Location: Sedona
Top Things to do in Sedona
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What to do and see in Sedona, Arizona (AZ): The Best Free Things to do
Sedona is a true oasis, a vacationer’s paradise in the middle of the Arizona desert. Here, you’ll find resorts and spas, canyons and red rock formations. Bell Rock and Oak Creek Canyon are great hiking spots, and the dramatic architecture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a religious experience itself. When the sun dips down below the horizon it introduces the best show in Sedona: the night sky.
Restaurants in Sedona
1. Cathedral Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,917 reviews
Towering red rock formation, part of the Cathedral Rock Trail.
Reviewed By Cristine4412 - Pittsburgh, United States
It's a relatively easy hike to the base of Cathedral Rock, and from there you can choose the more challenging hike up the rock, or take the flat Templeton trail around the base.
2. Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By 370brentn
We live in the Phoenix area and have visited Exposures for the past several years. It is always a wonderful experience and we have purchases several pieces of art from them. The variety of art/artists is great and ranges in price from comfortable purchases to high end collector values. They have done a superb job of picking out diverse artists and feature them in diverse selections of work in glass, mixed media, paintings and sculpture. The jewelry features in the gallery is also very unique and appealing. We have purchased a number of paintings/pieces from Exposures and the pricing is very good for such a nice gallery, especially being in Sedona. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They have never been overbearing or pushy, but are always available to answer questions and help with ideas for placement, display, combining artists, etc. We have dealt with Jennifer Garcia, who I believe is a manager, and cannot say enough good things about her. She seems to get a “sense” for your taste to the point that we seek her out for paintings, artists as well as framing suggestions. Very solid gallery with amazing work. Definitely worth a one time visit but even better if you can frequent and even attend some of their artist-driven shows.
3. Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,151 reviews
The Red Rock Scenic Byway is your Gateway to the world-famous Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona … just 110 miles north of Phoenix, about 40 miles south of Flagstaff, and only a few hours south of the Grand Canyon.
Reviewed By kathyfI6813BE - Big Water, United States
Beautiful drive in the red rocks..we stopped several times to take photos and do a bit of browsing at several arts and craft shows.
4. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 748 reviews
Sedona's Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers the world over. The Buddhist Amitabha Stupa is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths. In the park you will find two Buddhist stupas, a Native American medicine wheel, an exquisite wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and numerous quiet spots for meditation and quiet contemplation. You will experience peace in a quiet, sacred setting. The Amitabha Stupa is open every day and your visit is free of charge. The stupa is supported totally by visitor donations. The Amitabha Stupa is on private property and is owned by Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Vajryanna Buddhist Temple in Poolesville MD. Use of the property by tour guides and other business or commercial entities requires permission.
Reviewed By wreckthismess - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I believe one should experience adventure, struggle & exertion when visiting sacred spots, allowing the self to interact with its surroundings, & give up ego in exchange for peace. If you’re bussed in, conveniently dropped off at the site it’s like passing thru a fast food drive-thru & you’ll have to overcome the convenience of your entitlement to catch up to the rest of us on a natural high who arrived via the hiking trails. The Amitabha Stupa is nestled in the shadow of Thunder Mountain in the Red Rocks, amongst a network of hiking trails just above Sedona. Once at this dry parcel you’ll see a magnificent wooden Buddha perched on a ledge among the junipers, the large Stupa, a sacred structure that’s said to contain millions of wishes, sacred relics, mandalas, & prayers. Even if you don’t believe that, merely imagining it gets you halfway there. Meditate, add silence, slow down, regenerate. Many do just that, finding a welcome respite from perpetual chattering & daily data overload. Visitors offer acknowledging glances broad smiles & that’s a start. Spin colorful prayer wheels clockwise & pray for a better future, a world free of perpetual war. Even if you don’t go in for this, the mere spinning of the wheels will link you to something outside yourself. I was told by a local, self-described “old hippie” who assisted on the site’s construction in 2004 that the site is deemed holy by local native peoples & the Hopi who’ve constructed a medicine wheel of stones here.
5. Schnebly Hill Vista
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By DenieceP - Litchfield Park, United States
The views from Schnebly Hill and the drive to it are AMAZING!!!! This is NOT a typical drive, it is very primitive. Highly recommend renting from one of the local ATV rentals vs using your own 4x4 truck like we did. If you use your own 4x4 will need high clearance. The scenery is absolutely worth making this kidney shaking drive (make sure you go to the bathroom prior to making this trek).
6. Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By mrskemosabe - Cottonwood, United States
Very knowledgeable staff who answered all our questions. Great displays of the hiking trails-best I’ve ever seen for choosing the best hike based upon, difficulty, length of time, elevation etc. Very nice gift shop with very reasonable prices, and selection.
7. Hangover Trail via Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By brentb610
i try to do hangover every year i go to sedona. it is a fun trail with amazing views of sedona and wilson mtn. it is narrow with a big drop off and there are frequent mountain bikes so be aware. if you have a capable car there is parking along the trail if not then parking is limited.
8. Mescal Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Mescal Trail is a hiking trail in NW Sedona. The Mescal Trailhead is located on Long Canyon Road off Dry Creek Rd. The trailhead parking is on the east side of the road. Mescal connects east to Chuckwagon Trail, and also runs west along Mescal Mountain with sweeping scenic views. It intersects at points with Yucca Trail, Canyon of Fools Trail, Deadman Pass Trail, and Boynton Vista Trail.
Reviewed By T4734HYjohnj - Camp Verde, United States
Hiked the Mescal Trail off of Long Canyon Road in Sedona Arizona. The trail provides spectacular views of Mescal mountain as well as towering chimneys. Most notable was a rock formation that looked like Yoda from Star Wars
9. Oak Creek Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,381 reviews
Breathtaking in its red rock beauty, the Canyon is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock walls.
Reviewed By 51gloriab - Advance, United States
We hiked the West Fork trail and enjoyed the lush area with a well-defined trail for several miles. Our necks were stretched upward as we noted what we saw in the sandstone rock structures formed by wind over the centuries. At the start of the hike, it was a treat to learn about Mayhew Lodge that once was a retreat for politicians and movie stars. We saw squirrels, salamanders, butterflies, and hawks as they thrive in the riparian community.
10. Devil's Bridge Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,524 reviews
Reviewed By DistrictBrit - Washington DC, United States
The hike to Devil’s Bridge isn’t too strenuous, it’s roughly five-miles round-trip along a dirt road that leads into a more robust trail, with parts that require a bit of rock climbing up steep sections of the mountain. The higher you get the more narrow and rocky the hike becomes, it’s a 400 ft or so elevation climb in all but there are plenty of places to stop and take a break, or viewing areas to soak in the view should you not make it to the top. But if you make it to the top it’s awe-inspiring, and the opportunity to risk your life walking across the bridge for a photo is right there. Devil’s Bridge itself is a bridge to nowhere, it’s about a 50 feet drop should you fall, so don’t do that. At it’s narrowest it’s about five feet but if you’re good with heights then you’ll be fine.
