15 Epic Things to Do in Sedona

If you are looking for a magical place to unwind and unplug from the rigors of a fast-paced life, Sedona is the best place to go. Not only is this mystical place invigorating, but it can also change your life. If you are curious about what you can accomplish in this mesmerizing land, check out these 15 things to do in Sedona.

Overview of Sedona 

Straddled across the county borders of Yavapai and Coconino in Arizona’s Verde Valley, Sedona, Arizona is a magical place. Famous for its red sandstone formations with religious and metaphysical underpinnings, this sprawling city hosts three million visitors every year!

Sedona’s modern amenities complement its unique and stunning natural beauty, allowing people to nourish the soul. Dining and accommodation are never a problem, and there are shops to cater to every shopaholic’s whims. The weather is always balmy and sunny for more than 300 days, perfect for exploring Sedona’s natural wonders, rich Native American culture, and spiritual landscape.

Because Sedona sits at a higher elevation than Phoenix, many locals will also make the quick drive North to get some relief from the hot desert summers, where temperatures can frequently reach above 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best Time of Year to Visit Sedona

Sedona’s calm and pleasant weather makes it an excellent place to visit all year round. However, the best time of the year to visit is between March and May, when Sedona’s warmth complements the natural blooms in full splendor. It is perfect for hiking the rust-colored trails blanketed with vibrant colors of Spring. 

Bikers and Jeep adventurers should visit Sedona from September to November because of its milder weather. Unfortunately, it is often the peak season, and accommodation can be prohibitive. Budget-conscious travelers should consider visiting Sedona in the winter. They can still marvel at the city’s many spectacular sights and unspoiled landscape.

What to Pack for Sedona Hikes

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Hiking in Sedona is generally very relaxed. However, the rocks can be very loose on some hikes like Cathedral Rock. Therefore, shoes with good grip are recommended. Hiking boots typically will give you a much better grip than sneakers, so it just depends on your comfort level when you are hiking.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is super important for hiking in Sedona. Even though the weather is a little more mild than Phoenix, it can still get very hot!

Water Storage

There are plenty of things to do in Sedona, and you’ll want to make sure you have enough water for your entire trip. I prefer using an MSR Drom Bag because I’m fairly lazy to take water bottles out of my bag, but both options are great. The downside of a drom bag is that it typically takes longer to clean.

In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Here are some of the clothes I wear for summer hiking.

Things to Do in Sedona

If our preview got you all pumped up, you should check out the 15 things we listed on what to do in Sedona.

1. Take a Hike

Hiking in Sedona is more pleasant and leisurely than other Arizona trails. The weather is fine, and the paths feature wildflowers in full bloom. There are family-friendly paths following the bases of imposing cliff walls or around buttes, perfect for introducing young kids to the joys of hiking. The adventurous can take more challenging routes, complete with breathtaking lookouts.

Some of the best hikes in Sedona include Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, Doe Mountain Trail, Fay Canyon, Boynton Canyon, and the Courthouse Butte Loop. For more information, check out my blog post on Hikes in Sedona.

2. Watch the Sunrise

Sunrise watching is always a breathtaking experience. However, Sedona injects its mystical charm to make watching the first rays of light shine through the city’s famed red sandstone formations. Sedona offers several spots that can make sunrise watching a magical spectacle.

Airport Mesa is a fantastic spot for watching the sunrise. Get a glimpse of the first solar rays creating a corona around the peaks of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Bell Rock. Other excellent sites for watching the sunrise are Doe Mountain, Sugarloaf Trail, Cathedral Rock, and Red Rock Crossing.

3. Watch the Sunset

Sunsets are as spectacular as sunrises. However, Sedona’s mostly-red landscape gives an almost spiritual feel to the event. You can watch Sedona’s breathtaking sunsets any time of the year, except in the winter. The warm glow of the sun as it bids farewell for the day is a spectacle worth capturing. If getting up early for sunrise sounds brutal, you will definitely at least want to stay out for sunset. It’s undoubtedly one of the coolest things to do in Sedona!

The Airport Mesa Road is one of the best places to watch sunsets with its famed vortices. Cathedral Rock is always majestic to look at, made more stunning by the soft shadows on its face as the sun slowly fades.

4. Swim in Oak Creek Canyon

Sedona has many swimming holes nestled behind imposing red sandstone cliffs, featuring crystal clear waters. Tens more await discovery and exploration. Oak Creek Canyon offers some of the best natural pools in the area, accommodating thousands of locals and visitors every year.

Grasshopper Point is perfect for cliff jumping, sunbathing, and swimming. Midgely Bridge has deep sections for diving and swimming. However, its red rock ‘beaches’ are the favorite of sun worshippers. You might also like Slide Rock for its stunning landscape, water slide chutes, and mini cascades.

5. Pamper Yourself at a Spa

Although you can get a relaxing and energizing spa experience almost anywhere, Sedona’s mystical vortices and Native American healing rituals make body and soul pampering a must-have when in Sedona. I don’t always go for a spa experience when I travel, but I think this is one of the best things to do in Sedona.

You can check out the luxurious and pet- and kid-friendly L’Auberge de Sedona. This resort spa offers detached cottages, lodge-style rooms, whirlpool tubs, and stunning creek and red rock views. Enchantment Resort, Amara Resort & Spa, and Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa are also worth visiting. If you are on a tighter budget, Poco Diablo offers exceptional value.

