In the heart of Red-Rock country, Sedona lies in a canyon where rushing Oak Creek and the red-rock monoliths meet. It is spellbinding. No wonder U.S.A. Weekend voted Sedona the #1 Most Beautiful Place in America. Just a two hour drive from Phoenix and on the way to the Grand Canyon, Sedona is easily accessible.
Jeep tours through the back country is a great way to see some fantastic scenery and offers a thrilling ride. Horseback riding is also available. A stop at the Visitors Center will provide you with maps showing scenic routes to drive and hiking trails for all levels of hikers.
An artists’ haven, Sedona offers many galleries and artisan shops. The Spanish Colonial architecture of Tlaquepaque forms a village of great shops and restaurants. Hugh sycamore trees shade, fountains splash and there are colorful flowers for every season.
Sheltered by towering red cliffs, Enchantment Resort, nestled in Boynton Canyon, is a destination resort. The adobe casitas blend perfectly into the landscape and are equipped with every luxury. The scenery is totally captivating. The gorgeous red cliffs with the stunning greenery in the foreground is spectacular. Mii Amo, the spa at Enchantment, has been rated as one of the ten best spas in the country. The indoor and outdoor swimming pools take full advantage of the views and the list of services offered is extensive. Three restaurants on the grounds take care of dining needs. The Spa restaurant for guests who chose lite fare, the fantastic Yavapai restaurant has a four diamond rating from AAA and an award winning wine list. Yavapai serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a Jazz Brunch on Sundays. Tii Gavo has a more casual atmosphere, offers outdoor seating with gorgeous views of the red cliffs and serves Southwest cuisine for lunch and dinner.
There are several hikes through Boynton Canyon that start at the resort. In addition to hiking, tennis is very popular, there are several courts and a tennis pro on duty. Enchantment also has a putting green, boce ball court and a ping pong table available for guest use.
L’Auberge de Sedona is a fine place for dinning. Terrace on the Creek offers lunch in a gorgeous setting on the banks of Oak Creek. The rushing creek and towering trees that shade it are magnificent. The well known L’Auberge Restaurant serves gourmet fare with a changing seasonal menu.
Picazzo’s serves gourmet pizzas, terrific organic salads and gluten free pasta. A casual restaurant with a wide menu, Picazzo’s is a favorite of the locals.
To seek out the spiritual side of Sedona, walk, hike or drive to a few of the vortices and experience the magnetic charge felt by many. The Chapel in the Rocks is not to be missed. Built into the side of a bluff, the Chapel looks out over the city and blesses it with its beauty.
Sedona exemplifies the great southwest, a place to return to again and again.
Sedona Chamber Visitors Center
800-288-7336 or 928-282-7722
Enchantment Resort
800-826-4180 or 928-282-2900
Mii Amo at Enchantment
928-203-8500
L’Auberge de Sedona
800-272-6777 or 520-282-1661
Tlaquepaque
928-282-4838
Caroline and Steve Lake are freelance travel writers based in Las Vegas. They have travelled extensively throughout the US and Canada and have been filing travel articles about their adventures since 1991. During that time they have been to all 50 state capitals, nine out of the 10 Canadian provinces, 47 major league baseball parks, over 500 universities and eight Presidential libraries. Steve has also worked in the casino industry for over 25 years while Caroline was a professional makeup artist for Chanel and Guerlain for 21 years.
