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Who Is Luh Tyler? Meet The ‘Back Flippin’ Rapper

Rap has a long history of teen stars — the creation of the genre is largely credited to a group of New York teenagers throwing house parties in the Bronx — and the latest just might be one of its biggest yet. Luh Tyler is just 17 years old and already signed a deal with Atlantic Records — a deal that has already produced one of the better-received projects of the year — and been dubbed the “coolest rapper/teenager in America/rap” by Pitchfork and Stereogum, the “most exciting rapper in Florida” by Complex, and the “feel-good story in rap” by GQ.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Tyler — not to be confused with the similarly-named Luh Kel — creates low-stakes but engaging music supported by breezy rhymes that don’t so much detail the circumstances of his upbringing as his immediate surroundings at any given moment. He makes the basics sound fly — like a teen Curren$y — but what sets him apart from his contemporaries from the sunshine state is his insistence on defining his existence by good times rather than trauma.

Perhaps no song better exemplifies this than “Back Flippin,” one of his standout tracks and the one that has become his calling card. Then, there’s “Law & Order,” his most successful track to date, built on a sample of the theme from the long-running procedural. Tyler built on the momentum from these two tracks on his debut My Vision with songs like “Stand On Biz” and following up with “First Show,” and if he can keep it up, he might just remain the coolest well beyond the next three years he’s still a teen.

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Teyana Taylor Said No To Pea Soup And Just Brought Chick-Fil-A To The 2023 Met Gala Instead

At yesterday’s (May 1) Met Gala, guests were served a meal of, as Vogue notes, “chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon crème fraîche, and truffle snow, followed by Ōra King salmon with vegetable nage, asparagus, pickled strawberries, and radish–all served on vintage china.” Caterer Olivier Cheng explained, “This menu was designed to honor the late fashion icon [Karl Lagerfeld] and pay homage to his favorite foods and global palate. These dishes were created to maintain seasonality while using some of his favorite ingredients, such as King salmon. There is a sophisticated elegance to these pairings, one we feel that he would have truly enjoyed.”

To that, Teyana Taylor said no and opted to bring her own Chick-Fil-A instead.

Pusha T couldn’t believe what he was seeing, so he documented it on his Instagram Story, showing off Taylor’s plate of chicken, waffle fries, and dipping sauce. He wrote on one of the videos, @teyanataylor is embarrassing me. She brought @chicfilausa to the #MetGala. I want her away from me…#HARLEM.” In another clip, Usher looks at what Taylor has going on and does some light teasing.

This has actually become a bit of a tradition for Taylor: At last year’s Met Gala, she brought chicken from Popeyes.

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Who Is Luh Kel? Meet The St. Louis Rapper

In 2019, Luh Kel burst onto the scene with his breakout hit, “Wrong.” Appearing on his debut mixtape Mixed Emotions, which was released under Cinematic Music Group, “Wrong” peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs chart, establishing Kel as a star in the making. Since then, the singer/rapper has only grown in esteem; despite only being 20 years old, he’s accumulated nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, where “Wrong” has over 250 million streams.

In 2020, Luh Kel followed up with L.O.V.E., producing even more hits with “Real,” “Y.O.U.,” “Pull Up,” and “How To Love” (here he is breaking down the music video for the song “Feen” featuring Trippie Redd for Uproxx). Now, his fans await his third mixtape, which is expected to drop sometime this year.

In a 2020 interview with Billboard, the St. Louian crooner credited his hometown with his drive, saying, “It made me want to push harder because, where I’m from, a lot of people don’t really have a lot. The fact that I’m the one person that got to do something and make it better for my city — me seeing that and knowing that pushes me harder every day, knowing that I can do something better with myself.”

Although he wasn’t put out any new music yet this year (“Feeling In Love,” above), when he does you can bet it’ll be an event worth checking out.

