Where to Swim in Sedona
Slide Rock State Park One of Sedona’s most popular attractions in the summer, Slide Rock State Park, is named for the 80-foot long natural rock slide that visitors have been sliding down for years. The setting…
Slide Rock State Park One of Sedona’s most popular attractions in the summer, Slide Rock State Park, is named for the 80-foot long natural rock slide that visitors have been sliding down for years. The setting…
Our Pet of the Month is Baby! Baby is a Chinese Shar-Pei and Pit Bull Terrier mix with tan and white coloring. Baby was found by a good Samaritan laying by the side of the road….
If you’re in Cottonwood and hear a bell ringing, head to The Belfry. If you arrive within five minutes on the half-hour between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily, you can nab a pint of beer…
You can find one of the best views of Sedona by looking up at the star-studded sky at night. Professional astronomers will guide your night’s sky viewing from 7 to 9:30 p.m. sometime in August at…
Piano on the Rocks International Festival is returning in August. The three-day concert series explores the connection between solo piano playing, storytelling and literature. As of press time, the specific date is not confirmed. Visit pianoontherocks.com…
Arizona-based blues guitarist Carvin Jones or the “King of Strings” will perform at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Aug. 14 starting at 8 p.m. He’s been performing for more than two decades and was voted…
SHOREBIRD, MOLE’ SEDONA DEBUT Seafood-centric restaurant Shorebird opened in March of 2021. Look forward to a plethora of creative fish dishes. Shorebird is a concept from the Wild Thyme Restaurant Group and also has a location…
The water of Oak Creek can be an incredible thing, and one of the best ways to spend a few hours on the creek is by fly fishing. “There’s lots of boulders. It’s absolutely crystal. That…
Like many events held during the pandemic, the Sedona Photography Symposium is almost entirely virtual. On Aug. 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to midafternoon Mountain Standard Time, attendees can watch professional photographers who hail from…
Meet Cider and Bombon! Cider and Bombon are 8 year old male Siamese Chocolate Point mixes who were surrendered to us because their owners did not want to deal with Cider’s medical issues. Cider is FeLV+…
Italian Bella Vita Ristorante Bella Vita Ristorante combines a charming atmosphere with fresh, homemade Italian fare. Quaint interior details include a real fireplace, warm red walls and chandeliers that will make you want to linger. The…
Following a nearly year-long closure, Indian Gardens re-opened in February under new ownership from the team behind Flagstaff’s Pizzicletta. We’re thrilled to have this beloved restaurant back. Located in a charming spot in Oak Creek Canyon,…
When owner Amber Eilers renovated and designed Strawberry’s The Strawberry Inn – formerly the Windmill Corner Inn – in the summer of 2016, she kept functionality in mind. In addition to the main building on AZ-87,…
When those temperatures rise in June, many Sedona hikers will stick to shorter trails until the cooler weather returns. And that’s why we love a quick hike like Allen’s Bend. The trailhead for Allen’s Bend starts…
Hot summer months have many Northern Arizona residents and visitors alike kayaking on the Verde River looking to get some exercise and cool off on the water. Don’t expect an entirely placid river though. “There is…
San Diego-based music and theater group Six String Society will host a total of four different performances in Sedona in June. “The Celestial Sirens” show will be performed at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on June…
Few instruments are as legendary as the Stradivarius violin – considered to have an amazing, unmatched sound. And on the opening night of the Sedona International Film Festival, you can hear violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn play one….
Rescheduled from February, the Sedona International Film Festival is from June 12 to 20. During this time, attendees can watch more than 100 films during the 27th annual festival. See full-length features, shorts, documentaries and foreign…
It is not every day that you get to spend quality time with reptiles of all stripes. But on the first Tuesday of the month from now until September, you can. Nonprofit Sonoran Reptiles will host…
Perhaps the most unique part about the design of the home is that the entire home’s interior and exterior were made to incorporate principles of feng shui and symbols of Eastern religions. “Feng shui is an…
Sometimes all you need is a long hike. It gives you time to think, relax and get in a good workout. One of our top trails that meets all those requirements is the Boynton Canyon Trail….
Meet Max! Max is a domestic shorthair mix with brown and black tabby coloring. Max was transferred to us from a crowded shelter in Phoenix where he was on the euthanasia list due to his diabetes….
THINGS TO SEE The South Rim, essentially, is divided up into three different main “areas.” The first is the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, which is closed as of press time. To the west of the visitor…
Some restaurants are special enough to warrant a short trip. Moscato is one of them. Located on Camp Verde’s main street, Moscato makes some of the best Italian food in the entire Verde Valley. Head inside…
Starting April 6, and continuing on the first Tuesday of the month until September, you can see, touch and learn more about reptiles at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village’s monthly free “Snakes! Lizards! Tortoises!” event. Experts…
For an organization that has been around for 30 years and does plenty to help the community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, you may have never heard of the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) of Sedona….
