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Day Trips

Sedona is an excellent base for exploring the diverse attractions of Northern Arizona, highlights of which include the artist enclave of Jerome and several Native American ruins and reserves. Many sights are just a short drive away, while the majestic Grand Canyon lies 110 miles to the north.

The fascinating mining-town-turned-artist-haven of Jerome (28 miles southwest of Sedona via Hwy. 89A; 928/634-2900; www.jeromechamber.com) is precariously perched on a series of cliff-top promontories overlooking Sedona's red-rock country. This onetime mining center had deteriorated to a mere ghost town before being lovingly restored by local craftspeople and artists who were so enchanted by the views and ambiance (not to mention turned off by rising rent prices in nearby Sedona), that they decided to move in and set up shop. The town's varying elevations are accessed by tiered streets linked by charming, narrow stairwells; exploring these is reason enough alone to visit, but the town's funky art galleries, shops, historic buildings, and breathtaking views of Sedona are just as enticing.

Another outing altogether awaits in nearby Clarkdale, where the Verde Canyon Railroad (24 miles southwest of Sedona; 300 N. Broadway; schedules vary by season; 928/639-0010 or 800/320-0718; $54.95; www.verdecanyonrr.com) provides a scenic 4-hour train tour of local rock formations and ancient ruins that are otherwise inaccessible by car; keep an eye out for wildlife, particularly bald eagles. Another great ride awaits on the vintage steam and diesel locomotives operated by the Grand Canyon Railway (Grand Canyon Railway Depot, 233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.; schedules vary by season; 928/773-1976 or 800/843-8724; $60-$155; www.thetrain.com) from the town of Williams (60 miles northwest of Sedona); their full-day excursions will take you to the majestic Grand Canyon (110 miles north of Sedona; $25 car fee; www.nps.gov/grca), though you can also easily make the 2.5-hour drive to the national park's South Rim yourself. If you do make it to Williams, don't miss a drive along the town's main Route 66 drag, once part of the historic "Mother Road" highway. Today, this little slice of Americana still offers glimpses of honky-tonk motels and shops (which now mostly push kitschy souvenirs). Other parts of Route 66 can also be accessed from the former railroad town of Flagstaff (29 miles north of Sedona; 928/774-9541 or 800/842-7293; www.flagstaffarizona.org). For Native American heritage sites outside of Sedona, see the Native American sites section, above.

See Aspen Travel Guide