Arizona's Magazine With the Great View
THE NORTH POLE EXPERIENCE Now until Dec. 24, 3 p.m. Thursday through Sundays Little America Hotel (2515 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff) 480-779-9679 northpoleexperience.com Families can take a peek inside Santa’s Workshop. Once at the North…
Sedona and Northern Arizona offer a rich history of Earth and the remarkable art forms that the geology of the area has inspired. Artists who excel in every media visit and many, like myself, cave to…
September brings a close to summer and ushers in the fall season. The daytime temperatures begin dropping, and the nights are cool. In Arizona, our weather is elevation dependent. The higher the elevation, the cooler the…
Wherever I travel, it is with the intent of finding the natural beauty of an area. If I’m visiting more populated areas, I’m looking for the structures and people who call the place home. This month…
DOWNTOWN WILLIAMS Downtown Williams is teeming with top-notch restaurants and shops and makes for one pleasant stroll. Choice highlights include Pine Country Restaurant. Homemade pies ranging from Key Lime to Triple Layer Chocolate Cake are the…
About 25 miles west and southwest of Sedona is Sycamore Canyon, the second largest canyon in Arizona. It offers an abundance of wild beauty. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is over 50,000 acres and is Arizona’s first Wilderness…
Although he had grown up hearing the names of many different national park monuments, member of the Hopi tribe Lloyd Masayumptewa (Piivayouma, his Hopi name) had never visited many of them until he was an adult….
SEEING STARS View the sun and other stars through a special solar telescope by day, and at night explore the vastness of outer space in the Rotunda Museum at Lowell Observatory. You can also experience out-of-this-world…
Listen up car lovers! The 44th Annual Prescott Antique Auto Club Watson Lake Show happens Aug. 4-5 at Watson Lake Park in Prescott. The show takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is…
BOTTOMS UP Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival, one of the largest brew fests in Arizona, happens Saturday, June 9, and features more than 50 breweries and distilleries. Pepsi Amphitheater, situated in a green, forested…
TAKE IT TO THE EXTREME A thrill-seeking alternative to dinner and a movie is Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course where partners get in touch with their inner child on tree-to-tree rope courses and zip lines. The course…
WOULD YOU LIKE SOME SORBET WITH YOUR SYRAH? Low lighting, brick walls and floor-to-ceiling wine racks make FLG Terroir Wine Bar & Bistro Flagstaff’s quintessential wine bar. Patrons of all ages enjoy wines from around the…
After hiking Sedona’s trails for more years than we care to admit, we’ve realized there aren’t a lot of trails for beginning hikers, those out for a casual Sunday stroll or families with young kids. If…
Located inside the historic Montezuma Inn, a structure that was built in 1900 as the Joe Lane Saloon, Moscato Italian restaurant might be Camp Verde’s worst-kept secret. In January, executive chefs Salvatore Moscato, originally from Italy,…
On Memorial Day weekend, for the 42nd year, 90 artists from across the country will convene at Courthouse Square in Prescott for Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show & Sale. Art collectors will meander through booths brimming…
Were you disappointed (but obviously not surprised) that The Hangover Part III wasn’t worth the price of admission? We guarantee you won’t feel that way about the new Hangover Trail that traverses Mitten Ridge. For the…
Even the most casual local hiker has most likely explored West Fork. It’s one of Sedona’s most popular hikes, especially in the fall when the trees along the trail put on a brilliant display of…
For some of the most expansive views in Sedona, you don’t have to climb to the top of Wilson Mountain or the Mogollon Rim. Sugarloaf, that little red rock mound at the base of Capitol Butte…
Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago More than 100,000,000 albums sold. Five consecutive No. 1 albums. Twenty-one Top 10 singles. It’s about time someone tells the story of the band Chicago, isn’t it? The…
Before you throw away that damaged fire extinguisher or those broken pieces of pottery, take a second look. Could you possibly repurpose those items? Or turn them into art? Those questions occurred to Gayle Taylor, artist…
Everyone has a different definition of retirement. For Larry and Barbara Berkowitz, it meant relocating to Sedona to open a gallery in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and working in said gallery at least four days…
When we first profiled photographer Lou DeSerio back in 2007, he was still photographing with transparency film. His gallery was located in the middle of Uptown and his son, then 13, had a small corner in…
