To help you be a smarter Sedona tourist, enjoy your trip more and spend less of your hard-earned money doing it, I've compiled some Sedona tourist tips:
Six Ways to be a Smart Sedona Tourist
- Know the Weather: Many a Sedona tourist doesn't realize how cold it can get here. Our guide to Sedona weather can help you bring the right stuff.
- Know the Geography: For some unexplained reason, Sedona has an "uptown" but no downtown. When Sedonans talk about uptown, they mean the area were all the shops are along Highway 89A between Highway 179 and Midgley Bridge. Anything west of the "Y" where 179 and 89A intersect is West Sedona. Oak CREEK is the area north of the bridge on 89A. The VILLAGE of Oak Creek is north of the main part of town on 179.
- Get Oriented Before Dark: The people who live here like to see the stars, so the only streetlights you'll find are along the highway and at major intersections.
- Know Where to Park: Don't join the hapless hordes look for parking in front of the shops along Highway 89A, pulling in and out of lots only to find them full of reserved spaces. Instead, take Jordan Road west of 89A, to Schnebly Street and turn left. You'll find 144 parking spaces here, and the lot is open from 7:00 a. m. until 8:00 p.m. New arrivals are turned away after 8, but you can exit any time. An extra bonus is that this lot has terrific views.
- Red Rock Passes: If you plan to drive outside of town, you'll probably be in the Coconino National Forest. If you plan to park your car and leave it, you'll need a Red Rock Pass. You don't need a pass for other activities, and you don't need one if you're just driving through or stopping to take a picture. You can get your pass at the visitor centers in town.
- Save $ With a SuperPass: This booklet of coupons can save you money on spa treatments, meals and other activities. You can buy one at the visitor centers located at 331 Forest Road in Uptown Sedona or in Village of Oak Creek at Tequa Plaza.
- Be Prepared for the Air: If you don't live in it all the time, the desert can quickly turn into an uncomfortable place. Find out what you need to know before you go to the desert to be sure you have what you need to stay comfy.
