30+ Things to do in Sedona

Iconic & Cultural Things to Do in Sedona

1. Explore Uptown Sedona

Location / Neighborhood: Uptown Sedona. Best For: First-time visitors, families, couples, shopping. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore; shopping and dining extra.

Start your vacation in Uptown Sedona, where shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés line the streets beneath spectacular red-rock formations. It’s an easy place to get your bearings, browse Southwestern art and jewelry or simply stop for lunch while taking in the scenery.

Uptown is also home to the Sedona Visitor Center, where you can pick up trail information and ask about current road and recreation conditions before heading into the surrounding national forest. Insider tip: visit during the late afternoon so you can explore the shops before staying for dinner as the surrounding rocks glow in the evening light.

2. Explore Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

Location / Neighborhood: Central Sedona / Oak Creek. Best For: Couples, families, art, shopping, dining. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to explore.

Wander through stone archways, cobbled courtyards and leafy passageways at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, one of Sedona’s most atmospheric shopping and dining areas. Inspired by traditional Mexican architecture, the village is filled with galleries, boutiques, specialty stores and restaurants.

Artists work across media ranging from painting and sculpture to ceramics and jewelry, giving you plenty of opportunities to take home something connected with Sedona’s creative culture. Insider tip: visit towards late afternoon and stay into the evening, when courtyard lights create an especially attractive setting for dinner.

3. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Location / Neighborhood: Chapel area / south Sedona. Best For: Families, couples, architecture, views. Estimated Time Needed: Around 1 hour. Cost / Entry: Free.

See one of Sedona’s most distinctive buildings at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, dramatically constructed between the surrounding red-rock formations. Large windows behind the altar frame the landscape, while viewpoints around the chapel reveal sweeping vistas across the valley.

The chapel remains an active religious site as well as one of Sedona’s best-known architectural landmarks, so visitors should explore respectfully. Insider tip: parking immediately beside the chapel is limited and the approach is steep, so allow additional time during busy spring and fall periods.

4. Discover Sedona’s history at the Heritage Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Jordan Historical Park / Uptown. Best For: Families, history, local culture. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $.

Learn what Sedona was like before it became an internationally known travel destination at the Sedona Heritage Museum. Exhibits explore early settlers, farming, ranching and the Hollywood productions that used Sedona’s red-rock landscapes as a backdrop during the golden age of Western films.

The museum occupies the historic Jordan family farmstead, adding another layer of local history to the experience. Insider tip: combine the museum with Uptown Sedona rather than making a separate trip, as the two areas are only a short distance apart.

5. Explore Sedona’s galleries and art scene

Location / Neighborhood: Uptown, West Sedona and Tlaquepaque. Best For: Couples, art lovers, shopping, rainy days. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to browse.

Discover why Sedona has developed such a strong reputation for art by exploring its 80-plus galleries and creative spaces. Collections range from Southwestern paintings and Native-inspired works to contemporary sculpture, photography, ceramics and jewelry.

The Sedona Arts Center is another useful stop for exhibitions, workshops and opportunities to engage with local artists. Insider tip: look for Sedona’s regular gallery events, including First Friday evenings, when participating galleries may host receptions, artists and special exhibitions.

Best Hikes & Scenic Places in Sedona

6. Hike Cathedral Rock

Location / Neighborhood: Cathedral Rock / south Sedona. Best For: Experienced hikers, couples, photography, views. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to hike; parking or recreation passes may apply.

Climb towards one of Sedona’s most recognizable formations on the Cathedral Rock Trail. The route is relatively short but steep, with sections requiring hands-on scrambling across slickrock before opening onto spectacular views between the towering sandstone formations.

Its popularity means trailhead access can become challenging at busy times. Insider tip: the free Sedona Shuttle serves Cathedral Rock on its operating days and the trailhead parking lot closes while shuttle service is running, so check the current schedule before setting out.

7. Walk around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte

Location / Neighborhood: Village of Oak Creek. Best For: Families, couples, hiking, first-time visitors. Estimated Time Needed: 1–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to hike; recreation pass may be required for parking.

Explore one of Sedona’s most accessible red-rock landscapes around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. The Bell Rock Pathway provides relatively gentle walking with constant views of the enormous formations, while longer connecting trails let you turn the outing into a more substantial hike.