Much like hiking, birdwatching is about appreciating nature. “Birdwatching is one of the simplest ways to engage with nature. And, for the most part, we usually go for a walk or a short hike. And I…
Meet Candace Carr Strauss. She’s the new president and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau and started her job back in February. Candace has a diverse resume. She’s had stints with the…
Shey Khandro “I’m a sculptor, a jewelry designer and a pointillist painter, and I imbue a prayerful intention into everything I create. Ordained as a Buddhist nun in the Tibetan tradition for 15 years, I was…
Enjoy a celebration of Mexico’s rich culture and heritage at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Cinco de Mayo commemorates…
The Cowboy Club and adjoining The Arizona Room is a Sedona institution. It opened as the Oak Creek Tavern in 1946 and supposedly hosted movie stars in town filming their latest flicks. In 1956, the Cowboy…
There aren’t many vegan cheese shops in the country. But you can find one in Clarkdale on main street. Virgin Cheese started back in 2014 in Las Vegas as a mostly wholesale business. The Northern Arizona…
Believe it or not, there is a trail you can hike if you’re searching for solitude and happen to be on Airport Road: the Brewer Trail. We only spotted two couples on our short hike. After…
YOUR SEDONA NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: UPTOWN SEDONA & OAK CREEK CANYON Uptown Sedona Bustling Uptown Sedona is home to many different shops, one great museum, restaurants and red rock views. Here are some of our favorite places….
At first glance, it looks like professional artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire’s work is a painting. But if you take a closer look, you’ll see that it’s actually many different pieces of painted paper she’s layered together…
The Sedona Heritage Museum is hosting a “Voices From the Grave” at the oldest cemetery in the Sedona area, the Schuerman Red Rock Cemetery, on April 30 and May 1. The cemetery was established in 1893…
Our Pet of the Month is Zoe! Zoe is a Pitbull Terrier and Chinese Shar-Pei mix with tan and white coloring. Zoe was surrendered to us because she did not get along with the other animals…
BowWow Sedona and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village are hosting “Paws Rocking the Runway” featuring animals showing off the latest fashions from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 25 at the Tlaquepaque North fountain. The proceeds…
The Sedona Women’s slogan is “Making A Difference.” And for over two decades, the organization has done just that. This nonprofit of about 275 members helps the local community in many ways. The group offers scholarships…
The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition is hosting its Spring Open Studios Tour on April 23, 24 and 25. About 45 working artists throughout the Verde Valley will open their private studios to the public. The tour…
Our Pet of the Month is Sailor! Sailor is a Domestic Long hair mix with black coloring. Sailor was transferred to us from a crowded shelter in Phoenix. Prior to that she had been living in…
The Baldwin Trail is one of our favorite hidden gems. For one thing, it’s tucked away in the Village of Oak Creek so you can enjoy a secluded hike. For the entire hour we hiked, we…
Like many musicians, violinist Teresa Joy found herself through her instrument. She’s been playing professionally since she was 12. Music is in her blood. Her father is Esteban, a musician who has been a fixture in…
Rim Country Rim Country (with Rim referring to the Mogollon Rim) beckons with mountain views, fresh air and stunning views. Here’s how we enjoyed a weekend in Rim Country. No visit to Rim Country would be…
NEW HOME, MODERN AESTHETIC When designers Lorie Harakal, Allied ASID, and Melissa VanDarien, of Sedona Soul Spaces were staging a home in the Village of Oak Creek to sell, they were keeping in mind the fact…
We couldn’t talk to landscape photographer Todd Frame without asking about his last name – a perfect one for his chosen profession. “It also comes back to bite me a little bit because at least once…
One of our favorite things about living in a city like Sedona is the abundance of restaurant patios showcasing the city’s gorgeous scenery. When the weather’s good, the Juniper Bar & Grille at the Sedona Golf…
YOUR SEDONA NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: WEST SEDONA West Sedona Residential West Sedona is dominated by the iconic Thunder Mountain or Capitol Butte red rock. West Sedona is also teeming with top hiking trails, local restaurants that have…
Lace up your running shoes and prepare to get (red rock) dusty if you sign up for the Sedona Stumble 5K and 10K Trail Run on March 20. This scenic run starts at Posse Grounds Park…
For the first time ever, the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s annual spring show is going virtual. The online exhibit will run from March 1 to 14 on naws-az.org. “This is a year for adaptation and flexibility,…
