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Show Low, Arizona: Where the Fun Never Runs Low – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Show Low was founded in 1870 by Corydon Cooley and Marion Clark. It was named on a card draw. The Navajo County Courthouse went up in 1898. The 30-foot Deuce of Clubs monument was erected in 2010. Sunrise Park Resort teaches skiing and snowboarding at every level, Second Knoll Target Range keeps instructors on hand, and the AAWM Center for the Arts runs workshops for all skill levels. This is a town where you are allowed to be new at something.

Welcome to Show Low, Arizona, where the sun shines bright and the things to do keep coming. Local or visitor, there is always something here you have not tried yet. Outdoor activities, city park adventures, food and drink, accommodations, Show Low covers the lot.

If you want a historical journey, Show Low has stories to tell. The city was named after a high-stakes poker game played between a pair of settlers in the late 1800s, and there are landmarks and museums that lay out the area’s history. But if you want something more active, Show Low will not disappoint. The Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is a popular spot for fishing, boating and hiking, and the Show Low Bluff Trail opens up views over the surrounding landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Show Low, Arizona is a city full of adventure and excitement, with plenty of outdoor activities and city park adventures to discover.
• Whether you’re interested in history or just looking for a good time, Show Low has something for everyone, from unique experiences to local insights.
• With delicious food and drink options, comfortable accommodations, and friendly locals, Show Low is the perfect destination for your next vacation.

Historical Journey

If you want to step back in time and learn the history of Show Low, you are in luck. There are places to visit and things to do that will take you on a historical journey through this town.

Show Low Museum

The place to start your historical journey is the Show Low Museum. It runs 17 rooms, each one given a different theme, all of them on the history of Show Low. From the early settlers to the present day, you learn about the people and events that made this town what it is. The museum also holds a display of quilts and a ho train room that puts you back in time.

History Lesson

Here is the quick history lesson. Show Low was founded in 1870 by Corydon Cooley and Marion Clark. Legend has it the town got its name from a poker game between Cooley and Clark. The pair decided to settle their dispute over who would keep the town by drawing cards. Cooley reportedly said, “If you show low, you win.” Clark drew the deuce of clubs, and the rest is history.

Deuce of Clubs

Speaking of the deuce of clubs, it is hard to miss the 30-foot-tall playing card standing in the center of town. The Deuce of Clubs monument draws photographers and makes a sensible place to start your tour of Show Low. It was erected in 2010 to mark the town’s centennial and has become a landmark for locals and visitors alike.

So put your walking shoes on and take a stroll through Show Low’s historic district. There are shops and restaurants along the way. And stop by the Navajo County Courthouse, which was built in 1898 and is still in use. It is one more piece of the history that surrounds you in Show Low.

Outdoor Activities

Are you an outdoor enthusiast? Show Low, Arizona has a broad range of activities to keep you busy. Hiking and camping, fishing and boating, the list covers everybody. Here is a look at the outdoor activities in Show Low.

Hiking and Camping

If you like hiking and camping, Show Low suits you. Porter Mountain Stables runs guided horseback riding tours through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which is the version to take if you have never sat on a horse. You can also work the natural trails and mountain scenery at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area.

Fishing and Boating

Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area is also where the fishing and boating are. The lake is stocked with trout and big trout, which is why the anglers come. You can rent a boat or a paddle board and take it out, no prior experience required.

Winter Sports

If you are in Show Low over the winter, Sunrise Park Resort is where to go. The resort runs skiing and snowboarding for all levels, along with other winter sports, so a first-timer is as welcome as anybody else.

Golfing

Show Low has strong golf courses by Arizona standards. Bison Golf Club is a dog-friendly course with views out to the mountains. You can also take a historic lake tour at Torreon Golf Club, which gives you a round nobody else offers.

Whichever outdoor activity you pick, Show Low has it. From hunting bobcats and raptors to a sunset ride, you will get your money’s worth out of this country.

City Park Adventures

Looking for a way to spend your day in Show Low, Arizona? The Show Low City Park is the answer. This park has what you need for a day outdoors, from playgrounds to picnic spots to basketball courts. Here is a closer look at what it offers.

Show Low City Park

Start with the park itself. Show Low City Park is a green space that takes a short hike or a slow stroll equally well. It is well-maintained, with clean restrooms and plenty of shade for hot summer days. The wide-open spaces and rolling hills make it an easy place to spend time outdoors.

