We're planning a 3 day side-trip from Phoenix in late April. We could spend 2 nights in Sedona, 1 at GC or vice versa. Any recommendations? Just mainly looking at being outdoors at awesome scenery...

I would spend at least 1 night in Jerome, AZ at the Grand Hotel.

www.jeromegrandhotel.net

Sedona is full of tacky t-shirt shops. Jerome is full of art galleries. It's an old mining town on top of a mountain and the views are amazing of the desert from there.

I would say 1 at the Grand Canyon and 2 at Sedona. Leave Phoenix early, and drive through the east entrance to the GC, maybe with time to stop at Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument along the way.

We did a similar trip last September, but we stayed in Sedona for 3 nights. Here is a link to my trip report:

http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=252.topic


I agree Jerome is worht a visit. But I think you can pretty much see everything there in half a day.

http://mikepintucson.blogspot.com/

Spend one night at the Grand Canyon and the rest in Sedona.

I agree with MikeT for the 1/2 Jerome trip.

Lots of hiking and such in Sedona that will get you outdoors. Or just sit outside with a cool beverage and enjoy the scenery.

I am kind of puzzled by the reply from RBCal. While Sedona does have its share of tacky shops, including those selling "new age / spiritual" type things, there are many fine art galleries in Sedona. I would venture to say many more than Jerome. Granted, I haven't stopped in Jerome in 5 years. But my recollection is that it has more than its share of "crafts" shops, of varying segrees of quality.

The views from Jerome are really nice. But with only 2 nights in Sedona, I think Jerome could be skipped in favor of other things.

The phony "new age" "spiritualism" and tacky t-shirt shops were enough to turn me off Sedona.
Jerome to me seems much less phony, touristy and tacky than Sedona.

I agree with Mike Pin on the 1 night at the GC and 2 in Sedona..Jerome is great for a couple of hours and do have lunch at the Asylum at the Grand Hotel but I have been going to Sedona since the 70's and yes, there is some tacky t-shirt/new age places but thats mostly in the downtown area and the views and the overwhelming beauty of Sedona is stunning!
The hiking is incredible and just being outside with the Red Rock is good for the soul..
We just stayed at Sedona Rouge Hotel and was very impressed..
Do try and get to the Enchantment Resort to have lunch at Yavapai..

I was in Sedona several days and didn't look for the "tacky t-shirt shops" and never felt they were taking over the town.

We enjoyed the galleries and walking around Tlaquepaque. Also, we were going to hiking trails and restaurants.

Walked around Jerome and would not compare the art galleries to those in Sedona. Jerome had lots of crafts and arts but not mainstream art galleries, IMHO.

I like a visit to the "tacky t-shirt shops". I can people watch and maybe buy a t-shirt for myself to let everyone back home know that I got to go somewhere special that they didn't. :^)

Thanks for everyone's help. I think I"ll re-look at our itinerary and try for 2 nights both at GC and Sedona. I may post later w/ revised questions. Thanks again!