I recently spent a weekend in Sedona, AZ and I am already planning my trip back. Sedona is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been to, not only are there hikes but Sedona also offers endless other fun activities and entertainment along with delicious restaurants. The city is really the perfect combination of relaxation and activity. Sedona has been on my radar for a few years now, and much to my surprise, I spent a weekend there to celebrate my birthday. Here’s how to spend a weekend (or longer!!) in Sedona, Arizona.
Where to Stay in Sedona, AZ
Sedona has a variety of accommodation options from hotels upscale to typical, lodges, AirBNBs, campsites, you name it!
We stayed at the Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe which was perfect! The hotel is located right in the heart of Uptown so we could walk to most restaurants and just a quick drive everywhere else we wanted to go to. The Hyatt offers luxurious studios and one- and two-bedroom rooms. We got a one-bedroom room which had the best jacuzzi tub of my life plus a fireplace. There was a full kitchen and dining area if we wanted to cook, plus a huge outdoor patio. My only complaint was that the hot tub closed at 7 PM!
Other options to stay in Sedona, AZ
- L’Auberge Sedona – located right outside of the downtown, L’Auberge is a total luxury hotel with cottages with outdoor showers, Creekside dining, and walking trails right off the property.
- Amara Resort & Spa – located right in Uptown, the Amara is a Kimpton hotel property. This hotel has killer views at the pool and restaurant plus added amenities like a shuttle to other parts of Sedona.
- Casa Sedona Inn – located just outside of the main downtown area of Sedona. A car or bike will definitely be needed if you want to stay here and explore downtown, but it’s still a quaint spot to stay!
- Enchantment Resort – this hotel is right outside of town too, and the rooms are adobe casitas – how cool! But what drew me to look at this hotel was their two restaurants on the property, the food, and the views! I’d love to stay there or even pop in there for a drink/apps.
Where to Eat in Sedona, AZ
There are so many places to eat and drink in Sedona, but I’d always recommend going to a spot with a view. When you’re in Sedona, all you’ll want to do is stare at the beautiful red rocks! I’d recommend making reservations at every spot you can, some only take walkins but some reservations fill up fast!!
This diner-like style restaurant has over 101 different omelets plus your typical diner food, plus a southwestern style menu, needless to say, the menu is HUGE! It’s family-owned and you can tell with their hospitality, service, and casual vibe. I loved it! I of course got an omelet + huevos rancheros. Opt for their homemade biscuit, it melts in your mouth! The best part? When you order a mimosa they give you a little bottle of champagne with OJ on the side so you can decide how much OJ you want!
Everything I read or everyone I asked said to go to Elote while in Sedona. Its Southwestern-inspired menu will leave you drooling for more. It’s hard to get a reservation so I’d recommend making one as soon as you book your trip! It is open Tuesday – Saturday and doesn’t open until 5 PM, but it’s worth waiting for – make sure you save room for the Mexican Dessert pie!
We tried to go there, even made it outside the restaurant only to find out that it’s closed due to a renovation. It’s located just north of Sedona and it’s on the side of the mountain road which makes it that much more appealing! They have indoor and outdoor seating, they also have blankets for their outdoor seating. P.S. I heard their breakfast burrito will leave you dreaming of it for months on end.
Cucina Rustica is as it sounds – Italian and it’s part of Dahl restaurant group which although I didn’t try them all in my fast weekend in Sedona, their reviews are all good and everyone buzzes about them! Cucina Rustica has a super long list of wines and they create their menu with a farm to table approach.
We didn’t get a chance to eat here – but I wish we had! I’ve heard nothing but fabulous things about the food, atmosphere, and the view/sunset. Chef Lisa Dahl has won so many awards for this (+ her other) restaurants, it’s a must-stop for every foodie. Pricey, but worth every penny.
This place was packed every day we walked by so of course it was a must stop! They do have a few locations throughout AZ, but I didn’t get any chain-vibes from it at all. We grabbed lunch at Wildflower Bread Company on our way out of town and it was delicious! It’s a Panera style cafe where you order then sit down (or you can order online) and their sandwiches were something to write home about, their soups also looked delish….next time!
You have to go to The Hudson for happy hour which is Monday – Friday from 3 pm – 6 pm, they have a great view of red rocks. I loved their wine selection and their cheese board was awesome too – though it wasn’t on happy hour I would still recommend it. Their apps, beers, and wines on happy hour are what drew us in, but the ambiance, views, and bartender Nick was what made us want to go back.
A sister restaurant to The Hudson is The Vault we even had the same bartender, Nick, which also has stunning views of the red rocks. It’s a great place for dinner either at the bar or their outside patio. They have awesome enchiladas and french dip. Their trash can nachos and ahi wonton tacos also looked and sounded amazing. I loved their margarita!
Located at the Enchantment Resort, they weren’t allowed outside hotel guests at their restaurant when I went due to COVID19, but I hear amazing things about this place. Can you swoon over tequila flights?! It looks like a fairy tale setting surrounded by the red rocks and perfect views of the Sedona sunsets.
One of the few places that are open past 9 PM in Sedona, this place has a great drink selection as well as a few apps. We went there our first night to listen to some live music and end the night with a drink. It’s a super casual and fun place to stop into!
Another place that’s open past 9 PM, Mooney’s is a place to hang out in! They have live music, darts & karaoke, and if you’re into corn beef sandwiches, theirs was voted in the top 10 in Northern Arizona.
What to do in Sedona, AZ
Stroll around Tlaquepaque
Tlaquepaque is an outdoor market with home shops/galleries and restaurants, it’s a fun place to walk around. One of the stores “just us girls” has a replica of the love lock bridge in Paris where you can buy and engrave locks on it and then place it on a fence. (see below)
See The Chapel of the Holy Cross
If you plan on going in and worshipping then you could spend a lot more time there, but if not – it only takes about 5 minutes. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm seven days a week and it’s crazy how much history this chapel has.
Hike Bell Rock
Bell Rock is one of the easiest hikes I found to do in Sedona, just at .75 miles I say anyone at any skill level could do it. Plus who can say no to picturesque views of the red rocks?! This is another popular spot for hiking and vortexes in Sedona.
Hike Devil’s Bridge
I saw this hike everywhere I looked and because of this it’s probably one of the busiest, I’d recommend a sunrise hike for this one for fewer crowds, beautiful views, and the best way to start your day. Look for Dry Creek Road Trailhead and park there, the hike itself is about 4 miles round trip, so still not too many miles! During your Devil’s Bridge hike you’ll see the red rocks, vortexes, amazing cliffs, and the overall stunning desert landscape. Even if you’re scared/nervous of hikes walking onto the bridge is SO worth it. It can seem extremely thin in pictures, but that’s not the case. There’s a lot of space to walk around without feeling as if you’re going to fall off.
Look for UFO’s
I know I LOLed at this too, but this is such a thing in Sedona that they even have tours that take a small group of people out stargaze and look for UFOs! They arm you with night vision goggles and binoculars to see beautiful stars and see if you can find any trace of extraterrestrial activity.
See a Vortex
Can you believe that people go to Sedona just to see a vortex?! I couldn’t! People go to these sites to meditate, do yoga, or other forms of healing they see fit. While I didn’t go to their vortex site, I did feel lighter and my spirit definitely changed while I was in Sedona. This makes me wonder how I would feel if I actually went to one of the vortex sights.
Take a Pink Jeep tour
Even if you don’t go on a pink jeep tour you will definitely see the pink jeeps all around the town! Hop in a bright pink jeep and let your tour guide take you on a fabulous tour of Sedona and the backcountry! They offer a lot of different tour options depending on your level of adrenaline-seeking, or not seeking – there will be a tour for you!
Wine Taste
While it’s obvious you aren’t in Napa, Sedona has a lot of wineries!! We went to Javelina Leap Vineyard, Oak Creek Vineyards, and my favorite Page Springs Cellar. They are all within a minute drive from each other so it’s easy to stop by all three! They all have outdoor/indoor areas so no matter what the weather is you can enjoy some vino!
Find the ONLY McDonald’s without a Golden Arch
It’s silly, and so freaking American but when we drove by it, I got excited and there were people taking pictures. But even as silly as it is, it’s literally the only McDonald’s in the world without a golden arch…why?! Because in 1993 when McDonald’s came to Sedona, the government thought that the yellow would contrast too much with the rocks and skyline. And then McDonald’s turned to turquoise!
Sedona Weekend Itinerary
There you have it! Everything and anything you’d want to do in Sedona, AZ! I’d 100% recommend checking out Sedona. We’re already planning to go back in the spring or fall to do more hiking!
~ XOXO, the red rock obsessed, Amanda // Blonde out of Water
1 thought on “Sedona, AZ Travel Guide”
Amazing! I know nothing about traveling all over the country, what a wonderful looking place to explore.