Basketball Fun

If you follow basketball, you are in luck. Show Low City Park has a full-size court for shooting hoops with your friends. Seasoned player or complete beginner, the court is somewhere to get some exercise and work off some steam.

Picnic Spots

Looking for somewhere to eat outdoors with family or friends? Show Low City Park has picnic tables and picnic areas where you can sit down over a meal. A quiet spot to read a book or a place to run a large family barbecue, the park handles both.

Show Low City Park is a solid way to spend a day in Show Low, Arizona. Playgrounds, a basketball court, picnic tables and a short hike cover most people. So pack a picnic, grab your basketball and head down to the park.

Food and Drink

On food and drink, Show Low has plenty. From local restaurants to a brewery, you will not go hungry or thirsty in this town.

Local Restaurants

If you want a proper meal, look at the family-owned restaurants in Show Low. These places serve rustic decor and a warm room alongside the food.

One local favorite is Licano’s Mexican Food & Steakhouse. This place has been cooking for years and is known for its steaks and its Mexican cooking. Try their famous margaritas while you are there.

The other one worth knowing is Darbi’s Cafe. This small cafe runs a strong list of breakfast and lunch items, homemade soups and sandwiches among them. And if you want something sweet, try their homemade pies.

Black Horse Brewery

If you drink beer, do not miss the Black Horse Brewery. This local brewery runs a range of craft beers and ales, all brewed on-site. They also cook, burgers and sandwiches included, to go alongside the drink.

The brewery is rustic and warm, and it works for an evening with friends or family. And if the timing is right, you might catch live music while you are in.

So a proper meal or a cold beer, Show Low covers both.

Have you never once skied? Sunrise Park Resort runs skiing and snowboarding for all levels, and that is the entire point of the place. Never fired a rifle in your life? Second Knoll Target Range keeps expert instructors on hand and a controlled environment for exactly that purpose. Never painted anything at all? The AAWM Center for the Arts runs workshops and classes for all skill levels, and you may turn up something you did not know you had.

Accommodations

When you are planning a trip to Show Low, one of the things to sort out early is where you will be staying. There are plenty of options to choose from.

Hotels and Lodging

If you want somewhere to rest your head at night, Show Low has hotels and lodging to spare. From budget motels to resorts, the range covers everybody.

The hotels people tend to pick in Show Low include:

• Super 8 by Wyndham Show Low: This budget-friendly motel offers clean and comfortable rooms, as well as free parking and Wi-Fi.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Show Low-Pinetop: If you’re looking for a more upscale option, this hotel offers spacious rooms, an indoor pool, and a complimentary breakfast.
• Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center: This resort offers everything from gaming to live entertainment, as well as comfortable rooms and a variety of dining options.

Parking

When you are traveling to Show Low, it is worth thinking about parking. Depending on where you are staying and what you have planned, you may need to find parking in different parts of the city.

Many hotels in Show Low include free parking for guests, so check with yours before you arrive. If you are planning to visit sites such as Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area or Show Low Bluff Trail, you may need a public lot or the street.

Wherever you are staying and whatever you have planned, work the parking out ahead so the trip to Show Low runs smoothly.

Unique Experiences

Looking for something different to do in Show Low? These are the ones that stay with you.

The Hub

You are a social animal, always after the next thing. The Hub is where to go. This entertainment complex covers everybody, from live music to bowling to arcade games. Bring your friends and you will be the reason the night worked.

Pure Relaxation The Sunshine Spa

You work hard and you have earned a break. Take a day at Pure Relaxation The Sunshine Spa. This spa runs massages, facials and waxing. You leave lighter than you came in.

AAWM Center for the Arts

You have an artistic streak and you keep looking for ways to use it. Look at the AAWM Center for the Arts. This gallery shows local artists and runs workshops and classes for all skill levels, which means a complete beginner has somewhere to start.

Bison Golf Course

You are a high-stakes kind of person and you want a challenge. Head over to Bison Golf Course, where the fairways run long and the greens run fast. With views out to the White Mountains, this course earns its place.

Second Knoll Target Range

You have a competitive streak and you keep looking for ways to get better. Look at Second Knoll Target Range, where you can practice your shooting in a safe and controlled environment. With good sound systems and expert instructors on hand, you will be hitting the bullseye sooner than you think.

