Sedona/Flagstaff recommendations

August 24, 2005 11:31 AM

Sedona/FlagstaffFilter - We're 2 1/2 weeks from honeymoon land, and heading to Sedona and Flagstaff for our honeymoon . . .

We're driving, from Central Illinois, staying at a B&B in Sedona for two days, a spa (Mii Amo) for 3, and then over to Flagstaff at another B&B for another 2 days. While we won't have a LOT of spare time, is there anything you venerable MeFites recommend that we absolutely MUST see? We're pretty open to hiking, New Agey type stuff, any good veggie places, either there or along the drive. Bring it on!

posted by tr33hggr to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

I really liked hiking up to Cathedral Rock, which is a short drive from Sedona. It's not too difficult, but the view from the top is simply amazing. Well worth it

By the way, those are my own photos I'm linking to. Hope that's ok.
posted by einarorn at 12:03 PM on August 24, 2005

Climbing Bell Rock in Sedona was the highlight of my trip there in the early 90s. It's a fairly easy climb, with or without ropes or other gear. It has a short, fantastically easy, chimney to climb (ie. if I was going to bring a complete newbie to the rock climbing concept, this is the chimney I'd give them to start on).

The view from the top is amazing. Bring a camera. I didn't, unfortunately.
posted by Kickstart70 at 12:05 PM on August 24, 2005

Ohmygoddess those pictures are fantastic. What a welcome change from the flatlands (though I love 'em) of Illinois. I can't WAIT (both for the marriage and the trip)!
posted by tr33hggr at 12:06 PM on August 24, 2005

There is a known energy vortex up airport road. There is a pull off parking lot about halfway between the last houses and the airport. Pull off there, climb up the flat base. Most people say go to the left and that's where the vortex is, but I believe it is a local secret that it is to the right, closer to the airport. Climb up that hill and sit for awhile and see if you feel it.

Also, there is a really cool beer-tasting room at one of the breweries and a lot of the locals hang out there. The beer is great and you sip with the tanks. There is a fire pit to hang around outside.. so much fun! Great way to meet some locals and hide from the tourist scene. The brewery is located behind one of the Osho school campuses. I forget the name of the road, Deer Trail maybe. Ask where the Osho school buildings are (or stop in at their gift store) and which one has a brewery next to it.

Be prepared for amazing experiences while you are there.. be sure to stay IN Sedona proper for at least three days to really open up to the vibe.

As for Flag, be sure to vist Macy's coffee house. Super fun atmosphere and they offer some veggie/vegan delights!
posted by dhammala at 12:22 PM on August 24, 2005

The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is beautiful. Make sure you try it during the day. Camping in Oak Creek Canyon, just north of Sedona is nice. And it's a short trip from there to the rocks. Cathederal Rock is beautiful. There is also this cool little area by one of the creeks where you can hop around on and lounge by some cool flat rocks. You can pick up a trail map at the Chamber of Commerce.

The Coffee Pot diner in Sedona has great breakfasts.

In Flagstaff, there is a great Thai place, Racha Thai. I had the second-best meal of my life there.

You may pass through Columbia, MO on your way down to AZ. If so, try a sandwich at Main Squeeze, a vegetarian place on 9th Street.

El Ferol on Canyon Road in Santa Fe is fantastic for tapas if you find pass through there. They have a Flamenco band and dancers on Wednesdays, I think.
posted by nyterrant at 12:26 PM on August 24, 2005

You might also want to check out this group (self-link) on Flickr. There are a lot of nice shots there that might give you some more ideas about places you want to see along the way.
posted by nyterrant at 12:43 PM on August 24, 2005

nyterrant beat me to it, but I second the visit to Oak Creek Canyon. It's close to Sedona and you don't necessarily have to camp, it's a great day hike. I've only been to the west fork, but that's the part everybody says is the best, the red rock cliffs towering above you are unreal. It'll probably still be hot when you get down here, but don't worry, it's probably 20 degrees cooler down in the canyon.
posted by TungstenChef at 1:26 PM on August 24, 2005

Third Oak Creek Canyon. Nice place to camp.

Also, my traveling buddy and I had one of the best days of a cross-country trip in Slide Rock State Park. It's a very long stretch of a very cool-looking, deeply carved, natural rock canyon with a refreshing river flowing down through it. Basically, it forms a long natural waterslide -- you can find a spot deep enough to float, and then drop through terrace after terrace like a piece of floating desert driftwood. It's a hoot.

Someone else at MeFi recommended a nearby spot that has similar features but is less crowded (I'd never find the thread, sorry). But I actually loved that Slide Rock had a lot of people there, especially locals. It's great to see old and young, grandparents, teenagers, other 20 and 30somethings all hanging out in this beautiful natural setting having a grand old fairly wholesome good time, and cooling off. It's very democratic and a neat way to get a taste of life in that region.
posted by Miko at 2:35 PM on August 24, 2005

Again, thumbs up to Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock. Bring swimwear for one of the best swimming holes in the US (but as George Costanza would point out, beware shrinkage, it's cold).
posted by Ber at 6:50 PM on August 24, 2005

You didn't ask about food recommendations, but just in case - I recommend (as always) the applicable chowhound.com discussion board (in this case, Soutwest US ).
posted by WestCoaster at 7:26 PM on August 24, 2005

If you have time: Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle are "musts" on my list. Plus, they're near Jerome which is a touristy ex-ghost/mining town, but it's fun and historical and all that stuff.

My mum and her mum were both born in Jerome. If you manage to visit, go to the Douglas Mansion. My great-grandfather worked on the 3-D model of the town and mines. He was a geologist for Phelps-Dodge.
posted by deborah at 8:49 PM on August 24, 2005

I found Montezuma's Castle to be way touristy and a big disappointment. But I definitely second Racha Thai in Flagstaff. It's absolutely amazing.
posted by joshuaconner at 1:14 AM on August 25, 2005