6. Visit a Vortex

Sedona’s vortices are famous worldwide. Native Americans consider the place sacred and powerful, while spiritual individuals cannot get enough of the place’s mysterious cosmic forces emanating from Sedona’s red rocks. 

Although Sedona is a vortex, there are five spots where cosmic energy is at its greatest. These include the Saddle of Cathedral Rock, Red Rock Crossing, Boynton Canyon, Bell Rock, and Airport Mesa. Get ready to communicate with your inner self in these places.

A lot of visitors will come to experience the magical energy from a vortex. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Sedona.

7. Join a Yoga Class

If you haven’t realized already, Sedona is a very spiritual place. Native Americans believe in Sedona’s natural healing capabilities. Its vortices are full of unexplained energy, perfect for communicating with the inner self. Unsurprisingly, one of the best things to do in Sedona is to join a yoga or meditation class.

You can join Yogi Blair for splendid sunrise yoga at Cathedral Rock. You can also try Vita Pura Yoga at the Airport Mesa Vortex and SpiritQuest Retreats. Chaya’s yoga sessions are insightful and fun.

8. Splurge at a Hotel 

The hotels in Sedona are world-class and splurging here is definitely worth the money. With three million annual visitors to Sedona, you can expect its accommodation to be at par with other resort cities. L’Auberge De Sedona and A Sunset Chateau are two of Sedona’s best-rated five-star luxury hotels, pampering guests like royalty. Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock and Sedona Rouge Resort & Spa are also favorites of the elite.

Element Sedona by Marriott and Amara Resort & Spa are the best choices for four-star accommodation. See the official website for more accommodation options.

9. Go Shopping

If you’re done with hiking and sightseeing, you can enjoy one of the more relaxing things to do in Sedona, shopping! Sedona is not only for relaxation and healing. It is also a haven for shopaholics. Uptown Sedona is perfect for Native American and Americana souvenirs, while the Tiaqupaque Arts and Crafts Village is ideal for handmade ceramics, jewelry, weavings, and more.

You can get hand-woven Navajo rugs and Indian jewelry at Garland’s or bring home art pieces from Sedona Arts Center. If you cannot get enough of Sedona’s mystic charms, you can check the New Age crystal at Crystal Magic.

10. Walk in Downtown Sedona

Downtown Sedona is perfect for dining, shopping, and drinking while enjoying the mesmerizing red rock views. The city’s main strip has many quaint restaurants that can fill the appetite in a flash. You can always stop for chakra readings to tap into your spiritual self. Even if your primary plan is to take a hike, stopping by downtown is one of the best things to do in Sedona.

Deciding what to do in Sedona does not have to be challenging. Its downtown offers enough attractions for everyone.

11. Go on a Sedona Pink Jeep Tour

If you hang around Sedona for long enough, you will see pink Jeeps driving around. Exploring Sedona’s red sandstone formations and red rock landscape is definitely a fun adventure. One of the best ways to discover the place’s unforgettable backcountry is by going on a Pink Jeep Tour. One of the benefits of the Jeep Tour is that you can go further down dirt roads than your normal car. It also makes for a fun group experience in Sedona.

Explore Diamondback Gulch’s rugged red-rock terrain or crawl the red sandstones of Broken Arrow. You can also check out the petroglyphs and ancient ruins at the Honanki Heritage Site in your off-roading Jeep.

12. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of the state’s seven greatest man-made wonders. Built into Sedona’s red-rock buttes, this place of worship attracts hundreds of devotees daily.

Although Catholic in nature, its design has a welcoming vibe, even if you are not religious. The chapel’s inviting charm will make you want to stop your activities and take a peek inside its walls. I had my doubts initially, but this is one of the more unique architectural things to do in Sedona.

13. Explore the Art Galleries

The vortices of this sacred place are perfect for connecting with one’s innate gifts and talents. Unsurprisingly, hundreds of artists make Sedona their home, showcasing their creations in the city’s many art galleries. I personally found the art galleries here to be very unique, which makes this one of the best things to do in Sedona.

These galleries feature Native American art, traditional fine art, Southwest art, Indian pottery, contemporary art, fine art photography, sculpture, and other visual art types.

14. Go Stargazing with Evening Sky Tours

The red-rock landscape is not the only thing magical about Sedona. Its nighttime sky can also be mystical, connecting you with the universe.

One of the benefits of being further away from the city is that Sedona absolutely lights up at night with stars. There is not as much light pollution as you would get from Phoenix for example, which makes the stars much easier to see. This was one of my favorite things to do in Sedona.

For the best cosmic adventure, you can check Sedona Stargazing for more entertaining and informative Sedona evenings. Professional astronomers guide you in using state-of-the-art telescopes to view galaxies, shooting stars, star clusters, planets, the Milky Way, Apollo lunar landing sites, and more.

15. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Tour 

Riding a 4×4 Jeep might be fun, but going on a hot air balloon is exhilarating. With a flight time of one to one-and-a-half hours, Sedona’s Red Rock Balloon Adventures can give you a sweeping view of the magical place. This is a bit pricier, but the rock formations are so cool from ground level, imagine what it is like hundreds of feet in the air!

Liftoff at sunrise and feel the warmth of the morning sun on your face. Culminate your high-flying journey with a celebratory toast before heading downtown or exploring other Sedona wonders.

Final Thoughts on Sedona

Sedona is a transformative, magical place that has everything for everyone. From its unspoiled natural beauty to its modern amenities, this landscape is worth visiting in one’s lifetime. So, plan your itinerary, pack the bags, haul your loved ones to this mystical place, and start having an experience beyond imagination.

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