Merry & Bright
ROAD TRIP TO ARIZONA’S “CHRISTMAS CITY” PRESCOTT We’re not sure if we can think of a better holiday road trip than Prescott. About 90 minutes from Sedona, Prescott was officially declared Arizona’s “Christmas City” back in…
Holiday Happenings
NORTH POLE EXPERIENCE Now through Dec. 23 Little America Hotel (2515 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff) 480-779-9679 northpoleexperience.com Take a trolley ride to the North Pole and arrive at Santa’s workshop. Build toys with elves, enjoy…
ShadowRock Tap + Table
We’ve been visiting ShadowRock Tap + Table at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock for years now, and we were pleasantly surprised with how the $2 million renovations finished in early 2018 completely transformed the…
Star of the Guitar
For such a popular instrument, it’s (probably) rare that you’ll hear an acoustic guitar all that often. But you can change that on Nov. 24. On that Saturday, Chamber Music Sedona is kicking off its 37th…
Fun Run
Before you chow down on turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, consider burning off calories beforehand at the tenth annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K. The race kicks off and ends at Posse Grounds Park. The majority…
An Evening with Tony Duncan
In case you didn’t know, November is National Native American Heritage Month. And Camp Verde’s The Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts Foundation and the Verde Valley Archaeology Center have teamed up to celebrate the…
Giving Gala
Help raise money for Verde Valley senior citizens served by the nonprofit Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition at the organization’s seventh annual gala. The Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition Fire & Ice Gala on Nov. 15 from 5…
Giving Thanks by Giving Back
BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NORTH CENTRAL AZ The mission of Boys to Men North Central Arizona is to promote fundamental positive change in the lives of boys, their families, and the community by harnessing the power…
Winter Road Trip
EXPLORE UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON Antelope Canyon actually consists of two parts – Upper and Lower – both in Page. The most-photographed Canyon is Upper Antelope Canyon, primarily due to the light streaming in that looks fantastic…
Photographing Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s playground. Scottsdale-based Suzanne Mathia of Suzanne Mathia Photography is a pro who knows this to be true. She got teary eyed the first time she photographed Antelope Canyon a decade ago….
Bike Bash
As our readers know from our regular hiking feature, Sedona Monthly is a huge champion of all things outdoors. Which is why we were excited to read that the Roam Bike Festival is returning to the…
Night Trails
A dark blue sky spotted with stars provides a backdrop for a shot of the illuminated Courthouse Butte (center) and dark Bell Rock (right) red rock formations from the Yavapi Vista Trail. A recent snowfall supplied…
Day of the Dead
Not a Halloween celebration – although attendees can don costumes – and not meant to be a somber event either, the Day of the Dead festival seeks to celebrate the vibrant lives of lost loved ones….
Go Flagstaff: Nightlife in the Mountain Town
THROW A STAR PARTY Flagstaff star hunters know that October is good for stargazing. And because the mountain town was the first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff makes for a perfect vantage point to watch the…
Beers, Brats and Red Rocks
Break out your German lederhosen or dirndl dress: One of fall’s most beloved celebrations, Red Rocks Oktoberfest, is returning. Festival-goers can head to Posse Grounds ballfields on Oct. 26 from 3 to 8 p.m. to enjoy…
Sedona Plein Air Festival
If you’re in Sedona from Oct. 12 to 19, you might spot artists painting all over town. No, you’re not dreaming. You’re just seeing artists who are part of the annual Sedona Plein Air Festival. “It’s…
Steakhouse 89
Steakhouse 89 sits at a landmark location in West Sedona. We encourage you not to miss it (as if you could) for a fine dining experience. Steakhouse 89 is a contemporary restaurant that offers diners their…
Halloween Happenings
The City is of Sedona is hosting two different events to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year: Halloween. From 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, kids and their families can head to the Sedona…
