JUST BACK FROM
New England with Jason & Katherine Dwight
Taking their three kids to New England for three weeks every summer has become a beloved tradition for Jason and Katherine Dwight. But it took some convincing on Jason’s part. “We just realized that the summers are so hard, and we’re just beating ourselves up, just scratching by,” he says of running Persepshen, their 2019 PHOENIX Best New Restaurants honoree, during the Valley’s annual climate crucible. “Katherine had to help me try to find a way to turn it off in my brain, to accept that we should just shut down for a few weeks and enjoy life.” The Dwights share their favorite New England destinations.
Nourse Farm
The Dwights walk the farm-to-table walk, even on vacation. Every summer, they pick berries at this family-owned farm in Westborough, Massachusetts. Founded in 1722, it is the oldest operating farm in the nation. “It’s neat to be around such historical sites, especially businesses that are still running,” Katherine says. “We get about 20 pounds of berries,” Jason continues. “And that lasts us usually only about a week. So, sometimes we have to make a second visit while we’re there.” noursefarm.com
Little Compton
Beach time is a priority for the Dwights, and they’re partial to the 400 miles of shoreline in Rhode Island, aka The Ocean State. “There’s a tiny town called Little Compton that’s right by the ocean, and it’s beautiful,” Katherine says. “There are stone walls everywhere… It just seems like it’s untouched by [the modern world].” Jason agrees. “It feels like you’re still in the 1700s.” littlecomptonri.org
Rockport
Last summer, the family visited this quaint seaside town in Massachusetts for ice cream and lobster rolls. “There’s an old fishing house that’s really famous,” Katherine says of Rockport’s signature red shack, known to art school students nationwide as Motif No. 1. “It’s supposedly the most famous landscape for artists to paint.” rockportusa.com
Farm Stands
The Dwights stay in Worcester, Massachusetts, with Jason’s family. They comb the region for farm stands to bring home fresh meat and produce to cook together. “Not only are you supporting local, but you’re eating a cleaner, [higher] quality product that’s going to taste a lot better as well,” Jason says.
– Leah LeMoine
NEW AROUND TOWN:
Cottonwood
Last fall, Cottonwood debuted a new tourism tagline that speaks to its rich wine and culinary scenes: “Savor the Moment.” It’ll echo in your mind as you savor these new spots during your next visit to the heart of the Verde Valley. visitcottonwoodaz.org
Queen B Vinyl Cafe
Like many of the coolest haunts in the Verde Valley, Queen B is a Maynard James Keenan joint. In late 2024, MJK’s Puscifer the Store in Jerome closed and migrated to Cottonwood, reopening as Queen B, a record shop that is also a cafe that is also a barbershop, naturally. It’s also an official Record Store Day participant, so plan a visit in April for great deals. queenbvinylcafe.com
The Eureka Room
The old Vino Zona space was given a refresh and a rebrand by new owners Sara Massey and Val Fisch, who opened The Eureka Room in May 2025. It’s still a tasting room focused on Arizona wines, but the vibe is a little more funky-chic. The space doubly functions as an art gallery, showcasing rotating work by local artists. theeurekaroomaz.com
Sedonuts and Coffee
Sedona’s popular coffee and doughnut shop – home of The Vortex, an over-the-top cinnamon roll – expanded to Cottonwood in fall 2024. Find classic raised and cake doughnuts along with locally roasted coffee brewed as drip java or used in espresso drinks like the frappé-like Sedonuccino. sedonutsandcoffee.com
– Leah LeMoine
STAR TREK
Cradled by the crimson cliffs of Sedona’s iconic Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort serves as a breathtaking basecamp for wilderness-based wellness. The 70-acre luxury property offers exclusive outdoor experiences, including the chance to explore its surrounding landscape in a new light – illuminated by the full moon.
Enchantment’s Full Moon Hike was one of the first experiences offered at Trail House, the resort’s outdoor outfitter and resource center.
“We realized that many of our guests that selected this tour were seeking an activity that centered around mindfulness, giving us the idea to combine our Vortex Experiences with our Full Moon Hikes to create a more spiritual, wellness-focused activity,” says director of adventure and activities Matt High.
The 2.5-hour hike, offered both the night of and the night before a full moon, now includes a 30-minute guided meditation under the stars and is tailored to each group’s fitness and interest levels.
“We have access to over 50 different trails in Sedona, allowing guests to repeat this tour on a different trail each time they stay at Enchantment,” High says.
– Madison Rutherford
