After spending a week in Sedona, AZ the most often repeated phrase we heard was, “you cannot take a bad picture in this place” . . . a sentiment we often heard ourselves repeating. If you love nature, enjoy hiking and appreciate amazing natural beauty it would be difficult to find a better place on the planet than Sedona. Tucked inside the Coconino National Forest, Sedona features a stunning array of red sandstone formations, over 100 hiking trails and “vortexes”, swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. Over 4,000,000 visitors come to Sedona each year from all over the world.
As you approach Sedona from the south on AZ-179 you are greeted, just to the east, by towering Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. It is a truly spectacular way to be introduced to the town named after Sedona Arabella Miller Schnebly, the wife of one of the original settlers. Luckily, a petition to name the unincorporated settlement Schnebly was denied by the government.
Sedona has been a traditional favorite of Hollywood with over 60 productions being filmed over the past century, the John Ford/John Wayne classic Stagecoach (1939), Errol Flynn’s Virginia City (1940), James Stewart’s Broken Arrow (1950), Burt Lancaster’s Apache (1954) and, more recently, National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Kurt Russell’s Breakdown (1997) and even The Bachelorette (2003). Since Sedona became such a tourist hotspot, filming has decreased but it’s still fun watching the older movies and recognizing location shoots.
Driving into Sedona
If you are traveling to Sedona you’ll most likely fly into Phoenix and drive a bit under 2 hours north on the I-17 to the AZ-179 . . . at least we did. We stopped off at the Red Rock Café for an excellent breakfast, then made our way north passing Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte to the east and Yavapai Point to the west. As you continue north you’ll get nice views of the Twin Buttes, the Nuns and Cathedral Rock. As you approach town you’ll start to see some of the amazing variety of red rock buttes, monoliths, spires and colors that make Sedona so special. AZ-179 ends at one of the 12 “roundabouts” found in town.
The “Y” junction which intersects State Route 89A and State Route 179 allows you to proceed west to the more commercialized “main drag” or head northeast to the more pedestrian friendly Uptown Sedona. If you continue north on the 89A, running parallel to Oak Creek, you’ll cross over the Midgley Bridge, pass Grasshopper Point, Casner Canyon, Slide Rock State Park and West Fork on your way to Flagstaff. Heading east on the 89A you’ll feel like you’re in a typical suburb with incredible views rising high above Starbucks, Whole Foods, McDonald’s, Domino’s, gas stations, drug stores and banks. Many of the best sights and trails can be found off side streets like Airport Rd. (Airport Mesa) and Soldiers Pass Rd. (Soldiers Pass).
Sedona Trails
While many enjoy Sedona for the breathtaking views our main attraction was the hiking. The primary advantage to hiking Sedona is, in addition to the obvious benefits of exercise and communing with nature, you also get the benefit of seeing things you’d never see from the car. An added joy is getting lost . . . some of our best moments in Sedona were when we accidentally went off trail and discovered a plethora of fascinating rock formations, canyons and “cow pies” (flat relatively level rock plateaus).
Much of the hiking in Sedona is in the easy-medium range assuming you’re in pretty good physical condition. Some of the more popular spots, like Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock, do get more challenging as you ascend but are reasonably manageable. Using the map below as a guide, click on the trail name to the right to learn more about the trail and to see tons of amazing pictures.
Sedona Vortexes
Sedona is thought by many spiritual people to be one of the most powerful places on the planet for energy sources. Vortexes (or vortices) are geomagnetic locations that occur naturally by creating swirling “energy centers” which radiate up from the earth’s surface. Different vortexes have varying effects ranging from elation and empowerment, some playful, joyful and serene or even creating both masculine and feminine balance. There are (4) primary vortex points: Kachina Woman (Boynton Canyon), Airport Mesa Saddle, Red Rock Crossing (near the base of Cathedral Rock) and Bell Rock. There are those that also include the Chapel of the Holy Cross for its spiritual energy and others that claim Sedona itself is one large vortex. As you journey keep an eye out for rock cairns, human-made stacks of flat rocks that serve as monuments, ceremonial purposes or spiritual points.
Sedona Restaurants
Sedona has its fair share of restaurants, some known as much for the views as the food itself. Bearing in mind we have relatively simple tastes when it comes to eating out, there were (4) eateries that especially stood out for us.