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Primus Dropped A Live Video Of Their All-Star Tool Cover, Which Features Members Of Tool And Queens Of The Stone Age

Primus, Tool’s Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor, and Queens Of The Stone Age’s Troy Van Leeuwen have released a new live video of their performance of Tool’s “Ænema.” Filmed at LA’s The Belasco on April 17, the benefit concert was for a friend, Jimmy Hayward, who’s undergoing cancer treatment.

“Every now and again cancer steps into our world and pulverizes the lives of people that are dear to us,” Primus’ Les Claypool shared in a statement. “Such a thing happened a while back with our good friend Jimmy Hayward.”

“Over the past couple years Jimmy has undergone many major surgeries to remove then reconstruct major damage from a cancer that invaded his bones,” he added. “With a wife and two very young children at hand, Jimmy has shown incredible courage and tenacity in an unbelievably challenging time.”

They are also currently auctioning off signed merchandise from the intimate event, including a Dunable Cyclops Guitar, Dunable USA Custom Yeti Bass, Dunlop Justin Chancellor Signature Cry Baby Wah Pedal, Danny Carey Custom Drum Head, and a Limited Edition Concert Poster, according to a press release.

100 percent of the proceeds will go to Hayward’s treatment. Bids on all items are now open until May 10 at 3 p.m. ET, with more information available here. There is also a GoFundMe set up that can be found here.

Check out Primus’ cover of Tool’s “Ænema” above.

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One Chris Pratt Movie Will Replace Another Chris Pratt Movie At The Top Of The Box Office

It’s a good weekend to be Chris Pratt. I mean, most weekends are probably good if you have the phone numbers for both the Terminator and Aubrey Plaza, but this weekend will be especially good. The former Parks and Recreation star will have the two biggest movies in the country: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

James Gunn’s third and final Guardians movie is expected to make $120 million during its debut weekend at the box office, which is more than the first Guardians ($94 million) but less than Vol. 2 ($146 million). The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will also snap the four-week box office reign of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, starring Pratt as the voice of Mario.

At the international box office, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to add $130 million to $140 million from all markets including China, which is estimated to account for a disappointing $15 million to $20 million of that total. China, once a huge territory for Marvel, hasn’t been friendly toward any Hollywood movies (except Avatar: The Way of Water) in recent years.

In a few weeks, when the chatter around both movies has decreased, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 should trade Rocket Raccoon to The Super Mario Bros. Movie for Tanooki Mario. That should add at least another $20 million to their respective box office totals.

(Via Variety)

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Aubrey Plaza Did Not Mince Words When Asked About Jared Leto’s Cat Costume At The Met Gala

Jared Leto, who famously commits to method acting to the point where he allegedly takes excruciatingly long pee breaks on a movie set, did not fully commit at the Met Gala. That is to say, he dressed up as Choupette (cat of Karl Lagerfeld) to honor the late Lagerfeld on his theme night, but that’s not exactly where the trouble lies. Doja Cat did the same thing, and she went all in for the evening, but Leto surprisingly wavered.

That is to say, Leto reached a point where he took the cat head off. At that point, he was a furry with a Leto head on the toothpaste-looking carpet, which looked much sillier than the full-on cat costume next to fancy ballgowns. Well, Variety‘s Marc Malkin noticed Leto’s costume (because obviously) and brought up the subject to the fabulous Aubrey Plaza (who was wearing “Stella McCartney, who else?”), and here’s how that exchange went. (Spoiler alert: A disappointed Aubrey Plaza awaits):

Malkin: “Did you see Jared Leto came as the cat?”

Plaza: “You know what? He took that head off way too soon.”

Malkin: “Why do you think he should have kept it on longer?”

Plaza: “Because he should have kept it on longer… that’s what Karl would have done!”

She’s as discomfort-inducing as always, and she loves it. Here’s the video:

Maybe next time, Leto will stick to the role. For Karl!

(Via Variety)

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Guy buys chair on Facebook Marketplace for $50 and finds out it could be worth $50,000

Let’s be real—buying secondhand allows us to save a few bucks, which is great. But the real thrill is the possibility of snagging that ultra-rare, one-of-a-kind item that’s worth a bajillion times more than we originally paid for it. Yes, that kind of shopping is a lottery unto itself. But man, what a jackpot, should you win.

