By Sara Cribari
One can’t help being impressed by the natural grandeur of Sedona’s imposing red rocks. The steep cliffs jut into the air in layers of coppery-orange, deep brick red, and rusty brown forming spirals and mesas that beckon visitors to explore their secrets, or at least take a few dozen photos. Sedona is a mix of rugged adventure, spiritual healing, and elegant art and luxury that offers plenty of activities for those who visit, no matter their vacationing preferences.
Where to adventure:
Sedona is surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest land, making it easy to explore its beauty on any of the hundreds of miles of hiking trails. If you’re looking for an easier hike, try Fay Canyon Trail which is a fairly flat hike into a red walled box canyon, or the Templeton Trail which has views of the popular Cathedral Rock, but is an easy 1 mile in-and-out hike. If you’re an experienced hiker looking for a more advanced trail, I recommend Devil’s Bridge, where you can snap photos of hikers standing on the iconic rock bridge spanning an abyss, or the Soldiers Pass Trail which takes you past a giant sinkhole, natural arches, and the seven sacred pools formation.
One of the most well-known ways to see Sedona’s vistas without hiking is to take a jeep tour. There are multiple companies that offer a variety of excursions, such as the iconic Pink Jeep Tours whose bubblegum pink Jeep Wranglers will take you into the backcountry to see some of Sedona’s most recognizable locations. There are also companies such as A Day in the West which will combine jeep tours with horseback riding, wine tasting or helicopter tours, allowing you to create your own adventure experience.
In the center of Sedona is Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, a grouping of shops and art galleries inspired by the architecture of a Mexican village. Wander in and out of the art galleries amidst stone walls and the gentle bubbling of courtyard water fountains. Admire the works of local artists while enjoying a coffee or ice cream from the cafes tucked inside the village. On Friday mornings in summer there’s even a farmer’s market where you can purchase fresh food and crafts from the vendors.
The L’Apthecary Spa at the L’Auberge de Sedona Resort is the perfect place to take a break from your outdoor exploration and activities. In addition to their extensive spa treatment menu including massages, facials, and body treatments, they feature a blending station where you can create your own aromatherapy bath soaks and body scrubs with botanicals inspired by the local fauna.
Interested in more of the metaphysical aspects of Sedona? Visit one of the four main vortexes – Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, or Boynton Canyon. What exactly is a vortex? Vortexes are thought to be swirling centers of concentrated energy in specific locations around Sedona that can supposedly twist the trees and possibly be felt by humans (and even though the proper grammatical form is ‘vortices’, the Sedona locals call them ‘vortexes’). Visit the Airport Mesa vortex location for a 360-degree view of Sedona. It’s a beautiful place to watch the sun set, although it can get a little crowded, so come early to grab a spot. Even if you don’t feel any energy, the vortex spots are all incredibly beautiful places and it’s easy to appreciate the awe-inspiring views of nature.
Where to eat:
Sure, you could eat a healthy breakfast, or you could fuel up after a hike with a hot coffee and delicious maple bacon or chocolate sprinkle donut from Sedonuts. This cute little coffee and donut shop is open from 6am-12:30 pm, and offers an impressive selection of specialty flavors.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian/vegan option, the Chocolatree offers from scratch homemade organic and gluten free meals. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a good selection of delicious vegan dishes served in their eclectic restaurant and patio. But the best part is the chocolate shop inside, where master Chocolatiers Kelly Johnson and Jeffrey Botticelli make an incredible assortment of handmade, artisan, raw chocolates from organic, fair trade cocoa.
Located a few miles out of town to the north is Indian Gardens Cafe & Market. This quaint market and restaurant began in 1947 as a general store and has become a little oasis in the desert. They serve breakfast and lunch on a peaceful garden patio surrounded by trees near Oak Creek. They also have their own coffee roaster and coffee bar with espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes, as well as a marketplace that offers to-go options.
Stop by Sound Bites Grill for dinner with a view of the cliffs. This funky yet upscale restaurant in uptown Sedona has celebrity signed guitars mounted to the walls, a stage for live music, and a great patio where you can watch the visitors stroll down main street with the majestic red rocks in the background. They serve burgers, steaks, seafood and offer wine tastings.
Vino Di Sedona is a craft beer and wine bar with live music every night. It’s a popular place with the locals, so go early to grab a seat and taste some local wine. They’ve curated an extensive beer and wine list from around the world as well as a menu that includes tapas, charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, and pizza. One corner of the restaurant is a wine shop that provides a fantastic selection of both local and international wines by the bottle to purchase.
Where to stay:
There are many lodging options in Sedona from luxury resorts to vacation rentals to chain hotels. One great option is the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, which is centrally located, making it a great home base for your trip. The Mediterranean styled hotel provides a rooftop terrace for stargazing or red rock viewing, an onsite spa, and yoga classes. They often offer deals and packages during the off seasons.
Whether you like to adventure or relax, you’ll find plenty to do and see in a weekend in Sedona.
If you go:
Links to the places mentioned in the article:
https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/sedona-tours