Red Rock Cafe
The Red Rock Cafe is a local favorite that is conveniently located just off the AZ-179 on your way into Sedona. There is indoor and outdoor seating available for breakfast and lunch. We met many locals on the trails and each sang their praises for this little locally owned eatery. Red Rock serves breakfast all day and features what they refer to as “southwestern flair” including (5) different variations of Eggs Benedict, an amazing Banana Blueberry Walnut French Toast and make-your-own omelets.
El Rincon Restaurante Mexicana
El Rincon is located in the heart of Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village just over Oak Creek on the AZ-179. The very first restaurant to open in Tlaquepaque, El Rincon has a pleasant ambiance and features the unique combination of traditional Mexican food and native Navajo-Hopi food reflecting the nationalities of the owners parents. The result is a unique culinary blend that is sure to perk up your taste buds. While they offer up the traditional Mexican favorites like tacos, tostados and burritos it’s really their Arizona Style Cuisine that gets your attention. Using their own exclusive recipes be sure not to miss their Sopapilla Masa wrapped Chimichangas, Navajo pizza, red and green chile Enchilada Sauce and Sopapillas bread.
The Coffee Pot Restaurant
One of the unique things about many of Sedona’s restaurants is having a chat with the owners as you wait to be seated, as was the case with the Coffee Pot Restaurant, another local favorite that more than earns its sterling reputation. Home of the 101 Omelets (literally), Columbian coffee and one of the best Eggs Benedict Florentine I have ever tasted, Coffee Pot is open daily for breakfast and lunch. You can eat inside and be endlessly entertained by the colorful artwork adorning the walls or eat on the covered veranda joined by a peaceful cascading waterfall, a tree that grows right up through the roof and a family of blue-gray Gnatcatchers.
The Hudson Restaurant
For us The Hudson was the class of this group. A bit more upscale with, it is conveniently located just across the street from the Inn Above Oak Creek on the 2nd floor of the Hillside Sedona Shopping Center and features seasonal American fare like Prime Ribeye, Filet Mignon, Blackened Swordfish, Butternut Squash Ravioli plus burgers and sandwiches. The ambiance of The Hudson is hard to match with their vaulted ceilings and 180° views from the deck of many of Sedona’s red rock formations including Mitten Ridge and Snoopy. Finally, and this is not an understatement, the Cherry Cobbler with cinnamon streusel, puff pastry and vanilla bean ice cream dessert is worth the visit alone . . . truly amazing!
Sedona Hotels
Sedona hotels are unique in that virtually all of them have excellent locations and views. It really gets down to what part of town is closest to where you want to explore, what you can reasonably afford and how much you want to personally be pampered. We prefer affordable and practical but no matter your preference there are countless options. Here are four choices that run the gamut to choose from.
Enchantment Resort
We’ll start with the top of the shelf . . . if cost is no option we recommend the Enchantment Resort. The 70-acre (28.3 ha) resort is surrounded by the red rocks of Boynton Canyon and features private one-story casitas, all with incredible views. Guests all have access to (4) on-property restaurants, the Seven Canyons 18-hole golf course, outdoor whirlpool, championship croquet, bocce ball as well as the world famous Mii amo spa. The rooms are luxurious and expansive with private deck views of the canyon. The higher end options include living room with fireplace, built-in gas grill, kitchenette, oversized soaking tub, guest rooms with suites ranging from 620 ft2 – 2,340 ft2. The views, restaurants and the spa alone make the Enchantment Resort worth the additional expense . . . a once in a lifetime experience.
Courtyard by Marriott
Marriott always does accommodations right and the Sedona version is no exception. Located 3 miles south of uptown Sedona on the 89A, the Courtyard Sedona has all of the amenities you would expect including free high-speed WiFi, private deck with a view, spacious fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool, Bistro and airport shuttle. What it also has is an amazing 3rd floor view deck which affords simply spectacular 180° vista views including Courtyard Butte, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock. The location is ideally suited for those who wish to stay away for the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of town. Even if you don’t stay here make sure to check out the cool sculpture in front of the hotel at the northeast corner of 89A and Upper Red Rock Loop Road.