And of course, it’s not a totally far-fetched fantasy. Costly things get thrown out or donated all the time, ready to be procured at the nearby thrift store, garage sale…

…or, in this case, Facebook Marketplace.


In February 2023, Los Angeles-based designer and container creator Justin Miller posted a TikTok sharing a listing he found for a dark tan leather wingback chair going for $50.

Miller immediately felt the piece was “unique” and dove into some online research. The brand, he discovered, was Frits Henningsen, with the design dating back to the 1930s. Miller would later discover (thanks to a helpful commenter) that the same chair showed up during Kirsten Dunst’s hour tour for Architectural Digest, where the actress mentioned that only 50 of the chairs were ever made.

@miztermiller Can’t believe I just found this amazing designer chair on Facebook Marketplace for $50! Could be worth $100,000 🙃 #homedecor #interiordesign #diy #homerenovation #thrifted #vintage #thrifthaul #facebookmarketplace #antiques ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay

With all that info, the prices for the chair were expectedly “insane,” ranging from $9,634 to $60,000, to even a whopping $223,943 for a pair of the exact same chair in the listing—meaning that, theoretically, one chair would be worth around $100,000. Yowza.

Of course, with a few scratches in the leather, Miller knew he wouldn’t be getting anywhere near $100,000. But still, he seemed in for a pretty penny. So he of course bought the chair and has documented the ongoing journey in subsequent TikToks.

@miztermiller Replying to @minnymau5 UPDATE on the $100k chair, and answering some questions! #homedecor #interiordesign #diy #homerenovation #thrifted #vintage #thrifthaul #facebookmarketplace #antiques #sothebys ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay

As he explained in an interview with Insider, the seller, located in Beverly Hills, gave Miller a quick heads up that the chair was potentially worth a lot of money. They had been tasked with selling a family friend’s unwanted items in exchange for a percentage of the profits and had set up a yard sale, only to have to quickly pack everything up again after finding out that the city didn’t allow them. At that point, the only goal really was to sell everything as quickly as possible.

“She knew, she just wanted to get rid of it,” he said.

After procuring the chair, Miller submitted it to auction houses, and, according to Sotheby’s, it is estimated at…drumroll please…between $30,000-$50,000.

Best $50 ever spent.

@miztermiller Replying to @scramli3 Such a great find, and I love that you’ve been along for the journey. More to come! #homedecor #interiordesign #diy #homerenovation #thrifted #vintage #sothebys #antiques ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay

Miller is still waiting to get the final price for his chair, but he is undoubtedly patting himself on the back for trusting his gut. And he’s sure to post how much it ultimately sold for on his TikTok, which you can find here.

Meanwhile, if you need me, I’ll be perusing Facebook Marketplace.

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AOC Joined Forces With A Surprising GOP Ally To Ban Congresspeople From Owning Stock

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is pushing a new bill that will severely restrict members of Congress from owning and/or trading stocks while in office. AOC’s stance on this issue isn’t surprising given her socialist-leanings and anti-establishment positions that want Congress to work for the American people and not its wealthy members. What is surprising is the bill’s co-sponsor: controversial Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz.

After his headline-grabbing antics during the contentious Speaker of the House vote, Gaetz has engaged in a rare reach across the aisle to join forces with AOC and pass H.R. 3003, which would not only put severe limitations on members of Congress, but also on their spouses and dependents.

Via The New York Post:

“When Members have access to classified information, we should not be trading in the stock market on it,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “It’s really that simple.”

“Members of Congress are spending their time trading futures instead of securing the future of our fellow Americans,” Gaetz said. “We cannot allow the Swamp to prioritize investing in stocks over investing in our country.”

Moderate Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and progressive Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) are also co-sponsoring the bill, and Fitzpatrick made it a point to highlight the unusual collaboration.