Masterpiece Theater
Next year marks what would have been the 250th birthday of legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven. To kick things off early, the Verde Valley Sinfonietta and Sedona International Film Festival have collaborated and are paying tribute…
Featured Pets of the Month: Thymus & Louie
Thymus and Louie recently came into the shelter together and are a bonded pair. These two male kitties are very sweet but they are very scared. They need someone who is patient and willing to take…
Sedona After Dark
HOTEL BARS ETCH KITCHEN & BAR Watch the sun dip below the horizon as you enjoy craft cocktails and a serene setting that includes unparalleled Oak Creek views at L’Auberge’s more casual dining venue, Etch. Choose…
High Fiber
Searching for a custom gift? Then consider checking out handmade fiber art ranging from handwoven baskets to ornaments at the fifth annual Verde Valley Weavers & Spinners Guild’s Fabulous Fiber Sale Besides a variety of one-of-a-kind…
Lakeview Trail
After a long, hot summer, sometimes you need a break from all the heat. And if you’re searching for a relatively easy, classic Flagstaff trail, we’d recommend Lakeview Trail No. 132. The trail starts with a…
Schuerman Mountain Trail
November can be a bit nuts. Chances are high that you’re busy prepping for the upcoming holidays on top of all your other day-to-day responsibilities. And you’re probably searching for a quick break, which is what…
Go Flagstaff: Discovering Vibrant Street Art
BACKSTORIES The “Mother Myth” mural on the backside of Lumberyard Brewing Company tells the overall Route 66 story with astonishing detail. Mark Di Lucido, administrator of Flagstaff’s Beautification and Public Arts Commission, reveals that you read…
La Vetta Ristorante Italiano
Editor’s Note: La Vetta has closed. La vetta means “The Summit” or “The Top” in Italian, and after sampling most everything on this historic downtown Flagstaff restaurant’s menu, we’re sure that you’ll agree that this dining…
Rock Out
The Red Rocks Music Festival returns for its 18th annual season and is bringing top-notch musicians to Sedona. The Red Rocks Music Festival was originally founded to make up for the lack of summertime music festivals…
Wine It Up
Drinking wine against the backdrop of Sedona’s stunning red rocks is our idea of a perfect day. And the eleventh annual Sedona Winefest will give attendees the chance to celebrate the Grand Canyon State’s homegrown wine…
The Art of Sedona
Like discovering you have more cookies in the jar or finding a $10 bill lying on the street, we love surprises. And we especially love finding art in surprising places. And perhaps one of the most…
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Artists have sought to capture the beauty of The Grand Canyon for centuries – making it the ideal place for a celebration of visual arts. The eleventh annual Grand Canyon Celebration of the Arts – a…
Fall For Flagstaff
CHECK OUT HISTORIC DOWNTOWN One of our absolute favorite ways to spend an afternoon? Wandering around downtown Flagstaff. The area is buzzing with activity, historic hotels, eclectic shops and top restaurants. If you’re driving around, you’ll…
Sing the Blues
Who says blues music is dead? Not the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance. The organization’s biannual Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival is back starting on Sept. 6 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 7 p.m. The…
Godless
Did you binge-watch the Netflix series Godless? Then you’ll be thrilled to know that the hats donned by three of the main characters are the creation of Arizona hat maker Eric Watson, owner of Watson’s Hat…
Soldier Pass Arches
The Soldier Pass Arches hike meets all the requirements of a downright perfect day hike. Just three miles round trip. Check. A challenging, but not impossible trail. Check. Gorgeous views and a few fun places to…
Ceramics Classes at Sedona Arts Center
Experienced ceramics artists and novices alike can learn new skills and may make friends if they sign up for a ceramics class at the Sedona Arts Center. Classes are held once per week and last anywhere…
Manzanita Restaurant
Manzanita feels more like a desert mirage than a real restaurant. If someone told you there was a fine dining restaurant in Cornville that’s been serving traditional German food since 1991, you’d probably never believe it….
