If you ever happen to visit this magical place, these are the 7 Things To Do in Sedona:
1. Go Rock Watching!
You could stay in Sedona for weeks and still be able do discover a new hike every day for how vast Oak Creek Canyon is.
Since the options are so many, the best thing to do is to go to the Visitor Center in downtown Sedona and ask what hikes better suite your needs in terms of time, difficulty and things you want to see.
These are some of the Red Rocks hikes I enjoyed the most:
- "Little Horse Trail". This incredible hiking path takes you deep into the wilderness made of red sand and thorny bushes. Go there late in the afternoon and enjoy the show put up by the sunset when it hits the rocks.
- Cathedral Rock. This gigantic rock formation is truly one of a kind. It lies at the edge of a group of isolated red buttes on the south side of Sedona, about five miles from the main line of sandstone cliffs to the north. You can either hike to it along the 0.7 mile long Cathedral Rock Trail, or you can easily access it from the highway and stop to snap a photo.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross.Not all churches are spectacular for their prestigious frescos; some are jaw dropping for their incredible setting. This is the case of the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, that rises 70 feet (21 m) out of a 1,000-foot (300 m) red rock cliff. From this chapel, completed in 1956, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and much of the eastern rim of Sedona.
2. Choose an Amazing Resort!
If your trip to Sedona is more on the adventurous side and you are planning on spending the majority of your time in nature, you can save money on the hotel and go for something modest and quick.
If instead you are going to Sedona to relax, chill by the pool and enjoy some well deserved downtime leafing through a magazine, choosing a resort type of accommodation is the way to go.
The Auberge is known to be an amazing facility that spoils their guests with plenty of luxury.Since we wanted to have more of a homey feel with walkability, we opted for the Hyatt Pinon Pointe, an amazing residence type of hotel which I reviewed here .
3. Have Fun at Slide Rock National Park!
Just 20 minutes north of Sedona, driving towards Flagstaff, you'll find the park hidden on your left. Driving by you could never imagine there is such a fun spot that's just across the road.
This was one of the first areas chosen by the settlers,who decided to build a little community around the apple orchards left abandoned by the Indians (and while heading to the park, you'll be able to walk by them!).
The rocks are formed in such a way that one can literally slide down them, propelled by the mild speed of the river flowing through them. As a natural water park, it's a great spot to be a kid!
4. Visit the Energy Vortexes
The magic of Sedona doesn't stop at its beauty. Some specific rock formations are believed to be swirling concentrations of energy that emanate from the earth and are able to affect the human consciousness. These places are particularly good to enhance meditation and many people hike to the vortexes to pray and establish a deeper connection with the universe.
Whether you believe in this kind of things or not, the vortex are well worth a visit. Not only are they immersed in a gorgeous landscape to hike through, the people that go there to pray and meditate create a very calming and peaceful atmosphere that anybody can benefit from.
The one you see in this photo is Boynton Canyon, considered by some to be the most powerful of the vortexes in Sedona.
5. Indulge with Amazing Healthy Food!
I enjoyed having my own kitchen and prepare healthy breakfasts for me and Alec... but Sedona has some incredible restaurants that we couldn't resist trying.
- Picazzo's This amazing, fully gluten free eatery has quite a few locations in between Phoenix and Flagstaff, but the one in Sedona, with its outdoor seating area overlooking the canyon, is simply the best.
Since gluten does not enter the kitchen, one can finally stop worrying about cross contamination and start browsing their eclectic menu: from handmade gluten free stuffed pasta to turkey Bolognese pizza with vegan cheese. And unlike many gluten free restaurants that don't consider other food allergies, at Picazzo's they make sure to provide lots of dairy free options... and finally you can enjoy an apple cobbler with no gluten nor butter!
- Chocolate Tree Organic Vegetarian Eatery This place is famous for their organic, vegan and sugar free chocolate production.Once you enter the store, you'll feel overwhelmed by the incredible variety of healthy chocolate options that range from the "Butter Nut Toffee", with pecan butter and vanilla, to the "Caramel Macchiato" made with honey, coffee and lucuma, and the "Spiced Chai Latte", with it spiced coconut cream heat sweetened with xylitol.
The chocolate is bit pricey, but I swear I have found anything similar in my whole life... and I browse around chocolate stores a lot! ????
If you are not a chocolate lover, this place is also awesome for their food menu: an assortment organic and mostly raw dishes that you can enjoy in their peaceful outdoor garden.
6. Enjoy Some Downtown Shopping!
Sedona was settled by John J. Thompson around 1876, when he gave birth to a little community of farmers and ranchers that grew to 55 residents in 1902, when the Sedona post office was established.
The quaint downtown area still shows traces of this historical period, and it recreates the feel of a pioneer town mixed with the colors of an American Indian market and the hip vibe of an artsy district.
This nice, walkable center features a number of art galleries, diverse jewelries that center their pieceson rocks and crystals, fun souvenir stores and colorful clothing boutiques with a unique Sedona style.
Make sure you reserve one of your mornings in Sedona to stroll around downtown.
7. Go Horse Back Riding!
If you are into this activity, Sedona is for sure one breathtaking place to trot around. Choose from the many companies that offer this service depending on the type of experience you are looking for. Check out the sunset rides as you can escape the heat and catch stunning views of the valley!
There are so many things to do in Sedona that one can spend a lifetime there and still not manage to complete them all. I hope this little guide gave you some inspiring insights.
I'll catch you at the next destination! Love, Ambra
Trip first published on Little Bites of Beauty