Rock On
Scott Newth pulls out several binders filled with photocopied documents from the 1800s, maps, diagrams, and pages and pages of research on rock art in the Verde Valley. You’d swear he’d been researching the…
Sedona guide
Dry Creek Trail
In late winter and early spring, Dry Creek is anything but dry. Depending on how much rainfall we’ve received, it’s completely impassable in some locations. The key to hiking this trail is finding that ideal time…
Mountain Juniper Gallery
Spend even a short amount of time with woodworker, furniture maker and artist Dan Taylor, and there’s one thing you’ll understand immediately: Dan respects his materials above all else. His material of choice for the past…
The Hudson
Red rock views? Check. A casual yet upscale ambiance worthy of wearing something nice? Check. A consistent menu that’s creative while at the same time cohesive? Check and check. It’s no secret that The Hudson has…
Jane Alexander
You might say Jane Alexander’s acting career is the stuff that dreams are made of. She earned an Oscar nomination for her film debut in The Great White Hope (1970) but only after she starred in…
The 13th Annual Sedona Marathon Event
Lace up those sneakers! The 13th Annual Sedona Marathon Event takes place Feb. 3 on Navoti Drive behind the Sedona Medical Center. The race begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to draw more than 3,000…
Reitz Ranch
Even though world-renowned ceramicist Don Reitz passed away in 2014 at the age of 84, his spirit can still be felt around the kilns and in the studio at his off-the-beaten-path ranch in Clarkdale. The ranch’s…
Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 in Sedona
The only remnant of any movie set ever built in Sedona is a tall rock chimney and fireplace shrouded in brush and trees on a rocky basalt road at the top of the Mogollon Rim. Reaching…
Casa Sedona Inn
Admittedly, we don’t get out for breakfast all that often, but when we do, we like to make an event of it. Think brunch à la Sex in the City. Casa Sedona Inn, a secluded, boutique…
Sedona Fox
The first six sound movies photographed on location in Sedona were produced by the Fox Film Corp. between 1930 and 1933. Last of the Duanes, El último de los Vargas (a Spanish-language version of Duanes simultaneously…
REDS Restaurant in Sedona
REDS Restaurant at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa has a modern vibe that has made it a favorite locals’ hangout for years. If you live here, it’s practically a given that you’ll run into someone you…
Azadi Navajo Rugs in Sedona
It’s amazing how many stories – and generations – can fit inside a 375-square-foot space. You’ll discover that when you visit Azadi Navajo Rugs, tucked away in one of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village’s more hidden…
Courthouse Butte Loop in Sedona
The verdict is in: Courthouse Butte Loop is one of the prettiest trails you’ll hike in the snow – and it’s easy. The 4.5-mile loop traverses the base of Courthouse Butte, one of Sedona’s largest monoliths,…
Sedona’s Sir Harrison Blues Band
When Harrison Begay takes the stage, he might play a Jimi Hendrix or Miles Davis song, but it’s not going to sound like Jimi Hendrix or Miles Davis. “We give those songs an R&B groove or…
Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls
What’s better than shopping? Shopping for a cause! Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls event returns Dec. 9 from noon to 3 p.m. More than 1,100 bowls created by area ceramicists will be sold for $10 each….
Christmas in the Southwest
35th Annual Christmas Boat Parade of Lights Put on a sweater and gather along the shores of Lake Havasu in the far western corner of our state for London Bridge Yacht Club’s 35th Annual Christmas Boat…
Garland’s Navajo Rugs in Sedona
When you think of Native American art in Sedona, some family names come to mind: Hoel, Wilcox and, of course, Garland. The Garland family moved to Sedona from Phoenix in 1970 (they had spent years vacationing…
Sedona’s Elote Cafe
Ever since Jeff Smedstad opened Elote Cafe in 2007, hungry devotees have been flocking to the restaurant. When the doors open at 5 p.m., there’s frequently a line outside (Elote doesn’t take reservations). What keeps the…
A New Take on an Old Classic
When it came time to make plans for November’s Native American Heritage Month, Ken Zoll, executive director of Verde Valley Archaeology Center, had an idea. Ken sits on the advisory board for Verde Valley Sinfonietta, and…
Boynton Canyon in Sedona
Scenic Boynton Canyon near Enchantment Resort is one of Sedona’s most popular trails and deservedly so. But because it’s in danger of being loved to death, we haven’t written about it in 12 years. Instead, we’ve…
Sedona Open Studios
Thinking about holiday gift giving? Forgo online shopping and spend a weekend browsing local artist studios during Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition’s Fall Open Studios Tour. The self-guided, free tour takes place Nov. 10-12 from 10 a.m….
