Gallery Row

Just south of Oak Creek, you’ll find Gallery Row, a strip of small art galleries and Southwestern-looking shopping centers lining Highway 179. For an elegant selection of Native American arts and crafts, visit Garland’s Navajo Rugs (411 Hwy. 179, 928/282-4070, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) on Gallery Row. The large stone building houses the world’s largest selection of Navajo rugs, including antique pieces and hard-to-find large floor rugs. Garland’s offers an extensive assortment of tastefully displayed Navajo sand paintings, hand-carved Hopi kachina dolls, Pueblo pottery, and hand-woven baskets.

Shoppers looking for a sweeping survey of art in Sedona [1] should pop into Exposures International (561 Hwy. 179, 800/526-7668, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily), Arizona’s largest fine art gallery. The sprawling indoor/outdoor exhibition space showcases the works of more than 100 artists, including large-format original oils, photographic wall murals, fountains, jewelry, and art pieces in metal, wood, and glass.

The Santa Fe-style Hozho Distinctive Shops & Galleries (431 Hwy. 179) features a diverse lineup of three galleries. Art collectors and shoppers will find Native American canvases, sculpture, and jewelry at Turquoise Tortoise Gallery (928/282-2262, www.turqtortsedona.com [2], 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.).

Next door, James Ratliff Gallery (928/282-1404, www.jamesratliffgallery.com [3], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) sells high-end bronzes, colorful canvases, and modern Southwestern works, while Lanning Gallery (928/282-6865, www.lanninggallery.com [4], 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) features more contemporary oils, acrylics, and encaustics, as well as ceramics and handmade furniture.

The neighboring Hillside Sedona (671 Hwy. 179, 928/282-4500, www.hillsidesedona.net [5], 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), an upscale shopping center overlooking Oak Creek, features unique restaurants, galleries, and shops. Be sure to check out Gordon’s (928/204-2069), a “unique gallery of clocks, arts and crafts, home accents, and gifts.”