If you ever find yourself in Sedona, Arizona, don’t forget to make time to view the sights. Below are just a few of the top must see spots.
Even though Sedona is considered to be the new-age center of America. You will discover that this beautiful town has more to offer than that. Sedona happens to be located in central Arizona’s high desert, so not only do you get to experience their vortex energy fields – you also get to experience the amazing and breathtaking scenery, the shopping, dining, hiking, fishing and biking.
There is something for everyone, regardless if you’re looking for outdoor sports or a little culture. You can find it in Sedona, Arizona.
Out Of Africa Wildlife Park
4020 N Cherry Creek Rd
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
(928) 567-2840
Hours: Wed. – Sun 9:30am to 5:00pm (Admission closes at 4pm)
Parking: Free
Going to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a treat the whole family can enjoy. This park is situated on 104 acres so the animals will have plenty of space to roam.
You can take in the predator feed, the snake show, the tiger splash, the Serengeti safari, wonders of wildlife, the wildlife preserve and also enjoy the behind the scene VIP tour. This is definitely a spot you don’t want your family to miss.
Admission: (Rates for admission and annual membership includes taxes)
$32 Adults
$20 Children ( 3 – 12 years)
(65 years & better)
Free (Children under 3)
Annual Memberships: (Rates are for the year)
$80 Adults
$50 Children ( 3 – 12 years)
$70 Seniors
Free (Children under 3)
General Admission includes the following Tours and Shows:
The Giant Snake Show
Time 11:30pm Wed. – Sun.
The Tiger Splash Show
Time 1:15pm Wed. – Sun.
The Wonders of the Wildlife Show
Time 3:00pm Thurs. – Sat.
The Predator Feed
Time 3:00pm Wed. – Fri. and Sun.
The Serengeti Safari Tour
Wed. – Sun. (last trip leaves at 4:00pm) All Day
The Wildlife Preserve Tram Tour
Wed. – Sun. All Day
Behind the Scenes VIP Tour:
Go behind the scenes with a 3-hour VIP tour of the park. This tour includes access to the shows, the tours, special VIP seating for The Tiger Splash Show and lunch. If you’re interested in treating yourself or your family to this, the price is $125 for children and $149 for adults. Sorry, but they don’t allow children under the age of two. You must make reservations for this tour by calling 928-567-2847 or 928-567-2842.
Feed a Tiger:
Want to feed a tiger? Well you will get your wish here at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. If this seems like something you want to do, be at the park Wednesday through Sunday at 2:15pm and you’ll get your chance. The price is $3 per person.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Another place if you ever visit Sedona is Montezuma Castle. This really is a sight to behold. The amazing 5 story, 20 room structure can be seen high up on a limestone cliff, overlooking Beaver Creek, which is located in Verde Valley.
If you had been around more than 600 thousand years ago, you would have seen the prehistoric tribe of the Sinagua Indians living in these dwellings. But what I wanted to know was, if it was inhabited by the Sinagua Indians, how did it get it’s name of Montezuma Castle. Well, apparently the settlers that came to this valley assumed the structures had been made by the Aztec, so they preceded to call it Montezuma Castle. What they didn’t know was that the structure had been deserted before Montezuma was even born, about a century in fact.
As you walk the self-guiding trail at Montezuma Castle National Monument, you will run across exhibits that explains the history and culture of the area. The trail will not be a problem for wheelchairs because the paths are paved. There is also an audio program that tells you about the inside of the castle. They do have rangers along the trail, but programs are only presented if there is enough staff.
Also, if you’re interested, there is a small museum at the visitor center that has a bookstore and displays of artifacts. When you visit the monument be prepared. There are hotels, motels, food or gas located at the site. You will have to travel 4 miles to south to Camp Verde.
Hours:
Summer 8:00am – 7:00pm
Winter 8:00am – 5:00pm
Rates:
$5.00 per person
Free: Children 16 and younger
Golden Passports are accepted
The Sedona Trolley
276 North Hwy. 89A, Suite B
Sedona AZ 86336
(928)-282-4211
All Tours leave from Uptown Trolley DepotIf you want to find out where the vortex sites, the inspirational landmarks, the historic spots, the best views for taking pictures, or the best places for shopping, hiking, picnicking, dining and watching a beautiful sunset – then you need to take The Sedona Trolley tour.
The trolley gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire city of Sedona, from one end to the other. This 55 minute, narrated tour is a don’t miss if you’re going to be in town for a few days. Also, for those that might be interested, The Sedona Trolley offers a charter service for group tours and weddings.
Tour A
Sedona Trolley Uptown Depot
10am – 12 – 2 – 4pm
This tour takes you to the south side of Sedona. Your visits will include a stop at the famous chapel of the holy cross. This is a 20 minute stop. You will also visit gallery row and tlaquepaque.
Tour B
Sedona Trolley Uptown Depot
9am – 11 – 1 – 3 – 5pm
This tour goes out to west Sedona. Out to Boynton and Long Canyon. You will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the scenery.
Winter Schedule: There are no 5pm tours from November 1st through January 31st.
Rates:
Adults: $12 per tour – $21 for both tours
Children 12 and under: $6 per tour – $12 for both tours
Chapel Of The Holy Cross
780 Chapel Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 282-4069
Daily 9am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm
This is an amazingly beautiful chapel! Can you imagine having mass here every Monday at 5pm? If for nothing else, the view is worth it!
