Templeton Trail in Sedona
For those who like to spend half the day rambling through Red Rock Country at a leisurely pace, Templeton Trail is right up your alley. You’ll only encounter one steep climb along this 9-mile (round trip)…
Deb Weinkauff
Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market
One of the most contemporary and comfortable eateries in Sedona right now is Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market in Tlaquepaque North (its name comes from its next-door neighbor, a historic water-pumping station). The interior…
The Girls Next Door
Never underestimate the importance of a single act of kindness. It was the late ’90s, and Danielle DuBoise was sitting in front of Whitney Tingle in eighth-grade math at Big Park School in the Village of…
India Palace in Sedona
For those of you already familiar with the complex spices, varied textures and bold colors of Indian cuisine, rejoice that we have an Indian restaurant that offers up all your traditional favorites right here in Sedona….
Sedona’s Munds Wagon Trail
We’ve hiked this trail in warm weather without a puddle in sight, so we suspect our experience was relatively rare, which made it even more special. Despite a blustery breeze, the scenery made us feel like…
Sedona’s Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail has long been one of our top 10 favorite hikes in Sedona, but the recent crowds in the area have kept us at bay for a couple of years. Then it dawned on…
Let it Snow!
Arizona Nordic Village Arizona Nordic Village, formerly known as the Flagstaff Nordic Center, changed hands in October 2015, and last winter the cross-country-ski playground began encouraging snow bikes to come out and play. It also added…
Sedona’s Boynton Canyon Vista
When the days are short and the temperatures chilly, we like to explore some of Sedona’s shorter trails, and Boynton Canyon Vista checks all the boxes. The trail leads to a saddle between two red rock…
Hog Wild BBQ in Cottonwood
Right about now, as sacrilegious as it might sound, we’re sick of turkey and cranberry sauce. We want something with more of a kick and a crunch. That’s why we head to Hog Wild BBQ in…
The Manheim Gallery & ARC Contemporary Fine Art
Inside a Cottonwood building that was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright to be a dentist’s office in the 1950s, two art lovers have merged their galleries in what is one of the best…
Fun Things to Do during the holidays in Sedona
Four years ago, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau decided to kick things up a notch and make Sedona a destination for the holidays. Los Abrigados Resort & Spa had announced the end of…
Sedona Be Jeweled
Have you been naughty or nice this year? If your answer is the latter, then visions of sparkling jewelry might be dancing through your head. Leave this story lying around, and drop a (not-so) subtle…
Sedona’s Scorpion and Pyramid Trails
We first became aware of the Scorpion and Pyramid trails while writing our September cover story – Jennifer Young, president of Friends of the Forest, let us in on the secret. If you like solitude mixed…
The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome
Where do you want to eat during the spookiest month of the year? The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome. Even after the restaurant received a facelift a couple of years ago, it still has an unsettling vibe,…
BOO! It’s Scary Time in Sedona!
Dia de los Muertos Don’t fear the dead – honor them at Tlaquepaque’s Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Oct. 29. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that…
Slide Rock State Park in Sedona
Most locals past the age of 8 will tell you that Slide Rock State Park in the summer is highly overrated. After sitting in a long line of cars just to secure a parking space, you’re…
Doe Mountain
Every year, the trail leading to the top of Doe Mountain seems to grow in popularity as more and more hikers seek out the mesa’s 360-degree views. After spending several days flying above Sedona, we were…
Sedona Likes Hikes
Denise and Larry Garnello, owners of Magic Clothing in Sedona and Crystal Magic in Sedona and Flagstaff What is your favorite hike and why? Sugarloaf Summit because it’s a 5-minute walk to the trail from our house,…
Sedona Performer David Parker
David Parker sits on a stool in the corner of Mooney’s Irish Pub, singing a medley of songs that includes The Doobie Brothers, Michael Jackson and the Eagles. He throws in some originals that have a…
Red View Gallery in Sedona
In the late ’80s, Bonnie and Thomas Trzaskos had six kids and were living in Connecticut. The couple were wandering through some shops when they spotted a print by Native American artist Amado Peña Jr. that…
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
When the dog days of summer arrive, it seems like half of Arizona escapes to the cooler climes of Flagstaff. And there’s no better place to spot wildflowers and wildlife than The Arboretum at Flagstaff. Leave…
Modern Love
The crowd began to gather about an hour before the fashion show began, grabbing seats or jockeying for a space in the shade, all in the shadow of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi….
