18 Best Things to Do in Sedona, According to Locals

Book a hot air balloon ride.

Both Christian Davies, the general manager of Mii Amo, and Chrys Theriault, an expert bell captain at Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel, recommend that first-time visitors to Sedona book a hot air balloon ride. “Sedona is known for the unique beauty of its red rocks and high desert foliage. A helicopter tour or balloon ride will allow any traveler a one-time, take-it-all-in view of Sedona,” says Theriault. “You’ll even see the highest peak in the state, Mt. Humphreys, as a bonus.”

Two reliable tour operators are Red Rock Balloon Adventures and Northern Light Balloon Expeditions.

Hike Cathedral Rock Trail.

According to Theriault, “Sedona is known as a day hiking capital, with some 200 trails and 400 miles of well-marked red rock [paths] that offer any hiker the skill level and views they are seeking.”

A good place to start is on Cathedral Rock Trail, a challenging but popular 1.1-mile round-trip trek. It’s a great introduction to Sedona hiking and boasts stunning views of Cathedral Rock, a natural sandstone butte that’s one of the area’s most photographed attractions.

Swim in Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park.

At the bottom of Oak Creek Canyon lies a swimming hole in a spectacular, tucked-away spot. It’s situated below an apple orchard and surrounded by Sedona’s iconic red rocks. There’s even an 80-foot-long “slide” that has been worn into the sandstone and is covered in algae, making for a slippery ride. 

“When you think of Arizona, you don’t think of water,” says Theriault, adding that a visit to the canyon is “a perfect trip any time of year.”

Eat Mexican and Southwestern food at Elote Cafe.

With a menu that’s “inspired by the markets of Mexico,” Elote Cafe is based on chef Jeff Smedstad’s 20-plus years of travel across Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Don’t miss the namesake elote—fire-roasted corn served with spicy mayo, lime, and cotija cheese—and fun margaritas like The Highlands, with fresh grapefruit and lime.

Stargaze in some of the darkest skies in the U.S.

Arizona has some of the best stargazing in the U.S., with multiple DarkSky-certified places across the state—including Sedona, a listed Dark Sky community. Away from the city center, where there’s no light pollution, take in incredible blankets of stars, constellations, and even meteors. Book an astronomy tour to look through professional telescopes and learn more about the celestial beauty above.

Shop at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

This outdoor shopping village is styled after a traditional Mexican village, with stucco walls, cobblestone pathways, and decorative arches. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village has some of the city’s best galleries, restaurants, and shops. Fittingly, the word Tlaquepaque, part of the ancient language of the Aztecs, means the “best of everything.” Davies calls the market “one of the most distinctive shopping experiences in the Southwest,” noting that it “has been a favorite Sedona landmark for many years.”

Dine on the water at Cress on Oak Creek.

If Sedona’s nature has you wooed, book a meal at Cress on Oak Creek in L’Auberge de Sedona (one of T+L readers’ favorite resorts in Arizona). The restaurant’s outdoor patio is situated right on Oak Creek in a green-laden space. The menu leans New American, with options ranging from fish and pasta to gourmet beef from K4 Copper State Reserve. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, so there are plenty of chances to snag a table.

Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross draws tourists and pilgrims who come to worship in this one-of-a-kind building atop a natural rock formation in the Coconino National Forest. 

Theriault calls the chapel a personal favorite, while Davies says, “The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a must-see. The stunning building seamlessly flows with the surrounding area, rising out of the red rocks just like a prominent peak, offering stunning views of the iconic red rock formations that Sedona is famous for.”

Hike Airport Loop Trail.

The 3.3-mile Airport Loop Trail, which curves around Sedona Airport, is a great spot to watch the sun rise and set. If an airport-adjacent hiking path sounds anything but pleasant, then you haven’t been to Sedona Airport, which is set 500 feet above the city on a flat mesa.

Meditate at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

“Sedona is the spiritual mecca of the Southwest,” explains Theriault. “Historically known for its ceremonies, birthing spaces, and peace treaties, it now has a New Age vibe with holistic healing rituals, modern churches, and psychics.”

This 14-acre park is a prime place to experience that energy. “Amitabha Stupa is a spiritual destination for people of all faiths, where residents, visitors, and groups come for prayer, meditation, and an experience of peace in a sacred place,” says Davies.

Bike the Aerie and Cockscomb Trail loop.

Clocking in at just over five miles, the combined Aerie and Cockscomb trails create a loop that’s suitable for both beginner and intermediate mountain bikers. This trail is great because it offers fun descents on rolling hills with beautiful scenery, plus it can be accessed from many locations.

“Sedona is renowned for being one of the top mountain biking destinations in the United States,” says Davies, adding that Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo guests can also take advantage of the Trail House, which offers guided bike rides and rentals.

Visit Red Rock State Park.

If you want to see a high concentration of Sedona’s famous red rocks and canyons, head to Red Rock State Park, located southwest of the city. The nature preserve has tons of treks that loop around red rock formations, including the Eagle’s Nest and Apache Fire trails.

Get pampered at a spa.

Sedona is known for its spa culture, and what better way to soothe your muscles after hiking and biking through canyons than with a massage or a soak? At L’Auberge de Sedona’s serene spa, options include alternative treatments like chakra-balancing massages and Reiki, as well as body scrubs to make dry skin glow.

Taste Arizona’s own wines.

Wine may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Arizona, but the state has dozens of wineries and tasting rooms. The main grapes grown in the Verde Valley Viticultural Area are syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and sometimes chardonnay, and several wineries are within a half-hour from Sedona by car. Spots like Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery and Page Springs Cellars in Cornville are as little as a 15-minute drive away, close enough that you can take a cab. Or plan an excursion to check off a few stops on the Verde Valley Wine Trail.

Hike Devil’s Bridge Trail.

This over four-mile round-trip hike leads to Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in the area. The route can be busy, and parking is limited on weekends, so your best bet is to hop on one of the free shuttles to the Dry Creek Vista trailhead. The highlight of the hike is reaching the bridge and walking out along the top of the arch.

Book a Jeep tour or rent an off-road vehicle.

If hiking and biking aren’t your style but you still want to explore the landscape, Theriault recommends booking a Jeep trip with one of Sedona’s many tour operators. Or, if you’re feeling up to it, rent your own Jeep or ATV to cruise the area’s scenic roads. According to Theriault, Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rock Loop Road, and Scenic Byway SR 179 are “perfect for a day trip.”

Shop at Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art.

The art scene is one of the many reasons people travel from all over the world to visit Sedona. One of the city’s best galleries, Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art is a great place to start your tour of the destination’s creative offerings. Exposures represents the work of over 100 artists and showcases both classical and modern paintings, sculptures, and jewelry.

Try to spot a UFO.

In addition to the occasional energy vortex, Sedona is said to be a UFO sighting hot spot. Theriault recommends first-time visitors join “a UFO tour with military-grade night vision, or take advantage of the designated Dark Sky Community by looking toward the stars at night.”