Expert: Mindy Mendelsohn - 2/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I will be visiting Scottsdale April 1-6, staying at the Fairmount. Just my wife and I. Looking for things to do, places to eat, etc. Is it worth it to take the long drive to the Grand Canyon? Any wineries to visit? Kinda confused by the time zone as it seems to change according to season. How many hours behind New York will it be the first week of April?  Any tips for us? It's our first time. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Roger,


I think that it is definitely worth the drive north, at least to the Sedona/Verde Valley area which is gorgeous and completely different from Southern AZ. Sedona was actually named the most beautiful place in the United States by USA Today in 2003.


If you visit or stay in the Sedona area there are a number of wineries that are rising stars on the wine scene.  I've included a link below to information on the area wineries.

http://www.sedona-verdevalley.com/storiesarticlesessays/wineriesvineyards.html

Friday April 3rd is the first Friday Gallery Tour in Sedona.  There are 15 Fine Art Galleries that participate, it is a lot of fun and free.  It goes from 5-8pm with a free trolley running from location to location.  The gallery association website is: www.sedonagalleryassociation.com

Jerome, which is 20 minutes from Sedona and a great visit as well has a 1st Saturday art walk the following evening, one of the wineries is in Jerome.

THe Sedona Chamber of Commerce website is. www.visitsedona.com

We don't do daylight savings time - so if the clocks have "sprung forward" by the time you arrive there will be three  hour time difference until then it is 2.

One last thing - the Grand Canyon is and hour and a half from Sedona if you decide to go on from there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Mindy





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the great info..  I think Sedona is 2 hours from Scottsdale and you say it's another 90 minutes to the Grand Canyon. If I go there, is there more to do than just look at it & leave? What city would I be in when I go to the Grand Canyon? Do you think it's worth the 3.5 hour drive each way? I only have 4 whole days in Arizona. Are those PINK JEEP tours worth doing ?
Thanks again

Answer
Hi Roger,

Sedona is about 2 hours, personally unless you were going to spend the night and drive on the the Grand Canyon I think that it is tough.  THe Grand Canyon is really look, hike and leave.  There is an Imax movie and shops  

To be honest is is really hard to say and personal preference.  I have been several times and hiked - but most of the time I am with my mother (I am originally from Chicago) to whom the canyon is a must see experience.  For me once was enough.  Other than Grand Canyon Village, I think the nearest City is Williams.  

Personally I would do Sedona and then Jerome instead.  You could do Sedona first and then head south to Phoenix/Scottsdale the back way which is on 89A south, stopping to visit Jerome and then going through the mountains to the Prescott area - which links you back up to Hwy 69 and then back to Interstate 17 and Scottsdale.

The PInk Jeep Tours are alot of fun, and get you back in without hiking. ( That said there are some great hiking trails in Sedona as well)  The Broken Arrow tour is the most adventurous.  You should also put Tlaquepaque  Arts and Crafts Village on your agenda - here is their website for more info:  www.tlaq.com.

In Jerome, there is a great place to eat called the Haunted Hamburger ( they also have veggie burgers) and views that run all the way to Flagstaff which is what makes the place.

Thanks

MIndy