The beautiful structure was built in 1956 and was the brain-child of Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. You can find this chapel tucked into a red rock roost that is located off of Route 179 which is at the end of Chapel Road.
If the chapel doesn’t impress you, the views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock will. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday through Saturday. Don’t schedule a visit on Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. They are closed on those particular days.
The chapel also has a gift shop filled with products. Some where even made by artist from Sedona, which means you will be able to find gifts that are one-of-a-kind. You can purchase every religious accessory you can think of. They have jewelry, candles, plaques, medals, nativities, rosaries, crosses, garden and outdoor accessories, containers for holy water, angels and much, much more.
Red Rock Crossing
Red Rock Crossing is a marvelous spot for hiking and a family picnic. Prepare to have a wonderful time here. The scenery alone makes it worth the time and effort to visit here.
You can take pictures of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek and the wildlife, or you can hike on well defined trails, swim, fish or just sit and enjoy nature. Whatever you enjoy doing, come to Red Rock Crossing and Crescent Moon Recreation Area to do it. The only thing however, they don’t allow camping.
For your convenience they do provide drinking fountains, cooking grills, picnic tables and toilets. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. All you pay is a small fee of $8.00 per carload (five people). If you walk in, you pay only $1.00 for the day.
Open: Yearly
Hours: 8am – 8pm Memorial Day through Labor Day
Hours: Off-season 8am – dusk
For more information contact: Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20429, Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 282-4119. For more information on their group rates and the rate for their group ramada, call 877-444-6777 (toll free number), TDD at 877-833-6777.
Verde Canyon Railroad
300 N Broadway
Clarkdale, AZ 86324
(928) 639-0010
(800) 293-7245
If you want to take in the sights in comfort, this is the way to go. The Verde Canyon Railroad line is a 38-mile line that was completed in 1912. And of course, being built in 1912, you didn’t have the modern conveniences that we have today. So you had 250 men with 200 mules, using shovels, picks and dynamite to lay the rails.
Today, the railroad is considered to be the finest ride in all of Arizona. And with the beautiful sights of Verde Canyon, I won’t be the one to say differently. The ride takes you through a man-made tunnel that’s 680 feet long, past Indian ruins and red rock pinnacles.
The four hour ride goes from Clarkdale to a supposedly ghost ranch in Perkinsville. It’s fun for the entire family, plus you don’t have to worrying about food and restrooms. The train has a snack bar and restrooms for your convenience.
If you prefer to travel first class however, you can enjoy the view from high-back chairs and love seats, while sipping champagne or sparkling cider. You are also offered a full-service bar with the best liquors, a variety or appetizers and complete service of your beverages to your seat.
If you really want to travel in style with some of your best friends or family members. You can reserve your own private car. The caboose can hold up to 6 or less adults. You also get to sip your champagne, but out of crystal glasses. There will be lots of appetizers, the best beverages, 2 private viewing platforms, comfortable, over-stuffed chairs and your own personal attendant. It couldn’t’t get any better than this!
All the cars have climate control, taped commentary, educational narration and music during your trip. You don’t have to worry, because all cars have wheelchair access. So, the next time you want to have any kind of affair or event, think about using The Verde Canyon Railroad. You can’t go wrong here.
Departure:
Leaves at 1:00pm and returns at 5:00pm ( when additional trains are added to the schedule one train leaves at 9:00am and afternoon train leave at 2:30pm.
Rates:
All First-Class: $79.95
Adult Coach: $54.95
Senior Coach: (over 65 $49.95)
Child Coach: 12 and under $34.95
Child Coach: 2 and under complimentary when riding in the lap of an adult
Private Caboose:
Up to 6 passengers – $600.00
The rates include all the taxes. The only thing about this, is you have to get there at least 1 or 1 ½ hours before departure. They will board 15 minutes before departure. However, this depends on how the weather is.
Reservations must be made ahead of time. You can pay with any major credit. If you have prepaid tickets, you have to pick them up at the ticket window. You also must pre-pay if you want to reserve a space. Don’t expect any special seating, and if you have certain needs (wheelchair), please let them know during reservation. You can cancel 48 hours before you are due to depart, and this is also the only way you will receive a refund. Anything less than 48 hours will eliminate your refund.
Be aware that the schedule can change without notice, so check with them by calling
toll-free number 1-800-320-0718.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
336 Highway 179
Sedona, AZ
Shops Open Daily 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Check Restaurant For Their Hours
Shops Are Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving
Now, if you don’t love shopping, I would have to ask what planet are you from? You have to go to Sedona Arizona’s Arts & Crafts Village, Tlaquepaque. For those who can’t pronounce it, it’s (Tla-keh-pah-keh).
Tlaquepaque is one shopping experience you don’t want to miss. They say Tlaquepaque means “best of everything,” and you will probably find it here. It has been around since the 1970’s and you will find over 40 shops, galleries and restaurants surrounded by a beautiful setting of trees, arched entry ways and cobble-stoned streets.
If you love the Southwestern flavor of arts, ceramics and sculpture, then you will love this. They also have jewelry, leathers, unique gifts and designer casual wear. When you finish shopping, you can dine at one the fine restaurants serving French or Mexican cuisine.
If nothing else, make sure you get to walk around Tlaquepaque, you may discover something you can’t live without.
