Your Guide to Exploring Sedona

Sedona is a desert town with new age flair. About halfway between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, its elevation allows it to experience all four seasons in an otherwise arrid region. When we visited in October, the weather was cool and cloudy. Sedona is famous for its red rocks, many of which are named after the items they resemble. You’ll see Coffeepot Rock, Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Bell Rock, just to name a few.

When you first get into town, stop at the Visitors’ Center located across from the Ravenheart Coffee shop in Pink Jeep Plaza on Hwy. 89A in Uptown Sedona. There’s plenty of information and helpful folks will get you started exploring Sedona. The Center also sells the Sedona SuperPass, a coupon book that includes savings and offers, for $10.00. Save on everything from shopping, food, spa treatments, and tours. You can get your $10.00 back just buy redeeming a few coupons.

Uptown Sedona is filled with shops and eateries. You can find southwest artwork, ceramics, the usual souvenirs, and the not-so-usual tarot card and palm readers. Watch out for the “Free Maps” desks. Representatives of timeshares in the area staff these desks. They can be very helpful with advice and directions, but expect a sales pitch. The easiest way to enjoy uptown is to park and walk. Traffic is heavy; Hwy. 89A runs through Uptown.

To get our bearings in town, we took a Trolley Tour. It was $18/person well spent. There are two tours. One explores the town, the other leaves town to explore the Dry Creek Valley. The in-town tour stops off at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and you are given some time to explore the chapel. There are plenty of opportunities for pictures. We learned about the history of the town and the driver gave us some good tips for places to visit on our own. If you just want to take one tour, you can do so for $10/person. Get on the Trolley at the Depot in the middle of Uptown Sedona, or find the pick-up spot nearest your hotel.