Tourist Attractions in Sedona

The gas station closest to the intersection of 89A and 179 charges about 30 cents more per gallon than anyone else in town. Travel west on 89A to find stations with regular prices.

Fun Alternatives: The GIANT gas station in West Sedona is always the cheapest.

Coming into town from the North you drive right into the tourist stores of Sedona trinkets. We had to walk through at least once and we did get suckered in bought some of this and that.

Unique Suggestions: At least score a Sedona T shirt for $5 like I did.

Although this is a nice little tidbit of a museum that explores the history of many wonderful westerns that were filmed here and pays tribute to Bob Bradshaw who was a famous stunt double for many of the celebrities of westerns made in Sedona.

BUT, this is a tourist trap, it is where Sedona Pines Resort tries to lure you into the ownership of a time share. I am not saying it is a bad resort, I am sure it is really nice, but this is how they try to get you. So beware!

928-203-5719
271 Highway 89A
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 282-0597
Motion Picture Museum

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While going down the hill at the Holy Cross Chapel, we were surprised to see a huge recreational vehicle (RV) going up hill to the chapel. Apparently, the driver did not see the sign at the front of the drive way which says " No Bus or trucks".

The driver of the RV was stocked at the driveway of the chapel because he can't maneuver his RV. He has to go down on reverse as he can't turn around. His RV is so long and there was no space for him to even turn his RV!!!

Unique Suggestions: Make sure to read signs. Slow down.

Fun Alternatives: There's no alternative, really. If you are stocked at the drive way, then just slowly and safely reverse your truck down hill!

Make sure to use the bathroom at the first Information Center in Sedona.

Most of the stores in Sedona don't have public restrooms. They only allow their own customers. Not unless you buy, you can't use their restrooms.

If you have children, make sure to stop by at the first Information Center stop then head down to the town. Also, there is another Information Center inside the town.

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I find many local businesses raise the price of goods sold much higher than you can buy them for direct from the manufacturer. Check to see if the maker of the product has a website and buy direct!

Fun Alternatives: I found beautiful gifts of Sedona in several stores. I noticed on the back of one of my gifts a website. www.innerpeacedesigns.net This company sells gifts of Sedona on their website and not seen in any stores. I found wine charms of the red rocks, pocket tokens with affirmations golf ball markers of the red rocks. I bought so many gifts for friends and family, everyone got something different !! Their website is a great alternative to driving endlessly for that perfect gift. Good luck!

Okay, I'm not sure if this should be in Tourist Trap or not; but there are numerous tourist shops along the main road in Sedona. There does not seem to be much difference in a lot of them except the people inside. I have no doubt the prices are higher in Sedona than you would pay for the same thing elsewhere. I don't know if the guy inside was named Joe but he did not seem that grumpy.

Unique Suggestions: Buy your Sedona specific souvenirs here and your general Arizona and Native American souvenirs elsewhere.

Fun Alternatives: It's fun to at least walk through the shops and look. The shop in the picture caught my eye.

Uptown Sedona (located on the northern part of Route 89A) is basically a tourist trap. There are some neat little shops and restaurants, but you won't find many locals there, unless they're working. My recommendation for shopping is to head to West Sedona and check out some of the shops there. It's fun to visit and check out the tourist traps (Uptown, Tlequepaque, etc) but save most of your buying for West Sedona. The only exceptions would be if there is a specific artist you are looking for, then your choices are limited. But for cool, crystals and new age items - head west!

Unique Suggestions: Just Browse, look around, take in the sites, talk to the people working in the stores and ask about the rock formations and then go - you should be outside anyway! There are some cute, reasonable shops for beads and jewelry making, but in 6 years of living there, I think that's the only store I regularly bought items in. The clothes are very expensive here, so be mindful. Walk around Tlequepaque - it's worth a visit and you can get a quick bite to eat there or ehad across the street to the Javelina Cantina.

There are some great art galleries, so check them out - there aren't many other options for art.

If you're staying at a resort like Enchantment - enjoy the views and the seared scallop salad for lunch, but save shopping for West Sedona.

Fun Alternatives: Shopping - West Sedona (89A)
Eating - West Sedona - especially the Coffee Pot - a regular for the locals and a must visit for tourists. Home to 101 omelettes, but they have about 300 other items as well, including some great, authentic Mexican food. Fast service, great prices, it gets packed for breakfast, but they're used to it, so don't worry if there's a little wait - it won't be long.

Best advice - talk to the locals and ask them where they go. They aere friendly and will tell you like it is.