{"id":12258,"date":"2018-09-17T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T09:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"\/inspire\/?p=12258"},"modified":"2021-10-12T15:30:22","modified_gmt":"2021-10-12T15:30:22","slug":"magical-fall-weekend-sedona-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/magical-fall-weekend-sedona-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"A Magical Fall Weekend in Sedona, Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note:<\/strong> All travel is subject to frequently-changing governmental restrictions\u2014please check federal, state, and local advisories before scheduling trips.<\/em><\/p>\n

Who says you have to leave the country for a total departure from the ordinary? We\u2019ve partnered with writer and world traveler Susan Lanier-Graham from the blog Wander With Wonder,<\/a> as she explores one of her favorite natural wonders. <\/em><\/p>\n

Sedona, Arizona<\/a> is magical anytime of the year, but I think it is one of the best places on Earth in fall. This time of year is my favorite season. Heading to Sedona from my home in Phoenix<\/a> is ideal for a fall weekend. It gives me a chance to pull on a jacket, sit by a fire pit and breathe in the mountain air.<\/p>\n

Sedona is only two hours from Phoenix, but it feels as if it is a world away. The small town of only about 10,000 full-time residents is surrounded by brilliant red sandstone cliffs. At an elevation of about 4,500 feet, there is a mix of desert landscapes, cottonwoods, sage, junipers and pines. It is gorgeous in the height of fall with all the colors. You can keep a close check on the changing leaves online<\/a> to help time your visit.<\/p>\n
\"SedonaRedRocks\"<\/a>\n

Sedona is considered sacred by Native Americans, many tribes claiming the area as their original birthplace. It is an interesting blend of rugged beauty, boutique shopping, artwork, restaurants and luxury spas.<\/p>\n

Sedona is known for its \u201cvortexes\u201d or invisible whirling dervishes of energy. People travel from all over the world to seek out this destination known for its healing and renewal. The locals say that once you\u2019ve visited Sedona, you will definitely have a Sedona story. It\u2019s a place where unexplained things happen and where I always find some little piece of myself I never knew existed. Somehow I feel at home when I see those red rocks in the distance. Is it because of the vortexes and some magical energy? I\u2019ll let you decide for yourself.<\/p>\n\"DSC_0463-001\"<\/a>\n

Whether you believe in vortexes or not, Sedona offers a perfect retreat<\/a> for a magical fall getaway filled with hiking, exploring the trails, off-roading, eating, shopping and relaxing. On my long weekend, I took time to simply wander and explore. Let me share some of my favorite moments with you.<\/p>\n

Amara Resort and Spa<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I enjoy the two-hour drive from Phoenix. It gives me time to slowly let go of the hustle and bustle of city life and anticipate the rest and relaxation awaiting me.<\/p>\n\"Drive-to-Sedona\"<\/a>\n

I had booked a room at the beautiful Amara Resort and Spa, A Kimpton Hotel<\/a>, right in the heart of Sedona, so I start my weekend off there.<\/p>\n\"Amara-Resort-and-Spa\"<\/a>\n

As I turn off the main road and wind slowly down the driveway to the hotel\u2019s front entrance, I feel the unmistakable pull of Sedona. The city is behind me and I\u2019ve come to relax.<\/p>\n

After checking in, I make a beeline for Amara\u2019s patio, where my mouth waters just thinking about a couple of my all-time favorite bites courtesy of Chef Massimo De Francesca at Saltrock Southwest Kitchen. I am barely seated before I order the deviled eggs. No, these aren\u2019t your Aunt Sally\u2019s deviled eggs. They have a pasilla-maple syrup drizzled over, served with a bacon onion marmalade and grain mustard. There are three halves on the plate and I savor every little bite.<\/p>\n

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\n\"SaltRock_Deviled-Eggs-1-1\"<\/a>\n

Another favorite treat at Saltrock is the grilled corn. This is a crunchy treat that pairs nicely alongside the deviled eggs. The corn is served with garlic, an aoili with just a touch of spice, lime and cotija cheese. Salty, sweet and a touch of spice on every spoon.<\/p>\n\"SaltRock_Grilled-Corn-1\"<\/a>\n

