Tlaquepaque is a beautifully designed arts village on the banks of Oak Creek, modelled on a Mexican colonial marketplace and built with more attention to detail than most themed environments. The buildings — with their terracotta tiles, shaded courtyards, arched doorways, and overhanging bougainvillea — form a genuine pleasure to wander even if you buy nothing.
The shops are a step above Uptown's tourist galleries: serious jewellery, ceramics, textiles, and paintings by resident artists, alongside good restaurants. The Tlaquepaque courtyard hosts seasonal events and the setting for the annual Festival of the Arts. It is walkable from central Sedona and makes a worthwhile morning stop.