Go Flagstaff: Lunar Legacy
GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND Lowell Observatory astronomer Clyde Tombaugh ate lunch at Karma Sushi Bar Grill on the day that he discovered Pluto. Well, it wasn’t really Karma Sushi in 1930. Back then, Black Cat Café…
Mountain High
Want a stunning view of Northern Arizona? Then consider booking a ticket to ride Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift in Flagstaff. The lift transports you up to 11,500 feet. From the top, take in sweeping views of…
Featured Pet of the Month: Rocco
Rocco recently came to us as a stray with his sister Mya and we learned that they had bounced around from home to home before coming to us. Rocco takes some time to warm up to…
Picture Perfect
Photographers have flocked to Sedona for decades to capture the beauty of the red rocks. And come this August, photographers of all stripes can hone their craft, learn new techniques from the pros and photograph Sedona’s…
Tips On Plating From Michelle Jurisin
Even if you’ve never heard her name before, chances are high you’ve tasted Michelle Jurisin’s food. She’s the co-owner and executive chef of The Haunted Group, a group of six restaurants and Cottonwood’s The Tavern Hotel…
Festival In The Pines
Following a decade-long hiatus, the festival formerly known as SummerFest has returned to Flagstaff as the Festival in the Pines. From July 4 to 6, attendees can anticipate art, live music, food and creative activities for…
Wet and Wild
Families looking to (literally) cool off and celebrate Independence Day can head to the Sedona Community Pool for City of Sedona Parks and Recreation’s 4th of July Wet Fest. Kids can enjoy a live DJ, face…
Featured Pet of the Month: Cessna
Cessna came in recently as a surrender and even though she has had a huge change in her life, she takes it in strides. She is really affectionate & loving. Cessna is such a chill cat;…
Prescott Frontier Days
Rodeo is a quintessential Western experience. And it doesn’t get more Western than Prescott Frontier Days, which has been up and running since 1888 and touts itself as the “World’s Oldest Rodeo.” Typically, more than 35,000…
El Portal Sedona
El Portal is one of Sedona’s best-kept secrets for breakfast. Tucked away inside an Arts and Crafts-style adobe hotel, it is considered an architectural masterpiece. Decorated with vintage paintings, authentic Tiffany and Roycroft antiques, stained-glass windows…
Fine Art Museum of Sedona
Fine Art Museum of Sedona’s mission is to build a world-class fine arts museum featuring state-of-the-art architecture surrounded by spectacular gardens, sculptures and views. The progress since 2012 has been challenging, yet the vision remains intact….
Seriously Scrumptious Sandwiches
ROYAL BEET BURGER: $16 Chef Lisa Dahl is adding another restaurant to her Sedona restaurant portfolio. Her newest creation? Butterfly Burger, slated to open this summer. And if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you might not…
Sycamore Canyon: Parsons Trail
If you are up for an adventure, pack a lunch and take a ride to Sycamore Canyon for a full day of hiking in the wilderness. From Sedona, it’s a 30-minute drive on AZ-89A to Cottonwood….
From Farm to Table
Shopping for farm-fresh foods, fruits and vegetables that are locally grown should be on your checklist of things to do in Sedona. The Sedona Community Farmers Market held in the creekside parking lot of Tlaquepaque Arts…
Go Flagstaff: Outdoor Living
RELAXING RETREAT Backyards can become your own personal sanctuary where the sound of water – the music of nature – and statues create focal points for meditation and contemplation. Water features like ponds, cascading falls and…
Gregg Braden
Best-selling author and 2019 Templeton Prize Nominee Gregg Braden will be coming to Sedona to speak at the Embracing Bliss 2019 festival. (You may remember him as the author of “Human by Design: From Evolution by…
Featured Pet of the Month: Macy
Meet Macy! She is a young female German Shepherd who was found as a stray and likely abandoned near the McDonald’s in Sedona a few months ago. Her owner never came for her and Macy was…
Three Nights of Music
Listen to music surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Red Rocks, Friday evenings in June. The City of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation presents its annual Red Dirt Concerts held at the Pavilion at Posse Grounds…
Paolo Scardina
Grab some friends and enjoy an evening of relaxing music, romantic songs, a little wine and Paolo Scardina on the grand piano – it’s a perfect way to be entertained on a Friday night in Sedona….
