MAIN Travel USA Arizona Sedona

Just 90 minutes north of Phoenix, Arizona, Sedona is best known for its beauty and serene (some say dynamically spiritual) setting amid the breathtaking scenery of Red Rock Country.

Competing with the Grand Canyon in natural beauty since the early days (when 19th century settlers first raved about the place and its mild climate), today Sedona is one of Arizona's top tourism and recreation centers.

Besides offering world class hiking, mountain biking and sightseeing, Sedona is also well known for its lively arts community together with outstanding yearly events such as the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival, and the Sedona Jazz Festival.

Visiting Sedona

On a first time visit, your first stop should be the trolley tour, featuring a scenic ride aboard either or both the City Highlights Tour, or Scenic Canyon Tour, to take in all that Sedona has to offer.

Further explore the area with a ride on the bright pink touring jeeps (they're hard to miss) that also traverse deeper into the canyons for those who prefer not to hike it!

While here, also don't miss an opportunity to soak in the metaphysical side of Sedona, with the surrounding area believed by some to be a spiritual power center - most strongly felt at Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Schnebly Hill.

Whether it's the "spiritual vortices" that New Agers boast about, or simply Sedona's sheer natural beauty, even a brief stay usually promises an experience that is by turns peaceful, uplifting and inspiring.

Beside soul-satisfying natural wonders, Sedona teems with shops catering to tourists looking for one-of-a-kind crafts and artwork offered in dozens of boutiques and galleries.

As a main tourist area, lodging in Sedona also comes in all price levels and ranges from world-class hotels, to laid-back resorts to quaint bed and breakfasts.

More about Sedona travel & tourist attractions around the Web:

Visit Sedona - The official tourism site with guides to hotels and online room booking, resorts, shopping, sample travel itineraries, photos, maps, event calendar.

Sedona Travel Guide - Wikitravel - Great insider travel notes on what to see and do, suggested arts & crafts shopping, restaurants (most with spectacular views), hotels and camping guides, and related day trips and nearby attractions, photos.

Visit Sedona - The official local tourism guide, with facts on affordable hotels, major tours and attractions, photos, maps and travel tips.