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Visiting the Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona

April 14, 2016 By Greg Johnson Leave a Comment

Visiting the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona

Cathedral Rock, Sedona, AZ. Photo By Tomas Castelazo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Please enjoy this guest post from Alison Wilkins.

Located two hours north of Phoenix and two hours south of the Grand Canyon, the town of Sedona is a breathtaking beauty. Red rock formations in curious shapes reach towards the sky (Snoopy Rock, the Coffee Pot, and Bell Rock are a few). Hiking trails abound, and if you prefer to ride rather than walk, there are Jeep tours available or Jeeps and ATVs for rent. For the adventurous who want an aerial view, helicopter, small plane, and balloon rides can be arranged. When the stars come out, bundle up warmly and join a star-gazing group with a guide.

A trolley tour around the town gives a quick orientation to the area. You’ll catach a glimpse of the home now owned by a former Doublemint twin but was formerly in Lucille Ball’s family (spot the Lucille mannequin on the balcony).

Sedona is an art lover’s dream, with numerous galleries and shops featuring interesting sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. Turquoise is popular here, along with Native American pottery (the Navajo Nation is nearby) and Southwestern art. The prices can vary a lot between the stores, so if you’re looking for a souvenir, compare a few different stores. Garland’s Navajo Rugs is not to be missed, for their large rug collection and so much more. They have leather furniture incorporating the rugs, turquoise jewelry and many forms of Native American art.

See the amazing Chapel of the Holy Cross via the trolley, since they will drop you off at the entrance and parking won’t be a problem. This chapel was built on the red rocks and is used for services, and is open to the public for free.

Where to Stay, Where to Eat

Chapel of the Holy Cross. Photo by: Matthew P. Del Buono (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Chapel of the Holy Cross. Photo by: Matthew P. Del Buono (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Sedona has an abundance of motels and inns, and most receive high customer ratings. Most are privately owned, but there are also several chains, including a Hampton Inn, two Best Westerns, and both a Hyatt and Hilton resort.

If you do “travel hacking” the Hampton Inn will work for you, but the Hyatt is a time share that doesn’t accept reservations for free bonus nights.

Click Here for Our List of Best Travel Rewards Cards

The restaurant offerings range from Southwestern, to steak, to Italian and there is something for everyone’s preference. The Silver Saddle at the Cowboy Club in Uptown Sedona serves rattlesnake, buffalo, and cactus fries, and has plenty of character. They have outdoor seating that makes for good people watching plus a view of the red rocks. The Javelina Cantina serves Mexican food; try the prickly pear margarita if you go. Speaking of prickly pears, they are a local specialty that you will find in mixed drinks, candies, and sauces.

Stop by the Grand Canyon

Sedona, Arizona is an art and nature lover's paradise. The red rock formations are the big draw, but don't miss the crafts. Click here to learn more!While you’re that close to the Grand Canyon, don’t miss it! Take 89A north out of Sedona, towards Flagstaff. The road is very curvy, with beautiful views of Oak Creek Canyon. Get going early in the morning and you can visit the Grand Canyon in a day.

The National Geographic Visitors Center is on the way, and you can watch an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon, buy a snack, and book a Pink Jeep tour if you want a guide. You can also take a shuttle bus tour from Sedona, with Great West tours, and I recommend you do this on your first visit there, for the wealth of information the guide will share with you. If you’re not on a tour, you will pay an entrance fee per vehicle at the gate to the Grand Canyon, and they’ll provide you with maps. The park has several free shuttle bus routes you can use to get to various viewing points, and they have gift shops, and several dining options including a food court.

Visiting Sedona will bring you closer to nature and the scenery is truly awe-inspiring. It’s one place you definitely don’t want to miss.

 

Alison Wilkins is a southern mom and licensed clinical social worker. She is crazy about travel and loves the process of planning trips, especially now that she has discovered travel rewards. In her free time she also loves reading, especially travel and personal finance blogs.

Filed Under: Southwest, United States Tagged With: Arizona, red rocks, Sedona

6 Places to See in Raleigh, NC

November 17, 2015 By Lauren May 1 Comment

As North Carolina’s state capital, Raleigh is a fast growing city that attracts people from all walks of life. If you’re seeking Southern charm, the City of Oaks certainly delivers. With beautiful Victorian architecture, a rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene, it’s an excellent place to enjoy a relaxing and educational trip. There are points of interest for visitors of all ages, including museums, quaint shopping districts, stunning historic homes, and much more. Here’s what you have to see in Raleigh, NC!

Things to See in Raleigh, NC

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Southeast, United States Tagged With: cemeteries, mansions, North Carolina

Getting a Taste of Local Flavor at Terhune Orchards

June 5, 2015 By Lauren May Leave a Comment

Set in Princeton, New Jersey, Terhune Orchards is a charming farm and vineyard  with a relaxing country atmosphere for both grown-ups and kids to enjoy.