Bell Rock is also frequently described as one of Sedona’s major vortex locations, attracting visitors interested in both the landscape and the area’s spiritual traditions. Insider tip: families and casual walkers don’t need to climb high onto Bell Rock to enjoy the scenery — the surrounding pathway provides excellent views from easier terrain.

8. Hike to Devil’s Bridge

Location / Neighborhood: Dry Creek / West Sedona. Best For: Hikers, photographers, couples. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to hike; recreation pass requirements vary by parking area.

Reach Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch on the popular Devil’s Bridge Trail. The route becomes steeper as you approach the formation, with rock steps leading towards the bridge and broad views across the surrounding red-rock country.

It is one of Sedona’s busiest photography spots, so queues can form for pictures on the bridge during peak periods. Insider tip: use the free Sedona Shuttle to Dry Creek Vista when available and start early rather than arriving during the busiest middle part of the day.

9. Explore Boynton Canyon

Location / Neighborhood: Northwest Sedona. Best For: Hikers, couples, nature, vortex experiences. Estimated Time Needed: 3–5 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to hike; recreation pass may apply for parking.

Walk deep between red-rock walls on the Boynton Canyon Trail, one of Sedona’s most scenic canyon hikes. The route moves from open desert into more sheltered forest and canyon scenery, giving you a varied landscape over the course of the hike.

A much shorter detour leads towards Boynton Vista, which is associated with one of Sedona’s best-known vortex areas. Insider tip: if you don’t have time for the complete canyon hike, the shorter Boynton Vista route still delivers memorable red-rock scenery without requiring most of the day.

10. Hike the West Fork of Oak Creek

Location / Neighborhood: Oak Creek Canyon. Best For: Families, couples, hikers, fall scenery. Estimated Time Needed: 3–5 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; day-use parking fee applies.

Leave Sedona’s open desert behind on the West Fork Trail, which follows Oak Creek beneath high canyon walls and through tree-lined scenery. The trail crosses the creek numerous times, adding to the sense of adventure while providing welcome shade during warmer months.

West Fork is particularly beautiful during fall when canyon foliage changes color, although its popularity can make the Call of the Canyon parking area very busy. Insider tip: arrive close to opening time during fall weekends and wear footwear you don’t mind getting wet during creek crossings.

11. Watch sunset from Airport Mesa

Location / Neighborhood: Airport Mesa. Best For: Couples, photographers, shorter walks, sunset. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free; parking availability varies.

Look across Sedona from one of its most convenient elevated viewpoints at Airport Mesa. A short hike leads to the Airport Mesa vortex area, while a higher scenic overlook near the airport provides broad views over the town and surrounding formations.

The location is particularly popular around sunset when the low evening light intensifies the reds and oranges of the sandstone. Insider tip: parking near the smaller vortex trailhead is extremely limited, so use the larger overlook parking area if necessary and give yourself extra time before sunset.

12. Photograph Cathedral Rock at Red Rock Crossing

Location / Neighborhood: Crescent Moon Ranch / Oak Creek. Best For: Families, couples, photography, picnics. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: –$; day-use fee may apply.

See one of the classic Sedona views at Red Rock Crossing, where Oak Creek flows beneath Cathedral Rock. Shaded trees, grassy areas and accessible sections of creek make this a pleasant place for a picnic as well as photography.

When the water is calm, Cathedral Rock can reflect beautifully in the creek, particularly during the softer light around late afternoon. Insider tip: bring water shoes if you plan to explore along the creek and avoid entering fast-moving water after heavy rain or during changing conditions.

13. Explore Red Rock State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Southwest of central Sedona. Best For: Families, wildlife, easy hiking, nature. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $$; State Park admission applies.

Slow the pace at Red Rock State Park, a nature preserve centered around Oak Creek and the surrounding red-rock landscape. A network of trails passes through riparian habitat, juniper woodland and viewpoints, while the visitor center provides information about local wildlife and ecology.

The park’s shorter trails make it especially useful for families or visitors who want Sedona scenery without a steep scramble. Insider tip: check the interpretive-program schedule before visiting, as guided nature walks and other ranger-led activities can add more context to the landscape.

14. Cool off at Slide Rock State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Oak Creek Canyon. Best For: Families, swimming, summer visits, nature. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $$; vehicle admission applies.

