Fun Things to See Traveling Phoenix to Sedona

So excited this year for our Girls Getaway to Sedona.  Since I was already in AZ, I took a drive to Sedona to take a look at the Spa Resort we had chosen for our trip and have lunch at one of the many restaurants in the beautiful city.  In the 25 years I have been going to AZ, I have never made the two hour trip to Sedona.  Now I am wondering, “What took me so long?”

There’s nothing better than a great American road trip (especially when it’s only 2 hours) to soak in our nation’s majestic beauty.  The thing I am NOT a fan of is driving out of my way (even the tiniest bit) to see things like the The World’s Biggest Ball of Paint (Indiana), The Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue (Georgia), or some other weird roadside attraction.  But our journey from Phoenix to Sedona involved stops definitely worth chatting about.  The drive is very pretty to say the least, but also very unique.  Traveling from the desert floor to the top of the plateau, from an elevation of 1000’ to 4300’, is incredibly scenic and the 115 mile trek from Phoenix to Sedona has plenty of optional detours worth consideration:

• Anthem Veterans Memorial:  This memorial, right off I-17 in Anthem, AZ consists of five pillars honoring the sacrifice and service of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.  Every year on November 11 (Veterans Day) at 11:11 a.m., the sun’s rays pass through the ellipses of the five pillars to form a perfect solar spotlight over a mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States.  If you are near Anthem, AZ on Veterans Day or any other day, it’s a must-see.                                        

• Montezuma Castle:  Montezuma Castle National Monument is also right off of I-17 just south of the Sedona exit.  It’s a great little historical “field trip” and if you have grandkids with you, they can see the Indian cliff dwellings that they study about in their social studies classes.   Montezuma Well is located off the exit north of Montezuma Castle.  Montezuma Well is also worth a look-see but the hike from parking is slightly longer and tougher than Montezuma Castle.  

• Jerome:  We drove up to this old copper mining town (more than 5,000’ elevation) to see “America’s Most Vertical City”.  It’s also supposed to be haunted, pegged as the “Largest Ghost Town in America”.  If you have some time, stay at one of the Inns, shop, visit the winery, see a silent movie and go on a haunted tour.  If you don’t have time to stay overnight, drive up and see all of the houses built into the mountains and take advantage of a great view of the Verde Valley.