In between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon lies Sedona, AZ. I remember coming here as a teenager. I recall staying in a Best Western and it being a flat, small town – sort of like a long strip. Restaurants and hotels were there but spread out. I remember seeing rocks with names such as Snoopy Rock.

No longer a sleepy town, Sedona bustles with activities, tour buses, people among beautiful red rock mountains. To get the best (the mountains) without the worst (the steeply-priced hotel rooms), consider making this a day trip from Phoenix, Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon.