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Hey guys, I’m Sophie, and I’m going to show you 13 places to explore in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is a desert town located two hours north of Phoenix, famous for its red rock buttes and outdoor adventures. I’ve been going there for years, and here are some of my favorite spots to explore—or, simply put, some of the best things to do Sedona.
Top 10+ Things to Do Sedona
In this blog, we’ll show you the top 10 places to visit Sedon, Arizona.
Red Rock Scenic Byway
First up on this list is the Red Rock Scenic Byway. If you only have a little time in Sedona, then the best thing to do is to drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway. This stretch of 14 miles goes right through the heart of Sedona and showcases some of the area’s best mountains and buttes, such as Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Courthouse Butte, which are major attractions for visitors. Make sure to pull over at a few of the viewpoints for great photo opportunities. This is one of the top things to do in Sedona if you’re short on time.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Recommendation number two is the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of the most popular stops in Sedona. It was built in the 1950s and is a Roman Catholic church that has won many awards for its unique architecture. When it’s open, you can walk into the chapel and see the amazing cross with beautiful window views that highlight some of the area’s best landmarks. Of course, the best view of the chapel is from the bottom, looking up at the stunning church that seems to emerge right from the rock. It was even voted one of the seven man-made wonders of Arizona in 2007. For anyone interested in history and architecture, this is a must-see on the list of things to do in Sedona, Arizona.
Montezuma Castle
Stop number three is Montezuma Castle, located about 15 miles south of Sedona. Montezuma’s Castle is a quick stop, but one that many visitors choose while exploring. This National Monument protects a Native American cliff dwelling used between 1100 and 1400 AD. You can’t go inside, but it’s still amazing to see from the viewing area below and is well worth the short detour out of the city. It’s definitely one of the more unique things to do in Sedona, AZ.
Cathedral Rock
These next few recommendations are hikes, as that’s one of the main reasons people come to Sedona. First up is Cathedral Rock—one of my favorite hikes in the area, especially for sunset. This short but incredibly steep hike takes you up to the base of Cathedral Rock into a viewing area that you’ve probably seen online before. It’s a hike that will require you to do a little bouldering and use your hands to get yourself up, but it’s still accessible for most people. The views at the top are incredible, and you will often see wedding photo shoots happening here as well. Note that the parking area is small, so try to go on a weekday or arrive early on a weekend. For adventure seekers, this is among the top 10 things to do in Sedona.
Devil’s Bridge
My fifth recommendation is Devil’s Bridge. Devil’s Bridge is the most popular trail in Sedona, leading to a massive sandstone arch that people walk across for photos. The hike is four miles round trip and is relatively easy until the end, when you have to go uphill to reach the top of the arch. It’s a great hike with tons of amazing views, and it’s another one you’ll want to get to early to avoid the crowds. For families looking for fun things to do in Sedona with kids, this can be a good choice as long as they can handle a moderate hike.
Soldier Pass
My last hiking recommendation is Soldier Pass. This hike is a great one, as there are many spurs that lead to all sorts of trails, caves, and viewpoints. The main reason people go is for Devil’s Kitchen, which is a large sinkhole located only about a quarter mile from the trailhead. If you continue on, you can reach the Seven Sacred Pools, which were of religious importance to many Native American tribes and which many spiritual vortex seekers still visit today.
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village
Moving on from hiking, next up is Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in downtown Sedona. It’s a beautiful arts and crafts village and a really popular stop for visitors. The area has tons of shops selling everything from Native American jewelry and art to toys and clothes. My favorite area to visit here is the Chai Spot. At the Chai Spot, they make a variety of different kinds of chai drinks, all of which are fantastic, and they have an awesome outdoor seating area for you to relax. For those wondering about things to do in Sedona without hiking, this village is a perfect choice.
Airport Mesa Overlook
Recommendation number eight is to go to the Airport Mesa Overlook. If you want to get some great views of Sedona without hiking, check out Airport Mesa. Sedona Airport sits on top of a large hill in West Sedona, and you can drive all the way up to the parking area at the top, pay your $3 fee, and enjoy great views of Coffee Pot Rock. About halfway up the mesa, there’s also a pullout with about six parking spots. If you’re lucky enough to find one, a short trail takes you up a small hill with amazing views in both directions of Sedona’s popular landmarks, like Bell Rock. For travelers short on time, this is one of the best things to do in Sedona, AZ.
Red Rock Crossing
My ninth recommendation is Red Rock Crossing. The Red Rock Crossing area is a great spot for landscape photography, and it’s located in a small park south of West Sedona. It’s a beautiful place for the whole family to explore, with many short trails leading to nice views of Cathedral Rock. It’s also situated right along the water, and if you get lucky, you may even be able to capture one of the famous sunset shots of the rocks reflecting in the water below. This is definitely one of the fun things to do in Sedona at night for photographers who love capturing reflections and sunsets.
Palatki Heritage Site
My last recommendation before talking about food is the Palatki Heritage Site. This well-preserved Native American area is managed by the National Park Service and preserves some cave art and cliff dwellings from 1200 to 1300 AD. It takes about 30 minutes to drive here from West Sedona on a dirt road, and you have to call in advance to schedule a tour, as that is the only way to see it. The one-hour tour is really interesting and provides a good understanding of how the Native Americans lived in this area. To me, the cave art was especially impressive to see. This is one of the more unique things to do in Sedona, Arizona.
Food & Dining
Alright, now let’s jump into food! This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s some of my favorite spots. Let me know what yours are in the comments.
First up for breakfast, I recommend you head to Sedona, but get there early as they often sell out. If you’re looking for something healthier, you can get a great acai bowl at Berry Divine or coffee at one of the many coffee shops around the area.
For lunch, I always go to Wildflower Bread Company for sandwiches or soup. Plus, I like to sit outside and enjoy the view, which overlooks Snoopy Rock. If you’re looking for a nice sit-down spot, head over to Creekside, which also has a great lunch and breakfast menu with lovely views of the mountains.Lastly, for dinner, I like Picasso’s Healthy Italian Kitchen in West Sedona, as it has a great menu of options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diners. Meteor’s Hideaway House is another great spot that offers good pizzas and nice views. However, if I can only pick one restaurant for dinner, I’d choose A Lotte Café. If you want to go there, arrive at least 45 minutes before they open, as they don’t take reservations, and the line fills up quickly. It’s easily the best food I’ve had in Sedona, and I highly recommend the wait, as it’s definitely worth it. Be sure to order the elote appetizer, and you can thank me later!
Conclusion
Thanks for checking out Sedona with me. I hope you discovered a new place to visit the next time you’re in the area. Let me know in the comments what I missed. You can visit solosojourner.com for more. I’ll see you in the next blog.
