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6. VERDE VALLEY WINE TRAIL
Arizona doesn’t spring to mind as wine country but, an easy drive from Sedona, the Verde Valley offers a dry climate and water for grapes to thrive. The Verde Valley Wine Trail self-guided tour takes you to four popular wineries — Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards and Javelina Leap Vineyard and five tasting cellars. After wine tasting, check out the rest of the little historical town, home to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot.
7. PALATKI HERITAGE SITE
Glimpse life amongst the red rocks during the 12th and 13th centuries with a drive to the Palatki Heritage Site of ancient cliff dwellings, once home to the Hopi tribe. Be impressed by pictographs covering the site’s walls. Short hiking trails take you directly
to the cliff dwellings and rock art. Follow Highway 89A west of the “Y” intersection, and make a right on Forest Road 525. Purchase a Red Rock Pass for your vehicle when you get there. Open daily 9:30am- 3pm. Free. Reservation required.
8. SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK
Cool off in summer at Slide Rock State
Park on a former apple orchard. A slippery stretch of creek bed near the homestead provides a natural waterslide. Cruise down the creek on a tube or on your own, or
relax in the sun along the rock bed and in natural swimming pools. Explore the old farm homestead or if you’re feeling brave go cliff jumping. 7 miles north of Sedona along Highway 89A. Open daily Jan-Oct 8am- 6 or 7pm; Nov-Jan 9am-5pm. Entry $20 per vehicle including up to four adults; $3 per extra person. Extra on holiday weekends and less in fall and winter.
9. SEDONA HERITAGE MUSEUM
Discover rich history dating back thousands of years at the Sedona Heritage Museum in a 20th century cabin in Jordan Historical Park. Exhibits and artifacts show the
town’s varied past, from native American settlement to spiritual mecca. Visit a 100-year-old restored telegraph office that featured in many old films including “Call of the Canyon” and “Angel and the Badman”. Spend $2 for an audio tour to learn even more. On Jordan Road off the northern stretch of Highway 89A. Open daily 11am- 3pm. Admission $5, children under 13 free.
10. GRAND CANYON
“Grand” doesn’t begin to do this mighty canyon justice. 277 miles long, 18 miles
wide and 1 mile deep, this northern
Arizona massive chasm is a natural wonder. Expanded for six million years by the mighty Colorado River, the canyon has drawn people for centuries from all over the globe. The UNESCO World Heritage site attracts 4.5 million visitors a year. The South Rim can be very crowded, with the Grand Canyon Village, the Bright Angel Trail and most amenities. To escape the crowds, head to the North Rim for backwoods camping and hard-core hiking.
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28 JULY 2017