On warm days, head into Oak Creek Canyon to Slide Rock State Park, where smooth sandstone has created a naturally formed water slide through the creek. Visitors can swim, wade and slide through sections of the chilly water while surrounded by canyon walls and historic apple orchards.

The park is particularly popular during summer and parking can reach capacity. Insider tip: arrive early, wear secure water shoes with good traction and always check current water and weather conditions before swimming.

15. Take a scenic drive through Sedona’s red-rock country

Location / Neighborhood: SR 179 and Oak Creek Canyon. Best For: Families, couples, road trips, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free to drive; recreation sites may charge.

You don’t need hiking boots to enjoy some of Sedona’s best scenery. Drive south along the Red Rock Scenic Byway on State Route 179 for views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, or head north on State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon for a completely different landscape of forested slopes and canyon walls.

Numerous viewpoints and recreation areas let you stop along the way. Insider tip: allow far more time than the mileage suggests — traffic, viewpoints and spontaneous stops can easily turn a short drive into a half-day outing.

Outdoor & Adventure Things to Do in Sedona

16. Take an off-road Jeep tour

Location / Neighborhood: Red-rock backcountry around Sedona. Best For: Families, couples, groups, adventure. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $.

Explore terrain that conventional cars cannot easily reach on a guided Jeep tour through Sedona’s red-rock backcountry. Routes vary from relatively gentle scenic drives to rougher off-road adventures tackling rocky tracks, steep inclines and remote viewpoints.

Guides also add context about geology, local history and the desert environment, making this more than simply a bumpy ride. Insider tip: tell the operator if anyone in your group has mobility, back or motion-sickness concerns so they can recommend a route with the appropriate level of off-road intensity.

17. Mountain bike Sedona’s red-rock trails

Location / Neighborhood: Trails across Sedona. Best For: Mountain bikers, active travelers, adventure. Estimated Time Needed: 2–5 hours. Cost / Entry: Free with your own bike; rentals and guides extra.

Ride through one of the Southwest’s best-known mountain-biking destinations, where an extensive network of red-rock singletrack offers everything from easier desert trails to highly technical slickrock riding.

Popular trail systems around Bell Rock, West Sedona and the wider Red Rock Ranger District provide options for different skill levels. Insider tip: rent locally and ask for a route suited to your actual ability rather than choosing a trail because it looks impressive online — exposed rock and technical sections can be considerably harder in person.

18. Go rock climbing among the red rocks

Location / Neighborhood: Red Rock Country. Best For: Adventure travelers, couples, experienced climbers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $$$ for guided experiences.

See Sedona’s sandstone formations from a completely different perspective on a guided rock-climbing experience. Local climbing guides can introduce beginners to suitable routes while helping experienced climbers tackle more challenging formations around Red Rock Country.

Professional instruction is especially valuable because desert sandstone, route access and local environmental considerations require specialist knowledge. Insider tip: avoid climbing immediately after significant rain, when sandstone can be more vulnerable to damage, and follow your guide’s advice about current conditions.

19. Ride horseback through the Verde Valley

Location / Neighborhood: Sedona and surrounding Verde Valley. Best For: Couples, families, Western experiences. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: $.

Explore Arizona scenery at a slower pace on a guided horseback trail ride around Sedona and the wider Verde Valley. Routes can pass desert vegetation, open ranch country and distant red-rock views, creating a classic Southwestern experience away from busy trailheads.

Many outfitters cater to first-time riders as well as more experienced guests. Insider tip: confirm minimum ages and rider requirements before booking and choose an early-morning ride during warmer months for more comfortable temperatures.

20. Take a hot air balloon flight

Location / Neighborhood: Sedona and Verde Valley. Best For: Couples, celebrations, photographers. Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours including preparation. Cost / Entry: $$$.

See Sedona from above on a hot air balloon flight, with red-rock formations, desert valleys and distant mountains unfolding beneath you. Flights generally depart early in the morning when atmospheric conditions are most suitable and the first light creates beautiful colors across the landscape.

It’s an especially memorable choice for anniversaries, proposals and special vacations. Insider tip: schedule your balloon flight early in your stay because weather can force postponements, leaving you another morning available if your original flight cannot operate.

21. Fly over the red rocks by helicopter

Location / Neighborhood: Sedona Airport. Best For: Couples, families, photographers, celebrations. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours including check-in. Cost / Entry: $$$.

