Have one extra day on our 7 day schedule Phoenix to GC to Las Vegas. Just need to decide if we spend it at (1)Jerome or (2)Scottsdale/Mesa/Apache Junction/ Lost Dutchman's Mine. Please don't add any additional suggestions, we just need to decide between the two. Thanks.

I'd definitely do Jerome. A very interesting way to spend a day. Scottsdale is a shopper's paradise, but Jerome is a hauntingly (no pun intended) special experience.

Agree Jerome would be a good day's visit......be sure you go to the museum to get the foundation of the history of the town and mining. Jerome was named after relatives of Churchill's mother, Jennie Jerome....museum has alot of good photos, diagrams and wonderful views of the Verde Valley all the way up to Flagstaff.

Sharon.

Apache Junction is my favorite of the three. I try to stay away from heavy traffic areas. Lots of legends in apach but, don't expect to see the Lost Dutchman's Mine. There is no such thing. One story goes "the mine consisted of one still. The Dutchman traded moonshine to the Indains for gold". Hence the mine story. In the winter, Apach is overloaded with "snowbirds".

Jerome. Not may places to stay - just B&B's I think. My niece used to own one (Ghost City B&B i think), but sold it last spring. They had just remodeled so it should be nice (never went myself)

Jerome was great fun when we stayed in Sedona 2 different times. One of the trips we ended up going to Jerome 3 times during the week - to shop for art directly from the aritsts (fun), to check out the old mining areas and to just "hang" out and search for cool rocks and enjoy the wonderful feeling of a little "lost" city hanging on the edge of a mountain. A dusting of snow made everything magical in late December.

We did a 1/2 day trip to Jerome from Sedona last spring and enjoyed it thoroughly (however it was sleeting heavily in April). Our 3 kids (young teens) also liked it. Don't miss the 30 min. movie in the historical building. It has a Jerome "ghost" explain the history and is very entertaining. See that first and the whole town will be much more interesting. Have fun!

No question, Jerome is the far better choice. Scottsdale is OK but nothing unique. The Superstition mountains where the Lost Dutchman's mine may or may not be (the jury is still out on its existence)are nice but more a hiker's location rather than a tourist destination.

The original post is from 2001- bet they have made the trip by now

Definitely, Jerome. See if you can stay at the Jerome Grand Hotel.