Arizona Trip Itineraries
Great Architecture of the Southwest
Destination(s): Flagstaff
The Southwest is known for its endless vista* and frugal landscape. What is less known is that this landscape ha* inspired architects since Ancient times. Beginning with the Sinagua and Ana*azi around 1000 A.D., people have been building enormous structures into the gaping domes, onto the flat desert and over the red rock mesa* of the Southwest. Not only ancient inhabitants, but modern architects, most namely Frank Lloyd Wright, have found this landscape alluring and welcoming to human structure. Visit area* from Central to Northern Arizona where some of the most dazzling structures stand. From the Sinagua Indians to the experimental Paulo Soleri, this trip includes 1000 years of living in ten days. read more about Great Architecture of the Southwest
Wright's
- 2400 East Arizona Biltmore Circle
- (northeast of 24th Street & Camelback Road)
- tel:1 602 954 2507
- Visit website
- Phoenix, 85016
First Christian Church
- 6750 North 7th Avenue
- tel:+1 602 246 9206
- Visit website
- Phoenix, 85013
Jerome
- (Address is approximate; P. O. Box 335)
- tel:928 634 7943
- Visit website
- , 86331
Tlaquepaque
- 336 State Hwy 179
- tel:928 282 4838
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
This open-air shopping center is modeled after a picturesque Mexican village and named after the artisan suburb outside Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In Sedona, Tlaquepaque happens to be one of the top tourist attractions in town, drawing a steady stream of visitors to the sprawling, hacienda-like structure lined with cobblestone and decorated with whimsical statuary and fountains. You'll find dozens of high-end galleries, jewelry stores, boutiques, restaurants, and a small chapel. The stucco walls are covered over with crawling vines and flower pots are tucked into every corner and decorative terrace. Undoubtedly one of the more romantic shopping centers in town, Tlaquepaque is also a working artisan community where you may catch a glimpse of artists at work.
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Chapel of the Holy Cross
- 780 Chapel Road
- (East of State Route 179)
- tel:928 282 4069
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Historical District/Grand Canyon Village
- Grand Canyon Village
- South Rim
- tel:+1 928 638 7888
- Visit website
- Grand Canyon, 86023
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Flagstaff Areas
- 2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
- tel:520-556-7134
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86002
Between 1040 and 1100, this volcano exploded, powerfully affecting the lives of local peoples and forever altering the landscape of the surrounding area. Today you can drive right up to the site, where shinny black molten rock covers this area, as if it erupted just yesterday. Take the Lava Flow trail to see the life slowly returning to this rugged landscape. The fee is $5. Take U.S 89 north for 12 miles, turn right on the Sunset Crater/Wupatki Loop road and continue 2 miles (3km) to the visitor center. This loop road makes it convenient to see the nearby Wupatki Ruins on the same day. read more about Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Arcosanti
- Interstate 17 & State Route 169
- (HC 74 Box 4136; address is approximate, I-17 north to exit 262; then east following the signs)
- tel:928 632 6217 / 928 632 7135
- Visit website
- Mayer, 86333
Rene at Tlaquepaque
- 336 Hwy 179
- (Tlaquepaque)
- tel:928 282 9225
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
The Coffee Pot
- 2050 W State Rte 89A
- (north side of Hwy 89A)
- tel:928 282 6626
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
If you want to eat where the locals eat, head straight to The Coffee Pot, a down-home breakfast and lunch diner that is famous for its breakfasts and notably generous large servings. Named for the imposing coffee pot-shaped rock formation located behind the restaurant, the "home of the famous 101 omelettes" also happens to serve up a mean lunch platter. Choose from a large selection of sandwiches, salads, and Mexican specialties. The Coffee Pot has been a local Sedona landmark for decades, and recently expanded a bit with an outdoor patio and kids menu. There is also a gift shop stocked with knick-knacks.
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Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Flagstaff Areas
- 2717 N. Steves Blvd. #3
- tel:928 527-1246
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86002
Located about eight miles southeast of Flagstaff off I-40, Walnut Canyon National Monument offers a fascinating peek into the lives of the people anthropologists have named the Sinagua ("without water"). A strenuous, one-mile walk on the Island Trail gives you a front-row glimpse to the 700-year old cliff dwellings where the Sinagua lived and left their mark. Peer into the past as you take in the 25 cliff dwellings along the trail. You can see more dwellings across the canyon. Even if you are not transfixed by the mystery of the people who built this cliffside pueblo, the lush canyon is the perfect high desert backdrop for your Northern Arizona adventure. The canyon is a valuable habitat for many species of plants and animals, and a gorgeous backdrop for photographers of all stripes.
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Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
- 2400 E. Missouri Ave
- tel:+1 602 955 6600 / +1 800 950 2575
- Visit website
- Phoenix, 85008
Hotels don't come much more posh than this. The Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa has defined classic desert city elegance since it first opened its doors in 1929. The hotel's high reputation is confirmed by its notable pedigree--it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright associate Albert Chase McArthur. The lobby literally dazzles with stained glass skylights, and intimate sitting alcoves throughout lend a relaxed air to the stately entrance. The 120 rooms are spacious and decorated with gracious Mission-style furniture. Perhaps even more spacious and graceful are the hotel grounds, which occupy 39 acres of walkways, colorful flower displays, and decorative stone fountains. This is one of the priciest places to stay in Phoenix, but if you're looking for a truly luxurious experience at one of the city's most historic resorts, you can't do much better than this.