Sedona’s Wilson Canyon Trail
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…
Moscato in Camp Verde
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,…
Sedona’s White Mesa Trail
Sometimes you hike for the beauty and the views, while other times you hike just to get a bit of exercise in the great outdoors. White Mesa Trail, located southeast of Sedona in the Beaver Creek…
Sedona’s Heroic Sandwiches
Garland’s Indian Gardens Cafe & Market Reuben, $10 We have a couple of Reuben connoisseurs on staff, which means we’ve tried just about every single Reuben to be had in Sedona. And we always come back…
Berry Divine Acai Bowls in Sedona
You’ve heard people touting the antioxidant benefits of acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries for years, but they haven’t always been easy to find. Meet the acai bowl, which became all the rage in places like L.A. in…
Forget Me Not Wildlife Fundraiser in Sedona
Rowe Fine Art Gallery will raise funds for two Arizona wildlife organizations on May 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. during Forget Me Not. The sale and show will benefit Runnin’ W Wildlife Center in Cornville…
Sedona Pizza Company
All you have to do is stroll by Sedona Pizza Company on a busy night, and the convivial vibe makes you want to dine with the cool kids. There’s the sidewalk patio dotted with red umbrellas…
Sedona’s Hangover
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…
Beyond Sedona’s West Fork
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…
Love Africa Decor & Gallery in Sedona
When you walk into Love Africa Decor & Gallery, the first thing that grabs your attention is the riot of color from the brightly painted walls and the rainbow-hued baskets, to the table of hand-painted textiles…
Sedona’s Szechuan Chinese Restaurant
Lauded as the best Chinese food in Sedona for many years now (and the best sushi, in this writer’s opinion), Szechuan Chinese Restaurant received a slight makeover after its neighboring lounge, The Martini Bar, closed its…
Sugarloaf Loop Trail
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…
Sedona Tapped
Dark Sky Brewing Company Tired of the same old, same old? That’s impossible at Dark Sky Brewing Company, northern Arizona’s newest craft brewery (May 2015). Nick Irvine, who co-owns the brewery with four other people including…
Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
During last year’s reinvented Sedona Mountain Bike Festival, more than 1,000 mountain bikers descended on Red Rock Country to ride the trails and celebrate the biking community. Organizer Mike Raney, who co-owns Over the Edge bike…
Sedona’s Cow Pies Trail
If you don’t mind a bumpy ride to get there, Cow Pies Trail is probably one of the flattest and easiest hikes in Sedona. It also happens to be located in an area of Red Rock…
Sedona’s Herkenham Trail
Few things match the beauty of Red Rock Country covered in a blanket of snow, especially when you consider that it’s a rare and fleeting sight. If you don’t want to waste time finding an off-the-beaten-path…
Sedona’s Sterling Pass Trail
Perhaps we’ve watched too many episodes of Finding Bigfoot, but if sasquatch was going to winter in Sedona, there’s no doubt he’d feel at home in the unnamed drainage surrounding Sterling Pass Trail. The area has…
Stuffed
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…
Masked in the Night
Put on your best Venetian mask – it’s time for the Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition’s Fourth Annual Art. Wine. Dine. on the Rocks Fundraiser, happening Oct. 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. The festivities take place…
Sedona Gallery: Carré d’artistes
When Denise and Giora Israel were wandering the streets of Montmartre in Paris, they stumbled upon Carré d’artistes, a French gallery franchise based out of Aix-en-Provence. The husband and wife have a background in art –…
Sedona Fine Dining: Bella Vita Ristorante
Like a secret hideaway you stumble upon on your journey through the Tuscan countryside, Bella Vita Ristorante sits off the beaten path west of Sedona inside Sedona Pines Resort. Inside, the restaurant is divided into three…
A Taste of Marrakech
Any foodie will tell you that sometimes the tastiest morsels can be had in the most discreet locations. That’s the case with A Taste of Marrakech, which opened its doors in March. Tucked into a Village…
Pueblos and Cliff Dwellings
Sedona Monthly has been exploring and photographing ruins in northern Arizona for 12 years. Here are our favorites. Some are national monuments and easily accessed…others will test your knowledge of our landscape. As always, please…
Brins Mesa Trail
Back in June 2006, Brins Mesa made headlines when a fire broke out in the area, scorching more than 4,000 acres. Nine years later, you can still see the evidence when you hike the popular –…
Weir Trail
The weather outside is frightful…frightfully hot! When you want to find a swimming hole where you can beat the heat, check out Weir Trail. An offshoot of Bell Trail located east of I-17, Weir Trail ends…
Sedona, Take Me Away!
