This year for our 8th wedding anniversary, we decided a break from the kids was in order. Thankfully my mother and father in law offered to watch the kiddos so that we could escape for a 2 night stay in Sedona. Being exceptionally tired and weary, we chose a smaller resort with exceptional views and set our sights toward freedom for 2 overnights.
We arrived at the Orchards Inn in Sedona which boasts breathtaking views and fantastic hiking trails of the canyon. We’ve both been to Sedona before but were really hoping for some peace and tranquility this visit. We also wanted to be able to snuggle up by a cozy fire (or fireplace) and watch the beautiful sunsets over a glass (or bottle) of wine. I’m happy to report we were able to do both.
The first day after we checked into our suite, we decided to take an easy day to just stroll around town. Sedona is a place filled with many tourist treasures and vortex souvenir shops. It’s hard not to love a place that boasts magical crystals and potential healing vortexes. After a quick bite to eat for a late lunch, we decided to check out our hotel suite. Our suite came fully equipped with the most cozy indoor fireplace and king size bed. And the best part of our suite was the balcony with a perfect view of the red rocks at sunset. Not long after check in, we uncorked a bottle of wine, toasted to 8 years of marriage and watched the sunset. It was breathtaking.
That night for dinner we decided to try Rascal restaurant at the Wilde Resort in Sedona. A few minutes away by car from our hotel we found ourself at what looked like a diner on the outside and a resort on the inside. Apparently the restaurant had just undergone a very big renovation and we were excited to try it. The restaurant itself has indoor, patio and courtyard seating as part of the Wilde Resort. There’s also live music and local artists that rotate nightly. To start your culinary journey, I highly recommend starting your visit with a Prickly Pear Margarita on the rocks- SO YUMMY! For appetizers to share the baked wings, Ceasar salad and crab cakes were fresh and delicious. For dinner, John and I decided to try a bit of everything. I ordered the surf n turf steak and lobster tail an he ordered the pork ribs. While both were out of this world, the ribs were something out of a BBQ smokehouse. Perhaps the restaurant should focus on BBQ moving forward.
The next morning, very early and a bit hungover, we decided to hike the West Fork trail. We headed out around 7:45 AM and explored the fall leaves and crisp air. Since it’s park of a national park reserve, please make sure to head out early to purchase your parking pass and find a spot. As the day goes on fewer parking spots become available. The trail itself was easy to moderate and did include some fantastic stone hopping and creek crossing. It was also up and down a few rocks so if you go, make sure to wear the right shoes and be ready to climb. As with any hiking, ALWAYS pack enough water and snacks within a bottle or hydra flask or back pack. Lastly, what started as a really chilly morning soon turned warm as we continued our hike. Dressing in layers helped us stay warm in the earlier hours and then cool off once we were in the path of the sun. Total time to complete our hike was 3 hours and 45 minutes. We were really happy with our time to complete and also very sore.
We headed back to the hotel for some food and much needed rest. That afternoon we headed out for a quick excursion to Tlaquepaque art village. The buildings and shops in Tlaquepaque are just beautifully constructed. We felt transported through the tiny shops and spaces as we saw local artwork and historic chapel tucked away as part of the village history. Our highlight was finding a great record store on the top of one of the art shops. We may have purchased a few records for the holidays.
For dinner that evening we decided to try Cucina Rustica. We were pretty hungry and are always open to experience new flavors from renown chefs such as Lisa Dahl. As one of her four restaurants in Sedona, Cucina Rustica features more traditional Italian meat and pasta dishes. The restaurant was completely packed when we arrived at 6pm taking no additional seats. Make sure you make reservations weeks in advance if you can. For starters, we indulged in a limoncello martini and an old fashioned along with our caprese appetizer. We then decided to share a pasta and meat dish. The handmade cheese ravioli tasted just like the pasta we’d eaten on our honeymoon in Italy and the lamb chops were well seasoned and not a bit overcooked. You know how particular I can be about the lamb. A bottle of wine later our water brought us some pistachio gelato to finish the evening. It was the perfect dessert to an overwhelmingly good meal.
Back at the hotel we remarked at how wonderful our 2 days in Sedona had been together. A visit in the fall was the perfect time and temperature to be outdoors and explore a new trail. If you are visiting or live in Arizona, I highly recommend a quick getaway to Sedona. You will not regret the majestic views, outdoor adventure and lively cuisine. Already been? No prob, my guess is that it’s been a while. Since it’s a tourist hotspot, local chefs and resorts are always looking to change up what they offer to visitors. Try a visit during seasonal changes and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Had a nice visit to Sedona or looking to visit soon? I’d love to hear from you~please comment below. Wishing you many safe and happy travels.