“The fact that Members of the Progressive Caucus, the Freedom Caucus, and the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, reflecting the entirety of the political spectrum, can find common ground on key issues like this should send a powerful message to America,” Fitzpatrick said.

(Via New York Post)

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Calm Is Getting Your Favorite Musicians To Help Put You To Sleep

The relationship between a fan and an artist is always evolving. Before social media and the internet, that relationship was mostly made up of live performances and interviews in magazines or on the radio. But now in the digital world there are endless avenues to connect with your favorite musicians. While the relationship between fans and artists has always been special, there is something more personal about fan interactions than ever before, and that is due in large part to the intimate nature of today’s content. The Calm app has only elevated this idea. Initially known for its sleep and meditation content, Calm has more recently started collaborating with artists, creating a new way for fans to experience their favorite musicians.

In many ways, an interaction with your favorite musician on social media elicits a similar feeling to making eye contact at a concert. Fans just want to feel like the artist knows and sees only them in a crowd of thousands of other people and posts. The intimate nature of Calm’s content fosters that same feeling. Drifting off to sleep while listening to Harry Styles’ Sleep Story, “Dream With Me,” feels like a very singular and unique experience, regardless of how many others have or will listen to it. Perhaps a bit differently than other fan experiences, Calm’s content is specifically made with mental health in mind. The addition of music has only supported that. Calm’s Chief Content Officer, Greg Justice, explains that they’re, “on a mission at Calm to support everyone on every step of their mental health journey, and we’re mindful of the transformative effect music often has on one’s mood and mindset. Thus, it made perfect sense to complement our existing library of meditations and Sleep Stories with music to help users focus, fall asleep, or simply relax.”

While this is something that users of Calm have benefited from, Justice says that, “many musicians often have these same goals in mind. The addition of music to Calm has afforded us the unique opportunity to align with artists on authentic collaborations across a range of genres and formats, whether that be an ambient album with Moby – our first-ever release in March of 2019 – or, more recently, an ASMR-themed Sleep Story with Camila Cabello.”

Calm’s most recent collaboration with Cabello falls directly in line with that sentiment as her ASMR-themed Sleep Story “The Beauty Of Winding Down,” was inspired by her love for it. ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, is meant to trigger a tingling sensation in your body that sparks relaxation or sleepiness, and that is the intended goal with Cabello’s Sleep Story. “While we’ve dabbled with ASMR in the past, this is the first time we’ve partnered with an artist on such an experience,” Justice says. “Camila Cabello often uses ASMR as a tool to fall asleep, so it was natural to collaborate with her on *whisper this next part* her very own…ASMR…Sleep Story…’The Beauty of Winding Down.’” For fans of Cabello not only do they now have a new way of connecting with her, but also a tool to help them calm down and achieve deep rest.

I know when I was a teenager I would often fall asleep listening to music, though One Direction’s song “Moments” wasn’t necessarily created for that purpose, as it would play the next, more upbeat song as soon as it was over. Calm’s Sleep Remix series — created in collaboration with Universal Music Group — ensures that won’t happen. The meditation and sleep company partnered with UMG during the pandemic for a first-of-its-kind reimagining of well-known pop songs for bedtime. The series includes Kacey Musgraves’ “Golden Hour,” Ariana Grande’s “breathin,” and Post Malone’s “Circles” among many others. “Rather than the standard radio edit, the series includes hour-long, dreamlike compositions designed to help listeners fall and stay asleep,” explains Justice. This collaboration provides fans with a new take on some of their favorite songs, that also just so happen to be great to listen to as you fall asleep.

Calm’s Sleep Story collaborations are another subset of their sleep content that has both helped the app garner a new audience, and provided fans with an entry point into bettering their mental health and sleep. “For example, many fans of Harry Styles shared that his Calm Sleep Story served as the perfect entry into our wider set of mental health solutions that genuinely benefited their wellbeing,” Justice says. “Prior to our partnership in 2020, Harry had opened up about his personal experience seeking therapy – sharing the positive impact it had on his own well-being as well as encouraging his fans to seek mental health practices of their own.” So when it came time to launch his Sleep Story, “Dream With Me,” the response from fans was so overwhelming that the app crashed for several hours.