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…
Blue Elk Designs
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 –…
Sedona Fine Dining: René at Tlaquepaque
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 Veg Out
Bella Vita Ristorante Pappardelle Funghi, $17.95 Executive Chef Andrea Di Luca’s cozy new eatery, Bella Vita Ristorante, specializes in Italian cuisine including the most decadent, melt-in-your-mouth, homemade pasta. The Pappardelle Funghi is our favorite. Delicate, flat…
Sedona Hike: Table Top Trail
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…
Sedona Art: Andrea Smith Gallery
If anyone knows how quickly life can change, it’s artist and gallery owner Andrea Smith. In 2007, while living in Maui, Andrea suffered a double brain aneurysm. Andrea and her husband of 48 years, Gary, had…
Jerome Home Roam
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…
Sedona Restaurants: Oak Creek Brewery & Grill
There’s something comforting about sitting down with a frosty glass of microbrewed beer and good conversation at the end of the day. That must be why Oak Creek Brewery & Grill has been packed for lunch…
Hike Sedona: Jim Thompson Trail
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…
The Dude Abides: Tanque Verde Ranch
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…
Sedona Umbrella -Ella -Ella
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…
Eat Out in Sedona: Schoolhouse Restaurant
Editor’s note: Schoolhouse Restaurant’s locations in Cottonwood and Sedona have both closed. Schoolhouse Restaurant in Cottonwood has been one of our favorite local eateries since it opened its doors in 2013, so we danced for joy…
Hike Sedona: Hog Heaven
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…
Hike Sedona: Robbers Roost
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,…
Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival
Leprechaun hat? Check. Green hair dye? Check. Shamrock socks? Check. It’s time once again for the Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival, which takes place March 14 at 10:30 a.m. along Jordan Road in Uptown. Presented…
Eat Out in Sedona: Firecreek Coffee
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…
Sedona Restaurant: Avano Bistro
Executive Chef Joseph Wickham’s menu at Avano Bistro was clearly designed to please many different palates, from the adventurous (with the chorizo-stuffed dates) to the classic (with the margherita pizza). The bread, pasta, desserts, pizza crust…
Hike Sedona: Chapel Trail
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…
Sedona Art: Gedion Gallery
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…
Sedona Winter Hike: Bear Mountain Trail
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…
Sedona Restaurant: Hideaway House
It’s not an understatement to say that more than a few people shed a tear when The Hideaway restaurant, a Sedona institution, shut its doors earlier this year. Lucky for us, the space received a major…
Live Music in Sedona: Green Light
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 in Sedona Images
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…
Adonai Christian Fine Art Gallery in Sedona
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…
The Melting Point
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…
Hike Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona
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…
Drive a race car, rent an ATV, tackle Sedona’s best golf courses and more
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…
The Best Hot Dogs in Sedona
Every dog has its day, and for northern Arizona, that day has come. When you’re in the mood for a hot dog – whether it’s a basic wiener with mustard or more exotic toppings (think seaweed…
Dia de los Muertos at Tlaquepaque
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….
Coffee Pot Trail
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…
The Table at Junipine
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…
Long Canyon
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…
Oak Creek Canyon Block Party
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…
Behind the Cellar Door
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…
Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport
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
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…
From Sarajevo to Sedona
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…
Born to Rock
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…
Sedona View Trail
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…
Attr-active
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…
Red Rock BBQ
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…
Cats Have His Tongue
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…
Great Southwest
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…
Chuck Wagon Trail
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 Schoolhouse Restaurant
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),…
Call of the Canyon de Chelly
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…
The Sedona Table Reheated
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…
Eagle’s Nest
Red Rock State Park, a 286-acre nature preserve located on the southwestern edge of town, includes 10 developed trails, daily guided nature walks and a plethora of monthly activities. Oak Creek runs through the park, and…
Mesa Grill at the Sedona Airport
There’s one common complaint we hear about Sedona restaurants, and it has nothing to do with the food. Diners seeking a great view along with a fabulous meal have limited options; which explains why every time…
Vue: A Renee Taylor Gallery
You don’t even have to walk through the large glass doors of Vue: A Renee Taylor Gallery before you realize it’s not the same 1930s creek-side cottage located toward the back of Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts…
Red Rock Rendezvous
Friday, February 14 3:33 p.m. Check into Adobe Grand Villas There are plenty of resorts, hotels and inns that offer romance packages, but we believe the 16 rooms – if you can even call them that…
Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon has long been one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Country and for good reason: There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, the route is relatively flat until the end and the…
12 Holiday Happenings: Christmas in Sedona
Celebrate the Holidays with the Romeros Dec. 1, 2:30 p.m., Sedona Performing Arts Center (995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road) 928-204-2415; $40 Classic guitar quartet concert. Ice Skating in Sedona Dec. 1-8 Mon.-Thur., 2-8 p.m.; Fri.,…
