advertisement
8 August 2022
McDonald’s bright yellow letter M has to be one of the most recognizable logos in the world. “The Golden Arches” adorn McDonald’s restaurants worldwide, to the point where they are nearly synonymous with McDonald’s.
advertisement
However, there is one McDonald’s with a light bluish-green logo instead of the famous yellow, and it happens to live in Sedona, Arizona. That’s right, the only arches you’ll see in Sedona are turquoise ones!
What’s the reasoning behind this color change? As many local Arizonans know, Sedona is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Specifically, its red rock mountainous landscape. For this reason, Sedona has strict building restrictions to ensure that no structure intrudes too much on the surrounding natural landscape.
So when a McDonald’s opened its doors in 1993 in Sedona, the bright yellow M was considered a no-no for city officials. As a result, they chose a soothing, soft blue instead of gold, claiming that gold would clash with the surrounding red rocks. Yes, you read that right — gold didn’t fit the city’s (natural) decor.
advertisement
Regardless of its reason, the color change certainly makes this McDonald’s stand out. Undoubtedly, these unique not-so-golden arches have become an important tourist destination for travelers to Sedona. In fact, the Sedona McDonald’s location is #10 on the McDonald’s site “A craveable and delicious road trip: 13 of the most iconic McDonald’s across America.”
While the Teal Arches may be fascinating to some, we think Sedona has way cooler things to do while you’re in town. Check out this list of destinations to check out while you’re visiting one of the most extraordinary and beautiful places Arizona has to offer!
advertisement
When most people think of Arizona, they picture deserts, saguaros, and red rock cliffs. Fishing is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. But Arizona quietly offers some of the most diverse and underrated fishing in the Southwest, with everything from mountain trout streams to desert reservoirs full of bass and catfish. Whether you are a weekend angler or just looking for a new outdoor hobby, Arizona has water, fish, and year-round opportunities. advertisement What You Can Catch in Arizona Arizona’s variety of elevations creates a wide range of fishing options. In the high country, cooler waters support
When people hear “snowbirds,” they usually picture retirees escaping icy northern winters for Arizona sunshine. But the state’s true snowbirds arrive on wings, not wheels. Every winter, Arizona becomes an unexpected hotspot for migrating birds from across North America. From massive white pelicans gliding over desert lakes to honking flocks of geese touching down in farm fields, Arizona transforms into a seasonal refuge for birds seeking warmer weather, open water, and reliable food sources. And yes, you can see them without leaving the desert. advertisement Why Birds Choose Arizona for the Winter Arizona may be known for cacti and red
Spring Training is drawing closer in Arizona, and that means more than baseball; it’s sunshine, easy day trips, incredible food, and some of the best desert scenery in the country. With 15 MLB teams playing across Greater Phoenix, visitors can catch a game and still have plenty of time for hiking, shopping, museums, and nightlife. advertisement Plan Around the Baseball Schedule Arizona’s Cactus League brings teams and ballparks close together, making it easy to see multiple games (and multiple stadiums) in one trip. Many games start in the daytime, leaving late afternoons and evenings wide open for exploring. Pick a
Flagstaff, Arizona, is internationally recognized for its commitment to protecting the night sky. Long before “dark sky” became a global movement, this mountain town was taking action to preserve its stars. Flagstaff’s dark sky advocacy is a combination of science, community planning, and environmental stewardship that has made it a model for cities around the world. advertisement A City Built Around the Stars Flagstaff’s relationship with the night sky dates back to the late 1800s, when astronomers were drawn to the area’s high elevation, clean air, and minimal light pollution. The founding of Lowell Observatory in 1894 cemented the city’s
