Sedona Trip Report
Nov 22nd, 2007, 08:13 PM
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Sedona Trip Report
Recently spent 4 days in Sedona to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary...here's a quick trip report.
Day 1- arrived in Phoenix at 9:30 am, decided at the rental car counter to spluge and go with a convertible. A great choice! The drive from the airport to Sedona was a breeze, about 2 hours with a quick stop for lunch. Killed a bit of time at Tlaquepaque prior to checking into Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast. Billed as the "Inn with Million Dollar views", our room had a spectacular view of Belle Rock. We arrived in time to check out the inn, unwind a bit and have some great appetizers, which they serve every night at 5 pm. Had dinner at Cucina Rustica, which is only 2 minutes from the inn. They have an amazing patio with a classical guitarist and propane heaters. Combine it with a fantastic meal and a full moon and it was a perfect night! Since we were up at 4 am to get to the airport and catch our plane, off to bed early!
Day 2 - Woke up early to try to catch the sunrise and get some good photos. Had a fabulous breakfast at the inn and then off to Cathedral Rock for a short hike. The trail was not marked very well so we didn't hike too long at that location. Drove north to Red Rock State Park and did an hour and a half hike there, which was beautiful. The day was a bit overcast, so my photos don't do it justice, but I guess you can't have vivid blue sky every day! Ate lunch at Picazzo Pizza (or something like that) which was very good and a good value. Drove north to Oak Creek Canyon took in the view from the scenic outlook and then back where we stopped at Slippery Rock State Park, which is beautiful. Park closed at 5 pm, but could have definitely spent more time there.
Headed back south to the village of Oak Creek, where the B&B is located. Decided we didn't want to drive back into Sedona, so ate at Cucina Rustica again that night. Normally we wouldn't do something like that, as we like to try new restaurants, but not a lot of choices in Oak Creek and frankly, we were tired.
Day 3 - Checked out of Canyon Villa and headed north and then west to Cottonwood. Hit a great antique store and then went to Tuzigoot National Monument to kill some time before catching the Canyon Verde Railroad. Tuzigoot features remains of dwellings of the 12th century Sinagua Indians and was quite interesting. Arrived at the Canyon Verde Railroad the hour and a half prior to departure as suggested, which in retrospect is not at all necessary. But just as they want you to, we had a burger and some snacks prior to the trip. The train trip along the Verde River was enjoyable, but a bit long at 4 hours. Returned to Sedona and checked into the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. A very cool hotel with unique finishes. We ate dinner at the hotel restaurant Reds. I had a great steak, but dessert and service was a bit hit or miss and I'm not quite sure worth the price.
Day 4 - Checked out, stopped to get a few pieces of local pottery and then headed back to Phoenix to catch the plane home.
Overall a great 4 day get away. We had never been to the desert southwest and thought Sedona was spectacular. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have traded the train trip for a day at the Grand Canyon. There's always next time!
Day 1- arrived in Phoenix at 9:30 am, decided at the rental car counter to spluge and go with a convertible. A great choice! The drive from the airport to Sedona was a breeze, about 2 hours with a quick stop for lunch. Killed a bit of time at Tlaquepaque prior to checking into Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast. Billed as the "Inn with Million Dollar views", our room had a spectacular view of Belle Rock. We arrived in time to check out the inn, unwind a bit and have some great appetizers, which they serve every night at 5 pm. Had dinner at Cucina Rustica, which is only 2 minutes from the inn. They have an amazing patio with a classical guitarist and propane heaters. Combine it with a fantastic meal and a full moon and it was a perfect night! Since we were up at 4 am to get to the airport and catch our plane, off to bed early!
Day 2 - Woke up early to try to catch the sunrise and get some good photos. Had a fabulous breakfast at the inn and then off to Cathedral Rock for a short hike. The trail was not marked very well so we didn't hike too long at that location. Drove north to Red Rock State Park and did an hour and a half hike there, which was beautiful. The day was a bit overcast, so my photos don't do it justice, but I guess you can't have vivid blue sky every day! Ate lunch at Picazzo Pizza (or something like that) which was very good and a good value. Drove north to Oak Creek Canyon took in the view from the scenic outlook and then back where we stopped at Slippery Rock State Park, which is beautiful. Park closed at 5 pm, but could have definitely spent more time there.
