Sedona, Arizona

Visiting Oak Creek Canyon can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a whole day. The canyon is considered a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon, but it is no less spectacular and it's a free Sedona attraction to visit. Start at Oak Creek Canyon Vista for a magnificent birds-eye view of the canyon down the road.

You can enjoy the canyon vista from your car on one of many overlooks, but you will have much more fun if you park at one of the picnic areas and visit the numerous swimming holes filled with crystal clear water or stretch your legs on a walk down one of the many hiking trails. Midgely Bridge has an unforgettable view, and it’s one of the best places for photos. Map

You feel magic in Sedona wherever you go, but contemplating distant galaxies while sitting in the dark surrounded by vibrant red rocks is an otherworldly experience. If you are looking for best things to do at night, stargazing is a fun activity. Sedona has little light pollution and more than 300 clear days. Furthermore, the high altitudes make the area truly fantastic for watching stars. Sedona Star Gazing gives you the opportunity to see galaxies, planets, star clusters, constellations by using custom built and state-of-the-art telescopes.

On certain nights, you will be able to see Saturn and its rings. Experienced professional astronomers will be there to help you make sense of what you are seeing, and they are always happy to point you in the right direction. Kids in particular will love every minute of this experience. The groups are small with a maximum 12 people, so you will get the full attention of your guides. (Phone: 928-853-9778)

Palatki Ruins are a designated World Heritage Site, and they provide a unique perspective on the culture of ancient inhabitants. They are the largest cliff dwellings in Red Rock country and a cool place to visit on your romantic weekend trip. The Palatki site is filled with cliff dwellings, pictographs, and petroglyphs created by the Southern Sinagua people.

Archeologists believe that this ancient Indian tribe inhabited the Sedona and Verde Valley area from 500 AD to about 1425 AD.

They mysteriously left the area, although their departure was probably influenced by enemy tribes or because of prolonged drought. Be prepared to do some hiking; there are three trails at Palatki. One takes you up to the Sinagua cliff dwellings, one to the other dwellings, and a third to the alcoves that shelter the painted symbols. The trails are a quarter of a mile long and not too difficult if you are reasonably fit. The area next to the cliff dwellings is limited to ten visitors at a time. Map

Hiking up the trail is the best way to experience the majesty of Devil's Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. This popular hike is suitable for casual hikers who are concerned they are not being fit enough for some of the more challenging hikes, but it also has options for more adventurous nature lovers. The Devil's Bridge Trail from the first trail marker is fairly easy, and it is lined with lovely juniper and prickly pear cactus.

Once you reach the trailhead at the elevation of 4,600 feet, there are about 400 feet of rough climbing that will get your heart racing. However, once you reach the end, you will realize the hard work was worth it: the view will leave you even more breathless than the climb.

If you like to explore on your own, then you will really appreciate the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Just be sure to bring someone who is willing to be the designated driver, because you will be tasting a lot of wine. Along the trail, you will visit five wineries and six tasting rooms: Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, Clarkdale, and Cornville. Each winery is unique and produces its own completely distinct wines.

Enjoy sampling their wines and driving through the magnificent red rock canyon, full of lush greenery and rich in history. In the heart of the Verde Valley lies the small, charming town of Cottonwood, surrounded by old cottonwoods, jagged mountains, mesas, and buttes. Located high above the desert heat but not high enough for Arizona High Country cold, Cottonwood has ideal conditions for producing excellent wine grapes. Map

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

The Sedona Heritage Museum is located on a preserved homestead that was once the property of the Jordan family but today serves as a historic park. The Sedona Historical Society, the owner of the museum, works together with the community to preserve the history of Sedona. The Museum is focused on the work and lifestyles of the Sedona pioneers, from 1876 to today.

There are 3,000 artifacts, about 30,000 old photographs, more than 300 audio and video history tapes, and a research library containing more than 500 volumes of documents, books, and clippings. There are two hands-on programs for school kids: they can embark on a scavenger hunt or dig through the Museum's activity book.

735 Jordan Road, Sedona, Arizona, Phone: 928-282-7038, Map

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Sedona's first art center, called "Canyon Kiva," was established in 1958 in the old Jordan Apple Packing Barn that is now known as the Art Barn. Renamed Sedona Arts Center in 1961, it became, as it is today, the hub of the community's social and creative life.

The Center was greatly expanded with the addition of a new building that houses the community theatre, an art gallery, and a classroom space.

The Arts Center emphasizes the important education, as evidenced by their modern School of the Arts and numerous visual art exhibitions. The gallery has the largest selection of artwork by Sedona artists in the country.

Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road, Sedona, Arizona, Phone: 928-282-3809

Wine Tours of Sedona offer you the exciting opportunity to visit some of the best wineries in Northern Arizona. The tours are completely private and customizable. You choose where you want to go, and knowledgeable guide Jim Reich, who knows the area, its history, and its wines, will accompany you. The car is enclosed and air-conditioned, protecting you from the heat and the red dust for which the area is famous.

You can choose any of their regular tours, from the three-hour-long Arizona Estate Vineyard Tasting Experience to the ten-hour-long Bachelorette Special. Several tours even include a one-hour massage. For an additional fee, you can visit a restaurant along the way, or you can ask Jim to organize a picnic.

Wine Tours of Sedona, 866-445-3732

A must-visit Sedona attraction for all art lovers, Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art is proudly home to a wonderful collection of art by prominent artists from around the world. The spacious 20,000 square foot gallery was recently named as one of the top art galleries in the US. You can feast your eyes on a very diverse collection which includes life-size bronze and stone sculptures, superb paintings in both oil and acrylic and beautiful jewelry and glass art. If you are looking for the perfect piece of art to complete your home or office décor, their friendly and knowledgeable experts will be on hand to assist you.

Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art, 561 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336, 928 282 1125