21 Best Things to do in Sedona, Arizona – Bearfoot Theory

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One of the issues I like most about visiting Sedona is that there isn’t any scarcity of adventures and actions available. You may spend a month right here and never verify off all the most effective issues to do in Sedona.

I’ve been to Sedona greater than a dozen instances now – it’s my favourite place within the US to mountain bike – and I’m at all times discovering one thing new.

From lovely hikes that showcase Sedona’s unbelievable purple rock panorama to difficult (however enjoyable!) mountain biking singletrack and helicopter excursions that provides you with a birdseye view of the realm, there’s one thing for everybody in Sedona.

So in the event you’re planning a visit to this magical place, learn on to be taught what excursions and actions you must add to your Sedona itinerary.

Looking for an itinerary? Check out our 4-day Sedona Itinerary for Adventure Travelers.

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1. Go mountain climbing

Sedona is without doubt one of the greatest locations within the southwest to hike. There are lots of of miles to discover and every path provides its personal particular shock.

Some trails result in gorgeous lookouts whereas others take you thru slender canyons lined with oak bushes and tall purple rock partitions.

Here are a number of of my favourite hikes in Sedona. For extra suggestions verify our put up on the most effective hikes in Sedona.

• West Fork Trail: 6.5 miles, 564 ft elevation achieve, out-and-back
• Courtyard Butte & Bell Rock: 3.6 miles, 341 ft elevation achieve, loop
• Devil’s Bridge: 3.9 miles, 521 ft elevation achieve, out-and-back
• Cathedral Rock Trail: 1.2 miles, 741 ft elevation achieve, out-and-back
• Soldiers Pass to Brins Mesa: 5.6 miles, 1,066 ft elevation achieve, loop

2. Go Caving

By caving, I don’t imply spelunking…Caving in Sedona means exploring among the neat purple rock caves that may be accessed through mountain climbing trails round Sedona.

Popular caves round Sedona embody:

3. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Even in the event you’re not spiritual, visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a must-do if you’re in Sedona.

This chapel is an architectural landmark that blends seamlessly into the pure great thing about the encircling purple rock panorama.

It was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a pupil of the famend architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and is an iconic monument in Sedona.

The Chapel is open from 9am – 5pm seven days per week. You can drive as much as it or hike to it through Chapel Trail.

4. Take a Pink Jeep Tour

Pink Adventure Tours is without doubt one of the oldest and most well-known tour operators in Sedona. Their Jeep adventures will get you out onto the purple rock panorama of Sedona the place you may expertise among the greatest views and surroundings.

They have quite a lot of excursions to decide on and you may choose how rugged and off-road you need to get.

Looking to get rowdy? Check out the Broken Arrow / Scenic Rim Combo tour.

5. Go mountain biking

As a mountain biker, Sedona is my all-time favourite place to journey. I like the difficult trails, the unbelievable views, and the partaking terrain. Just like mountain climbing, there are lots of of miles of trails to discover.

For route suggestions, try my detailed information on Sedona mountain biking over on my weblog, Two Wheeled Wanderer.

6. Take a guided e-bike tour

E-bikes aren’t allowed on the paths in Sedona, however you may nonetheless see the purple rock vistas by the seat of a motorbike with an e-bike tour led by a neighborhood information.

This tour will take you to among the most scenic locations round Sedona just like the Cresent Moon Picnic space. Plus, you don’t have to sit down in Sedona’s dreaded site visitors!

7. Enjoy Sedona’s meals scene

After all of your adventuring exterior, you’ll need to refuel at a few of Sedona’s greatest eating places.

There’s no scarcity of excellent locations to eat on the town, however listed here are a number of of my favorites:

• Elote: Authentic and scrumptious Mexican meals. Reservations required
• Mariposa: Fancy Latin-inspired grill
• The Hudson: American eatery with nice meals and cocktails.
• Hideaway House: Italian-inspired. Go for sundown!
• Indian Gardens: Great place for breakfast or lunch. Located up Oak Creek Canyon.
• Black Potion: Excellent espresso

8. Catch the sundown at Sedona Airport’s scenic lookout

Head to the Sedona Airport Lookout For among the greatest views out over Sedona’s purple rock panorama. This is a good place to catch the sundown.

If you need to add on a hike, the three.3-mile Sedona Airport Loop provides nice views.

9. Spend a day at Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park is situated up Oak Creek Canyon and is a phenomenal spot to spend the day or afternoon, particularly on scorching days.

The park is legendary for its pure water slide, which has been carved out from the purple sandstone mattress of Oak Creek. You can slide down the sleek, slippery chute and plunge right into a refreshing swimming gap on the backside.

Slide Rock State Park is open from 8am – 5pm. The day-use payment is $20-$30 per car relying on the day and season.

Learn extra on the Slide Rock State Park web site.

10. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument

There are dozens of Native American archaeological websites unfold all through Arizona and some of the well-preserved ones is Montezuma Castle.

