently last weekend I attended the Frank Sinatra Tribute. It consisted of various live Frank Sinatra songs performed by a man and he told Frank Sinatra’s life story. The Courthouse Square was buzzing with people as people gathered with their lawn chairs and sat upon the courthouse steps while listening to the songs and to the story be told… I truly enjoy visiting the square every time I visit Prescott!!! You can check out this website to see all the things happening in and around Prescott.

Overall great feel to this place, almost as if it was taken right out of the movie «Back to the Future». Nice quaint little downtown area with parking that isn’t too bad if you’re willing to walk 1 – 2 blocks. Great vibe here.

Being voted «One of the Top Ten Places to be In America», Prescott’s city square –or– The Courthouse Square is in some very famous company. Along with «The Square», New York’s Central Park received the same honor as did some «great spaces» across the U.S. As a part of your daily routine or for the first time visitor, «The Square» which was the Territorial Capital of Arizona before statehood, offers grass to walk, read or nap upon, a turn of the century (locally quarried) granite courthouse, and hundred year old shade trees to cool the Arizona sun. Open spaces are used for year round events which range from crafts shows to western exhibits and an occasional movie played on an outdoor screen. Prescott is really a «dog town» and for some social sniffing (done by dogs, to dogs) this is the place. Bands play summer nights in the perfect climate and during the holiday season all the trees and courthouse are lit with Christmas lights. «The Courthouse lighting is always the first saturday in December, followed by art-​walks, open houses and The Acker Music Festival-​featuring local musicians showcased in local shops all around the square, too many to count, and after a cocktail or two (consumed along the way) …who’s counting? There’s snow in the winter and shade in the summer and Whiskey Row is just across the street. Billy Jack — the movie was filmed there and you can get a glimpse of it in Junior Bonner –a classic rodeo movie starring Steve Macqueen (spelling?)