Things To Do

There are many sites on the web they can give you Information about things to see and do in Sedona. Some of the best are: TripAdvisor.com, visitsedona.com, and sedona.net

If you are coming from Phoenix area there is the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center about a mile south before you come into the Village of Oak Creek.  Great resource for forest/outdoor information: 

Services offered at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center

• Recreation Activity/Trip Planning Assistance
• Detailed Trail/Road Information
• Free Forest Recreation Guide with map
• Arizona Natural History Association Store (Maps, Books, Gifts)
• Sale of Red Rock Passes (annual only)
• Sale of Federal Interagency (America the Beautiful) Passes
• Sale of Forest Product Permits (personal use fuelwood, rock for landscaping)
• General Forest information

The information below is based on the things that we like to do in the area. Hope it helps :-)

Although we are not in downtown Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon is a highly sought after area with very few options for rentals.  Away from the traffic and visitors just 4 miles away, there are many things to do and great places to hike and enjoy nature.

This is our second home in Sedona, and it's a great retreat when you want to get away from it all.  There are only about 25 homes in our neighborhood, and everyone is friendly and helpful.  You'll cross over the Oak Creek River on your way into the neighborhood and there are trails along the creek if you'd like to explore the area more.  Although it's away from it all, there are still a few places you can get food/drink with incredible views.

Indian Gardens:  This little cafe/shop about a mile south of the house is our go to spot.  They are open until 4pm (closed on Tues/Weds) and until 7pm on Mondays when they have wood fired pizzas for sale.  Everything is made from scratch and they have great coffee/latte/bakery.  They also have wine and beer (some on tap) if you want to get a drink.  They have a lunch menu as well, with several great homemade selections.  In the back is a garden with lots of seating.  A hidden little gem that we visit several times when staying in Red Rock North.

Dairy Queen/Indian Jewelery:  On the way to Indian Gardens you'll pass Dairy Queen.  Of course a favorite for kids, but also adults.  In the parking lot during the day there is an open Indian Jewelry market that has several stands.  Locals bring their homemade items to this market for sale.

The Table at Junipine Resort:  3 miles north of the house is the Junipine Resort.  This is a townhome rental property that also has a nice restaurant called The Table and Junipine Resort.  It's open for lunch and dinner and has a porch out front for dining that faces the forest.  It's a little more upscale, and if looking to do dinner I would call ahead and make reservations..

Butterfly Garden Inn:  4 miles north is a place similar to Indian Gardens.  A small cabin rental spot (Don Hoels) that has a cafe and small shop.  Open until 4 (until 7 Thurs-Sun when they also serve dinner), this is a great little spot along 89A that overlooks the canyon.

The only restaurant we've found that delivers is Chipotle, and even that's spotty.

Also finding an Uber/Lyft is next to impossible.  There is a "taxi" service that you can call to get to/from town and schedule your pick ups.  It cost about $30 per car to get from the house to downtown Sedona:

Bob's Taxi:  928-282-1234

The “main strip” of Sedona is about 4 miles south.  There are a lot of restaurants, shops, art galleries, as well as great views. Also on the way to Sedona is a great little area with shops and restaurants called Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.  Oak Creek brewery can be found here with good local beer and food.  

Warning!  Make sure you check your navigation app for estimated time to get to and from downtown. During peak times, and peak seasons it sometimes can take over an hour to make the 4 mile journey. So I would recommend going earlier or later in the day to beat the traffic.

There are a lot of trails for hiking or biking.  We mostly hike, and there are a couple of good trails close to the house (need to drive to trailhead).   You can also head down to the creek where you first drive into the neighborhood.  There are some trails along the creek you can access depending on the time of the year and level of the creek.

A great website for maps/descriptions of hiking/biking/ATVing trails is Alltrails.com

Sedona has also added a new free shuttle surface to many of the popular hiking trails.  You can check out the schedule and pick up spots at www.sedonashuttle.com

There are several trails in Sedona to ride ATVs/Side by Sides through the valleys and red rock. There are also tour companies that will take you on an off road adventure.  The most popular tour company is Pink Jeep Tours.  You'll see them all around town when you are in Sedona proper.   There are other great companies too.  With any activity you do, always check Groupon for discounts and offers.