Sage-roasted turkey and gravy and Val’s stuffing Wendy Lippman and Max Bacon Occupations: Wendy is the general manager and resident partner at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, and Max is an architect. Family status: Married with…
Big Pine Comedy Festival Need a laugh? Don’t we all! The inaugural Big Pine Comedy Festival couldn’t come at a better time. The festival takes place Oct. 7-10 at venues in downtown Flagstaff. Ryan Stalder, a…
This month, 26 painters from nine states will gather at Grand Canyon National Park to capture the location in all its glory and raise some money along the way. The 7th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of…
The athletic teams at Sedona Red Rock High School aside, we don’t have a lot of opportunities for spectator sports here in Sedona, which is one of the reasons why the Sedona Bike & Brew Festival…
Take a bath … at Adobe Grand Villas To date, the most opulent bathrooms in Sedona (outside of private residences) can be found at Adobe Grand Villas. Opened in June 2004, the four-diamond luxury inn boasts…
It’s common in Sedona to walk into a gallery or shop and find Hopi or Navajo kachina dolls carved from cottonwood. But there’s only one location in all of Sedona – and, reportedly, the world –…
Sipping a glass of white wine on the shaded patio at René at Tlaquepaque is one of the best things about summer in Sedona. The bistro-style tables are clad in white linens and topped with fresh…
Sedona Monthly, Talk of the Town Events, Agave of Sedona and Pure Living Expo have teamed up to raise money for the Sedona Community Food Bank during Pure Living Expo’s Garden of Delights pre-party happening June…
Southern California has Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Chicago has Lollapalooza. Tennessee has Bonnaroo. Austin has SXSW. And now northern Arizona has Tilted Earth Wine and Music Festival. What began as Page Springs Cellars’ Harvest…
When you walk through the glass doors of Storytellers, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel’s signature restaurant, you leave the sounds of ringing slot machines and the casino floor behind. The restaurant is a tranquil oasis designed to…
With a name like Table Top, you can be fairly confident that the trail will offer spectacular views – and it does. But the route actually takes its name from Airport Mesa, which was originally Table…
It doesn’t take much research – a slow drive through town will do it – to realize that Jerome has a colorful and quirky past. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the seven homes and two…
Up until 2014, country-rock singer-songwriter Sarah Peacock was playing upwards of 250 shows a year, traveling from her home base of Nashville. It was during this phase in her career that she toured northern Arizona for…
When it’s hot outside, but we still want to hike, we love trails where you can leave a car at either end, and Jim Thompson Trail is a great option. The hike begins near Jordan Road…
Remember Dirty Dancing? Remember how they have the time of their life at Kellerman’s Resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York? That’s what Tucson’s Tanque Verde Ranch is like, minus Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey and…
Okay, maybe spring did arrive early this year (think February). That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t throw a party in April! The City of Sedona Parks and Recreation’s annual Celebration of Spring takes place April 4 from…
Grammy-Award-winners The Band Perry, featuring siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, perform at Stargazer Pavilion at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel on April 25 at 8 p.m. with tickets starting at $45. The trio were born in…
On April 24, 25 and 26, 200 brightly decorated umbrellas will festoon Hillside Sedona during the annual Umbrella Project event. Students from all over the United States and Costa Rica decorated the umbrellas based on this…
If you read our March 2015 cover story, you know the growing popularity of mountain biking in Sedona has led to the adoption of new trails by Coconino National Forest. One of our recent discoveries is…
According to local legend, Robbers Roost (also known as Shaman’s Cave or the Hide Out Cave), located northwest of Sedona but visible from any high vantage point in town, was a hideout for bandits and bootleggers,…
The popularity of mountain biking in Red Rock Country over the last 10 years has exploded, and it shows no signs of slowing down. On any given weekend you will see large vans parked at local…
If you’ve lived in Sedona for very long, you know this town has a way of embracing some newcomers while giving others the boot. Singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Adalia Tara falls into the former category….