Halloween in Sedona
It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn toward costumes and candy. There is no shortage of haunted happenings in the Verde Valley for the young and the young at heart, starting with the Pumpkin…
A.B. Young Trail in Oak Creek Canyon
The A.B. Young Trail is the only route (of which we know) that climbs the west wall of Oak Creek Canyon. From AZ-89A in the northern reaches of the canyon, you can spot the trail, which…
13th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival
It’s that magical week in fall when Sedona’s streets, trails and viewpoints are teeming with plein-air painters from around the country. We’re talking about Sedona Art Center’s invitational 13th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival, which returns…
Sedona Arts Festival
If you love to shop and you love the red rocks, there is no better festival than Sedona Arts Festival, now in its 27th year. On Oct. 7 and 8 on the sports field at Sedona…
Sedona Reflections
In Sedona, everything is better in October. Daytime temperatures slowly start to drop and the summer monsoon storms dissipate. It’s also an ideal time to explore Pumphouse Wash in Oak Creek Canyon. Five miles of…
Cress on Oak Creek
There is no shortage of remarkable experiences to be had in Sedona, and dining at Cress on Oak Creek at L’Auberge de Sedona has to be at the top of that list. First you have the…
Sedona’s El Dorado
When Claudio and Karla Herrera first met, they were part of a small population of Ecuadorian immigrants living in New York City. Karla was attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, intent on studying fashion design and…
Sedona Pet Lovers Gala
If what Gandhi said is true and the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated, then Sedona is already pretty great. In the first six months of 2017, 316…
Sedona Winefest 2017
Under a big-top tent on the field at Posse Grounds Park, wine lovers leisurely made their way from one winery to the next, sipping on glasses of red, white and rose. They nibbled on squares of…
Sedona’s Loy Canyon
Sometimes you just want to walk in the woods, Hansel-and-Gretel style. That’s when you need to explore Loy Canyon and Loy Canyon Trail. The trail meanders along the floor of the canyon for 4 relatively flat…
Fiesta del Tlaquepaque in Sedona
The 45th annual Fiesta del Tlaquepaque, a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, takes place Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. Tlaquepaque’s longest-running tradition will feature mariachis, flamenco dancers, ballet…
Miley’s Cafe in Sedona
For a couple of years now, we’ve been receiving emails from readers touting the hidden gem that is Miley’s Cafe. We had been to Miley’s on several occasions for breakfast, which is served all day, but…
Pedal to the Medal in Sedona
Sedona Golf Resort’s 4th Annual Sedona Bike & Brew Festival returns Aug. 26 with mountain bikers racing a 6-mile course at the resort. The race takes bikers around all 18 holes and through 80 acres of…
“Hold Your Horses!” at the Phippen Museum
The horse, that quintessential symbol of the American West, will be celebrated at the Phippen Museum’s fourth annual Hold Your Horses! invitational exhibition and sale. The opening reception takes place at the Prescott museum on Aug….