Headed back south to the village of Oak Creek, where the B&B is located. Decided we didn't want to drive back into Sedona, so ate at Cucina Rustica again that night. Normally we wouldn't do something like that, as we like to try new restaurants, but not a lot of choices in Oak Creek and frankly, we were tired.
Day 3 - Checked out of Canyon Villa and headed north and then west to Cottonwood. Hit a great antique store and then went to Tuzigoot National Monument to kill some time before catching the Canyon Verde Railroad. Tuzigoot features remains of dwellings of the 12th century Sinagua Indians and was quite interesting. Arrived at the Canyon Verde Railroad the hour and a half prior to departure as suggested, which in retrospect is not at all necessary. But just as they want you to, we had a burger and some snacks prior to the trip. The train trip along the Verde River was enjoyable, but a bit long at 4 hours. Returned to Sedona and checked into the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa. A very cool hotel with unique finishes. We ate dinner at the hotel restaurant Reds. I had a great steak, but dessert and service was a bit hit or miss and I'm not quite sure worth the price.
Day 4 - Checked out, stopped to get a few pieces of local pottery and then headed back to Phoenix to catch the plane home.
Overall a great 4 day get away. We had never been to the desert southwest and thought Sedona was spectacular. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have traded the train trip for a day at the Grand Canyon. There's always next time!
Nov 22nd, 2007, 10:31 PM
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Enjoyed reading your Trip report..
I have stayed at the Sedona Rouge and we really liked this hotel..especially since I got a great deal of $99 on Expedia..
We liked Red's for the convenience of having a restaurant at the hotel but you are right on the hit or miss.
I love Sedona and will be going in March..
I have stayed at the Sedona Rouge and we really liked this hotel..especially since I got a great deal of $99 on Expedia..
We liked Red's for the convenience of having a restaurant at the hotel but you are right on the hit or miss.
I love Sedona and will be going in March..
Nov 23rd, 2007, 05:31 AM
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Although we did enjoy Canyon Villa, it was very pricey at almost $350 per night, so we switched it up. I had visions of using the extra $ at the spa at Sedona Rouge, but didn't get around to it.
I haven't posted any photos yet, but will let you know if I do. Of all of my travel photos, I would say that these are the least exciting because you really have to be in the right place to catch the light as it moves across the rocks.
I haven't posted any photos yet, but will let you know if I do. Of all of my travel photos, I would say that these are the least exciting because you really have to be in the right place to catch the light as it moves across the rocks.
Nov 23rd, 2007, 08:55 AM
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Just fyi, I find that there are other very good places to eat in Village of Oak Creek (although not as upscale or pricey) besides Cucina Rustica (I love that place too but not two nights in a row for us). Great Japanese at Minami, good American food w/live entertainment on Wed. and weekend nights and a nice small bar at Marketplace Cafe (located in back of the outlet center, nice local cafe feel). And also Mulligans for a nice dinner. Also a couple of others I haven't yet tried, reflected below...