The patio offers a front-row view of the beautiful red rocks. It is so quiet and peaceful I forgot I was in the middle of town. I let the fall breezes wash away every ounce of stress.<\/p>\n

The rooms at Amara are a bit eclectic and I love it. Bright accent pillows and a modern d\u00e9cor are fun and whimsical, but the touches of local materials add a unique connection to the space outside the windows. I love that the headboards, a bit different in every room, are handcrafted from local fallen trees.<\/p>\n\"Amara-Guestroom_Low\"<\/a>\n

I stayed in the creekside one-bedroom suite. It is a huge room with private patios looking out on Oak Creek, meandering along just a short distance away. Sitting outside at night, I could see a million stars overhead. The pool is heated and right on the edge of the woods and Oak Creek. I spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool.<\/p>\n

Mariposa Restaurant<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

As seems to be the case when I travel, I was soon thinking about food. I opted for one of Sedona\u2019s most scenic restaurants, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill<\/a>. I grabbed the Amara shuttle, arriving just in time for happy hour and drinks on one of the most amazing patios anywhere in the world.
\n\"DSC_0389-002\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill finds its inspiration from its legendary chef\u2019s travels to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.\"Mariposa-Exterior\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The setting is simply breathtaking. The restaurant\u2019s mariposa<\/em> theme (butterfly in Spanish) starts when you arrive and magnificent iron butterfly orbs greet you. After dark, fire flickers inside each one.\"DSC_0397-001\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once again, I discovered that food is perhaps the world\u2019s best universal language. It reveals not only the chef\u2019s soul, but the soul of the place. At Mariposa, I found the food so full of love and flavor that I was certain those vortexes were adding to the experience.<\/p>\n\"Mariposa-Empanadas\"<\/a>\n

My favorite dishes were the Sopa de Justino<\/em> (a thick, hearty soup with roasted chicken, vegetables, orzo, avocado and tortilla strips), the handmade empanadas<\/em> served with a delicious house made chimichurri sauce and the Boca de Muerto<\/em>, or flourless chocolate torte.\"Mariposa-Chocolate-Torte\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Taking a Jeep Tour of the Red Rocks <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The next day started bright and early with an off-road tour provided by Pink Jeep Tours<\/a>. These iconic pink Jeeps have been taking visitors around the red rocks since 1960. Pink Jeep picked me up at the front of the hotel right on schedule and I climbed in with a handful of other passengers to head out on the company\u2019s original Broken Arrow Tour.<\/p>\n\"DSC_0475-001\"<\/a>\n

The Broken Arrow trail covers about two miles in the Coconino National Forest. The two school-aged kids on the tour squealed with delight \u2014 as did the two retirees \u2014 showing it\u2019s an outing for all ages.\"DSC_0480-001\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The sights along the trail are magnificent. Our guide pointed out many of the most famous Sedona landmarks with fun names like Submarine Rock, Chicken Point, Bell Rock and Chapel Butte. The ride ends with a descent down The Road of No Return. Pink Jeep Tours offers an assortment of adventures from two hours to full-day excursions. You can book one here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Are there vortexes and magical energy in Sedona? Whether you are a believer or not, you will discover some of the most natural beauty anywhere in the world. Whether you wander along Oak Creek, nibble treats on a patio, head out for an off-road excursion or simply relax and rejuvenate, you will find yourself thinking often of Sedona and that painter\u2019s palate of red rocks and blue Arizona sky.<\/p>\n\"DSC_0537-001\"<\/a>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover a new side of Mother Nature with a sensational experience in Sedona. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":12268,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[187,505,60,506,504],"class_list":["post-12258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city","tag-arizona","tag-fall","tag-hiking","tag-hotel","tag-sedona"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Magical Fall Weekend in Sedona, Arizona | Travelocity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Seeking a magical escape? 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