Similarly Rosé from BLACKPINK collaborated on a Sleep Story with Calm that had major success. Rosé has also “helped destigmatize the mental health conversation by opening up about her own mental health journey and daily commitment to reconnect with herself through rest and relaxation,” Justice says. “Last December, we released ‘Grounded with Rosé,’ a 30-minute Sleep Story that includes breathing exercises and meditative guidance from Rosé intended to help superfans and everyday listeners alike drift off to dreamland.” Fans are receptive to these collaborations because of how honest the artists are willing to be.

That notion seems to ring true across all of their collaborations. One in particular is Kehlani’s soundscape that was specifically created for people with tinnitus – a condition in which people experience ringing or other sounds in one or both ears, that have no external source. Kehlani found the recommended treatment of ambient noise to be helpful and thus collaborated with Calm on curating, “Ocean Waves For Tinnitus,” a soundscape specifically designed to help others with the condition. While Calm’s soundscapes help Kehlani with her tinnitus, they prove to be beneficial in other areas of her life, as well. “Soundscapes especially help me with my tinnitus, but also helps me when I need to soothe my child, when she needs to go to sleep, when I need to cool the energy down of the house, when I need to take a drive,” says Kehlani. From a fan’s perspective though Kehlani’s curated soundscape is a way to connect with her on a deeper level, regardless of whether or not they have the same condition.

In a sense, consuming Calm’s content is an immersive experience. In an online or print interview, fans would only be able to read about Kehlani’s tinnitus, but with Calm, not only can you read about it in their interview with her, but you can then have a sonic experience that helps you to understand what she goes through while also achieving a level of mindfulness apart from that. Fans are able to connect with her while also taking care of their own mental health.

At the core of Calm is the mission to support people in bettering their mental health through achieving restful meditation and sleep. Through their artist collaborations, they’ve been able to both attract a new audience within different fandoms, and also open up the conversation surrounding mental health through a vast catalog. Calm sleep expert, Dr. Shelby Harris, says, “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If you find something that helps improve your sleep and doesn’t negatively impact any sleep quality or quantity, then go for it.” So whether you’re Camila Cabello’s biggest fan or you just need some help getting more rest, Calm’s artist collaborations will both help you connect with your favorite artist in a more personal way, while also supporting your mental health. Seems like a win-win.

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Beyond National Parks: Our Guide To Getting Outside In Sedona, Arizona

It’s no secret that National Parks are having a moment – from your Instagram feed to every form of National Park-themed merchandise, to countless travel guides (hello, hi it’s me) – our National Park system is more buzzed about than ever. With visitation soaring at many of the most popular Western parks, you might be surprised that one of the vistas you’ve likely seen on your social feed in the last 30 minutes isn’t actually a National Park at all.

Still, it’s one of the most impressive natural wonders in the United States – Sedona, Arizona. While there are two state parks within the Sedona area – Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park – many visitors are surprised that the nearly immeasurable expanse of incredible red rocks surrounding the artsy town isn’t a National Park or National Monument.

Sedona Golden Hour
Emily Hart

Just over two hours from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the North and Phoenix to the South, Sedona is the perfect stopover on a wider Arizona road trip – or an incredible destination unto itself. After visiting a half dozen times during several seasons, I have lots of recommendations. These are my recent favorites to maximize wellness and outdoor adventure.

PART I — WHERE TO EXPLORE:

There is something for everyone in Sedona, from the requisite Pink Jeep Tours, helicopter rides, vortex, and wine tours. But the crown jewel is, of course, the hiking. With more than 200 trails over 400 miles in the Sedona area, there is a trail for everyone. Here are some of my favorites.

