Dear Arizona Travel:
I am planning a trip to Sedona in November 2010. I am traveling alone and do not plan to rent a car. I am trying to find a map that shows the locations of the shopping areas relative to hotels, spas. Where do I find this?
–Linda H.

Hi, Linda.

Your best bet is to secure a hotel in Uptown Sedona on in/near Tlaquepaque. I created a Google Map for you, showing where the most popular hotels (red beds) are in relation to spas (blue massage) and shopping (yellow $ signs).

I would suggest changing your plans and getting a rental car; Sedona, while a relatively small city, is spread out over about 18 square miles, and traveling on foot to some of the best parts of the area is highly impractical, if not impossible (i.e. Oak Creek Canyon, Boynton Canyon, nearby wineries in Page Springs, etc.) There are few taxicabs and the cost of cabs and an airport shuttle would likely equal or exceed the cost of a rental car. If you’re dead set on not getting a car, stay in Uptown at any of the hotels I marked on the map, or at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa or El Portal, both of which share the grounds with Tlaquepaque (shopping village.)

View Sedona Hotels, Shopping & Spas Map in a larger map

Here are some links to helpful resources:
Sedona Trolley
Tlaquepaque
El Portal
Los Abrigados Resort & Spa
Sedona Main Street
Hillside Sedona

The New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, a 25,000-square-foot organic grocery store, has a fabulous new home in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona. The completion of this natural foods retailer well-known to nearby Sedona residents and visitors is an accomplishment in both sustainable design and the promotion of Flagstaff as a hip and trendy destination.

New Frontiers anchors the 38-acre Aspen Place at the Sawmill mixed-use development located at the southeast corner of Butler Avenue and Lone Tree Road in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. The shopping and urban lifestyle community development will potentially be home to over 40 retail shops and restaurants, as well as condominiums and single-family homes slated for completion in 2009. Complementing the New Frontiers Natural Marketplace are retailers including Chico’s, Wildflower Bread Company, Pita Jungle and Coldwater Creek.

Hat tip to builders Wespac Construction – www.wespacconstruction.com

Thanksgiving Weekend was glorious down in the metro Phoenix area. With temps in the mid-70s, sunshine and clear skies, it was a perfect time to spend with family and friends outside.

I stayed away from the malls and big box stores on Black Friday, but did check out one of my favorite locally owned children’s boutiques to take advantage of a big sale. Twinkle Toes, located at the Scottsdale Waterfront across from Scottsdale Fashion Square, is owned by a good friend and carries the most amazing duds for children, toddlers and babies. Good stuff.

I also ventured out on Saturday to the Biltmore Fashion Park which, I was pleasantly surprised to discover, was buzzing with activity but not ridiculously crowded. After lunch with a friend and her daughter at Cheesecake Factory, we spent some time basking in the aforementioned ideal weather on the mall’s main grassy courtyard. There was a live band and complimentary espresso and kettle corn – very festive!

Sunday, I uncovered a delightful secret; while everyone else is shopping, it’s a great time to visit the Phoenix Art Museum. I am a member of the museum and try to visit at least once a quarter – there are truly fascinating exhibits rotating there year-round that typically draw significant crowds six days a week – and was giddy to find we had the museum practically all to ourselves! My friend and I toured the New Mexican “retablos” exhibit – religious art circa the 18th and 19th centuries – and had a fabulous lunch at the Art Museum Cafe, a restaurant run by local favorite, Arcadia Farms.

If you’d like to check out any of these places in Phoenix and Scottsdale, note these upcoming events and more:

Biltmore Fashion Park

SUPER TASTE OF THE VALLEY EVENT

Sunday, December 2, 2007
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Click above for information and tickets

Phoenix Art Museum – Upcoming Exhibitions

Illuminated Manuscripts
Steele Gallery
December 11, 2007 – March 9, 2008

Richard Avedon: Photographer of Influence
Norton Photography Gallery
January 12, 2008 – April 13, 2008

Masterpiece Replayed: Monet, Matisse and More
Katz Wing, Main Level
January 20, 2008 – May 4, 2008