If you want to see original art when you’re at the Sedona Public Library, all you have to do is look up. If you do, you’ll see more than 50 original quilts hanging from the main…
A CONTEMPORARY UPTOWN DREAM HOUSE Jim and Kathy Atkinson had recently moved to Phoenix from California, and we’re coming up to Red Rock Country whenever they got the chance. They decided to move to Sedona and…
Editor’s note The Sedona International Film Festival has been postponed until June 12-20, 2021. Visit sedonafilmfestival.org for more. The Sedona International Film Festival is returning in 2021, and for the first time ever, will include a…
Oil painter Elizabeth Silk has been a professional artist for nearly 30 years, and she always wanted her own gallery. Her dream became a reality when her eponymous gallery opened in Hozho Distinctive Shops & Galleries…
DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG One of our favorite places just might be Main Street in downtown Fredericksburg – just over one hour from San Antonio and about 90 minutes from Austin. We spent most of our time in…
West Sedona’s Sugarloaf Loop Trail is an easy way to work up a sweat, take in beautiful views and get in a good hike. It’s especially beautiful after a dusting of snow. Begin your hike at…
Our featured Pets of the Month from the Sedona Humane Society are Ziggy and Zeppelin! Ziggy and Zeppelin came to us from a crowded shelter in Tucson. Although they are shy at first, they are very…
RunSedona is making its annual race virtual. On Feb. 6, you can run a virtual 5K, 10K, half and full marathon from anywhere. Run on the road, a trail or the treadmill, and log your finish…
Editor’s note: The Sinfonietta has been postponed due to the pandemic. Please visit vvsinfonietta.org for more information. The Verde Valley Sinfonietta is returning with its first performance of the 2020-2021 season. On Feb. 7 at 2:30…
Deciding what organizations to support can be a challenge. But Sedona resident Barbara Vickers sought to change that when she founded Sedona Wish List back in 2010. Sedona Wish List is an online database of different…
You have two chances in the next two months to take advantage of free parking in the Red Rock Ranger District as part of its Fee-Free Days. On Jan. 20, in honor of Martin Luther King…
Dinner with a view takes on a whole new meaning at a place as stunning as The Spot at Seven Canyons Golf Club. The red rock vistas are breathtaking. We’d recommend visiting about an hour before…
FITNESS TIPS FROM PERSONAL TRAINER MAGDALENA ROMANSKA Magdalena Romanska’s own life was transformed by fitness. As a child and teen, she rarely exercised. The Poland native says there were no gyms when she was growing up…
Good news if you like to hike and don’t want to pay for parking: The Red Rock Ranger District offers Fee-Free Days so you can explore many popular Sedona sites with no charge. In 2020, Fee-Free…
Walking into Reds Sedona Grill at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa feels like stepping into a chic city lounge. The dining room features dark gray booth seating, red tablecloth napkins, a red candle holder with…
The Cibola Pass Trail is one of our favorite short hikes in Sedona. The Uptown Sedona trail offers stellar views of many of the major red rock formations in the area. We can’t think of a…
Aries is a Siamese cat with white and tan coloring. Aries came to us from a crowded shelter in Phoenix. He is a loving cat with a spicy side and is ready to enjoy his retirement!…
Arizona State Parks are open on Jan. 1, 2021 for First Day Hikes. If you want to kick the new year off with some exercise, consider paying a visit to Sedona’s Red Rock State Park or…
Our Pet of the Month is Kimchee! Kimchee is a domestic shorthair mix with black coloring. Kimchee came to us from Maricopa County and is ready for her retirement dreams! Our petite senior girl is sweet,…
When President, Executive Director and Chairwoman at the Sedona Arts Academy & Community Center, Camilla Ross, was selecting her Christmas show for 2020, the play “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” was an easy…
What we love most about Marg’s Draw Trail is that it offers hikers so very much. For starters, it’s easily accessible and located in central Sedona. You can connect to other trails and hike nearly all…
Uptown Sedona Uptown Sedona will have an array of lights sprinkled throughout. See a few at a time if you’re shopping or stroll around until you’ve seen them all. Here’s what to specifically expect: a lit,…
A nice hot steaming bowl of ramen topped with vegetables, meat or fish is so comforting and an all-around crowd-pleaser. As the temperatures drop in November, this warm-weather dish is one of our go-to orders to…
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, consider shopping at a small business on Nov. 28 as part of Small Business Saturday. Sedona is filled with many small businesses like Shey Khandro Sacred & Contemporary Art & Jewelry…
Prior to consuming pumpkin pie and turkey on Nov. 26, consider burning calories by lacing up your sneakers and running the Sedona Turkey Trot 5K. Take in red rock views as you work up a sweat….
