What to Do on Your Day Off: Arizona
What a view. Photo courtesy of Four Season's Troon North.
Wondering what to do with your day off? Make the most of your time in Arizona with these one-day and overnight itineraries.
ARIZONA - From legendary Sedona vortexes to the sprawling winter residence of Frank Lloyd Wright, there's so much to see and do in the great state of Arizona. When you have a day off, here's where you should start.
Explore Frank Lloyd Wright's winter residence. Photo courtesy of Taliesin West.
SCOTTSDALE
Go au naturale: Take a kayak down the Lower Salt River in the rugged Tonto National Forest (keep an eye out for wild horses). If you're feeling energized, expand your lung capacity with the 3.5-mile stretch of Pinnacle Peak or the more rigorous Gateway Trailhead. Unwind with canned beer and dancing at rustic, honky-tonk Greasewood Flat. Dine on Arizona ranch-raised meats at mod Talavera and watch the sunset by an outdoor kiva before you drift to sleep at Four Season's Troon North.
Or think artfully: The Sororan Desert makes a great backdrop for viewing Frank Lloyd Wright's sprawling Taliesin West, the architect's winter residence. Drive over to 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden for a green assortment of cacti and succulents. For a study of space and light, stroll on architect Paolo Soleri's namesake bridge. Procure a table at Virtu for seasonal fare and return to swanky-cool 1950's Hotel Valley Ho for an evening dip in the midcentury-inspired pool.
Saloon-style entertainment. Photo courtesy of Blazin M' Ranch.
SEDONA
Harvest nature's bounty: Drop your bags and warm yourself by the fire at L'Auberge de Sedona Resort & Spa on quiet Oak Creek. Peek inside the iconic, spiritual Chapel of the Holy Cross for various Instagram-worthy moments. Throw on a pair of hiking boots and make your way along the West Fork Oak Creek Trail to take in the blazing colors of the canyon. Break for lunch at the no-frills and quite delicious Elote Cafe. For good ol' fashioned saloon-style entertainment, drop by Blazin M' Ranch for a chuckwagon dinner.
Or channel the vortex: Skip the psychic reading and instead gather wisdom from legendary Sedona vortexes — where it's said that the earth radiates with heightened energy and enlightenment. Feel the force at Bell Rock, a series of gravel trails with panoramic views of red rock formations and, if you're lucky, a perfect western sunset. At night, stargaze at the secluded Enchantment Resort and try a massage using Arizona basalt stones energized by moonlight.