Photo by: pdstahl via Flickr and Creative Commons

I recently spent a beautiful late summer afternoon at Terhune Orchards with my daughter, sister, and a friend. It proved to be a perfect outing for our little group. The orchard has wine tastings, friendly barnyard animals, and pick-your-own fruits, flowers, and pumpkins, among other things. Family owned and operated since the 1970s, this charming farm and vineyard is located in Princeton, New Jersey, with a relaxing country atmosphere for both grown-ups and kids to enjoy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Northeast, United States Tagged With: family, New Jersey, orchards

Step Into History at Boone Hall Plantation

September 24, 2014 By Lauren May 4 Comments

Step Into History at Boone Hall Plantation

Avenue of the Oaks at Boone Hall Plantation (Photo Credit: By JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

No trip to Charleston would be complete without a visit to Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens. One of the finest examples of the antebellum South, this beautiful plantation gives us a glimpse into what everyday life was like for the hundreds of people who lived and worked here over the last 300 years. Today, it still functions as a working plantation, and visitors can take a variety of tours through the many different areas of the property. It’s a place of great cultural and historical significance in South Carolina. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Southeast, United States Tagged With: antebellum, Charleston, plantations, slavery, South Carolina

Having a Ball on Lake Cumberland, KY

September 9, 2014 By Mel 5 Comments

Having a Ball on Lake Cumberland, KY

Photo Credit: By Sealle (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Cumberland, named by Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750 for the Duke of Cumberland, son of the King, is the third largest lake in Kentucky. It officially became a lake when Wolf Creek Dam, the 25th largest in America, was constructed in 1950. To create the lake required moving the entire town of Burnside, Kentucky (the birthplace of the Boy Scouts of America, although the title is occasionally disputed by a few other towns) to higher ground and destroyed the town of Rowena entirely.

Where to stay

At the same time Wolf Creek Dam was built, the large parcel of land around Lake Cumberland was given to the state of Kentucky by the U.S. government to be turned into a state park. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Southeast, United States Tagged With: Kentucky, lakes, vacation

Swim with Dolphins on Blue Dolphin Tours

August 26, 2014 By Greg Johnson 8 Comments

Swim with Dolphins on Blue Dolphin ToursOne of our favorite things to do as a family is to head to Panama City Beach, Florida for vacation. The beach is absolutely gorgeous, the water is nice, and there is always a lot to do there. Being only a 12-hour drive for us, we typically visit the Panama City Beach area at least once a year. We recently had the chance to spend my daughter’s birthday there and found a great little touring shop called Blue Dolphin Tours. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Southeast, United States Tagged With: dolphin cruise, dolphins, family, Florida, Panama City Beach, PCB, wildlife

Assateague Island: Camping with Wild Horses

August 18, 2014 By Lauren May 1 Comment

Assateague Island: Camping with Wild Horses

Photo Credit: By tramod [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

When most of us think of going camping, we envision a wooded area filled with trees, dirt, and woodland creatures like bears, skunks, and squirrels. Camping on the beach at Assateague Island off the coast of Maryland offers you the opposite experience, allowing you to fall asleep under the stars to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. Rather than bears running by your campsite, you’ll keep your eyes and ears alert for the beautiful wild ponies that roam along the shoreline. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Northeast, United States Tagged With: camping, Maryland, nature

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

August 12, 2014 By Mel Leave a Comment

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Photo Credit: By Sewtex (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

With National Park Service’s birthday coming up on August 25th (one of the days the National Park Service waives it’s entrance fees), this is a great time of year to plan a visit to any of our national parks! Summer also makes it a great time to check out Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, America’s largest national park and a United Nations World Heritage site, in the gorgeous state of Alaska. Larger than Switzerland and just slightly smaller than West Virginia, Wrangell-St Elias comes in at an impressive 13.2 million acres, boasting 9 of the 16 highest mountain peaks in the United States. One of the parks glaciers alone, Malaspina, is larger than Rhode Island. [Read more…]

Filed Under: United States, West Coast Tagged With: alaska, Mountains, National Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Site

America’s Best Amusement Parks

August 1, 2014 By Lauren May 2 Comments

A trip to the amusement park is one of those great American pastimes, providing hours upon hours of exciting interactive entertainment for people of all ages. They are especially attractive to the thrill seekers among us, and amusement parks consistently push the boundaries, in terms of ride design. Year after year, new gravity defying rides pop up in parks across the country. Here are some of America’s best amusement parks for thrill seekers: [Read more…]

Filed Under: California, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, United States, West Coast Tagged With: California, family, New Jersey, Ohio, roller coasters, thirll rides, Virginia

4 Best Zoos in America for Families

July 29, 2014 By Lauren May 3 Comments

4 Best Zoos in America for Families

Photo by Chuck Dresner/St. Louis Zoo

 

What makes a zoo great for families? Well, for one thing, the animal exhibits. They inspire awe, wonder, and curiosity among kids of all ages. Another feature of family friendly zoological parks is that they have interactive areas and plenty of space for play and exploration. These zoos are home to hundreds of species and exciting exhibits, and families can explore and make memories in these parks. So, without further ado, here’s our list of the “4 Best Zoos in America for Families.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: California, Midwest, Northeast, United States, West Coast Tagged With: family, kids, wildlife, zoos

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