Sedona

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Red Rock Country, Arizona

A July 2005 trip to Sedona by Ira Kincaid

This journal contains information on what to see, what to do, reviews of restaurants we liked, information on tour companies, and a review of the resort where we stayed.

  • 11 reviews
  • 1 story/tip

Red Rock Country, ArizonaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Go for a drive down Dry Creek Road, down Upper and Lower Red Rock Loop Roads, up Highway 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff, and on Highway 79 between Sedona and Village of Oak Creek - it's unforgettable. It's fun locating the various formations on the red rocks, such as Coffee Pot, Snoopy, bell rock, castle rock, cathedral fork, and courthouse rock, or just let your imagination go wild and name your own rocks.

Quick Tips:

View the IMAX Theater at Village of Oak Creek, which gives you information about how Sedona was started and the beautiful red rocks.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car and just ride around Sedona.

Sedona Pines ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Sedona Pines"

Best Things Nearby:
Cottonwood is a cheaper place to purchase groceries and only 8 to 10 miles away. Sedona is just a couple of miles.

Best Things About the Resort:
The resort is in a remote area just outside of Sedona. It has its own restaurant, so when you first arrive, that's really convenient.

Resort Experience:
This resort is the most unique place we've ever stayed in through all of our travels all over the US, Hawaii, and Caribbean. Each unit is separate from the other. They are very compact, so expect a spacious place. The one-bedroom unit is perfect for honeymooners, because it's so private. The bath has a Jacuzzi tub. The two-bedroom is perfect for two couples, because one bedroom is in a connecting building and like a suite. There's a putt-putt course, hot tubs, pool, restaurant, and many activities right on-site.

  • Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Sedona Pines Resort
6701 W HWY 89A Sedona, Arizona 86336
(928) 282-6640

Coffee PotBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Coffee Pot Restaurant"

The Coffee Pot is home of 101 omelettes, and you order them by number. When you are seated, your table is already equipped with a pot of coffee, cups, and a pitcher of water with cups. Your server arrives promptly to take your order, which gives you time to blink a few times, and then the server is back with your meal. They also serve lunch with salads and sandwiches. Sit out on the patio and listen to the water fall at the fish pool. The inside of the restaurants has beautiful artwork on the walls, and there's also a well-equipped gift shop.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Coffee Pot
2050 West State Route 89A Sedona, Arizona 86336
(928) 282-6626

Hideaway RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Hideway Restaurant"

The Hideaway Restaurant is very appropriately named because it is tucked away in a small strip mall at the very back corner. The specialties are their sandwiches and pizzas. You can each downstairs or upstairs, depending on your smoking preference, and you can also sit outside on either floor. The view is magnificent, overlooking Oak Creek and those beautiful red-rock formations. It's a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing or shopping. The service is excellent and unhurried. The food is hearty and delicious.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Hideaway Restaurant
251 State Route 179 Sedona, Arizona 86336
+1 928 282 4204

El RinconBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano"

This restaurant is located in a Mexican village where there's plenty of shopping and lots of choices of restaurants. It can take a few minutes to find a parking space, but it's worth the effort. The meal was excellent and the service unmatched. Patio dining is available surrounded by beautiful shrubbery and flowers.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

El Rincon
336 State Route 179 Sedona, Arizona 86336
+1 928 282 4648

Blue Moon CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is a good place for subs and pizza. We found out about this restaurant one night after we returned to our resort and were too tired to go out again for a meal. We checked the Yellow Pages for pizza delivery and found the Blue Mood. Their pizzas are hand-tossed and gourmet style. It was one of the best pizzas we had ever had. Plus delivery was right on time.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Blue Moon Cafe
6101 Hwy. 179 Sedona, Arizona 86351
(928) 284-1831

Grand Canyon Imax TheaterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Sedona IMAX Theater"

This is a typical IMAX. There is a gift shop with lots of choices. We were glad we went there on our first day, because it helped us decide on the activities we wanted to do while in Sedona. It was also interesting to learn how Sedona got its name and how it got started.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Grand Canyon Imax Theater
Highway 64, US 180 Sedona, Arizona 86023
(928) 638-2468

Grand Canyon National ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Don't go to northern Arizona without visiting the Grand Canyon. It's nothing like the pictures - it's better. We went on a tour with Grand Canyon Tours arranged by our resort, Sedona Pines. It cost $99 per person. We got to see 22 miles of the 277 miles of the canyon. We were planning to take a plane or helicopter ride through the canyon, but learned they can no longer fly down into the canyon.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129 Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
(928) 638-7888

Native American JourneysBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hopi Indian Reservations"

Be prepared to step back into time 3,000 years. Some places do not have electricity or running water. Don't bother to bring your camera, unless you want to take shots from inside your tour bus. The Hopi Indians do not allow photography anywhere on their reservation, but in their museum, you can buy postcards and pictures of these natives. Their pottery and Kachina dolls are sold in their villages, as well as at their museum and trading posts.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Native American Journeys
P.O. Box 20667 Sedona, Arizona 86351
(928) 284-4735

Verde Canyon RailroadBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This tour by rail takes you along the Verde Canyon about 20 miles to places you cannot go by vehicle. We saw bald eagle nests as well as bald eagles. We went first-class, which cost $125 per person and includes hot and cold snacks and wine or champagne. Each train car has a tour guide and server. It's a very leisurely trip that is very peaceful.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

Verde Canyon Railroad
300 North Brooadway Clarkdale, Arizona 86324
(800) 320-0718

West ForkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hike West Fork"

You can hike this even if you are not a hiker. It's mostly flat ground, but in the rocks, be aware that they can be slippery when wet. The scenery is worth the effort. The trail is mostly in the shade.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Ira Kincaid on August 26, 2005

West Fork
Oak Creek Sedona, Arizona

Ghost Town of HaynesBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

It's incredible! The real ghost town of Haynes is just outside Jerome. It was a thriving copper- and gold-mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Now you can tour the town and see the old shoe shop, blacksmith shop, dental office, old cars, tractors, lawn mowers, motorcycles, heavy machinery, and a saw mill still in operation. The tour was very inexpensive at $3 per person.

About the Writer

Ira Kincaid
Ira Kincaid
Henrico, North Carolina

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