Sky Rock Inn of Sedona
If you want to stay nearer the heart of town and are on a budget, the Sky Rock Inn is well positioned high on a hilltop on the north end of Airport Road at a very affordable rate. Remember, this is Sedona so you won’t have to sacrifice too much. Many rooms have terraces featuring amazing views (particularly sunrises) of Sedona’s red rocks. The entire inn has a very open and airy feel with a wonderful Native American vibe that works perfect in the desert atmosphere. There is a lounge with hors d’oeuvres, curated local wine, cocktails and a nice craft beer selection as well as a breakfast bar. The Sky Rock lounge provides spectacular mountain views inside and on a promenade deck.
Inn Above Oak Creek
Despite the obvious appeal of the above options we chose to stay at the quaint Inn Above Oak Creek located alongside Oak Creek across from the Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art. What we loved about it was taking the cobblestone path down to the private creekside area where you can lounge in a hammock, barbecue, take a dip in the creek or just have a quiet afternoon’s snooze. Each of the Creekside rooms have a private deck looking down on the creek with a view of mountains that especially glow in the morning sun. Another great feature was an open kitchen which allowed hotel guests to make their own breakfast (continental breakfast items included) before dawn or at 2 in the morning. You have access to a full sized refrigerator which was perfect for keeping our wine chilled and for the previous evening’s leftovers.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
One of Sedona’s most recognized, and memorable attractions is the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Completed in 1956 this award-winning structure was built by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and was voted one of Arizona’s “Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona”. The chapel is nestled between a series of massive red rocks about 250 feet high that overlooks Cathedral Rock and Red Rock State Park to the southwest and Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte to the southeast. The Chapel features a 90’ (27.4 m) tall iron cross that serves both a religious and practical architectural purpose. The Chapel is a popular location for weddings and features its own gift shop below the ground floor. This is a huge tourist attraction (7,000,000 visitors a year) so the best time to visit is either early (9am) or late (4pm) to avoid the heavy crowds.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Just around the corner from our Inn Above Oak Creek is the wonderful Tlaquepaque (pronounced T-la-keh-pah-keh) Arts & Shopping Village, named after the picturesque Guadalajara. You’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported into a 19th-century Mexican village full of quaint charm and grace. Originally created to be an artist community, the center is filled with wonderful artistic touches, original artwork and architectural décor pieces. The stucco buildings are framed by giant sycamores and statuesque cottonwoods.
At the southwest corner there is a beautiful, albeit small, chapel that is very popular for local receptions and weddings. If you’re into shopping, the village features boutique jewelry shops, art galleries, ceramics, candles and even a rare book store. To whet your appetite Tlaquepaque has plenty of eateries to choose from the fantastic El Rincon, Pump House Station and the lighter fare of Secret Garden Cafe to Cake Couture, The Chai Spot and CREAM Handmade Ice Cream. Even if you’re only interest is window shopping, Tlaquepaque is definitely worth a visit.
Uptown Sedona
There are essentially two main drags of Sedona that each begin at the “Y” roundabout where the AZ-179 splits into 89A. If you proceed west you’ll find the more commercial stretch that has everything you’d find in any popular suburban town. If you head northeast, known locally as Uptown, you’ll experience more of an eclectic mix that is sure to delight. The main attractions are the boutique shops featuring jewelry, gems, cowboy wear, artwear, gallerias, gift shops, Native American goods, candles and, of course, t-shirt shops.
You’ll find a plethora of restaurants ranging from curbside takeout, fine dining, cantinas and pizza to espresso, ice cream & gelato, fudge and even a chocolate factory. Along the way there is the Uptown Mall, numerous sculptures celebrating Native American culture and typical Sedona red rock views. A great place for information is the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information center located just across the street from the Pink Jeep Tours Experience. No matter where you are in Uptown there are always amazing red rock views to enjoy all around you.
Sedona Tours
While we recommend you explore Sedona primarily on foot we also fully endorse a few tour options that are available. The best thing about these experiences, aside from a deeper access to Sedona’s beauty and uniqueness, is also the knowledge the tour guides share. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the area and better understand how Sedona came about geologically and the people that helped build it from a post office to one of the world’s most popular natural destinations.