DEVIL’S BRIDGE

Devils Bridge Sedona
Emily Hart

Devil’s Bridge is probably the most well-known hike in Sedona – at least on Instagram. The largest sandstone arch in the area, accessible via a moderate hike that’s just 1.8 miles roundtrip (if parking at the trailhead with a 4×4 high-clearance vehicle) or 3.9-5.8 miles via the parking area for other passenger cars. It’s a classic trek with a great payoff. Full disclosure, I don’t have the classic bridge photo because the wait to take the photos was longer than the hike itself when I visited – but I honestly didn’t mind, the entire hike is gorgeous and great for most ability levels.

Distance: 3.9 miles out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Map here.

BELL ROCK/LITTLE HORSE

Little Horse
Emily Hart

There are many trails around Bell Rock in Sedona – most of which can be extremely crowded and difficult to find parking at. For this reason, I started hiking Little Horse – a somewhat less crowded trail near Bell Rock – on a visit a few years ago. The moderate trail has gorgeous scenery the entire way, moderate inclines, and plenty of interesting vegetation.

Distance: 4.3 miles out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Map here.

YAVAPAI VISTA

Yavapai Vista
Emily Hart

Somewhere between a hike and a viewpoint lies Yavapai Vista. Just 0.5 miles from the parking lot brings you to a vista which is what red rock dreams are made of. I headed up for sunset with a can of wine on my last trip and found people ecstatic dancing, traditional tourist-ing, and getting married (really) – but what they all had in common was a look of awe while selfie-ing.

I found a spot just beyond the ecstatic dance party to sit alone for the entirety of sundown and beyond. The view was almost unbelievable as the sky put on a show.

Distance: 0.5 miles out and back

Difficulty: Easy

Map here.

SECRET SLICK ROCK

Secret Slick Rock
Emily Hart

Secret Slick Rock Trail is, again, at the intersection of a hike and a viewpoint – but it is by far my favorite spot in Sedona to recommend (despite also not actually wanting to recommend it so I can continue to have it to myself). With the most incredible backdrop of Cathedral Rock and lots of space to spread out and watch the sunset (when I visited I had the whole place to myself), this is – to me – the quintessential Sedona viewpoint.

Distance: 0.7 miles out and back

Difficulty: Easy

Map here.

FAY CANYON

Fay Canyon
Emily Hart

Fay Canyon is a great alternative to the (much) more crowded nearby Boynton Canyon. At just 2.3 miles out and back, the trail is suitable for most people and provides gorgeous views. For the more intrepid, there is a natural arch that can be hiked to from the trail for some truly spectacular views. Parking is easy (a huge plus for Sedona) and the payoff is almost immediate.

Distance: 2.3 miles out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Map here.

ALSO CONSIDER:

There are tons of hikes in Sedona, from easy to extremely difficult. Some others to consider – that you may want to take a shuttle to – are Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and The Subway Cave, and Seven Sacred Pools.

WHERE TO STAY:

THE WILDE RESORT AND SPA

The Wilde Resort and Spa
Emily Hart

I loved staying at The Wilde Resort and Spa on my last visit to Sedona – it is now by far my top choice and recommendation for not just lodging, but wellness in the city. The newly reimagined property is incredibly conveniently located, and yet feels miles away with incredible views of Thunder Mountain, beautiful landscaping and pool area, hot tubs, labyrinth, fire pits, a rooftop deck, and an on-site spa.

The Wilde Resort and Spa
Emily Hart

I stayed in a Grove room that had a large walk-out patio with comfortable chairs and views of Thunder Mountain. I loved watching the sunrise and sunset and enjoying some wine after a long day in the sun hiking. The bathroom was spacious with a large shower and soaking tub – perfect for recharging after the day.

THE WILDE SPA
Emily Hart

While I didn’t get a chance to utilize the Wild Haven Spa on-site, I overheard my fellow guests lounging by the pool saying that their spa treatments were some of the best they had ever had. Next time, I’ll make sure to add a treatment or two to my trip.