Take in Sedona’s scale from the air on a scenic helicopter flight over red-rock formations, canyons and forest. Routes vary by operator and flight length, with longer experiences reaching more remote sections of the surrounding landscape.

Aerial sightseeing is particularly useful if you want to see a large area without undertaking multiple strenuous hikes. Insider tip: morning flights often provide smoother conditions, while later flights can offer dramatic light; ask the operator which option best matches your priorities.

22. Kayak or raft the Verde River

Location / Neighborhood: Verde Valley. Best For: Families with older children, couples, water activities. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $.

Swap sandstone trails for water on a kayaking or rafting trip along the Verde River. Guided outings through the Verde Valley provide a refreshing contrast to Sedona’s dry-land adventures, with riverbanks, wildlife habitat and desert scenery surrounding you along the route.

Trips vary according to water levels, season and experience level, so local guidance is important. Insider tip: book with an established outfitter who can match the trip to current river conditions and your group’s paddling experience.

Wellness, Food & Relaxed Things to Do in Sedona

23. Experience Sedona’s vortex sites

Location / Neighborhood: Various locations around Sedona. Best For: Wellness travelers, couples, meditation, scenic walks. Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours. Cost / Entry: Free independently; guided tours extra.

Sedona is internationally known for its vortex sites, places that many visitors and spiritual practitioners associate with heightened energy, meditation and personal reflection. Frequently visited locations include Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon.

Whether you approach the idea spiritually or simply appreciate the peaceful surroundings, these sites are also among Sedona’s most beautiful landscapes. Insider tip: consider a guided vortex experience if you want to understand the beliefs and practices associated with the sites rather than simply visiting them as another photo stop.

24. Visit Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

Location / Neighborhood: West Sedona. Best For: Couples, wellness, meditation, quiet walks. Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours. Cost / Entry: Free; donations welcome.

Find a quieter side of Sedona at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, a Buddhist spiritual site set among juniper trees and red-rock scenery in West Sedona. Walking paths lead to the stupa and surrounding meditation areas, creating a peaceful setting away from the busiest trailheads and shopping districts.

Visitors of all backgrounds are welcome, but the grounds should be treated as a sacred place rather than simply another sightseeing attraction. Insider tip: visit quietly, silence your phone and allow yourself time to sit rather than rushing through solely for photographs.

25. Book a Sedona spa and wellness day

Location / Neighborhood: Across Sedona. Best For: Couples, wellness, relaxation. Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day. Cost / Entry: $.

Balance hiking and outdoor adventures with one of Sedona’s many spa and wellness experiences. Treatments range from massages and facials to body therapies, meditation, yoga and holistic experiences inspired by the destination’s longstanding wellness culture.

A spa day works particularly well midway through an active hiking vacation when tired legs need some recovery time. Insider tip: our Concierge team can also help arrange selected in-villa wellness treatments during a stay in our Sedona vacation rentals.

26. Go wine tasting in the Verde Valley

Location / Neighborhood: Sedona, Cottonwood and Verde Valley. Best For: Couples, groups, wine lovers. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: $.

Discover Arizona’s growing wine scene on a Verde Valley wine-tasting trip. Vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms around communities such as Cottonwood, Cornville and the wider valley produce a surprisingly varied range of Arizona wines.

You can visit independently with a designated driver or book a guided wine tour from Sedona so everyone in your group can participate. Insider tip: choose several carefully selected wineries rather than trying to cover the entire region in one day, and reserve tastings during busy fall and spring weekends.

27. Play golf with red-rock views

Location / Neighborhood: Village of Oak Creek and wider Sedona. Best For: Golfers, couples, groups. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $.

Tee off against a backdrop of towering sandstone formations on one of Sedona’s scenic golf courses. Public options include Sedona Golf Resort and Oakcreek Country Club, while Canyon Mesa provides a shorter nine-hole experience suited to golfers looking for a more relaxed round.

The combination of elevated terrain, desert vegetation and red-rock panoramas makes golfing here very different from a conventional resort course. Insider tip: secure preferred tee times in advance during spring and fall, and ask our Concierge team for help organizing golf as part of your stay.

Best Day Trips from Sedona

28. Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad

Location / Neighborhood: Clarkdale / Verde Valley. Best For: Families, couples, scenery, train enthusiasts. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $$$.

