Sedona, AZ Enchants Visitors

By Bobbie Green

Sedona Arizona has enchanted over a million visitors with its red rock formations, beautifully sculpted though millions of years. The ancient Native Americans believed the area to be sacred land and their ancient ruins are scattered thought out the region.

Today Sedona is a culture center for the arts and home to many famous artists. Visitors enjoy four-star resorts, restaurants and championship golf courses. Sedona offers one-of-a-kind shopping and has many state and national parks nearby. The area is made for tourism.

A must for visitors is one of the adventure tours. We took the famous Pink Jeep Tour to the 700 hundred-year old Sinaguan Cliff Dwellings. We were not disappointed, and were amazed at what we saw and learned from the knowledgeable guide. Among the tidbits of ancient history and culture, I learned why the jeeps are painted Pink–because the original developer of the tours vacationed in Hawaii at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (the one our CasaBlanca Hotel is modeled after) and his wife like the pink color.

After we left the jeep, our short trek to the dwelling took us back in time where we could see how the ancient ones lived and view their culture through the rock art they left us.

I was astounded to see what looks like our solar system depicted on the rocks inside their dwellings.  There were many surprising depictions that make you wonder how and why.

Of course the art has been dated by experts, but I am amazed it has survived the elements for so long a time and yet fascinated by the fact that we can view it so clearly. Our guide revealed to us the meanings and myths of the rock art.

I found tourism to Sedona, even with this down economy, is still healthy. In fact, traffic is quite a drawback.  Taking tours proved to be one way to get around the problem.  The Sedona Trolley has two different routes to take.  One makes a stop at the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross– photo-bugs will not want to miss this photo-op.  The trolley driver narrates telling about the sights you are seeing. I found it a relaxing way to get around the local area and learn a bit about the town.          

I recommend staying in town at a hotel where you can walk to most places and restaurants or the Inn of Sedona, where I stayed. It is located on a hilltop, not walking distance to town, but they have a shuttle, on demand, to take you to town or a restaurant and return to pick you up–again, another relaxing way to get around without having to drive in all the traffic yourself. The real draw to this hotel is the view. The hotel was built on multi levels, each room having a grand balcony and view of the red rock formations. Sunset is gorgeous. Even though it is a Best Western, the hotel is older and the rooms not as large as the newer Best Western.  The great deck area and the view make up for the smaller rooms. The Hotel concierge provided more than fantastic service to all their patrons.

Dining in Sedona is complicated, there are so many choices. Here are a few I can recommend.  The locals wait in line to get a deli sandwich at “Sedona Memories” located downtown. Sandwiches served loudly, New York style. The beautiful Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa is home to “Reds” restaurant a classic dinning spot with tasty food and live soft and mellow music provided by Simon Crown. Be sure to check out the definitive hotel lobby.

Fun Southwestern food can be found at the colorful “Barking Frog” owned by the brother of a Park City Utah restaurant of the same name. Patio dining seems to be a lunchtime favorite.         

It is always fun just to take a stroll on Main Street downtown and check out the one-of-a-kind shopping and sometimes the one-of-a-kind pedestrian.

Trip Advisor list Sedona as one of the “Top 100 places to visit in the World.”