Sedona is one of the country’s most beautiful and visited places for so many reasons. If you’re planning a long-distance motorcycle trip on a touring bike, a road trip, you’re traveling by RV, or you’re just looking for a spot where your family can fly into and spend some time, Sedona might be right for you.
Sedona is in Arizona, on the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties. It’s in the Verde Valle region of the state. Sedona is best known for its stunning sandstone formations.
The following are seven reasons to consider visiting Sedona.
1. The Beautiful Scenery
The number one reason Sedona makes it onto so many people’s bucket lists is because of the stunning scenery. It’s not like anywhere else in the world.
Red sandstone formations surround you. Cathedral Rock is the signature formation. Cathedral Rock can be seen nearly everywhere in town. You can also choose different hikes to get a better look, with Red Rock State Park being one of the most accessible.
Baldwin Trail is more strenuous but will give you another great angle of Cathedral Rock.
The Cathedral Rock Trail is for the adventurous, as it’s more of a rock climb than an actual hike.
The Sedona Airport Overlook provides you a view of all of Sedona spreading out before you, and another one of the prominent natural landmarks in Sedona is Bell Rock. This bell-shaped formation consists of horizontal rock layers.
Devil’s Bridge is probably where you’ve seen more than a few Instagram pictures tagged. It’s a sandstone arch that’s a favorite among hikers who want to pose for a photo in Sedona.
The natural beauty of Sedona is overall unparalleled. There are pinyon pine forests, flat-topped buttes, and canyons with steep walls. The weather is relatively mild year-round in Red Rock country as well.
The scenery doesn’t go away at night. It just changes. Sedona is known as a Dark Sky Community, meaning it’s a perfect spot for stargazing. You can visit the Aerie Trailhead, for instance, which is only a short drive beyond the Doe Mountain Trailhead, and get a view of the night sky from the parking lot.
The Baldwin Trailhead is also a good place for viewing the night sky, and you can see the stars set against the backdrop of Cathedral Rock.
2. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is a must-do in Sedona. It’s on the banks of Oak Creek, and it’s designed like a Mexican village. It’s been a landmark in Sedona since the 1970s. There are cobble-stoned walkways and stucco walls covered in vines. The galleries and shops are perfect for ambling through, whether you want to window shop or buy.
Sedona artisans will often work in the village, so you might see a painter or sculptor making something, for example.
3. Outdoor Adventures
Some people come to Sedona to simply enjoy the scenery, while others want to immerse themselves in it in the form of outdoor adventures. The mountain biking trails are great for all skill levels, or you can rent an ATV. You can also take guided jeep tours through the landscape, go to cliff dwellings or take a hot air balloon ride.
You can swim and slide at Slide Rock State Park or go to the Crescent Moon Recreation Area.
4. Spirituality
Sedona is known as a center of spirituality. Many people travel here for rejuvenation or a connection to a higher power or purpose. Sedona has energy vortexes. People believe these vortexes can infuse them with the ability to transform their lives.
Every vortex has a unique energy, and people visit them for prayer, healing, and meditation.
Many spiritual guides, well-known healers, artists, and yogis visit Sedona on a regular basis.
If you’re a spiritual or New Age person, that’s worth a trip to Sedona on its own.
5. The Spas
If you tire yourself out hiking and being outdoors, Sedona has a number of world-class and award-winning spas. You can choose from different services and bodywork.
L’Auberge de Sedona is on Oak Creek in the heart of town. L’Auberge is a luxury spa resort that also has a fine dining restaurant on the creek. The full-service spa is called L’Apothecary. It offers a full range of treatments, all of which are inspired by the natural beauty of the area. The spa uses botanicals that are locally grown and have an herbal blending station where they custom-create body care products.
Enhancement Resort also has a full-service spa called Mii Amo destination spa.
Amara Resort & Spa is a boutique property on the creek, and the Amara Sedona Spa’s signature treatment is the Rain Dance Massage. The signature massage draws inspiration from the Native American community. If you stay at the hotel, you can also take advantage of morning yoga classes for free.
6. The Day Trips
While Sedona has plenty to keep you occupied for quite some time, it’s also a good basecamp for day trips.
You can visit Cottonwood, Arizona, which is home to the Tuzigoot National Monument. Old Town Cottonwood has local shops and eateries, and nearby is the historic Verde Canyon Railroad.
If you go north, you can drive through Oak Creek Canyon to visit Flagstaff. From here, you can see the San Francisco Peaks, which are the highest mountains in Arizona. Flagstaff is home to Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon National Monument, and the Lowell Observatory.
Going south from Sedona would take you to the ancient dwellings at Montezuma’s Castle National Monument.
7. Dining and Wineries
Finally, there are a lot of restaurants in Sedona for every taste and budget. From fast-casual eateries to fine dining, there is everything. The wineries in the area are also great.
Many restaurants celebrate the unique flavors of the Southwest, but other options include vegan restaurants, steak and seafood venues, and places that serve handmade pasta.
Most of the restaurants are chef-owned or mom-and-pop-style eateries. You won’t find many chains. You’ll also notice that many of the restaurants have beautiful red rock views.