The Wilde Resort
Emily Hart

I loved that The Wilde offered daily morning meditation and yoga classes (with a view, of course) and ample opportunities for reflection. At check-in, I found a crystal on my pillow with directions for completing my own walking meditation – something I saw many guests delight in throughout my stay.

WHERE TO EAT WITH A VIEW:

My criteria for dining in Sedona are the same as everything else in Sedona – does it have a nice view? And luckily, most places do. Here were some of my favorites:

THE VAULT UPTOWN

The Vault Sedona
Emily Hart

I stopped for lunch at The Vault Uptown Bar and Grill without many expectations beyond, obviously, a nice view to enjoy. But I was blown away by my simple choices: an avocado chicken salad sandwich, fries, and a drink. I loved the “Copperhead” cocktail, made with grapefruit vodka, ginger beer, and lemon. As a storm started to roll in over the remarkable red rocks I was as impressed with the view as I was with my lunch, the chicken salad perfectly prepared with cranberries and a chipotle ranch sauce on a brioche bun.

RASCAL

Rascal Sedona
Emily Hart

Defining itself as a “Modern Diner”, Rascal is a unique dining experience from the moment you walk in. Situated in The Wilde Resort and Spa, the restaurant itself is awash in colors, patterns, and textures that make for a bright and fun meal. I enjoyed breakfast and dinner at Rascal and devoured both almost immediately. For breakfast, I had chilaquiles that was just spicy enough and filling for my day of activity. For dinner, I enjoyed a BLT with added avocado that renewed my love for the simple, yet elegant dish. The service at both sittings was impeccable and the crowd was fun. It is a must-stop.

HIDEAWAY HOUSE

Hideaway House
Emily Hart

Despite being in the middle of town, Hideaway House is sort of just like its name – a little hidden. Tucked back in a lot next to a liquor store, it is unassuming. Until you go inside and see the view, that is. With a large menu and friendly service, Hideaway House was a great choice for a late lunch. I enjoyed a lavender lemonade and chicken club sandwich while watching the light bounce off the incredible rock formations all around me.

PUMP HOUSE STATION

Pump House Sedona
Emily Hart

Pump House Station came highly recommended by locals, and I have to say it now will be by me as well. Tucked into the North side of the charming and historic Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, the rustic-chic spot serves up some incredible dishes and drinks. I devoured a roast beef sandwich with red onion, beer mustard, brie, tomato, chicory lettuce, and horseradish mayo on a pretzel bun with a light and tasty cauliflower potato salad on the side. The vibe was fun and casual with incredible views out back.

WHERE TO DRINK:

VINEYARDS AND WINERIES

There are several great wineries and vineyards in the greater Sedona area. So many that there are a plethora of wine-tasting tours visitors can take while visiting. I have visited several wineries in the area – for research purposes only, of course – and these three are my picks:

WINERY 1912

Winery 1912
Emily Hart

Winery 1912 is the only winery within city limits that I have visited. It’s easy to walk to and has a great view from the tasting room. Pouring Spanish varietals grown in Wilcox Arizona – at the state’s largest and most diverse vineyard – I loved sitting back with a glass, a cheese board, a book, and a view after a long morning hike.

OAK CREEK VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Oak Creek Vineyards
Emily Hart

Oak Creek Vineyards is slightly out of town in Cornville – about 15 miles from downtown. The atmosphere is lovely with lots of sitting areas outside with shade and vineyard views. I tried the flight of white wines that included five refreshing pours. The Viognier was a favorite.

ALCANTARA VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Alcantara Vineyards
Emily Hart

Slightly further from Sedona in Camp Verde lies Alcantara Vineyards and Winery. At about 25 miles outside of town it’s a nice afternoon stop on your way driving from Pheonix to Sedona. The grounds are gorgeous at this family-owned and operated vineyard that serves 17 different varietals from its over 20,000 vines. Situated near the Verde River, the winery also offers kayaking and tubing, e-bike, jeep, and horseback tours of the vineyard.