Pink Jeep Tour
Pink Jeep Tours is well known in the Midwest for its Sedona, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas tours for good reason. They work the Jeeps so hard they generally only last 12 months. We took the late afternoon Broken Arrow tour along with another couple and were treated to an epic adventure. The jeeps can go into parts of the mountains and canyons that are not easily accessible on foot. They can crawl up and down steep rock faces and cross over creeks. For our tour we got some beautiful views from Chicken Point and Submarine Rock to Twin Buttes, red rock canyons, a valley sunset and Sedona’s famous White Line where daring mountain bikers ride along a 200’ (61 m) high slopped cliff edge.
Balloon Tour
There are a few options for balloon tours in Sedona but the one with the best reputation is Red Rock Balloon Adventures. The rides typically start at sunrise (reservations are required and they are usually booked at least a week out) with a service picking you up at your hotel, actual air time lasting anywhere from 60-90 minutes followed by a continental picnic (plus some history of ballooning) and a ride back to your hotel. Taking off can be a bit tedious and landing a bit precarious but once you’re up in the air the experience more than pays for itself. One of the more interesting things about being up is how quiet and peaceful it is along with seeing other balloons in the distance.
UFO & Vortex Tours
Yes, there are UFO tours in Sedona but before you snicker too much consider the popularity of the ghost tours in Savannah, Georgia. These tours are typically very entertaining and really more of a history of the underbelly and unsavory elements of the area’s history laced with an acerbic sense of humor. The vortex tours are more spiritual and new age in substance. If you are into that the Sedona tours are especially enlightening. Sedona Mystical Tours is the highest rated tour and is known to personalize their tours to the needs of the guests. They combine a working knowledge of the science and the metaphysical influences at work in Sedona.
Sedona Views
There are very few spots in Sedona where you don’t have a great view of something beautiful or just plain interesting . . . it might be the morning sun reflecting off a red rock cliff face, a “cowboy killer” agave plant, Ft. Apache limestone or a cropping of the oldest layer of rocks called a supai group. Whether walking in town, hiking in a basin or driving north on the 89A there is always something amazing around each corner. One of the more interesting effects happens on the trails. Because of the nature of Sedona’s rock formations, you can walk 100’ (30.48 m) forward or back and see a completely different view. The sun, and the time of day, can greatly dictate your experience as well but, in general, the best time to enjoy Sedona is early morning and late afternoon.
Sedona Sunsets
Sunsets in Sedona are legendary for good reason. It really doesn’t matter where you are, on the trail, in town or sitting atop Airport Mesa . . . you’re in for a treat. On clear evenings the sun becomes a bright orange orb that has to be seen in person (cameras never capture it correctly) and on cloudy nights the clouds explode with color. When the evening sun hits the red rocks they take on a color that doesn’t seem real. My personal favorite is when the sun is setting in the valley framed by towering monoliths either in the shade or reflecting the bright orange hue. Our last night we met a couple that travel from Florida every year just to see the sunset from on top of the Airport Mesa vortex . . . what a perfect way to end a perfect day (every day).
There is no end to how sublimely glorious Sedona is to see in person. A fellow hiker commented that it wouldn’t take much of an imagination to view our surroundings as an epic painting. It truly is that magnificent.
Have you ever been to Sedona? We’d love to hear what hike, rock formation or vortex was your favorite!
Thanks so much for providing all these detailed info! The sunsets must be gorgeous! Can’t wait to visit.
Sedona is everything you can imagine . . . and the sunsets are spectacular! If (when) you visit, please let us know your thoughts.
Excellent info and great coverage of a stellar town! I’m in Arizona and I love all your photos. You covered all the best sites and important info!
Thank you, Amanda. It’s easy to be inspired in Sedona!
It has been 15 years since we left Arizona, but Sedona will always have a special place in my heart. We lived near Phoenix, but visited Sedona when I was pregnant with our second son. I found the spelling of his name in a book from the bookstore inside the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Your post brought back happy memories for me.
So happy to hear that and thank you for sharing that wonderful memory. Sedona is truly a remarkable place!
Great information here! Definitely makes me want to visit. Thanks!
Thank you, Bree! We loved it and plan to go back again in 2021 . . . too many things to see in just one trip. Please let us know your thoughts if you get a chance to visit. Thanks!