Art Walk
If you like art, 1st Fridays in Sedona are for you. The Sedona Gallery Association members present an evening filled with art talks, receptions, poetry readings and meet-and-greets with local and visiting artists. It all happens…
Pump House Station & Urban Eatery
The Pump House Station used to be a home filled with memories. It’s now a restaurant decorated with timeless treasures and furnished with Sedona history. Tucked away in Tlaquepaque North, this urban eatery is nestled between…
The Artful Home
BACKYARD PARADISE Creating outdoor living spaces in new homes and renovations seem to be a hot trend that is growing across the country. Outdoor art appears to be more curated than ever. Incorporating a piece of…
Broken Arrow Trail
Initially, we set out to hike the Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point but ended up taking a detour that proved a worthwhile adventure. Broken Arrow Trailhead allows 4×4 road vehicles and jeep tours – and…
Go Flagstaff: Festival Season
BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP Alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats and Tibetan yaks are part of the free family fun offered at the Flag Wool and Fiber Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2. Watch energetic professionals in…
Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour
Once billed as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome is now a bustling community. But who lives in this old copper mining town filled with rambunctious stories that almost always raise a few eyebrows? Now…
The Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off
Some like it hot – others hotter! This year’s Great Sedona Chili Cook-off may be the hottest event yet! As the attendance has grown, the competition for the best chili becomes more competitive. Sample chili from…
Women In Leadership
PRESIDENT RITA CHENG NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY Rita Cheng grew up in a rural town of Elmwood, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of a farmer and a schoolteacher. As a child, she learned the value of hard…
Chasing The Storm
“Listening to the deafening roar of thunder and watching monster lightning bolts parade over the Grand Canyon was one of the best experiences of my life as a photographer.” Scott Stulberg describes the moment he was…
Featured Pets of the Month: Ozzie & Muffy
Ozzie and his sister Muffy came to the Humane Society of Sedona in March after their owner could no longer care for them. They are two of the friendliest kitties you will ever meet at 11…
Adobe Jack Trail
Adobe Jack Trail features fantastic red rock views. It also leads you to a creek bed and winds in and out of small washes and green desert terrain lined with junipers and Manzanita bushes. Before beginning…
Five Questions For Sandrine Erdely-Sayo, Artistic Director Of Piano On The Rocks
What do you love about music? Music is a language that emanates from the heart and from the soul. It’s full of mysteries and abstraction in a logical form. It has a universal character and it’s…
Go Flagstaff: Breweries
For a hip, urban vibe, head over to Dark Sky Brewing (DSB) at 117 N. Beaver St. Inventive house brews sport names like “Midnight Drive,” a peanut butter and coffee flavored brown ale, and “Cielo Oscuro,”…
The Call Of The Canyon
VISIT THE GRAND CANYON RAFT, HIKE, ZIP OR FLY Grand Canyon West is where all the action is. Located 90 minutes from Peach Springs, Arizona, on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, it is loaded with activities that…
Celebrate Bernstein’s Birthday
A favorite among Sedona audiences, renowned pianist-composer Michael Brown returns to Chamber Music Sedona on Thursday April 11 at 5:30 p.m. to perform Spring Salon Musicale – Bernstein at 100! It’s the last concert of the…
El Tovar Dining Room
Entering the El Tovar Dining Room is a one-of-a-kind experience. The hotel, which opened in 1905, is perched at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places….
Featured Pet of the Month: Chai
Chai is a 4-month-old neutered male Chihuahua mix that will melt your heart! Chai has adorably large ears and a playful puppy spirit. He loves to be with people and other dogs. He is quiet, well-mannered,…
In The Long Run
Every parent – and grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. – is familiar with school fundraisers, but there’s a big difference between selling wrapping paper and running all 800-plus miles of the Arizona Trail. That’s what Nate Hansen…
Hot Flashes On The Trail
If you live in Arizona, you’ve heard the stories about the pioneers who packed their wagons and headed west during the 1800s, but how much is myth and how much is reality? Two familiar faces in…
Go Flagstaff: Designed to Charm
LA POSADA HOTEL, WINSLOW La Posada is a charming example of how Fred Harvey used storytelling through design to capture the hearts of travelers. Company designer Mary Colter spun local history to create fanciful narrative themes…
Design of the Times
One thing is apparent when you meet Eric Brandt in his home studio in Thunder Mountain Ranch: He strongly believes in sustainable architecture. From the nonintrusive solar panels to the geothermal heating and cooling to its…
Sedona Food Truck Festival
Bring your appetite to the Sedona Food Truck Festival at Posse Grounds Park on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 20 food trucks, $5 beers and a live band will satiate crowds….
