Road trip: Sedona makes list of ‘coolest small cities’

PHOENIX — Looking for a little weekend getaway? One website said you need to hop in the car, jump on Interstate 17 and head north.

BuzzFeed has ranked Sedona, Ariz., third on a list featuring 11 “coolest small cities” worth road-tripping to.

The site could not get over the beautiful red rocks, writing:

Red rock, red rock, red rock. A chapel built into red rock. Red rock canyons and red rock sinkholes. A town surrounded by red rock. Totally beautiful from every angle.

The nod couldn’t have come at a better time, as the town is still recovering from the Slide Fire that burned 21,227 acres in Oak Creek Canyon. Since the fire’s containment, the town has been reminding tourists that it’s open for business.

Located about two hours north of Phoenix, Sedona is considered one of the nation’s top travel destinations and one of the best small town destinations.

Those rankings both cited the large variety of activities in Sedona. From relaxing at an award-winning spa while gazing on the famous red rocks to a hike through Oak Creek Canyon followed by a beer at the namesake Oak Creek Brewing Company, Sedona has a lot to offer.

The city is also famous for its spirituality. Some believe the red rocks help channel vortexes and spiritual energy, so much so it was ranked one of the world’s “most sacred” spots.

“It’s truly amazing that the most beautiful place on earth is also known for what you can’t see,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, president of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau in a press release. “The energy of Sedona fills most visitors with a feeling of great serenity, peace and love. There is something special in Sedona, and you feel it the moment you arrive.”

Don’t even get us started on the rumored UFO sightings.

Several nearby states also had a city make the cool road trip cut. One city each from California, Texas, Utah and Colorado were on the list.

KTAR’s Holliday Moore contributed to this story.

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