From Sedona Monthly magazine:
"Minami
A comfortable, relaxed atmosphere makes the sushi bar a perfect setting for striking up conversation. The sushi menu includes cooked, raw and vegetable selections; all we sampled were fresh and tasty, with the Soft Shell Crab Roll a particular favorite. Tuna, salmon and yellowtail make for reliable delights. If sushi’s not to your taste, don’t overlook other fare, like the teriyaki dinners, tempura or yakitori. Steamers offer another tempting option. Open Monday to Friday for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Monday to Saturday for dinner, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MC, Visa • 6586 W. Hwy 179. (928-284-0684) (MODERATE)
MPC: Marketplace Café
Perfectly situated for a full meal or a post-shopping spree snack, and bolstered by a recent expansion, this European-style cafe with a neighborly ambience has a well-earned reputation for variety, offering everything from a garden fresh salad to a fine steak. We always enjoy the incredible vegetable wraps and even the basic burger is somehow made special here. A small patio for outside dining enhances the bistro feeling. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx • 6645 S. Hwy 179 at Prime Outlets (928-284-5478) (MODERATE)
Mulligans Grille on the Green
This warmly designed local hangout features dead solid perfect views of the Oakcreek Country Club golf course, works by local artists on display and an above par, neighborly atmosphere. The soup of the day, a delightfully creamy Clam Chowder, brought us out of our shells. As main courses, the Black Angus Ribeye, served with mixed vegetables, led the field, while the luscious, tangy BBQ Spare Ribs were so tender and moist that the meat practically jumped from the shank. Leave room for a bonus round; a slice of cheesecake really hit the sweet spot. Patio dining available. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 690 Bell Rock Blvd at Oakcreek Country Club (928-284-3687) (INEXPENSIVE TO EXPENSIVE)
OTHERS:
Red Chopstick
Our fortune cookie didn’t prepare us to find a jammed parking lot here on a weeknight – but it was a good omen. From a menu offering a broad choice of three Chinese cooking styles – Hunan, Szechuan, and Mandarin – with a sprinkling of dishes from Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, we selected two entrees that both impressed with intensely fresh vegetables, fragrant meats, and fresh seafood. The Sizzling Plate Delight – poured into a hot iron skillet at the table – mixes sautéed chicken, beef, shrimp and pork with fresh mushrooms and a (chef’s secret) sauce that perfectly flavors the steamed rice. The Crystal (tailless young) Shrimp and (moist, tender) Scallops – both oh-so-fresh! – in a light sauce was very satisfying. And we couldn’t resist the staff-favorite dessert, the fresh fried banana dusted with confectioner’s sugar or honey, a sweet, warm, melt-in-your-mouth treat – and healthy too; it’s fruit, right? OK, so it’s lightly breaded and fried; leave us to our dreams... Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday) for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 65 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9088) (Inexpensive to MODERATE)
Tara Thai Cuisine
What’s more inviting – the tapestries and headdresses of the Far East accenting the decor at cozy Tara, or the unmistakably Southwestern view through its windows? Let’s call it a Thai; after all, the essence of this cuisine is harmony, a state stylishly achieved by Tara’s satisfying menu and presentation. We’re fans of Tara Thai’s Ginger with Beef, a great lunchtime pick-me-up. Try the Singha beer with your meal; imported from Thailand, it’s delicious and an excellent complement to the cuisine, especially if your dish is on the spicy side. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 34 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9167) (INEXPENSIVE TO MODERATE)
Pago's Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine
A beckoning portrait of Chef Pago himself, painted by the renowned artist Leslie B. deMille, bids you welcome at the door of this slice of Italy on the state highway. With red checkerboard tablecloths and the soft strains of Italian love songs in the air, the appeal of this neighborhood favorite is obvious. The food is lovingly prepared old-world traditional – just what you’d want and expect. The authentic Chicken Marsala is fine enough to make a Roman weep joyful tears for cherished memories of Mama’s kitchen, and the top-notch Neapolitan pizza, cheesy, thin-crusted, and baked to perfection, defines la dolce vita. Open daily, 11 a.m. to close, for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc. • 6446 Hwy 179 at Castle Rock Plaza (928-284-1939) (INEXPENSIVE TO MODERATE)"
See Village of Oak Creek restaurants here:
http://www.sedonamonthly.com/restaurants/
From Sedona Monthly magazine:
"Minami