Travel through scenery that is difficult to reach by road aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, which follows the Verde River through a remote canyon from Clarkdale. The journey passes rock formations, historic sites and riparian habitat while onboard narration adds stories about the region.

Comfortable passenger cars and open-air viewing cars allow you to enjoy the landscape without a strenuous hike. Insider tip: reserve ahead during fall and holiday periods and spend some time in nearby Cottonwood or Jerome to turn the railway journey into a fuller Verde Valley day out.

29. Explore historic Jerome

Location / Neighborhood: Jerome, Verde Valley. Best For: Couples, history, art, scenic drives. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free to explore; museums and dining extra.

Climb into the hills above the Verde Valley to explore Jerome, a former copper-mining town whose steep streets now contain galleries, shops, restaurants and historic buildings.

Views stretch across the valley towards distant mountains, while museums and preserved industrial sites reveal the town’s boom-and-bust mining history. Its unusual hillside layout and creative community make it one of the most distinctive day trips from Sedona. Insider tip: combine Jerome with nearby Cottonwood or a Verde Valley wine stop rather than making the drive solely for a quick walk through town.

30. Visit Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well

Location / Neighborhood: Camp Verde / Verde Valley. Best For: Families, history, archaeology, culture. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: $; Montezuma Castle admission applies, Montezuma Well is free.

Learn more about the people who lived in the Verde Valley centuries before modern Sedona at Montezuma Castle National Monument. A short paved trail leads beneath a remarkably preserved cliff dwelling built high into a limestone wall, while the visitor center explores the history and cultures connected with the site.

Around 11 miles away, Montezuma Well contains another remarkable archaeological and natural landscape, including cliff dwellings, an ancient irrigation canal and a large spring-fed limestone sink. Insider tip: visit both sites on the same day, but remember that you cannot enter the Montezuma Castle cliff dwelling itself; it is protected and viewed from the trail below.

Seasonal Events in Sedona

Sedona International Film Festival

The renowned Sedona International Film Festival runs each February and brings more than 150 independent features, documentaries, shorts and animated films to venues around Sedona. Screenings are complemented by filmmaker conversations, workshops and special events. Insider tip: book popular screenings and accommodation early if the festival is a central part of your trip.

Sedona Yoga Festival

Held in October, the Sedona Yoga Festival brings together yoga classes, meditation, workshops, wellness sessions and community events against the backdrop of Sedona’s red rocks. Insider tip: reserve individual programs ahead if there are particular instructors or sessions you want to attend.

Sedona Arts Festival

During October, the annual Sedona Arts Festival showcases more than 100 juried artists working across painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, glass, woodworking and other media. Live music and food add to the festival atmosphere. Insider tip: combine the event with visits to Old Town galleries or Tlaquepaque for an art-focused weekend.

Sedona Plein Air Festival

Held in October, the Sedona Plein Air Festival brings artists outdoors to capture the surrounding landscape directly from life. Events include painting sessions, demonstrations and opportunities to see new works inspired by the red-rock scenery. Insider tip: look for public painting events where you can watch artists work against the landscape that inspired them.

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival in November brings riders together for bike demos, guided rides, skills clinics, vendors, entertainment and access to Sedona’s famous red-rock singletrack. Insider tip: reserve rental and demo bikes well ahead if riding is your priority, as demand increases considerably over festival weekend.

Where to Stay in Sedona

Stay close to Uptown Sedona if restaurants, galleries, shops and straightforward access to central attractions are important. The area works particularly well for first-time visitors who want plenty to do without driving for every meal or evening activity.

West Sedona provides convenient access to trail systems around Dry Creek, Boynton Canyon and Airport Mesa while also offering supermarkets, restaurants and everyday amenities. It’s a practical choice for longer stays and hiking-focused vacations.

The Village of Oak Creek is ideal for Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, golf and attractions south of central Sedona, while quieter homes around the wider red-rock landscape suit guests prioritizing privacy, views and outdoor space.

Our Sedona vacation rentals range from relaxed family retreats to substantial homes sleeping almost 30 guests. Selected vacation rentals feature private pools, hot tubs, fire pits, games rooms, home theaters, gyms, alfresco dining areas and scenic terraces, with many designed to make the surrounding red-rock views part of your stay.

Plan your Sedona Trip

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