Sedona is a one of a kind place for tourists from all over the world, and a favorite weekend trip for Arizonans and visitors from out of state. Named the Most Beautiful Place in the U.S. by USA Today in 2013, the stunning Red Rock views, tall pines, quaint shops, and beautiful creekside venues make it a charming place for a getaway any time of the year.

We often get questions from Arizona newcomers about Sedona, since it is a favorite of so many people and one of the most frequently recommended locations for people to visit. Here are our favorite spots to see when we head north to Red Rock country.

Uptown and Downtown Sedona

The town of Sedona is small but mighty, with a population of less than 10,000 and a strict cap on new development due to it’s location between national forests and protected lands. More than 3 million people visit annually to find a destination full of natural beautry as well as arts, culture, shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing. Whether you are spiritual, artistic, an outdoor enthusiast, or just plain laid back, Sedona has something for you.

Our first stop is usually Uptown, right at the top of the “Y,” the intersection of Highway 89A and 179. Nestled into the rocky cliffs and hills of Sedona, it’s a great spot to find public parking and see the local sights on foot. Walk up and down the street for a taste of the Old West town of Sedona’s origins, mixed with new age hot spots, boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and guided tours. A good place to start is the Visitor’s Center, where you can get current, detailed information to plan your visit.

A short trip down the hill on the highway 179 side of the “Y” is one of our favorite in town spots to visit, Tlaquepaque, an outdoor shopping and dining area just south of uptown, with old world charm and an upscale atmosphere. Tlaquepaque rests in the trees on the banks of Oak Creek on the site of what was once the homestead of the Sedona’s original postmaster, Theodore Schnebly. The story goes that Schnebly was tasked with naming the town and, rather than picking his own name, he chose the beautiful (and preferred) name of his beloved wife, Sedona.

Outside in Red Rock Country

The best thing about Sedona has to be its location in Red Rock country. No matter where you go in Sedona, you have a stunning view of fantastic rock formations like nowhere else on earth. Hiking and biking trails are abundant, but be sure to pick up a trail guide or talk to a local park ranger or outfitter before you head out. The views and trails are georgeous, but it can be easy to get lost in the Coconino National Forest wilderness.

Some of the most popular outdoor spots in the Sedona area include Slide Rock State Park and Oak Creek Canyon, but these are really just the tip of the iceberg. Awesome trails and places to explore are everywhere, throughout the town and surrounding area. Our favorite place to hike is in Red Rock State Park, just off Highway 89A as your enter Sedona. This 286 acre nature preserve and environmental education center sits in the heart of Red Rock country and offers gorgeous forest and creekside hiking trails with amazing views of the giant red rock formations that define Sedona. The park also has a fantastic visitors center, educational facilities and libraries, and many fascinating environmental classes and programs.

Ladybug Tip! 🐞

One of our first stops when we visit Sedona is always The Hike House, on Highway 179. It’s a great place to get great insider hiking tips and trail information, not to mention some of the best desert hiking gear available in the state. And when you get closer to the time you plan to visit, check the AZ State Parks website for current weather conditions, wildfire alerts, and other important information about the Sedona area before you go.  

Take time to check out Sedona in real time through the Sedona Web Cam or Sedona Earth Cam, and look for information about current happenings, the best hiking and camping spots, great places to eat and shop, and things to do from any of these awesome Sedona websites:

Sedona.net
Scenic Sedona 
Visit Sedona Arizona
Visit Sedona
Sedona.org

Tours and Spiritual Experiences

One of the things Sedona is best known for is being a spiritual center. From its origins as a spiritual center for the early Sinagua people who lived there, to the more modern ideas of vortexes and new age spiritualism, Sedona is a popular place to seek spiritual healing of all types. Known for being the home of quite a few Vortexes, or places on the earth with a special field of energy, Sedona attracts people from across the globe who want to visit these sites. The four most popular Vortex locations are Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.

It’s also home to churches and houses of worship for almost every denomination. The most famous of these churches is another of our favorite places to visit, the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Built on the top of a huge outcropping with a backdrop of Red Rock cliffs, this majestic church was originally commissioned by a local rancher and sculptor, Marguerite Brunswig Staude. The chapel, built on Coconino National Forest land with special permission, was completed in1956 and remains one of Sedona’s most recognizable landmarks. Legend has it that it is also known for being the location of one of the strongest and most easily felt premier vortexes in Sedona.

A great way to see Sedona is to book a guided tour with one of the many outfits in town. Whether you decide to take one of the many available jeep tours, rent offroad vehicles to explore on your own, or choose to stick with one of the trolleys, there are many options available to help you see more of the sights and find your way around the area.

Keep in mind that there are many more tour companies available and most have a kiosk uptown to help your book your adventure while you are visiting. Here are a few options, not including renting your own vehicle: 

Sedona is a great place to visit all year round. It’s cooler than Phoenix in the summer and warmer than Flagstaff in the winter, with beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure in every season. One of the most popular times to visit is autumn when the leaves are changing color all along Oak Creek – it’s truly a photographer’s dream! It’s a great place for a day trip or weekend stay, with many one of a kind places to see and things to experience. Take some time to plan ahead and check out the local favorites, and be sure to check Ladybug’s Blog for more ideas and information about places to visit and explore everywhere in our great state.

This article was originally published in the December 2019 issue of the Deer Valley Times, North Tatum Times, North 32nd News, the Scottsdale Standard, the Scottsdale North News, and the Upper Westsider.

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