This spectacular smash is a 5-story cliff dwelling that was constructed someplace between 1100 and 1350 A.D. by the Sinagua individuals.

It’s somewhat little bit of a drive to get on the market, about half-hour one-way from Sedona, however in the event you’re keen on historical past, it’s undoubtedly definitely worth the journey.

While you may’t go into the cliff dwelling, you may see it from under and take a look at a reproduction within the Visitor’s Center.

11. Go wine-tasting

Before I’d spent lots of time in Arizona, I used to be shocked to be taught that there are a selection of wineries round Sedona.

The Verde Valley, the place Sedona is situated, is considered one of three grape-growing areas within the state (the opposite two are farther south).

More than 40 totally different forms of grapes are grown within the Verde Valley and there are a minimum of a dozen totally different wineries that produce wine. Some of them have even gained worldwide awards!

If you’re keen on sampling some southern Arizona wines, try the Verde Valley Wine Trail for a map and extra details about grape rising and wine-making within the space.

You can even join a 4-winery tour with transportation.

12. Join a ghost tour of Jerome

Jerome is a small city perched excessive on Cleopatra Hill above Sedona. Once generally known as the “Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome was as soon as a thriving copper mining camp. When the mines closed within the Nineteen Fifties, although, Jerome turned a abandoned ghost city.

Today, Jerome has been revived as a haven for artists, musicians, and historical past fanatics. The steep, winding important avenue is lined with Victorian buildings that home artwork galleries, wine-tasting rooms, quaint retailers, and eating places stuffed with character.

You can stroll round city, or dive into its historical past by signing up for a Jerome Ghost Tour.

13. Take a scorching air balloon journey

There’s actually no higher strategy to see Sedona than by a scorching air balloon. Red Rock Balloons provides dawn balloon rides 7 days per week.

14. Take a helicopter journey

If scorching air balloons aren’t your factor, you may go for a helicopter journey over Sedona.

I’m not a lot of a consumer, however I did take pleasure in strolling across the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in Uptown Sedona. It’s particularly good at evening when all of the lights are lit up.

The are quite a lot of retailers to poke round in from artwork galleries to bead retailers to jewellery shops and extra. There are additionally a number of eating places in the event you’re in search of a spot to have a pleasant dinner.

16. Explore the Palatki and Honanki Heritage Sites

Palatki and Honanki are two archaeological heritage websites situated northwest of Sedona off of OHV roads.

Palatki, which means ‘red house’ within the Hopi language, consists of cliff dwellings and rock artwork that date again 1000’s of years.

Honanki, which means “bear house” within the Hopi language, can be a cliff dwelling and residential to residence of the biggest and best-preserved pictographs and petroglyphs within the area.

You can go to these websites by yourself or e book a tour with a tour information firm in Sedona.

17. Relax on the Crescent Moon Picnic Site

Looking for a soothing afternoon? Head to the Crescent Moon picnic website with e book and picnic lunch.

This lovely place is surrounded by tall purple rock cliffs, leafy oak bushes, dramatic views of Cathedral Rock, and the meandering Oak Creek River. It’s paradise!

There is a day-use payment of $12, but it surely’s value it, particularly in the event you plan on spending a number of hours there.

18. Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad

The Verde Canyon Railroad begins in Clarkdale, a city close to Sedona, and winds its means alongside the Verde River by the picturesque Verde Canyon.

Often known as “Arizona’s longest-running nature show,” the prepare travels on tracks laid over a century in the past and provides unobstructed viewing of the canyon’s wildlife, vegetation, historic cliff dwellings, and geological wonders.

The 4-hour journey on the Verde Canyon Railroad is a bit dear ($109/per individual), however a cool expertise and among the best issues to do in Sedona.

If you need lunch and a champagne toast, e book the Verde Valley Railroad Adventure Package.

19. Drive Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff

Whether you’re on an Arizona highway journey otherwise you’re simply spending a number of days in Sedona, a drive up Oak Creek Canyon is a should.

This slender, winding highway cuts by a deep chasm carved out by Oak Creek. As you ascend towards Flagstaff, the highway turns into tightly switchbacked and provides nice views again down the canyon.

This drive is especially magical within the fall when the foliage turns right into a show of autumn colours.

20. Sign up for a Sedona Stargazing Tour

The evening skies above Sedona are among the greatest within the southwest. If you’re into evening pictures or need to be taught concerning the constellations, join a evening stargazing and story tour.

21. Book a Spa Day

Sedona is touted for having therapeutic vitality and vortex vibes, so why not take in a few of that goodness with a day on the spa?

There are a handful of day spas round city that supply massages, facials, and different companies, or you may e book an evening or two at a vacation spot spa like Enchantment Resort or The Wilde Resort & Spa. Just be ready to pay Sedona costs.

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Have you visited Sedona? What’s in your greatest issues to in Sedona listing? Which of those hikes, actions, or websites pursuits you essentially the most? Leave a remark under!

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