Northern Arizona Watercolor Society Watermedia Exhibition
If you think of Georgia O’Keeffe and floral paintings when you hear the term “watercolor,” you might want to attend Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s Watermedia Exhibition happening at Sedona Arts Center March 1-18. An artists’ reception…
A.B. Young Trail & Beyond
We first wrote about the challenging but rewarding A.B Young Trail in 2017. At that time, we stopped our hike where the switchbacks end at the top of the Mogollon Rim. We hiked it again recently,…
Che Ah Chi
Some of our most memorable Sedona dining experiences have taken place at Che Ah Chi, Enchantment Resort’s signature restaurant. Whether we were oohing and ahhing over the resort’s homemade granola and Egg Fried Wild Rice while…
Adrift Assemblages
Ann Metlay has spent most of her life writing and teaching writing, so when she retired to the Verde Valley in 2010, she decided she wanted to pursue something different. An active student and teacher at…
Airport Loop
There’s no denying the 3.3-mile trail that loops around Airport Mesa offers views of every major red rock formation in Sedona, but we were equally as enthusiastic about the landscape of the mesa itself. A constant…
Sedona’s Jack Of All Trades
When we spoke to author, tech company CEO, Sedona resident and Beatles collector extraordinaire Chris Formant, he was in the middle of hiking his way through Argentina and Chile. That’s just how he rolls. Chris’ second…
Sedona International Film Festival
For the 25th anniversary of the Sedona International Film Festival, Patrick Schweiss, the festival’s executive director, says movie lovers will find nods to the festival’s past and present. From Feb. 23 through March 3, more than…
Featured Pet of the Month: Odin
Odin is a very friendly 5-month-old, domestic, medium-haired kitten. He has a beautiful coat and gorgeous green eyes. Odin is cuddly and gets along great with other cats, which makes him a good choice if you already have…
Love Songs
Plan a pre-Valentine’s Day afternoon out on Feb. 10 when Verde Valley Sinfonietta presents Sweet Melodies at 2:30 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. The concert features Debussy’s Petite Suite and Brahms’ Serenade No. 1…
A Taste Of Marrakech
Editor’s note: A Taste of Marrakech has closed. Back in March 2015, a tiny eatery by the name of A Taste of Marrakech opened in Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek, and word…
George Winston
Pianist George Winston will take the stage at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $45 to $65. George, who grew up in Montana and plays a…
Embrace Wellness
SEDONA MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL A little adventure in life can definitely be good for your health. If you’re in the mood to shake things up in 2019, mark your calendar for the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival…
Featured Pet of the Month: Zelda
Zelda is a 1-year-old spayed female Chihuahua mix with a heart of gold! She came to the Humane Society of Sedona from Maricopa Animal Care and Control in Phoenix where she was found running the streets…
Music To Our Ears
Chamber Music Sedona’s 6th annual Winterfest concert is mixing things up this year. The festival culminates in a concert on Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Sedona Performing Arts Center. Dubbed Shepherd on the Rock, the…
Go Flagstaff: Health & Fitness
RUNNERS HIGH When it comes to wellness, who better to ask than the experts at HYPO2, Flagstaff’s internationally renowned high-altitude training center? “Whatever you choose to do for training, consistency is THE most important thing,” says…
Red Mountain Music Academy
In October, longtime Sedona resident and music teacher Deanna Branaman opened the doors to Red Mountain Music Academy at the former Big Park School in the Village of Oak Creek. Deanna and her husband, Jeff, were…
NAU Art Museum
Arizona is world-renowned for its rich Western and Native American artistic heritage, but there’s a hidden gem in northern Arizona that wants to bring your attention to what’s happening in the world of contemporary art. Northern…
Let’s Go: Dining in Sin City
NOBU RESTAURANT A GLAMOROUS AND EVOCATIVE NIGHT ON THE TOWN Dining at the Caesars Palace outpost of Nobu Restaurant allows you to suspend reality. The stylish dining room sets the stage for what will be a…
Cowboy Club & Silver Saddle Room
Pardon us while we get nostalgic for a moment. Our first prickly pear margarita – on the rocks, with salt – was had at the wooden bar at the Cowboy Club. So were our first bites…
Girdner Trail
Named after a family of ranchers who herded cattle in this area, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse terrain….
Go Flagstaff: Flagstaff For The Holidays
DECK THE HALLS Vintage Christmas wreaths, garlands and greenery radiate the warmth of the Riordan family home when you visit Riordan Mansion State Historic Park. ‘Tis the season to be jolly when the turn-of-the-century log manor…
Sedona Northern Lights
As if Sedona’s red rocks weren’t magical enough, Sedona Northern Lights returns for the second year, Dec. 13-16. At 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., the 182,000,000-square-foot face of Camelhead Rock will be transformed into the…
Featured Pet of the Month: Thomasina
Thomasina is a big, beautiful, long-haired female kitty looking for a cat-savvy person to help her with her special needs. The Humane Society of Sedona believes this 4-year-old girl is mostly blind. She will need a…