It’s hard not to love an eatery that hands you a plastic toy – usually a menacing-looking tiger or rhino – as a table marker. You have a smile on your face even before you pick…
Get ready for three days of yoga, meditation, music and energy work when the Sedona Yoga Festival returns Feb. 5-8. Workshops and classes will take place at Soderberg Bronze Art Gallery & Studio, Hillside Sedona, Sedona…
Some of the most iconic movie locations in Red Rock Country are located in the region once known as Little Horse Park. You and I know it as the Chapel Area. Several trails in the vicnity…
A gallery filled with sculptures, carvings, weavings, textiles and jewelry from Zimbabwe located in rural Arizona? Gallery owner and stone sculptor Gedion Nyanhongo thinks it’s the perfect fit. He opened Gedion Gallery in Sinagua Plaza at…
Happy 10th birthday to the Sedona Marathon! The race, organized by the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, returns Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. with 3,000 runners and walkers expected to participate in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K and…
John Waters Writer, director, actor and producer John Waters has several nicknames, including Pope of Trash and Prince of Puke, but that hasn’t stopped him for becoming a household name. Waters gained notoriety with 1972’s Pink…
Sedona is known for attracting all walks of life, but a Grammy Award winner, an Olympic gold medalist, a standup comedian and an NFL linebacker all on the same stage? It must mean the return of…
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain may only be 2.5 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. The trail begins across Boynton Pass Road from the Bear Mountain/Doe…
If you live in Sedona long enough, you learn that fate isn’t something to joke about. It’s also the only phenomenon that can explain rock band Green Light. Tommy Acosta and Chicky Brooklyn (nee Hyman Abramchick)…
Winter 2013-14 was one of the driest on record for Red Rock Country. In January, we only received 0.69 inch of rain compared to our average of 3.03 inches according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric…
If the concept of a Christian art gallery is new to you, you’re not alone. Watercolorist and Prescott resident Caroline Linscott, one of the gallery’s three main artists, says she’s frequently told there’s nothing like it…
Our guide to the best holiday celebrations in Sedona and the Verde Valley. You’re going to be busy this month! Hillside Holiday Saturdays Every Saturday through Dec. 27, 2-5 p.m. Hillside Sedona (671 SR 179) 928-282-4500…
Erin and Mike McMillen have completely transformed a space that previously housed a day spa into a bright, cheerful glass gallery complete with two studios and an artist’s loft. The Melting Point opened its doors in…
Sound Bites is Sedona’s answer to the Hard Rock Café, with huge photos of musicians and autographed guitars lining the walls (there’s even a gift shop). A large projector screen shows movies and concerts in the…
After a short hiatus, the Friends of the Sedona Public Library will once again host the Festival of Wreaths. The library fundraiser kicks off on Nov. 9 with a preview party at the library (3250 White…
Ah, autumn. That ideal time of year when the days are sunny and the evenings are brisk. It’s the perfect month to tackle the wide, scenic trail that leads from iconic Bell Rock to Little Horse…
All right, guys, this one is for you. Stand on any corner in Sedona, throw a crystal and you’ll hit a spa, salon, boutique, jewelry store, chocolatier or a health food restaurant. (Okay, maybe that’s an…
Though she’s only 13, pianist and composer Emily Bear has already made a name for herself. Just ask Quincy Jones, who produced Emily’s latest album, Diversity. Quincy not only hand-picked the jazz trio that accompanies Emily…
There’s no restaurant location in all of Sedona – maybe even Arizona – that compares with L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek. Though the indoor dining room is elegant, sitting creek-side is an experience to write home…
The Sedona Arts Festival isn’t just a small art show that pops up on the side of the road. Not only is the festival the oldest of its kind in Sedona (it celebrates its 24th anniversary…
Not all that long ago, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations in this country sparked religious protests and cries of devil worship – thankfully, that sort of narrow-minded thinking is behind us….
Sedona doesn’t lack difficult hiking trails. The majority of our routes seem to be long, involve steep climbs and include rocky terrain. We are always on the lookout for trails that are suitable for all ages…
Eight miles north of Sedona, in the heart of Oak Creek Canyon, you’ll find Junipine, luxurious creek-side houses that have been welcoming visitors for more than 25 years. Junipine’s cafe recently went through some updates, including…
Confession: In the 13 years we’ve been publishing Sedona Monthly, we have never featured Long Canyon Trail. Once we realized the error of our ways, we made a beeline for the trailhead on Long Canyon Road…
It’s been a long summer for business owners in Oak Creek Canyon. Not only did they suffer through the Slide Fire at the end of May, they had to deal with the intermittent closure of SR…
If you love wine, especially Arizona wine, there’s no better place to be Sept. 27 and 28 than the 6th annual Sedona Winefest. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2,500 wine lovers will…
Thinking about building a new home or remodeling your current abode? Media rooms are passe – it’s all about the custom wine cellar. Peek inside three unique cellars and find out what local wine collectors are…
At its worst, the 21,000-plus-acre Slide Fire in May came within 300 yards of historic Hoel’s Indian Shop – the forest service’s backburns were a mere 100 yards from the shop’s back door. But Hoel’s…
Love chamber and operatic music? Then Red Rocks Music Festival is right up your alley. Back for its 13th year, the festival takes place Aug. 28-31 with performances at the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix (1636…
Earlier this year, private pilots voted Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport the $100 Hamburger – Best of the Best Award. “$100 hamburger” is pilot speak for the habit of hopping aboard an airplane and flying…
Huckaby Trail is a favorite hike among locals and tourists alike, so it’s no surprise that it was suffering from too much love. Originally constructed in 1998, the trail was rerouted at the end of last…
Head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village on July 5 and 6 for the Celebration of Native American Music and Dance featuring Tony Duncan, the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, Kelvin Mockingbird and Maestro Drew Diego Bennett….