Lakes within a four-hour drive of Sedona
Lake Havasu State Park If the name Lake Havasu conjures up images of girls gone wild on spring break, you’re not completely off the mark: It’s still a party hot spot for coeds in March and…
Sedona’s Baldwin Trail
We don’t hike much during this time of the year, however, if we’re going to spend time on a trail, Baldwin ticks all of the boxes for a summertime jaunt. It’s in close proximity to Oak…
Dellepiane in Sedona
Any foodie can attest to the fact that the humble burger has been elevated in recent years from fast-food status to gourmet fare. No matter what type of burger aficionado you consider yourself, Dellepiane, the new…
Sedona Summer Colony
Like many good stories, this one begins with a bottle of wine. It was October 2015, and Eric Holowacz and Paul Amadio had recently moved to Sedona; Eric relocated from Baton Rouge, and Paul had most…
Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria
In Italy, an osteria is a restaurant with a short and simple food menu and an extensive and sophisticated wine list. That’s basically what you’ll find at the new Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria, which…
Sedona’s Thunder Mountain Trail
Thunder Mountain Trail is a gem of a hike that meanders along the base of its namesake, also known as Capitol Butte or Grey Mountain. Though there isn’t a ton of shade along the trail, it’s…
Tlaquepaque North Block Parties
What’s summer without a block party? How about four of them? Tlaquepaque North will be hosting block parties every Saturday in June from 4 to 8 p.m. Each free event will feature live entertainment along with…
Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour
Arizona’s mile-high town is the place to be May 20-21 when the Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour returns for its 52nd year. The guided tour takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the last…
Verde Valley Wine Festival
Despite the threat of rain, last year’s inaugural Verde Valley Wine Festival was a sold-out event: 1,400 people spent the cool afternoon at Clarkdale Town Park, sipping wine, beer and spirits, noshing on tidbits from local…
Vultee Arch Trail in Sedona
Back in the day, accessing the Vultee Arch Trailhead wasn’t nearly as challenging as it is now. The only way to reach it today is with a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle (yes, you need both high…
Viva Las Vegas
Tempt Lady Luck when the Scorpion Booster Club brings the action of a Las Vegas casino to Sedona Golf Resort on April 21 from 6-10 p.m. during Viva Las Vegas. The event will act as the…
Templeton Trail in Sedona
For those who like to spend half the day rambling through Red Rock Country at a leisurely pace, Templeton Trail is right up your alley. You’ll only encounter one steep climb along this 9-mile (round trip)…
Sedona’s Munds Wagon Trail
We’ve hiked this trail in warm weather without a puddle in sight, so we suspect our experience was relatively rare, which made it even more special. Despite a blustery breeze, the scenery made us feel like…
Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
Maybe you’re someone who regularly “shreds the red.” Or you just like to drink craft beer, sample food-truck fare and hang out with the cool kids. Both of you will want to be at the Sedona…
Creative Gateways in Sedona
Pilisa Rainbow Lady walks through the bright gallery at the back of Creative Gateways artist co-op and points to one of her glass plates hanging on the wall. She explains that when she got stuck on…
J Wine Bistro in the Village of Oak Creek
There’s something about an open kitchen that gives a restaurant a modern vibe, almost as if you’re ignoring the “employees only” sign and peeking into the window of a secret world. Place an inviting bar in…
Sedona’s Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail has long been one of our top 10 favorite hikes in Sedona, but the recent crowds in the area have kept us at bay for a couple of years. Then it dawned on…
Sedona Winter MusicFest IV
Chamber Music Sedona will put a soundtrack to the short days and cold nights of winter during its Sedona Winter MusicFest IV happening Jan. 4-8. This year’s festival sees the return of clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein and…
Let it Snow!
Arizona Nordic Village Arizona Nordic Village, formerly known as the Flagstaff Nordic Center, changed hands in October 2015, and last winter the cross-country-ski playground began encouraging snow bikes to come out and play. It also added…
Sedona’s Boynton Canyon Vista
When the days are short and the temperatures chilly, we like to explore some of Sedona’s shorter trails, and Boynton Canyon Vista checks all the boxes. The trail leads to a saddle between two red rock…
Hog Wild BBQ in Cottonwood
Right about now, as sacrilegious as it might sound, we’re sick of turkey and cranberry sauce. We want something with more of a kick and a crunch. That’s why we head to Hog Wild BBQ in…
It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical
George Bailey, Clarence Odbody and the town of Bedford Falls are coming to Prescott. Yavapai College Performing Arts Center will host a production of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical Dec. 15-18. The cast of 30…
The Manheim Gallery & ARC Contemporary Fine Art
Inside a Cottonwood building that was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright to be a dentist’s office in the 1950s, two art lovers have merged their galleries in what is one of the best…
Fun Things to Do during the holidays in Sedona
Four years ago, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau decided to kick things up a notch and make Sedona a destination for the holidays. Los Abrigados Resort & Spa had announced the end of…
Sedona’s Scorpion and Pyramid Trails
We first became aware of the Scorpion and Pyramid trails while writing our September cover story – Jennifer Young, president of Friends of the Forest, let us in on the secret. If you like solitude mixed…
7th First Annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K
What is quickly becoming Sedona’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition, the 7th First Annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K, waddles through Posse Grounds Park on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. The race, presented by Sedona Running Company, includes the…
Sedona Musician Darius Lux
For the past 10 years, Darius Lux has been on the move. In 2004, the musician and his wife spent a year traveling around the world. When they returned to reality, they settled in Hawaii for…
The Funky Side Pop Art Gallery & Tattoo Studio
Jan A. Sullivan’s tiny space, located off the beaten path in a building that used to be a motel in the Village of Oak Creek, does double – or even triple – duty. First and foremost,…
Up The Creek in Page Springs
This probably comes as no surprise to regular readers, but I love wine. And one of my favorite wine lists in the Verde Valley is at Up The Creek, which, fittingly, is located just down the…
The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome
Where do you want to eat during the spookiest month of the year? The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome. Even after the restaurant received a facelift a couple of years ago, it still has an unsettling vibe,…
Red Rocks Oktoberfest in Sedona
Raise your glass or, in this case, your stein, to the return of Red Rocks Oktoberfest organized by Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks. The traditional German celebration happens Oct. 22 from 4 to 9 p.m….
