Flagstaff or Sedona
 

My wife and I are considering a short 4 day trip over the Memorial weekend in Arizona but we can not decide if we should get our Hotel in Flagstaff or Sedona. We are looking for some suggestions from people familiar with the area. We like hiking and biking, but also when we get back to the hotel we like a nice place, with a good pool and gym and we like good restaurants. TGI Fridays and Applebees is not for us. We would also like to take one day to see the Grand Canyon. Thank you in advance, and anything you can tell us about the Flagstaff and Sedona would be great.

Sedona sounds a little more like what you're looking for but I was genuinely surprised with Flagstaff. It's a small town for sure but it has an interesting charm about it.<BR><BR>You can spend most of your time in Sedona and then stop in Flagstaff on your way to the Grand Canyon.

Definately Sedona. There is ample opportunity for hiking and the views are gorgeous. Do a search on this site for tons of info about good restaurants etc. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Shugrues with beautiful views from the table.<BR><BR>We were 2 families traveling with children so it was the Best Western for us but there are many nice places to stay-- the Enchantment usually gets everyones vote!<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR>Wow--I was finally able to post a message!!!!

Sounds like you aren't biking hard enough if you still need a gym when you get back to the hotel :-)<BR><BR>Sedona is mtn bike heaven. We traveled there from SC to bike in '99 over Memorial Day. Beautiful weather, wear sunscreen. Saw no rattlesnakes! The drive from Sedona up through Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff is SO interesting. <BR><BR>There's not much to do in Sedona after you get tired of hiking/biking, except spa-going. I think two days is plenty. <BR><BR>Sedona is not a great dining town. You can do better than Applebees, though. <BR><BR>Pheonix, on the other hand, has a bit of a foodie scene.<BR><BR>Post back if you want more mountain bike related info.<BR><BR>Eva - I too, am amazed to finally get a post through today!

I'd love some mountain biking info about sedona - I'll be travelling in April and am looking to bike for 3-4 days - nothing very technical but good views, nice ride<BR>ps - anybody know about road biking in sedona and environs?

If you want upscale and high qualtiy food, try L'Abuerge de Sedona for lodging and eating. There are other bigger resorts (Los Abrigados, etc.) but L'Auberge is intimate w/cabins right on the creek in Sedona. I'm not sure they have a pool though. I've stayed at Enchantment. It's got a new age mind of it's own; great location right in the rocks, nice casitas, trendy spa and workout facilities, ok food. Flagstaff has some cute B&amp;Bs but probably not what you are loking for.

As an Arizonan, there is absolutely no comparison between Flagstaff and Sedona. Stay in Sedona.

I must agree with most of the other posters here that Sedona is where you want to stay. Flagstaff isn't a bad place to stay, but in no way can it compare in natural beauty to Sedona. Flagstaff seems more of just a highway town, whereas Sedona more of a resort type town. I would personally take one night and actually stay at the Grand Canyon. I wouldn't shortchange myself here, especially if you want to hike, because you will find you best hiking there at the south rim. It seems that Sedona will be your best bet for hiking.

Is it possible for you to do the following? <BR><BR>Day 1: Take early flight and get into Phoenix around noon. Drive to Grand Canyon (stay near Grand Canyon).<BR><BR>Day 2: see sunrise in Grand Canyon and do some hiking. At the end of the day, drive to Sedona and stay over night.<BR><BR>Day 3: spend day at Sedona (stay over night).<BR><BR>Day 4: drive to Phoenix (need to schedule a later departure time).<BR><BR>If this sounds too hectic for you, you simply need to decide if you want to hike in Sedona or Grand Canyon (and not do both).

Apples and Oranges! Flagstaff is kinda &quot;good 'ol boys&quot; and Sedona is &quot;votexes and earthy&quot;. Flagstaff is definitely cheaper and a better bang for the buck, the people are friendlier and much more down to earth. Sedona is stunning - but I find the people snooty and snobbish. When I go on holiday, I want to be able to chit chat with the bartender or the locals at the diner to get a feel for the area - couldn't crack 'em in Sedona but Flagstaff - oooh boy - we had a blast with the locals! Stay a couple days in each town, they are so close to each other! It's the best of both world! That way, instead of relying on strangers that don't know you, you can form your own opinion about each town equally.<BR><BR>DON'T MISS THE PAINTED DESERT!!! Personally, I find that more stunning that the Grand Canyon.

As an anecdote to wlongman's description of the locals in Sedona...our son was in a combination pharmacy/knickknack/souvenier everything type store downtown Sedona, and unable to find his sinus medicine so asked one of the clerks, &quot;Do you carry Sine-Aide?&quot; Her response--&quot;What the hell is that?&quot; LOL It really was too funny...especially for him who has spent his entire life in too polite Dallas!

I agree with wlongman. Sedona, while beautiful, is a little too upscale and touristy for me. Flagstaff, also beautiful, feels more relaxed and down to earth. Flagstaff's also a college town, and I think it has more variety when it comes to nightlife.

You will want to stay in Sedona and Tunsayn (2 miles from south rim...I might have spelled it wrong)I would book it to the G.C. (up the main highway NOT the Sedona highway) immediatly for maybe a short hike and the views, stay overnight, and then drive to Sedona via the highway that runs East along the canyon road for awesome views. At Flagstaff you will take the seconday highway into Sedona. You then have 2-3 nights there to enjoy hiking and the views. We did a trip like it last year (from Vegas though) and loved it. I too found the clerks at the uptown shopping area to be a bit snooty but I didn't really care because I didn't spend much time shopping.

You also have the option of staying half way between Sedona and Flagstaff at places like Junipine, which has houses right on Oak Creek (and a good grill cafe as well). There are hiking trails along the Creek (like West Fork trail) or you can drive into Sedona to hike in the red rocks and Flagstaff to hike in the San Fran Mtns. from there. Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff (where Pluto was first seen) is a nice evening outing to see the stars from their big telescopes. Lost likley you will just gaze at the stars from your balcony and be in awe.

Go to Sedona. Stay at the Sky Ranch Lodge. Enjoy your trip!

Go for Sedona....and ditto on the Sky Ranch Lodge.