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Red's at Sedona Rouge
- 2250 West Highway 89A
- tel:928 203 4111
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Chapel at Tlaquepaque
- 336 Street Highway 179
- (P. O. Box 1868; at Tlaquepaque)
- tel:928 282 4838
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Grand Canyon Lodge
- Grand Canyon N Rim
- Grand Canyon North Rim
- tel:928 638 2611
- Visit website
- Grand Canyon, 86052
El Tovar Dining Room
- El Tovar Lodge
- P. O. Box 699
- tel:+1 928 638 2631
- Visit website
- Grand Canyon, 86023
Karma
- 6 E. Route 66
- tel:928 774-6100
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86001
Montezuma's Castle
- (exit 289 from 1-17 and drive 3 miles east)
- tel:928 567 3322 / 928 567 5276 (Headquarters)
- Visit website
- , 86322
Ghost City Inn
- 541 Main Street
- tel:+1 928 634 4678
- Visit website
- Jerome, 86331
Sedona Rouge Hotel And Spa
- 2250 W Highway 89a
- tel:928 203 4111
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
El Rincon
- 336 State Route 179
- (At the bridge in Tlaquepaque)
- tel:928 282 4648
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
- 409 W. Riordan Rd
- (Off South Milton Road at Bookmans Plaza)
- tel:+1 928 779 4395
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86001
Get a glimpse of Flagstaff's logging town past with a visit to Riordan State Historic Park, located near the Northern Arizona University campus. Lumber baron brothers Michael and Timothy Riordan built the mansion in 1904, which was designed by Charles Whittlesley, also famous for building the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon. The 13,300 square foot mansion contains 40 rooms of log-and-stone, many of which are furnished with Gustav Stickley furniture, known as the father of the American Arts and Crafts design movement. One of the most whimsical objects you'll see in the house are the "Paul Bunyan" shoes--a two-foot long pair of boots that Timothy Riordan built in his workshop. Everything in the mansion is original, making this a goldmine for history buffs everywhere.
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Tuzigoot National Monument
- P.O. Box 68
- tel:520 634 5564
- Visit website
- , 86324
Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa
- 525 Boynton Canyon Road
- tel:928 282 2900 / 800 826 4180 Reservations
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Yavapai Restaurant
- 525 Boynton Canyon
- (At Enchantment Resort)
- tel:928 204 6000 / 928 282 2900 (Resort)
- Visit website
- Sedona, 86336
Lowell Observatory
- 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd
- tel:(928) 774-3358
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86001
Lowell Observatory, located atop Mars Hill Road just outside of downtown Flagstaff, is one of the leading astronomical research facilities in the United States, and one of the city's true must-see attractions. The observatory offers a compelling glimpse to universe--even bored teenagers will be amazed by what they see on the other side of the telescope. Day visitors are treated to guided tours, multimedia exhibits, and a viewing of the Sun with a specially equipped telescope. But the real action starts at dusk, when (weather permitting) the staff opens up the telescopes for viewings of Jupiter, the Moon, star clusters, and other incredible celestial sights. Rain or shine, visitors are also invited to experience the Observatory's interactive presentations at their portable planetarium, and tours of the Universe inside the 3-D movie theatre. If you happen to be looking for a great place to take a date, the Observatory, which is surrounded by walking trails and great views of the dark skies over Flagstaff, is surprisingly romantic.
Multimedia Shows
Computer-generated imagery meets the exciting music of Mannheim Steamroller in our 30-minute widescreen show Heavy Astronomy: Marvels of the Cosmos.
Join us in the evenings for telescope viewing, widescreen multimedia shows, and tours of the Universe with our 3D space theatre – all while enjoying the clear mountain air and dark skies over Flagstaff.
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Rendezvous
- 100 N. San Francisco St., 107
- tel:928 774 6971
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86001
Little America Hotel
- 2515 East Butler Avenue
- tel:+1 928 779 2741 / +1 800 865 1401
- Visit website
- Flagstaff, 86004
The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff has two major claims to fame: it's the largest hotel in town, and one of a handful of hotels offering room service. So, it should go without saying that if you're looking for a comfortable stay with all the modern amenities, the Little America Flagstaff awaits with open arms. One of the biggest selling points of this popular resort hotel is the location: surrounded by 500 acres of Ponderosa Pine trees, Little America Flagstaff makes for an inviting and serene Northern Arizona escape, light years away from the business and train noise of downtown Flagstaff. On the flipside, guests looking for a warm and cozy stay may find this huge hotel property a bit impersonal. Large, comfortable rooms are decorated with French provincial-style furnishings, and the property features walking trails, an in-house restaurant, deli, Southwestern gift shop, and courtesy van service to the airport or Amtrak station.
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