Slide Rock State Park in Sedona
Most locals past the age of 8 will tell you that Slide Rock State Park in the summer is highly overrated. After sitting in a long line of cars just to secure a parking space, you’re…
Goldenstein Gallery in Sedona
Goldenstein Gallery has come a long way from its humble beginnings in an office space in the back of One World Art, a defunct giclee printing business in West Sedona, where the gallery first opened on…
Doe Mountain
Every year, the trail leading to the top of Doe Mountain seems to grow in popularity as more and more hikers seek out the mesa’s 360-degree views. After spending several days flying above Sedona, we were…
8th Annual Sedona Winefest
You know that saying about aging like a fine wine? It could be applied to Sedona Winefest, now in its eighth year. The festival returns to Posse Grounds Park Sept. 24 and 25, 11 a.m. to…
Pura Vida Gallery in Jerome
There’s just something about Pura Vida Gallery in Jerome that invites you to linger for a while. It’s a combination of the fresh flowers in ikebana vases, interesting music and burning candles that makes you slow…
Sedona Restaurant: Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen
You know you’ve struck foodie gold in Sedona when you walk into a restaurant and you recognize someone at nearly every table…on a Tuesday night. Locals flock to joints with good food at reasonable prices, which…
Sedona Likes Hikes
Denise and Larry Garnello, owners of Magic Clothing in Sedona and Crystal Magic in Sedona and Flagstaff What is your favorite hike and why? Sugarloaf Summit because it’s a 5-minute walk to the trail from our house,…
Red View Gallery in Sedona
In the late ’80s, Bonnie and Thomas Trzaskos had six kids and were living in Connecticut. The couple were wandering through some shops when they spotted a print by Native American artist Amado Peña Jr. that…
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
When the dog days of summer arrive, it seems like half of Arizona escapes to the cooler climes of Flagstaff. And there’s no better place to spot wildflowers and wildlife than The Arboretum at Flagstaff. Leave…
Sedona Restaurant: The Hudson
Like everyone else in this town, we love The Hudson. We love to grab a seat at the lively bar and sip on a Fig & Ginger Mule (Figenza vodka, ginger beer and lime) during happy…
Flagstaff Pro Rodeo
Three years ago, a group of Flagstaff locals banded together to form a committee to bring the rodeo back to Flagstaff. “We wanted to preserve our western heritage,” says Kristen Daulton, president of the Flagstaff Pro…
12X12 Exhibition and Fundraiser in Sedona
Think collecting art is out of your price range? Sedona Arts Center wants you to think again. SAC’s 2nd Annual 12X12 Exhibition and Fundraiser returns June 10 and features more than 100 artists who have created…
Sedona’s White Mesa Trail
Sometimes you hike for the beauty and the views, while other times you hike just to get a bit of exercise in the great outdoors. White Mesa Trail, located southeast of Sedona in the Beaver Creek…
Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale
On Memorial Day weekend, for the 42nd year, 90 artists from across the country will convene at Courthouse Square in Prescott for Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show & Sale. Art collectors will meander through booths brimming…
Sedona’s Heroic Sandwiches
Garland’s Indian Gardens Cafe & Market Reuben, $10 We have a couple of Reuben connoisseurs on staff, which means we’ve tried just about every single Reuben to be had in Sedona. And we always come back…
Berry Divine Acai Bowls in Sedona
You’ve heard people touting the antioxidant benefits of acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries for years, but they haven’t always been easy to find. Meet the acai bowl, which became all the rage in places like L.A. in…
Sedona Open Studios Tour
We hear a lot these days about the importance of shopping local, and that means supporting local artists and craftsmen, too. The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition gives you the opportunity to put your money where your…
Sedona’s Hangover
