Sedona, Arizona weekend getaway

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Adventure and wedding destination all in one

Have you been part of a destination wedding?  

Or quite possibly you're dreaming of one for yourself or your daughter?  Aruba, Belize, Cancun, Florida, Hawaii, and Jamaica are all popular destinations. 

How about Sedona, Arizona?  

My wonderful niece and her guy were recently married on the SpiritSong terrace at the gorgeous L'Auberge de Sedona.  Awesome, inspiring Red Rock views served as the backdrop, while my husband had the honor of officiating the sweet ceremony.  

Dreamy to say the least.

Following the ceremony, we enjoyed drinks and appetizers on the Creekhouse lawn that sits along Oak Creek, while the couple stole away with the photographer to capture the day.  

Melt-in-your-mouth beef, roasted chicken, and tender vegetables fueled us all up for the wedding dance later inside the gorgeous Creekhouse.  We ate like kings and queens.

Thank you to my dear niece and her husband for allowing me to share a few glimpses of her special day with you!  It was a day we'll never forget.

Wedding or not, Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and explore with your family.

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Sedona’s Main Street

Walking Main Street through Sedona makes you wish you had planned a longer weekend there.  Shops, galleries, and restaurants all nestled together beneath the Red Rocks, beg you to sit and stay a while.  

Black Cow Cafe

Forever on the lookout for the best ice cream joint, the locals were quick to recommend the Black Cow Cafe.  Besides homemade ice cream, this gem serves up pie, macaroons, sandwiches, and more.  You might find yourself there more than once!  

Spoke and Wheel Tavern

Later in the weekend, our large group of twenty-one (ages 8 to 68!) enjoyed dinner at the Spoke and Wheel Tavern.  I called ahead for a reservation, and they graciously called in an extra server and gave us the back room. We stayed for three hours.  

Great menu of American cuisine with a southwestern flair; everyone enjoyed the Spoke and Wheel.  We arrived during the tail-end of Happy Hour (3-6pm).  Fantastic local beer and yummy queso.  

For a list of other places to fill your tank, check out this online directory: Soul of Sedona.

Pink Jeep Tours

Next time we're in Sedona, we'll plan a Pink Jeep Tour.  I've heard raving reviews from friends and strangers alike. 

Obviously your tour begins in Sedona, but soon whisks you away to more rugged 4X4 adventures like Diamond Gulch, Grand Canyon tour, or even a jeep and horseback combo tour, and more!  They own several different touring vehicles to suit your riding taste.

Pink Jeep tours sounds like a thrilling ride with fabulous views and educational opportunities - right up our alley!

Slide Rock Park

Just 7 miles north of Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is as fun as it sounds.  The slippery bed of Oak Creek creates a natural water slide.  On a warm day, it’s a kid’s paradise.

We enjoyed hiking along the creek and climbing the rocks.  Then we played sand volleyball near the apple orchards. 

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Drive from Sedona to Flagstaff

We were very fortunate to stay at a friend's second home in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Traveling on a tight budget, this was totally worth the 45 minute drive back and forth to Sedona.  

Even if you're lodging in Sedona, the drive along Arizona highway 89A to and from Flagstaff is gorgeous and well worth your time.  The route follows Oak Creek Canyon, a little sister to the Grand Canyon because of its breath-taking beauty.  We're talking of returning to camp in this area some day.

Flagstaff can be a less expensive alternative to lodging than Sedona.  Surrounded by mountains, desert and ponderosa pine forests, Flagstaff leads the way to the San Francisco Peaks.  

If you're in Flagstaff in the winter, you can play in the snow at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort.

Check out nearby Native American cliff dwellings in the Walnut Canyon National Monument.  Learn more about Flagstaff here.

Check out vacation home rentals in Flagstaff here.

Hiking and biking around Sedona

My friend's family loved the hike to Devil's Bridge and Cathedral Rock.

My brother is an avid, technical mountain biker.  He happens to own a bike store called Horizon Cycling.  Some of his favorite moderate to difficult biking trails nearby are Hog Wash, Pig Tail, Llama, and Baldwin trails (check their levels of difficulties before you head out).

Get your hiking and biking maps here.

Best Lodging

L'Auberge de Sedona (luxury accomodations)

Hampton Inn Sedona is located along Highway 89 near popular sites.  Gorgeous lobby, fantastic outdoor pool, and you gotta love that free, hot breakfast!

Desert Quail Inn  My brother and his family highly recommend this affordable, spotless inn.  He told me it is a very nice, simple hotel where you definitely get your money's worth.

Nearby

Sedona to the Grand Canyon: 108 miles, 2 hour drive

Sedona to Phoenix: 113 miles, 2 hour drive

Sedona to Zion: 266 miles, 4.5 hour drive

Sedona to Bryce: 312 miles, 5+ hour drive

We'll reminisce for years about our trip to Sedona for my niece's beautiful, intimate wedding against a rugged, gorgeous backdrop.

Our family has loved every minute we've spent in the southwest part of the United States.  Check out our treks to these awesome destinations: 

Have you been to Sedona, Arizona or other southwest destinations?  What were your family's favorite spots and why?  

Know of anyone traveling to the southwest soon?  Kindly share with them this or any of the above mentioned articles on our blog.  We love helping families experience their best travel adventures.  Thank you so much!