Tlaquepaque Shopping Day
In a Nutshell:
Picturesque Arts and Crafts village in Sedona
Perfect place to shop for unique Southwestern gifts or home decor
Saguaro Sam:
After mispronouncing the name of this shopping center at least 3 times each, Lucy and I pulled up to Tlaquepaque as it was opening on a bright Sunday Morning in May. In case you are wondering, it’s pronounced “T-la-keh-pah-keh.” The name means “best of everything” in the Nahuatl Native Indian language (the ancient language of the Aztecs). Online, Tlaquepaque is described as an “Arts & Crafts Village,” and Lucy and I can confirm that it is a GEM of a girls-day shopping destination.
We were finishing off a weekend women’s retreat nestled in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Some of the other women at the retreat had decided to hit Main Street for their shopping needs, but Lucy and I wanted something a little less touristy and crowded. Tlaquepaque was indeed the best of everything we could have hoped for. It’s a (literal) maze of stores selling art, handmade clothing and accessories, crystals, artisan food and drink items, jewelry, home decor, candles, soap, books and much more.
The layout of this shopping center is said to be modeled after a traditional Mexican village. Lucy and I both felt that the layout was a bit confusing… we found ourselves not sure which directions we had already visited stores in and which we hadn’t… and there were instances where we struggled to figure out how to get to some of the upper level stores. Ultimately we decided this was part of the fun, it kept us intrigued and ready for the next surprise we would surely stumble upon. Live music and the sound of water cascading off fountains flooded the open air courtyards. Bright green vines crawled across the walls and archways (presenting insta-worthy photo opportunities along the way). It was definitely a stunning backdrop to a morning of shopping.
Throughout our shopping experience Lucy and I adamantly agreed that we wished we had WAY more money to spend. (This is the type of shopping center where a sister could do some serious damage.) It was fun incredulously pointing out the most expensive items, artwork that cost the equivalent of 4 months rent and sculptures with price tags comparable to new cars. With that being said, you can also find all sorts of reasonably priced souvenirs and fun things to take home from your Sedona trip. Lucy bought a few used books and a lovely green and blue scarf to use as a pool coverup. I bought a $25 ring and bar of amber and dahlia scented soap.
There are quite a few coffee/drink shops (including a chai themed shop) and restaurants located within the shopping center. We ended up eating lunch at Oak Creek Brewery and Grill where we sampled the beers, French onion soup, and fish and chips. The food was tasty and everyone enjoyed their meals. With full tummies and our newly bought treasures we officially ended our weekend in Sedona and started the drive back to Tucson. Lucy and I only spent a few hours at Tlaquepaque (in order to get back home at a reasonable hour) but I feel like I would have enjoyed spending more time wandering through the alleys and narrow staircases of Tlaquepaque and discovering more of its secrets. I think a trip to Tlaquepaque could happily fill an entire day while visiting the mystical and peaceful red rocks of Sedona Arizona.
Lucy’s Notes:
As I try to explain to my husband: aimlessly window shopping can be just as enjoyable as shopping with purpose. That said, you could come to Tlaquepaque for either experience and have a wonderful time. The scenic place is uniquely designed for people to enjoy the walking-around part of their shopping experience.
There are some zany items for sale in Tlaquepaque! There was one store that sold nothing but handmade Christmas tree ornaments.
