Sedona over Labor Day week!

[silly_stitcher Member Find all posts View Profile Close silly_stitcher]

We're heading to Sedona in a couple of weeks, staying at Arroyo. I've been reading up in this forum and found all sorts of useful information, especially from KatieMack, so first things first: thank you all!

Second, how's the traffic over there nowadays? We're flying into Phoenix on a Saturday afternoon and we're trying to figure out how long the drive is from the Phoenix airport. (Yes, we're renting a car from PHX -- got a great rate, but taxes really are killer there!)

Third, any recommendations on grocery stores nearby? We're planning on doing breakfasts and a couple of dinners, as well as preparing picnic lunches, at "home."

Fourth, things to do: we're definitely hitting the Grand Canyon for a day (mid-week to avoid Labor Day crowds), Enchantment Resort for dinner, doing the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, and visiting Jerome for a day. We're also thinking of hitting a couple of wineries. Normally we're huge foodies and we spend vacations just eating our way through town, but my partner spent some time growing up in both Phoenix and Flagstaff and he's looking forward to hiking and swimming and all sorts of active stuff that make my lazy bones wince! Any EASY hiking suggestions? And any "must do" activities that I haven't mentioned?

[jericap Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close jericap]

I can reply to some; see inline

We're heading to Sedona in a couple of weeks, staying at Arroyo. I've been reading up in this forum and found all sorts of useful information, especially from KatieMack, so first things first: thank you all!

Second, how's the traffic over there nowadays? We're flying into Phoenix on a Saturday afternoon and we're trying to figure out how long the drive is from the Phoenix airport. (Yes, we're renting a car from PHX -- got a great rate, but taxes really are killer there!) It took us a couple of hours, but we stopped for lunch at some small little diner, never knew the name of the town, but we were only about 20 minutes from Sedona. We never hit traffic. we took, Rtes 10-17-179

Third, any recommendations on grocery stores nearby? Our resort is the Villas of Sedona, which had a grocery store right on the main road not to far at all from the resort It was on route 89. the coffee Pot was good for breakfast or lunchWe're planning on doing breakfasts and a couple of dinners, as well as preparing picnic lunches, at "home."

Fourth, things to do: we're definitely hitting the Grand Canyon for a day we did that as a tour, only because it was such a long day and the ride was long 2 hrs(mid-week to avoid Labor Day crowds), Enchantment Resort for dinner, doing the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, We also did that..that was an awesome experience and visiting Jerome for a day. We're also thinking of hitting a couple of wineries. Normally we're huge foodies and we spend vacations just eating our way through town, but my partner spent some time growing up in both Phoenix and Flagstaff and he's looking forward to hiking and swimming and all sorts of active stuff that make my lazy bones wince! Any EASY hiking suggestions? And any "must do" activities that I haven't mentioned? Don't forget to take a ride to the airport in town for some spectacular scenery and visit the chapel. We also went to Prescott, tinkered in the many shops and enjoyed that also

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

You will enjoy your time in Sedona. Arroyo is in the Uptown area, among the trees near the creek and close to shops and restaurants.

For groceries, you will need to drive into West Sedona, about a mile and a half to the Basha's grocery or a little further on is Safeway. Both are on the right hand side. There is an ARCO station on the corner where Basha's is located and they have the cheapest price for gas in town.

The traffic on 179 at the Y intersection has been off and on with regard to easy or plain horrible. The worst was about 2 or 3 weekends ago, on a Friday, the delays were huge and folks really lost their tempers. They are working on a tough area of terrain, and this is causing some real problems when traffic volume is heavy.

It would be hard to predict how things will be on Labor Day weekend....traditionally it is tough, but who knows what it might be at that time with all the construction.

But through the Village of Oak Creek and about up to the Chapel area the road construction is pretty much complete...it is now all the length of 179 from Back o' Beyond (near the Chapel area) into Sedona that is totally unpredictable. For least amount of delay, it is safest to take HWY 260, Cottonwood exit off I-17 to 89 A into the Sedona area. Make a right at the light near Home Depot, that is 89A, it is a lovely drive into Sedona, and then when you approach the intersection of 179, you will find the bulk of the traffic construction....there is a new roundabout at the Post Office, and one just beyond it under construction, at the Y....traffic is diverted in this area, but they are predicting to be opening the new (second) roundabout by Labor Day, so you might get lucky.

As for I-17 to Sedona, on good days from the airport, it should take you about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. If you want to make a stop along the way, there is Anthem and Carefree exits where you can find some facilities and restaurants easily off the ramp and back on again.

The supermarkets have "savers" cards, and if you want one, they will let you get one, or just ask a local for help, they are usually very eager to lend you their card to help you pick up on the savings.

For easy hiking, Red Rock State Park has a very nice picnic area and some trails, as well as interesting visitor center....check out the link in the sticky above.

The West Fork Trail is fun, shaded but muddy and can offer some challenge if the rains are still in sight. There has been a long and wonderful monsoon going on, and the red dirt is soaked thru. West Fork involves crossing the creek in several spots, so water proof hiking shoes might be advisable.

Chavez Ranch Crossing park is a wonderful spot, with trails along the creek and a wonderful view of the famed Cathedral Rock. You can picnic there, as well as swim.

Slide Rock State Park is in Oak Creek Canyon and is pretty fun...but bring 2 bathing suits ( ; ), if you plan to slide, as the rocks can wear out the bottom of your suit, and if you are easily brusied, don't slide! Also, be aware of the possibility of water areas being closed due to high levels of bacteria, although there have been none of late, it sometimes occurs.

Other neat hikes are in the Boynton Canyon area, as well as the Walnut Canyon trail and Sunset Crater in Flagstaff.

If you can, drive to Grand Canyon and enter in thru the East Entrance (follow 89A north to Cameron, make a left, and take the road into that side of the Canyon). There are many views along the way as you wind toward the South entrance and GC village, and you will find a nice spot for picnics along the way. Once you get to the South side, you can enjoy El Tovar and Bright Angel area shops and views. Drive home out the South Entrance.

As for must dos: you must enjoy yourself! Explore, relax, and always leave with a few things to come back for....you cannot do it all!

Oh, breakfast on the creek at L'Abuerge is nice, you can walk to it, but make a reservation!

[silly_stitcher Member Find all posts View Profile Close silly_stitcher]

Thanks -- we had an awesome time in Sedona! We liked the town so much we didn't even leave for the Grand Canyon (we've both been there before, so it wasn't a big deal either way). The weather was ideal, we went walking and hiking everywhere, and we found a nifty grocery store, New Frontiers Natural Foods, with fantastic produce and freshly ground peanut butter.

Service at Enchantment and L'Auberge was fantastic.

Pink Jeep was a hoot: our tour guide was a transplanted New Yorker who had a photography hobby. She took some spectacular shots for us.

We headed up to the airport for sunset, but the crowd was a huge turnoff. We did get some fantastic photos though.

We even had a chance to investigate DRI a bit (we're Bluegreen owners and figured we'd check out the prospective buyer!). I prefer the location of Arroyo Roble to any of the DRI properties.

The art galleries in Sedona and Jerome were lovely -- we picked up a couple of small pieces.

All in all, this trip exceeded expectations! We'll definitely be back.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

So glad you enjoyed the trip! Sounds like you really got a good taste of the many charms of the town.

Thanks for sharing!