Sedona's rich history and culture

Description:

This company, owned and operated by Native American Indians, provides visitors with a unique opportunity to discover the beauty and history of Northern Arizona. With your friendly and knowledgeable guides, you can travel to the Grand Canyon, float down the Colorado River and through stunning Antelope Canyon, or visit the Sinagua Indian Ruins. Also be sure to check out the all-inclusive tour of the Hopi Mesas and browse a variety of hand-made crafts. For further information, please visit the website.

Description:

The mission of the Sedona Heritage Museum is to preserve, celebrate, and teach the history of the greater Sedona area from 1876 to the present. The primary museum building was the family home of Walter and Ruth Jordon, with the original one-room building dating back to 1930. Highlights of the Sedona Heritage Museum include a movie room that commemorates nearly 100 feature films made in Sedona, an old-time laundry room, a school room, and a room dedicated to the Schnebly family. The fascinating 3300-square-foot Apple Packing Shed displays Walter Jordan's 46-foot apple grading machine. After you've gotten your fill of Sedona history, head to the gift shop, which features handmade gift items made by local artists.

Our Local Expert Says:

Take this 40-minute detour from Sedona and drive right up to the monument. Because it sits high on the cliff, this ancient dwelling is especially beautiful at sunset and sunrise.

Description:

Visit the ruins of a once-prosperous community of the ancient Sinagua. One of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America, the structure boasts five stories and 20 rooms. Inhabited more than 600 years ago, much of the building is still intact. The best time of the year to visit is December and January. Binoculars would be beneficial for a closer view. Walkways are provided and are wheelchair-accessible. Montezuma's Castle and visitor center is located off I-17 at exit 289. Entrance fees are minimal for adults, free for children 16 and under. Allow no less than one hour for your visit.

Our Local Expert Says:

This town is the most charming in Arizona! Art and craft galleries consume the lower roads while live-music, bikers, and cowboys and girls range toward the top where the old-town venues rise up.

Description:

This historical township is definitely worth a visit. Originally a mining town for about 70 years, this little community survives on the sliding-edge of a hillside. Through the years, many buildings have taken the fall including, at one point, the town jail. Sporting gorgeous views and lovely bed & breakfasts, the quaint storefronts and small town ambiance attract multitudes of artists, writers and tourists. Shops and galleries flourish here, including Nature's Landscapes. If you have time, visit the Mining Museum. Credit cards and hours will vary by merchant.

Our Local Expert Says:

Get a fascinating glimpse into Arizona territorial history at this well-preserved fort.

Description:

Visitors to Northern Arizona's Fort Verde State Historic Park are treated to a first-hand glimpse into life as a frontier soldier. This park is the former base for General Crook's U.S. Army scouts and soldiers, dating back to the 1870s and 1880s. For a fascinating look of a working fort during the tumultuous period of the Indian Wars, Fort Verde State Historic Park offers a strong visual glimpse into the past. Today, the former administration building is the Visitor Center, featuring period artifacts, interpretive displays, and rare insight into the history of the Indian Scouts. Picnic tables, restrooms, and RV parking make this a good stopping point for families and history buffs alike.

Description:

Crowning a desert hilltop is an ancient pueblo. From a roof top a child scans the desert landscape for the arrival of traders, which are due any day now. What riches will they bring? What stories will they tell? Will all of them return? From the top of the Tuzigoot Pueblo it is easy to imagine such an important moment.

Tuzigoot is an ancient village or pueblo built by a culture known as the Sinagua. The pueblo consisted of 110 rooms including second and third story structures. The first buildings were built around A.D. 1000. The Sinagua were agriculturalists with trade connections that spanned hundreds of miles. The people left the area around 1400. The site is currently comprised of 42 acres.

Tuzigoot National Monument has much to offer. The visitor center is a small, old-style museum with many artifacts on display. It is one of the few museums interpreting ancient Sinaguan culture in Arizona. The Ruins trail loops around the pueblo and allows visitors to closely view the structures.

Two trails are found at Tuzigoot-The Ruins Loop trail and the Tavasci Marsh Overlook trail. Both trails are a quarter of a mile in length. Pets must be on a leash to use any of the trails in the monument. Other hiking opportunities can be found in nearby Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area, on Mingus Mountain, in Oak Creek Canyon, and at Red Rock State Park. Ask a ranger for directions and more information.

Talks and guided tours are offered daily depending on available staff. Junior Ranger Program activity guides are provided on request. Visiting school groups may qualify for a fee waiver; contact the monument for details. Guided tours and talks are offered to organized groups by prior arrangements. Off-site interpretive programs are available to schools within Verde Valley during the winter months.

Tuzigoot has no campgrounds. Camping facilities can be found in nearby state parks, national forests, and private campgrounds. The entrance fee is $2.00 per person. Children 16 and younger are free. Golden Eagle Passports are honored.

Tuzigoot National Monument is 52 miles south of Flagstaff, Arizona via U.S. Alternate Highway 89A, or 90 miles north of Phoenix. Travel Interstate Highway 17, take Exit 287 and travel west on Highway 260 to Cottonwood. In Cottonwood take Main Street north towards Clarkdale.