It’s surreal to sit across from a Sedona resident who has Bono on speed dial, but it gets even more surreal when you realize that’s not the most interesting thing about Bill Carter. Bill became friends…
Treasure Art Gallery has stood in the same location on SR 179 between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek since 1961, but its longevity can be attributed to a passionate love affair as much as…
Decker Brandon Decker had been making music for 10 years when he embarked on a tour in support of his first album, Long Days. He says when the tour ended he decided to “pursue music with…
What do mountain bikes, golf and microbrews have in common? The inaugural Sedona Bike & Brew Mountain Bike Race, which takes place at Sedona Golf Resort on Aug. 22 and 23. The race begins with a…
The recently opened Sedona View Trail lives up to its name, offering panoramic views of West Sedona in its entirety. The trail also provides a much-needed route for hikers and mountain bikers by connecting the Airport…
Summer in Red Rock Country means hiking, mountain biking, golfing, swimming and tennis. Who says you can’t look hot while having a little fun in the sun? Pictured in the top photo: fedora by Pistil. Aviator…
The creek-side park at Los Abrigados will be filled with that high lonesome sound for the 8th year in a row when Chamber Music Sedona presents its annual Sedona Bluegrass Festival concert June 7-8. The festival…
Grab those cowboy boots! For the first time in five years, the rodeo returns to Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Pro Rodeo 2014 takes place June 27 (7-9 p.m.), June 28 (5-7 p.m.) and June 29 (1-3 p.m.)…
Whether your idea of a camera includes the latest-and-greatest digital SLR, your smartphone or (gasp) an archaic device that uses film, there’s something for every photographer at Sedona PhotoFest, presented by the Sedona Arts Center. This…
Summer officially begins June 21, but everyone knows barbecue season started Memorial Day weekend. When you want to give your grill a rest, but you still have a hankering for tasty barbecue, head to Red Rock…
For foodies who have been making the trek to Flagstaff, Cottonwood or even Phoenix in search of creative cuisine in a posh environment, here’s some good news: You can find what you’ve been looking for right…
Sedona wildlife sculptor Ken Rowe gently places the back of his hand in front of the nose of Sage, a 25-pound, 2-year-old bobcat. Sage flicks her ears, bringing to mind an alert housecat. She sniffs his…
When the board of directors of the Verde Valley Sanctuary began brainstorming ideas for a 2014 fundraiser, their goal was to offer local residents a completely unique party. The result is Picnic in the Moonlight, which…
When Drake Meinke was dreaming of a location for his Copper Art Museum, he started to research copper mining in the U.S. and discovered that Arizona is the largest producer of copper in the country. Seventy…
For the past several years, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (336 SR 179) has been the place to be the first Saturday in May when it hosts the Cinco de Mayo Celebration and the Rotary Club…
With an unprecedented number of sunny days in January and February and an influx of visitors from the East Coast this winter, Sedona trails have seen a fair amount of use thus far in 2014. So…
Used by mountain bikers for years, Chuck Wagon Trail only recently became an official Coconino National Forest trail. The route has been modified to accommodate hikers and provide an alternate path to Devil’s Bridge, a popular…
The nearly 6-foot-tall Day of the Dead Ferris wheel in the window at the Great Southwest gallery in Hillside attracts a lot of attention, as does the 5-foot-tall corn maiden katsina that greets visitors when they…
Chef Christopher Dobrowolski and his wife, Laura Fayette-Dobrowolski, opened The SchoolHouse Restaurant in Cottonwood in March 2013, and Arizonans statewide haven’t stopped buzzing about it. Located inside the Verde Valley’s first grade school (1878 to 1917),…
Spring has sprung! Join the City of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation Department for its 6th annual Celebration of Spring on April 19 from 9 a.m. until noon at Posse Grounds Park (525 Posse Ground Road in…
Canyon de Chelly, the second largest canyon in the country, reveals its secrets to those who slow down and stay awhile. Drive the north and south rims, and take a tour of the canyon floor where…
He has studied guitar with the legendary Andrés Segovia in Spain. He has toured the country relentlessly. His guitar-lesson infomercials and DVDs are synonymous with QVC and HSN. But all Esteban (born Stephen Paul) has wanted…
In March 2009, Sedona Monthly’s first book, The Sedona Table: Recipes From the Top Restaurants in Red Rock Country, was published, and it was an instant success. The book featured 14 local chefs, 12 restaurants and…
March 2014 by Elaine Marolakos Edelson * Messages regarding your spirit’s ideal vision offer magical possibilities. Will you shrug it off or finally start believing in miracles? PISCES Feb. 20-March 20 Enchanting Pisces is your alias. This…