Bear Lover

You are an animal lover and you keep looking for ways to get close to your favorite creatures. Look at Bear Lover, where you can see a collection of bears up close. The size of them is the part people remember.

Used Book Shop

You are a reader and you are always after the next book. Look at the Used Book Shop, where you can work a broad selection at fair prices. You might turn up your next favorite author.

Burly Bear

You are a collector and you keep an eye out for items nobody else has. Look at Burly Bear, where you can work a broad selection of one-of-a-kind pieces, from antiques to jewelry to home decor. Your friends will ask where you got it.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

You are a keen eater and you keep an eye out for the restaurants worth the trip. Look at Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, where you can sit down over a proper meal in a warm room. With steaks and a long list of sides, this restaurant will settle any craving.

Local Insights

So you are in Show Low, Arizona, and you want to know what the locals rate for things to do and places to visit. Well, you are in luck, partner. Show Low is a tight-knit community, and we are always happy to pass our insights to visitors like you.

First off, the population. Show Low is a small town, but do not let that fool you. We may be small, but we are mighty. Our friendly people are what make this town what it is. Expect a smile and a “howdy” wherever you go. We are a community of ranchers, and we take pride in the country around us.

Now to the good part. If you want a history lesson, head over to the Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. This park sits in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and it is where you learn how Show Low was established. It is also where the hiking, fishing and camping are.

If you are feeling lucky, join the locals for a game of cards at one of the many ranches in the area. Ranchers like a good card game, and they are always happy to have visitors in. Just be warned, they do not take it easy on outsiders.

For a taste of Tucson, head over to one of the many restaurants in town. You will find everything from classic American fare to Mexican cooking. And if you are feeling generous, some establishments suggest donations to support local charities.

Last of all, take in the AZ state parks in the area. With this many to choose from, you will not run out of places to walk. And you might spot some wildlife along the way.

That is our local insight, partner. We hope you enjoy your time in Show Low, and do not forget to tip your hat to the friendly locals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the story behind the name ‘Show Low’ in Arizona?

Well, legend has it that a pair of men named C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark decided to settle a land dispute with a card game. Cooley won the game with the lowest possible hand, a deuce of clubs and a deuce of spades, and declared “show low, and you win.” The name stuck, and now we have the town of Show Low.

Are there any bears in Show Low, or do they just hang out in the casinos?

We cannot guarantee you will not spot a bear while you are out and about in Show Low, but it is not as though they are hanging out in the casinos. Just keep an eye on your surroundings if you are hiking or camping in the area, and you will be fine.

What are the best things to do in the White Mountains of Arizona?

The White Mountains give you plenty. You can hike, fish, camp, ski, snowboard and more. And if you want the views, go and look at the Mogollon Rim.

Where can I find the best shopping spots in Show Low?

If you want locally-owned shops, head to Old Town Show Low. You will find everything from antiques to handmade crafts. And if you want mainstream stores, look at the Show Low Mall.

What are some fun things to do in Lakeside, AZ?

Lakeside is a good place to spend a day or so. You can visit the White Mountain Nature Center, which runs exhibits on the local flora and fauna. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, rent a kayak or paddleboard and take it out on Rainbow Lake.

What makes Show Low, AZ a must-visit destination?

For starters, the country around here is worth the drive on its own. And there is plenty to do. Outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, or cultural ones such as museums and art galleries, Show Low covers both. And there are the friendly locals and the food. What more do you want?

Frequently asked questions about Show Low, Arizona

Which museum in Show Low tells the story of the town itself?

The Show Low Museum. It runs 17 rooms, each one given a different theme, and covers the early settlers right through to the present day. There is a display of quilts and a ho train room in there as well, which people remember. Start there.

What is there actually to do out at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area?

Fishing, boating, hiking and camping. All of it sits inside the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The lake is stocked with trout and big trout, and you can rent a boat or a paddle board. It is the one site on this list that covers most interests at once, and it holds up for a full day out.

Is the Show Low Bluff Trail worth walking out to?

Yes, for the views out over the surrounding landscape, which is the reason that people walk it. Parking may mean a public lot or the street, so allow time for that, especially at the popular sites. Show Low City Park has a shorter walk if you want the easier version of the same thing. Both of them work fine for a beginner.

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