Were you disappointed (but obviously not surprised) that The Hangover Part III wasn’t worth the price of admission? We guarantee you won’t feel that way about the new Hangover Trail that traverses Mitten Ridge. For the…
Beyond Sedona’s West Fork
Even the most casual local hiker has most likely explored West Fork. It’s one of Sedona’s most popular hikes, especially in the fall when the trees along the trail put on a brilliant display of…
Sedona’s Szechuan Chinese Restaurant
Lauded as the best Chinese food in Sedona for many years now (and the best sushi, in this writer’s opinion), Szechuan Chinese Restaurant received a slight makeover after its neighboring lounge, The Martini Bar, closed its…
Sugarloaf Loop Trail
For some of the most expansive views in Sedona, you don’t have to climb to the top of Wilson Mountain or the Mogollon Rim. Sugarloaf, that little red rock mound at the base of Capitol Butte…
Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival
One of Sedona’s longest-running traditions, the Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, returns for its 46th year March 12 at 10:30 a.m. The parade runs along Jordan Road in Uptown. Presented by Sedona Main Street Program,…
Sedona Tapped
Dark Sky Brewing Company Tired of the same old, same old? That’s impossible at Dark Sky Brewing Company, northern Arizona’s newest craft brewery (May 2015). Nick Irvine, who co-owns the brewery with four other people including…
Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
During last year’s reinvented Sedona Mountain Bike Festival, more than 1,000 mountain bikers descended on Red Rock Country to ride the trails and celebrate the biking community. Organizer Mike Raney, who co-owns Over the Edge bike…
Sedona Benefit: Trails & Ales
Head to Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock on Feb. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. for Trails & Ales, a benefit for the Red Rock Trail Fund. Check out the recently renovated hotel, enjoy craft beers…
“Sedona” singer-songwriter Jesse Terry
Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry wrote a song titled Sedona back in 2008 – two years before he ever stepped foot in Red Rock Country. “I had a friend who moved to Prescott to go to school, and…
The Asylum Restaurant in Jerome
Tucked inside the notoriously spooky Jerome Grand Hotel (built in 1926 as United Verde Hospital), The Asylum Restaurant is more than just a spot to enjoy lunch or dinner – it’s an experience. Walk up a…
Sedona Arts Center: Art of Recycling
Before you throw away that damaged fire extinguisher or those broken pieces of pottery, take a second look. Could you possibly repurpose those items? Or turn them into art? Those questions occurred to Gayle Taylor, artist…
Open Range Grill and Tavern in Uptown Sedona
We are frequently asked to recommend restaurants with beautiful views, and we’ve just added a new one to our list: Open Range Grill and Tavern in Uptown. Whether you sit at a table in the cowboy-themed…
Sedona’s Inner Eye Gallery
Everyone has a different definition of retirement. For Larry and Barbara Berkowitz, it meant relocating to Sedona to open a gallery in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and working in said gallery at least four days…
Sedona’s Herkenham Trail
Few things match the beauty of Red Rock Country covered in a blanket of snow, especially when you consider that it’s a rare and fleeting sight. If you don’t want to waste time finding an off-the-beaten-path…
Artists at L’Auberge de Sedona
This past July, Goldenstein Gallery and L’Auberge de Sedona launched Artist in Residence, a monthly program at L’Auberge featuring demonstrations by local and visiting artists. The program continues this month with demonstrations by Sherab Khandro, Mike…
Spawesome Sedona
Eforea Spa Relaxation is a beautiful thing. However, if you are looking for a treatment that offers visible results, you want to head to eforea spa at Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock. Earlier this year,…
6th First Annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K
Looking to burn a few calories before sitting down at that Thanksgiving feast? The 6th First Annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K happens Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. at Posse Grounds Park. The race, presented by Sedona…
