Sedona is famous for its vortexes, swirling energy centers for healing, meditation, and self-exploration. This desert city is one of the best getaways in the Southwest U.S., so I’ve created the ultimate Sedona travel blog post for you to plan your trip.

10 Places To Visit in Arizona (That Aren’t The Grand Canyon)

Whether you’re on an Arizona road trip or a wellness retreat, I’ve rounded up the best hikes, day trips, restaurants, activities, and accommodation.

Know Before You Go: Most trailheads have limited parking, so arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds (and the heat).

Here’s the ultimate Sedona travel blog to plan an epic trip!

When To Go

March – May is one of the best times to visit Sedona because the desert wildflowers will be in full bloom. Spring also has a low chance of rain, and temperatures should range from the mid-60s to the low 80s, perfect for hiking and outdoor activities.

September – November also has sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Spring and Fall are the most popular times to visit Sedona, so prices and crowds will be at their peak. You’ll want to book tours and accommodation in advance, and you’ll want to arrive at the popular hikes early in the morning to find parking.

Winter is Sedona’s low season because tourists “snowbird” further south in Arizona. Temperatures average in the mid-50s, and a light snow dusting on the top of Sedona’s red rocks is possible. You can score some great accommodation deals from December – February (minus the holidays), and you can have many of the trails practically to yourself.

June – August is Sedona’s shoulder season, so hotel and vacation home prices will be lower than in the Spring and Summer. Tourist numbers will be down, but locals from Phoenix and Tucson escape the triple-digit temps of Southern Arizona. You’ll want to be returning to your car from a hike by 10 am, and choose accommodation with a pool. This is also the monsoon season when Sedona gets most of its annual rainfall, so bring your rain gear. 

Best Hikes

Devil’s Bridge Trail (moderate, 3.9 out and back)

Cathedral Rock Trail (moderate, 1.2-mile out and back)

Boynton Canyon Trail (moderate-difficult, 7.3-mile out and back)

Soldier Pass Trail (moderate, 4.5-mile loop)

Fay Canyon Trail (easy, 2.6-mile out and back)

Birthing Cave (moderate, 2-mile out and back)

Bell Rock (moderate, 0.8-mile out and back)

Airport Loop Trail (moderate, 3.2-mile loop)

What To Do

Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway

Paddle the Verde River with Verde Adventures’ Water To Wine Experience

Go on an off-road jeep tour

Shop at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village

Visit the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

Go mountain biking

Taste your way along the Verde Valley Wine Trail (my favorite wineries are Page Spring Cellars, Javelina Leap, and Oak Creek Vineyards)

Have a spa day

Take a helicopter ride

Pack out a meal to have at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site

Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross

Where To Stay

Sedona has some incredible hotels for every budget and preference. My favorite is Enchantment Resort! So from trendy boutique hotels to wellness retreats to desert resorts, I’ve rounded up the best hotels in the area.

If you’re bringing an RV or motorhome, I suggest Rancho Sedona RV Park or Oak Creek Mobilodge. Sedona also has some incredible vacation homes.

Where To Eat

My Favorites: The Hudson (American, $$), Cucina Rustica (Italian, $$), Vino Di Sedona (Wine Bar, $$).

Mexican, Southwestern, Latin: Mariposa ($$$), Elote Café ($$-$$$), SaltRock Kitchen ($$), Mesa Grill (American, $$).

Brunch: Wildflower Bread Company ($$), Layla’s Bakery ($$), Red Rock Cafe ($$).

Fine Dining: Cress on Oak Creek (American, $$$$), Shorebird (Seafood, $$$), Che Ah Chi (American, Southwestern, $$$$).

Pizza & Burgers: G’s Burgers ($), Colt Grill ($$-$$$), Pizzeria Bocce ($$), Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen ($$).

Restaurants With a View: Tii Gavo (American, Southwestern, $$$), Javelina Cantina (Southwestern, $$), Hikeaway House (Italian, $$).

Best Day Trips

The Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park is just two hours from Sedona by car or less time by helicopter. Many guided tours leave from Sedona, or you can do a self-guided tour of the Grand Canyon if you have a car. The best viewpoints to visit are Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station, Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio and Watchtower, and Lipan Point.

Montezuma Castle National Monument. Here, you can marvel at one of the best-preserved cliffside dwellings in the U.S. This site was one of the first national monuments dedicated to preserving Native American culture. Located in Camp Verde, these dwellings were built and used by the Sinagua people, a pre-Columbian culture between approximately 1100 and 1425 AD.

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This Sedona travel blog is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this Sedona travel blog are entirely my own. Some of the links in this Sedona travel blog are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.