A comfortable, relaxed atmosphere makes the sushi bar a perfect setting for striking up conversation. The sushi menu includes cooked, raw and vegetable selections; all we sampled were fresh and tasty, with the Soft Shell Crab Roll a particular favorite. Tuna, salmon and yellowtail make for reliable delights. If sushi’s not to your taste, don’t overlook other fare, like the teriyaki dinners, tempura or yakitori. Steamers offer another tempting option. Open Monday to Friday for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Monday to Saturday for dinner, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. MC, Visa • 6586 W. Hwy 179. (928-284-0684) (MODERATE)
MPC: Marketplace Café
Perfectly situated for a full meal or a post-shopping spree snack, and bolstered by a recent expansion, this European-style cafe with a neighborly ambience has a well-earned reputation for variety, offering everything from a garden fresh salad to a fine steak. We always enjoy the incredible vegetable wraps and even the basic burger is somehow made special here. A small patio for outside dining enhances the bistro feeling. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx • 6645 S. Hwy 179 at Prime Outlets (928-284-5478) (MODERATE)
Mulligans Grille on the Green
This warmly designed local hangout features dead solid perfect views of the Oakcreek Country Club golf course, works by local artists on display and an above par, neighborly atmosphere. The soup of the day, a delightfully creamy Clam Chowder, brought us out of our shells. As main courses, the Black Angus Ribeye, served with mixed vegetables, led the field, while the luscious, tangy BBQ Spare Ribs were so tender and moist that the meat practically jumped from the shank. Leave room for a bonus round; a slice of cheesecake really hit the sweet spot. Patio dining available. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., for breakfast, lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 690 Bell Rock Blvd at Oakcreek Country Club (928-284-3687) (INEXPENSIVE TO EXPENSIVE)
OTHERS:
Red Chopstick
Our fortune cookie didn’t prepare us to find a jammed parking lot here on a weeknight – but it was a good omen. From a menu offering a broad choice of three Chinese cooking styles – Hunan, Szechuan, and Mandarin – with a sprinkling of dishes from Thai and Vietnamese cuisines, we selected two entrees that both impressed with intensely fresh vegetables, fragrant meats, and fresh seafood. The Sizzling Plate Delight – poured into a hot iron skillet at the table – mixes sautéed chicken, beef, shrimp and pork with fresh mushrooms and a (chef’s secret) sauce that perfectly flavors the steamed rice. The Crystal (tailless young) Shrimp and (moist, tender) Scallops – both oh-so-fresh! – in a light sauce was very satisfying. And we couldn’t resist the staff-favorite dessert, the fresh fried banana dusted with confectioner’s sugar or honey, a sweet, warm, melt-in-your-mouth treat – and healthy too; it’s fruit, right? OK, so it’s lightly breaded and fried; leave us to our dreams... Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday) for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc • 65 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9088) (Inexpensive to MODERATE)
Tara Thai Cuisine
What’s more inviting – the tapestries and headdresses of the Far East accenting the decor at cozy Tara, or the unmistakably Southwestern view through its windows? Let’s call it a Thai; after all, the essence of this cuisine is harmony, a state stylishly achieved by Tara’s satisfying menu and presentation. We’re fans of Tara Thai’s Ginger with Beef, a great lunchtime pick-me-up. Try the Singha beer with your meal; imported from Thailand, it’s delicious and an excellent complement to the cuisine, especially if your dish is on the spicy side. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., for lunch, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., for dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc, DC • 34 Bell Rock Plaza (928-284-9167) (INEXPENSIVE TO MODERATE)
Pago's Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine
A beckoning portrait of Chef Pago himself, painted by the renowned artist Leslie B. deMille, bids you welcome at the door of this slice of Italy on the state highway. With red checkerboard tablecloths and the soft strains of Italian love songs in the air, the appeal of this neighborhood favorite is obvious. The food is lovingly prepared old-world traditional – just what you’d want and expect. The authentic Chicken Marsala is fine enough to make a Roman weep joyful tears for cherished memories of Mama’s kitchen, and the top-notch Neapolitan pizza, cheesy, thin-crusted, and baked to perfection, defines la dolce vita. Open daily, 11 a.m. to close, for lunch and dinner. MC, Visa, AmEx, Disc. • 6446 Hwy 179 at Castle Rock Plaza (928-284-1939) (INEXPENSIVE TO MODERATE)"
See Village of Oak Creek restaurants here:
http://www.sedonamonthly.com/restaurants/
Nov 23rd, 2007, 03:54 PM
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Great report. I'm jealous reading it because DH and I were supposed to visit these past 2 weeks on our honeymoon but my fabulous job could not get us a room there (We get free timeshare rooms thru work. Glad you had a fabulous time!
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