One of the best parts of staying in Sedona is its proximity to some of the most sought-after attractions in the Southwest. From the quiet, painted deserts of the Grand Canyon to the vibrant, bustling cityscapes of Phoenix and Tucson, there’s so much that’s only a short drive away. Add some of these destinations to your itinerary, and you’ll go home with memories of Arizona you won’t soon forget.

Jerome, Arizona

If you’ve never experienced a ghost town, you’re in for some spooky surprises in Jerome. Formerly a mining town, this mountain-top village is brimming with real-life activity, including art, shopping, wine tastings and tours of the haunted spots. It’s the largest ghost town in the U.S., but has a small-town vibe that will leave you lingering there all day (and maybe night). Jerome is a 40-minute drive from Sedona, and you can stop at Montezuma’s Castle and the Tuzigoot ruins along the way.

Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix, two hours away, is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field and the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Hit Roosevelt Row for First Friday Art Walks and coffee shops, or head to the two-block CityScape for live music, boutiques and brewpubs. More than 200 restaurants populate the city, which is served by a new light rail system. And be sure to reserve time for the Desert Botanical Museum, which has more than 50,000 plants on the 140-acre property.

Tucson

In Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Museum celebrates the unique beauty of the desert, and multiple observatories open up the universe, day or night, to anyone curious about the constellations that pinprick the inky black sky when sun falls. Stroll through botanical gardens before dining on arguably the best Mexican food in the state. Before you leave the area, drive the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway for spectacular views of Southeast Arizona and to see a diverse array of trees as it climbs from the desert to the forests.

The Grand Canyon

Let’s face it: Peering over the rim into the Grand Canyon is on almost everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason. There’s nothing like seeing, in person, the colorful rock laid out in layered bands, telling the story of millions of years of geologic history. Whether you’re hiking the trails, driving along the Desert View Drive, or visiting Horseshoe Bend, it’s well worth the two-hour drive from Sedona to see the mile-deep Grand Canyon, which stretches up to 18 miles wide on 277 miles of the Colorado River.

The Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert

Sprawling nearly 100,000 acres, the Painted Desert stretches from the Grand Canyon through Navajo Nation to join the Petrified Forest. Both destinations are a riot of colors, in rainbow hues of rose, lavender, orange and blues. Look for the purple haze of desert dust that wafts through the air as you drive two hours to the Painted Desert and another 30 minutes to the Petrified Forest to walk among one of the planet’s finest collections of petrified wood.