Sedona Arts Center In addition to its robust programming and art events, the Sedona Arts Center is home to a 2,600-square-foot gallery showcasing the original works of nearly 100 local and regional artists. Find a myriad…
Sedona Wolf Week was created back in 2016 to educate the public about wolves. This year’s wolf week is entirely virtual. The hope is that this online format – in years past, Sedona Wolf Week has…
Virginia “Ginny” Volkman had never even heard of Sedona when she first interviewed for a job at the library back in 1978. But like so many visitors, she quickly became captivated by Red Rock Country. “It…
Although there isn’t an in-person tribute this year, the Sedona Heritage Museum (pictured above) is holding a video Veteran’s Day Tribute. The program will air on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the City of Sedona’s…
Easy Trails Sedona Bike Skills Park Located on Posse Grounds Park in West Sedona, the Sedona Bike Park is an ideal spot where you can develop biking skills. The park features jumps, drops and trails. “It’s…
We’re always happy to check out a new restaurant, and we were particularly excited to try Sono Kitchen & Boba in Uptown Sedona. In case you’re not familiar, “boba” are the tiny bits of (usually) tapioca…
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village’s Marigold Mural Project is in honor of Old Soul’s Day or the Day of the Dead, a tradition of the indigenous people of Mexico. The event is a nod to Tlaquepaque’s…
COWBOY CLUB Uptown Sedona’s Cowboy Club’s bustling patio offers red rock views and is a great place to people watch in one of the city’s busiest areas. Cowboy Club is a Sedona institution that goes way…
SEDONA MONTHLY: How did you get interested in this type of work? STEVE RICHARDSON: I grew up as a parks and recreation kid. My mom signed me up for just about everything. I grew up in…
Cave Springs Cave Springs calls scenic Oak Creek Canyon home. And this site gives campers a great taste of Sedona’s natural splendor. The campground is creek-side, surrounded by lush green ponderosa trees and red rocks. Campers…
Outlaw Trail The Outlaw Trail is an approximately 23.2 mile loop road that’s ideal for intermediate off- roaders. Outlaw starts off mild with a few pretty rugged parts. The trail allegedly was used by, you guessed…
One of our favorite things about waking up early is looking up in the Sedona sky and seeing a hot air balloon. The colorful balloons make the sky just that much more magical. And chief pilot…
Sedona Golf Resort At the Sedona Golf Resort, golfers can chip away at 18 different holes in the shadow of Bell Rock. The Gary Panks designed course in the Village of Oak Creek plays 6,646 yards…
Bright Angel Round-Trip Distance: 18.5 miles; At a Glance: Iconic, Stunning Arizona Views Although not in Sedona, we couldn’t run this list without this Grand Canyon trail. It’s one of the most iconic hikes in the…
Whenever a new art space has opened, we take note. And the latest one to debut is the Sedona Arts Academy (SAA) & Community Center in the Village of Oak Creek. The space is a collaboration…
Our Pets of the Month are Sheba and Suey! Sheba is a Mixed Breed with brown brindle coloring and Suey is a Yorkshire Terrier mix with tan and grey coloring. Sheba and Suey were surrendered to…
The Sedona Plein Air Festival will see many firsts this year. For the first time ever, the Sedona Plein Air Festival will be entirely virtual. From Oct. 24 to 31, you can visit sedonapleinairfestival.org and the…
Verde Valley School will be hosting a virtual concert on Oct. 10 to support the Verde Valley School’s Native American Scholarship Fund. The “Dream Concert” aims to raise funds for Native American youth to attend Verde…
Located just off of Sedona’s main road, AZ-89A, local haunt The Golden Goose American Grill is worth seeking out for its stellar cuisine and welcoming atmosphere. The entire space exudes a cozy bistro-vibe. Think tea lights…
From Oct. 2 to 16, the Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour will host its very first online art auction. During those dates, art fans can purchase creations from more than 60 award-winning juried Studio Tour artists….
The Highlands Center for Natural History and the City of Prescott are presenting the first ever annual Prescott Plein Air Art Festival. From Oct. 1 to 3, more than 10 artists will work from dawn until…
As the cooler temperatures gradually arrive in September, we always look forward to heading back out to the trails more frequently. And while we’re building back up our strength, we’re searching for hikes that are moderately…
CRESCENT MOON RANCH You can find one of the most iconic views in Sedona (if not the entire Southwest) at Crescent Moon Ranch. If you’re in town for a short period of time, head here for…
The Southwest “Luckily for us, the Southwest is trending,” says Jane. She’s had clients rent giant cactus to put in their wedding photos that also feature a red rock backdrop. Succulents are also very popular. One…
How did you get interested in this type of work? Like so many people in this field, I always found animals were kind of my respite place to be with given my more nontraditional…