If you're more adventurous and want to control where you go and what you see, renting is an option too.  We used Sedona ATV once and the family really enjoyed it.  New vehicles and they had an ipad/map that guided you through sites of interest and different trail options.  Again, check Groupon for discounts.

Although all of Sedona is considered to be a vortex, there are specific sites where the energy crackles most intensely. The four best known Sedona vortexes are found at Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon—each radiating its own particular energy.

Known for it's healing powers and spirituality, the Sedona area has many unique shops that cater to holistic healing/peace.   There are tours you can take that will show you the different areas thought to contain this phenomenon.  

Here is a good site with an overview of what the vortexes are:  Click Here

One hidden gem that we loved was called Rachel's knoll.  On top of a hill overlooking a golf course and gated community, there are many twisted trees and incredible views.  Information on how to find it and how to get in are in this post :https://www.paulagaston.com/blog/visiting-rachels-knoll-in-sedona-arizona 

Not many people know that the Sedona are has several highly respected wineries.  There is an area to the south, on the way to Cottonwood, called Paige Springs.   There are several wineries all within a quarter mile or so of each other.  Paige Springs and DA wineries are our favorites.  If you want an incredible meal overlooking the creek check out Up the Creek.  Everything is make from scratch and might be the best burger I've ever had, just make sure to check on days/times they are open and would recommend making reservations.

In Sedona proper there are several places to drink as well.  Some of the bars/breweries that I like are Sedona Beer Company which has many local craft beers on tap.  Pump House Station which is a cool eclectic spot across from Tlaquepaque Villiage with a relaxing outdoor area along the creek.  I've already mentioned oak creek brewery in Tlaquepaque Villiage which is more of a restaurant, they also have a tap room on the outskirts of town which is relatively unknown and has a great outdoor patio where sometimes they play live music:   2050 Yavapai Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336 

If you are willing to venture outside of the Sedona area, Cottonwood is about a 30 minute drive.  There is an area called Old Town Cottonwood.  A cool strip with many bars, restaurants and wine/spirit tasting rooms.   They opened a brewery called Belfry which has really good beer and a speakeasy type motif.  Across the street is Colt 804 Grill, which has the best bbq I've had in AZ (don't miss out on their homemade bbq sauce bar station).   

Just outside of Cottonwood is the town of Clarkdale, there isn't much there but they just opened Smelter Town Brewery which has my favorite micro breweries in the area.  

I highly recommend taking the AZ Wine Crawler hop on/off tour bus.  They pick up around 10am at the Element Hotel which is just on the other side of 179 (walking distance).  You are able to go to several areas (much of what I've listed above) and hop on/off the tour bus throughout the day for 1 price.  Check their website for details.  We've done this several times and everyone LOVES it.

• They even created a discount code just for our guests!  At check out you can add the code redrockranch to each line to save an additional 10%

On the way from Cottonwood to Clarkdale you'll pass the Verde Valley Railroad .  Very cool train ride the kids would love that takes you through the valley in vintage rail cars.  There are open air cars as well so you can stand outside and catch all the views.  They serve food and drink as well.   I would check availability and purchase tickets ahead of time if interested.

Also close to Cottonwood is Jerome.  Small little town built on the side of the mountain (you'll see it in the distance as your driving towards Cottonwood).  Used to be a mining town a long time ago.  Many think it's haunted, including the hotel that used to be an asylum/hospital at the top of the hill.  If nothing else it's a very scenic drive, especially once you get past Jerome heading back towards Phoenix.

About 20 minutes north is Flagstaff.  A great town with lots to do, perfect for a day trip.  If you like skiing there is Snowbowl.  Obviously seasonal when open, but the major ski resort in Arizona.  Be prepared since you may run into sleet and snow, which makes driving difficult at times.   There are a lot of great restaurants and bars.  Some of my favorites are Flagstaff Brewing Company, Lumberyard Brewery and Restaurant, Hops on Birch, and Mother Road Brewing Company.  There is a lot of great hiking, biking and did I mention skiing???   The drive from the house to Flagstaff on 89A is breathtaking.  Lots of curves, and the change in scenery from red rock to mountains and pine trees is incredible.