Over the last five years, we’ve crisscrossed the country more times than we can count, and there are places we’ve explored that we seem to never get enough of. Sedona seems to have a firm grip on our hearts and souls because we’ve stayed here more than any other place in the United States.

So what makes this Arizona town of 9,861 people so special?

For us, the first moment we made our way north on Highway 179 from Interstate 17, we were captivated by the energy and beauty of the red rock buttes.

When you’ve lived in the flat plains of Oklahoma most of your life, and the only thing you see that's that color is the red dirt, the fascination with those colors of the southwest can draw you in, especially when the sun hits the landscape at various times of the day. And being in such a vibrant and open landscape, with those glorious canyons and desert plants extending in every direction, it just feels surreal.

As we explored Sedona, I thought about the Native American tribes and early pioneers who lived in the region in the early 1900s, and how this majestic place must’ve been before the tourism industry and wealthy people took over this town.

Don’t get me wrong—it’s beautiful today, and I’ve yet to find another place like it. However, experiencing the wonder of that beauty in the days before mass civilization and millions of hikers must have been epic!

Regardless of the past, Sedona in the present, is very special.

Aside from the scenery that will enliven your spirit and soothe your soul, there’s a deep mysticism that cannot be easily explained.

Perhaps it’s the vortices, the swirling bands of energy many visitors seek for spiritual enlightenment or healing that create this sense of happiness and peace. And while I might not believe all the things the metaphysical community does, I do know there’s something spiritual here that will transform your life.

Additionally, the weather always seems to be fantastic.

Donetta and I have been in Sedona at different times of the year and the climate is always inviting. When most of the country was enduring horrific arctic temperatures back in January, we were sweating our asses off in the afternoon heat while hiking the canyons. Even when we encountered snow here, it was warm enough to get out on the trails.

But there are plenty of non-hiking places to visit as well.

Sedona offers its visitors many cafes, bars, restaurants, spas, thrift shops, art galleries, stores, a couple of breweries, and dozens of tourist-type excursions by Jeeps and ATVs. There are also a couple of historic museums to check out.

As for the people, you'll discover this is a truly diverse town. There are the hippies and hipsters, the vagabonds and aristocrats, the white collar and blue collar, and everything else in between. It feels like no matter who you are, you are welcome to join this eclectic community, a rare kind of experience these days.

I’ve often joked that if we ever decided to stop our road life adventures, Sedona would be one of the top five places I’d like to live because of all these things mentioned, but also because it’s so close to Flagstaff, Jerome, Prescott, Oak Creek Village, and so many National Parks we love.

It’s certainly a prime location, but the downsides are that it’s expensive to live here and that the tourism industry can make it extremely busy. Other than that, it’s perfect, in my opinion.

Because we’ve spent so much time in Sedona, we’ve decided to begin working on a handy guide for those who want to experience this magical place. This guide will include tips on how to save money when visiting, our recommended places to check out or stay, how to avoid the crowds, and other valuable information to make your visit the best it can be. Be sure to subscribe to our online magazine to be notified when this is ready.

In the meantime, here's what we suggest for your visit.

Food and Drinks

Because we cook most of our meals to save money and be healthier, we haven't visited many local restaurants. Our normal routine is driving to Walmart in Cottonwood to get our groceries or to Bashas in Sedona.

  • Colt Grill: Located in the Village of Oak Creek, this is some of the best BBQ we’ve had! The sample platter of smoked meats is fantastic, and even with two people, we always have leftovers.
  • Sedona Bike and Beans: Located in the Village of Oak Creek, this awesome coffee shop is also a place where you can rent bikes. Their staff is always friendly and helpful, and their coffee kicks ass.
  • Sedona Beer Co: There are two locations, Uptown and Basecamp, each providing great beer and food options.
  • Sedona Red Rock Coffee: Located on the west side of Sedona, this is a great place to hang out and work while enjoying some strong brew. We met the new owner and she’s a great person.

Hiking and Trails

There are endless options for hiking, and depending on your fitness level and abilities, you'll discover a wide range of trails. We always use the All Trails app to research our options, though sometimes the ratings are not accurate.

The following trails have been our favorites so far:

We'd also highly suggest following the advice below for a better experience.

Start early. Trailheads can be packed and, with limited parking options in most places, starting early in the morning will save you a lot of frustration - especially on the weekends! Using the free Sedona Shuttle is also a great option.

Bring water. The sun makes those rocks hot, so you can quickly find yourself in a dangerous situation if you don’t have plenty of water. Stay properly hydrated and carry enough water for the hike you intend to take.

Purchase a pass. You must have a parking pass for most, if not all, of the trailheads. This can be purchased at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. If you have a national park pass, this works as well and must be displayed on your dash.

Pack accordingly. Many tourists do not prepare for their adventure. It's best to wear good hiking shoes, carry snacks and water, and have a light rain jacket or sweatshirt just in case you end up in a bad situation.

Respect others. It goes without saying, but please be courteous to the people around you and respect the rules like pack it in and pack it out, yield to hikers going up a hill, avoid loud conversations, and don't hog the trail.

Entertainment

As stated, there's no shortage of things to do in Sedona, but here are several recommendations from our adventures.

  • ATV Rental: Spend a day on the ATV trails on the north side of Sedona. It's not cheap to do but well worth it. We loved it!
  • Sedona Heritage Museum: Learn about the history of Sedona and see one of the last Old Western movie sets.
  • Sedona Arts Center: See some incredible artwork by local artists, shop the store, and walk around the area.
  • Silver Son West: Check out an eclectic gallery filled with old signs, ceramics, pottery, jewelry, and a whole lot more!
  • Happy Trails Shop: Buy the best t-shirts and stickers at this local store just off the main strip downtown.

Places to Stay

We are vacation club owners for Hilton Grand Vacations (formerly Diamond Resorts International), and we use our owner privileges for these properties. We've stayed at all these resorts and have ranked them for your convenience.

  1. Sedona Summit: Located on the west side of town, this is our favorite resort because it's quiet with less traffic, provides walkable access to trailheads, includes awesome amenities, and it's closer to Cottonwood and Jerome.
  2. Bell Rock Inn: Located in the Village of Oak Creek, this is a gem of a place due to its walkable access to popular trailheads. It's also next to Colt Grill and Sedona Bean & Bike, but it does have more roadside traffic.
  3. Los Abrigados Resort: Located in the heart of Sedona, this upscale property makes it easy to visit local shops and galleries, grab some food, and walk to the touristy places downtown. It's also a very busy place!
  4. Club Ridge on Sedona: Located at the southern end of the Village of Oak Creek, this property includes a golf course, fantastic amenities, and access to several local restaurants and shops. It's a decent drive to downtown Sedona.

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