Updated February 2021

Phoenix to Sedona Pins to save

How we ended up flying to Arizona to escape our winter weather!

If your going to Phoenix, you must squeeze in Sedona! This is how we ended up hoping on a flight and going from Phoenix to Sedona. It was a spontaneous trip and it was one of the best tips. This is how it started… In our town, we had our own little “housewives” club, and our group of mommas would host some of the most epic home parties, game nights, and girl’s night out/ in.

After years of friendship, it was heartbreaking for Sara to move across the country to Virginia. Actually, it totally sucked; however, she came out and would visit yearly to see her hubby’s family, so she always squeezed in time for me when she was in town.It also gave us the best excuse to start traveling together or meeting up 🙂 

Lisa invited us to Arizona, so we took her up on the offer. 

 

We meet up again!

 Seriny and I flew down from Washington to Arizona, and Sara flew from Virginia, and then suddenly, the four of us were together again. Watch out Phoenix – girls gone wild up in here…. crazy mommas on vacay in Arizona in January! It resulted in 4 ladies having a great time and getting some much-needed laughter therapy!

Tips for Visiting Arizona

I think Sedona is a place everybody should check out at least once. When I go back, I would love to spend multiple days there exploring. Maybe stay local and see a sunrise or sunset there.

Consider the weather – the ideal time to visit Phoenix and Sedona is November to April.

Know what to pack, it is one of the sunniest cities in the nation. It was easy to pack lightweight clothes and we brought light coats. It was cool at night, but it was pretty warm during the day when we went in January. Some other things to consider bringing with you

• A camera
• A refillable water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimsuits
• Hiking / running shoes for Sedona

Accomadations near Phoenix

There is loads of accommodations from Airbnb’s Hotels and resorts. They have some really nice 4-5 Star and Diamond resorts. When I was planning our trip I found this website helpful.

Museum ideas around Pheonix

• Arizona Science Center
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Mesa Arts Center
• Phoenix Art Museum

Here is one other place on our list for the next trip

Goldfield Ghost Town.  Since we love history and Ghost towns, this one is high on our buck-list. This is a Historic 1890’s mining camp. There is stage coach rides available normally, but not sure what restrictions there may be with the Rona right now. Anything Wild West and old is of interest to us 🙂 when visiting Phoenix.

Usery Park

Arrival Day, We walked around Usery park, where they had pretty amazing trails and many cactuses. Some were small, and some towered over us. It was my first time seeing Cactus that tall, and of course, we had to take photos of the giants! 

 While on the walk, I was falling behind so I rebelled and went off the trail, but the Cactus had the last laugh. One of the low to the ground cactus jumped on me and attached itself to my sock. It REALLY did jumped at me! And it stuck to me… and it hurt! WTF!? 

I was trying to figure out how to get it off me, I had nothing to knock it off, and it took a while, but I finally got it off. As I laid on the ground wrestling with this thing, trying to knock it off with my other tennis shoe, the girls were laughing (but thank god there were no photos, this is pre-IG days), and it turned out to be a moment I still remember to this day! I’d take one for the team if I can make them laugh like that, LOL!

Moral of the story? You should not mess with those Cactus 🙂 

Shopping around Phoenix and Scottsdale

Day 2, we checked out a few places around town and went to the mall. We just had to stop by Sprinkles cupcakes too 🙂 Then we went back to the house, and BBQ’d some dinner, and enjoyed more time by the pool. 

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Scottsdale is a very cute and quaint bedroom community. There was not a lot happening there, but we did head back to Phoenix again to go to a lively and stylish outdoor restaurant. They had cornholes, firepits, couches, super hip decor and plenty of  tables for eating. It was the Yard! 

THE YAR Details: The Yard, 5632 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-680-4040. The Yard at Farmer Arts District, 149 W. Farmer Ave., Tempe. 480-240-1601, 

culinarydropout.comOther Hip places to check out would be the Chrurchhill. It has the same kind of vibe as The Yard 🙂

The Drive from Phoenix to Sedona

I was shocked how beautiful Sedona was, it has never really been on my radar. These photos do not do it justice! The drive from Phoenix to Sedona was not long at all and it was pretty amazing to take in all of the nature.

I did not know much or anything about Sedona. The elevation can get up to 4,300 feet, so it is more relaxed than Phoenix. Some of the hikes were challenging, but we did do cocktails the night before, which probably was a large factor, LOL!

When you’re going on these hikes, the sun is beating down on you so that you can heat up pretty easily, so bring plenty of water. 

The formations are freakin beautiful colors of clay red I have ever seen. I was pretty blown away by the Canyons too. There are natural bridges, rivers, streams, wildlife, and beautiful trees everywhere. It is not what I expected in a Desert. It was honestly not on my bucket list either, but it was a wonderful surprise, and I am counting down the days to get back there so I can take the kiddos! 

The Vortex in Sedona

Sedona has long been known to be a little mystical and has a Vortex that people come from far away to visit. It is nothing too crazy; it is supposed to have positive vibes.

These energies are thought to be swirls of energy and are conductive and a great place for healing, meditation, and self-exploration. Many people say after being in Sedona, they feel inspired, recharged and the positive vibes can be transforming.

All of Sedona is supposed to have this energy, but specific places seem to have more concentrated energy, for example …

• Airport Mesa
• Cathedral Rock
• Bell Rock
• Boynton Canyon

Maybe something to check out if good energies and good vibes inspire you!

 

Hike Suggestions around Sedona

In researching a future trip with the family, I found a couple of options that we may want to check out. 

Here are some of the most popular hikes

Cathedral Rock Hike – 1 – mile hike

Doe Mountain Trail – 1.2 – mile hike

Fay Canyon – 2.4 – mile hike

Courthouse Butte Loop – 3.9 – mile loop 

Bell Rock Pathway – 1.5 – mile loop 

West Fork Trail – 6.9 – mile loop 

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