Tucked on a mountainside about 30 miles southwest of Sedona, is the charming and scenic Jerome, Arizona. Once a thriving mining town, it survives today as a tourist destination and artist community. A surprise highlight among the shops on Jerome's small Main Street is Nellie Bly, the world's largest kaleidoscope store. On display (and you'll be encouraged to play) are all price ranges of magical, mesmerizing kaleidoscopes created by over 90 different artists, alongside the $6 cardboard and plastic varieties that you may have owned as a kid. This is a store where you'll want to stay and play all day. Luckily, the store's policy is: Please touch! Next door to Nellie Bly is its sister shop, Nellie Bly II, an equally enchanting jewelry and crafts gallery.

After you've finished exploring in Nellie Bly and the other local shops and museums, don't miss the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, a worthwhile place to spend another hour or two, and just a few minutes drive from Jerome's Main Street.

http://nellieblyscopes.com/
http://www.azjerome.com/
http://www.goldkingmineghosttown.com/