The drive from Phoenix to Sedona takes just around 2 hours. Sure, you could drive straight through. But where’s the fun in that? As everyone who follows our blog knows — it’s not the destination but the journey. While you might be excited to join Sedona’s legendary Pink Jeep tour or to seek out some Sedona vortex energy, we recommend taking your time. And consider our top three unique Arizona spots along the way.
Driving from Phoenix to Sedona. There are so many unique stops along the way.
Ever been to one of the world’s most haunted towns? Explored ancient ruins of a cliff-dwelling society? Or been invited inside a 24/7 living experiment run by artists? Be intrigued…be VERY intrigued! Follow our journey from Phoenix to Sedona and we’re pretty sure you’ll understand why we think it’s worth the easy detour.
Enjoying the breakfast pizza at Luana’s Coffee Shop in downtown Phoenix. A quick and easy stop on any itinerary from Phoenix to Sedona.
1970’s Utopia in the Desert: Touring the Micro-City of Arcosanti
Welcome to Arcosanti, an artist community in the dessert.
I could sense Kevin’s skepticism right off the bat when I told him we’d be stopping at Arcosanti — an “experimental community” in the Arizona desert. I joked, it wouldn’t involve any human sacrifices (though, in hindsight, I don’t think that made him feel better). It certainly didn’t help when we pulled up to the faded welcome sign that proclaimed we were about to enter an “urban laboratory.” Oh, you can only imagine Kevin’s onslaught of questions…
No doubt about it, Arcosanti is one of the most unique places we’ve ever visited. Located just 1 hour north of Phoenix, Arcosanti is not your typical roadside America stop. Its origin story goes back to 1970 when Italian architect Paolo Soleri conceived his vision of an urban utopia… A place where nature and city life is one. Soleri, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, dreamed of creating a revolutionary community.
Inside Arcosanti’s cafe, overlooking the desert.
Today visitors are welcome to stop by — to eat at its on-site cafe, peruse the gift shop or join a guided tour. Clearly, I was ALL IN. The 1-hour tour ($15 per person as a suggested donation) explores the grounds and covers the evolving history and ethos of this 24/7 living experiment. Soleri started making bells long before building this site. Soleri trained others and eventually made a bell-making business that he used to fund the site. During your tour, you can see first-hand how the bells are still made today by Arcosanti artisans and craftsmen. Want to take one home? Bells are available for purchase during your visit as well.
T-shirts and bells for purchase in Arcosanti’s gift shop.
One of the many domed structures you’ll see along the tour. And where they still make the Arcosanti bells.
Soleri dreamed of a city housing thousands of people. But today, Arcosanti has less than 100 people living on site full-time. You not only will see the outside grounds on the tour, but get a peek inside one of the rooms.
Inside one of the typical rooms at Arcosanti.
I first learned about Arcosanti while researching our 1 week itinerary in United Arab Emirates. Wait, where is the connection you ask? Well, while we were in Abu Dhabi, we visited Masdar City, which is another urban experiment with the goal to create a city with a zero carbon footprint. There are a lot of similarities in philosophies, such as limiting car usage and applying energy efficient heating and cooling. But clearly, if you’re coming from southern California, Arcosanti is a little easier to reach than Abu Dhabi!
- If you go, 1-hour tours run daily. Start times: 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm
- Suggested donation: $15 per person.
- No advanced reservations are necessary. For more info, check out their website.
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts: Visiting Jerome, The Ghost Capitol of Arizona
Old time, spooky postcard from Jerome, Arizona.
Ready to get spooked out? Jerome, Arizona, makes a quick and fun detour from Phoenix to Sedona. Note, that this detour will take you an extra 45 minutes. Kevin and I visited Jerome to join along Ghost Town Tour’s popular 2-hour ghost walking tour.
Inside one of Jerome’s haunted spots on our walking tour. Clearly even creepier when there are no lights.
Jerome was considered one of the wildest cities in the west — and there is no shortage of tales of gruesome deaths. But beyond all the gore, we’re told there are plenty of friendly ghosts. Okay, I’ll admit it, we’re pretty much big o’l skeptics. Regardless of that, we’re always down for unique experiences. Though, Kevin definitely gave me a look when we were handed our own ‘ghost detecting equipment’ and audio devices for us to talk with some ghosts. As long a we don’t get covered in ectoplasm, we’ll be good.
Kevin breaks out his ghost detector. Find me some ghosts, baby!
The tour goes inside some of Jerome’s most notable landmarks. And in case you’re wondering, we did hear some voices on our audio device. When I asked for the ghost’s name, a voice growled back, “Raaaalph…” Okay, we were freaked out. And maybe, I wasn’t so calm and nearly threw my device onto the ground. But then again, was it really a ghost? A few moments later, Kevin picked up what sounded like a radio DJ taking music requests. Was Ralph channeling the local radio station, too? Oh well, it’s fun regardless of whether you’re into paranoia. Or are just paranoid.
Our communicator device. Where we heard a ghostly voice talk back to us.
After all this ghost hunting, we were hungry. If you’re looking for a good spot to grab dinner, we recommend the Asylum Restaurant inside Jerome’s Grand Hotel. Did we mention it was an old miners hospital? And the most haunted place in Arizona? Well sign us up. Tell them Raaaalph sent you. I’m guessing no ghostly figures would mess with him!
Inside the eerie (and weirdly romantic) Asylum Restaurant.
Checking Out The Cliff Dwellings of Montezuma Castle, From Phoenix to Arizona
Montezuma Castle is another quick and easy stop. You can easily combine this with your trip to Arcosanti. Montezuma Castle was constructed from mud and stone by the Sinagua people around 1150. It is a sight to take in — with an entire community built high above the ground into the surrounding mountains. It’s an impressive site. So much so that in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt celebrated the passage of the Antiquities Act — declaring four sites of historic and cultural significance as the nation’s first National Monuments. Montezuma Castle was among the spots that the President identified as a place “of the greatest ethnological value and scientific interest.”
Inside the tiny on-site museum, a display with President Roosevelt.
There is a small entrance fee of $10 to access the park. It makes a nice stop to stretch the legs. We recommend walking along the paved .4 mile trail, which will give you views of Montezuma Castle the entire way. There are informative signs located throughout the walk to give you context to the site’s history, the Sinagua people and Arizona’s flora and fauna.
Have more time in Arizona and looking for other travel ideas? Check out our perfect 2-day itinerary in Page, Arizona that takes you through the picture-perfect Antelope Canyon. Love quirky travel spots and classic Americana? Follow our great American road trip along Route 66. And be sure to check out all our Arizona coverage on Gourmet Globetrotter.
No Comments, Be The First!