This is a place not only for worship, but it is to enjoy the magnificent architecture and the gorgeous views. Embedded in the rocks this Catholic chapel was completed in 1956. It is a must do attraction in Sedona. Inspired and commissioned by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The church is open to everybody whether you are Catholic or not. The Chapel of the Holy Cross offers views in almost every direction including the famous Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and great part of eastern Sedona. Notes: * Chapel is open daily 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm * There is no admission fee * Gift shop is in the basement * You may have to go up a small hill * Wheelchair accessible (except to the gift shop) * Light candles for special needs ($1 per candle- donation) * No restrooms available just portables toilets at the entrance * No wedding Permitted Brief evening prayer service on Monday evenings at 5 PM Directions
Take State Route (SR) 179 south from Uptown Sedona to Chapel Road. Turn left and drive to the Chapel driveway/entrance. Parking attendants then guide you to an available spot. There is not much parking so there will probably be a wait sometimes. If you are in West Sedona, go on to Highway 89A N toward Uptown Sedona and then, take Highway 179 south from Sedona toward the Village of Oak Creek. Turn left on Chapel Road. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is at the end of the road.Its doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed, that God may come to life in the souls of all men and be a living reality. “Marguerite Brunswig Staude” There are plenty of extraordinary spiritual places, landscape, vortexes and more to explore in Sedona but I want to show you one of my favorite places to meditate: The Amitabha Stupa is a magnificent Buddha architecture filled with hundreds of millions of prayers for peace, sacred relics and ritual objects, just imagine a peaceful place for meditation and spiritual renewal surrounded by the stunning red rocks of Sedona. Stupas are said to nurture tranquilly, good health, prosperity, and peace. They bring blessings to the place in which they are constructed, to those who build them, and to those who visit and walk around them. In this way, stupas ensure that the Buddha is present. I am not a Buddhist, but I find this place very fascinating, this powerful place is for meditation or just sitting peacefully to relax and enjoy the good energy it has. The Stupa is located on Pueblo Road, in West Sedona. From Highway 89A (the main road in Sedona), turn north on Andante Road beside the Circle K store. Proceed about a mile (toward Thunder Mountain) and turn left on Pueblo Road, the last left off of Andante. If the gate is open, turn immediately right onto the Stupa land and proceed to the parking area. If the gate is not open, park on Pueblo. The Stupa is a five-minute walk from Pueblo on well marked trails. The idea when visiting the Stupa is meditate if you want, then walk around the Stupa clockwise direction three times to accumulate merits, do not underestimate the benefit of doing so, the stupa is a holy body of incalculable power, and even a small good deed can accumulate good karma and merits.
By the way donations to support the stupa are gratefully appreciate it by them. For more information visit Amitabha Stupa. Hiking in Sedona is truly magical. It has the power to transform a trip into a wonderful lasting memory with family so why not go for a hike while you are in town. Although I am not an expert hiker I appreciate the time I can enjoy a hike with my family. So if you are open to suggestions, here is this easy hike with family in West Sedona. Let’s start with the closest hike to Simon’s Coffee Pot Rock Trail This easy trail takes you to the base of Coffee Pot Rock. From the junction of Routes 89A and 179, take 89A west 2 miles to Coffee Pot Drive on the right. Go .5 miles to Sanborn Drive on the left, then .2 miles to Little Elf Drive on the right. Go .2 miles to the end of Little Elf and turn right on Buena Vista Drive left to the trail-head parking area. I love this easy trail because the view is beautiful and can be enjoyed by the whole family included children and pets; this track is shared by two others paths Sugar loaf and Teacup. Coffee Pot is not an official forest trail but is not difficult to find it, follow the teacup trail all the way to the split that is not marked, turn right and walk a little further and you will find the base of the towering Coffee Pot Rock. From the parking lot to the base of Coffee Pot Rock is about 1 mile, total hike approx 2 miles. If you and your family are not tired yet climb to the top of Sugar loaf, the view is really cool!
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