We have asked our family, friends, staff and guests what their favorite things are to do in the Sedona area. Use this guide to start planning your trip! Once you get here, you will find your own favorites that encompass your interests. We would love to hear about them. So please, after or during your visit let us know what some of your favorite things to do in Sedona were! Either comment at the end of this article or post on our Inn of Sedona Facebook page. We are looking forward to hearing about your time in the red rocks!
Fun Things to do in Sedona, Arizona and the Verde Valley
Hiking
Sedona, Arizona is truly a hikers paradise! There are a wealth of trails to enjoy nature and the spectacular views in red rock country. Visitors head out to explore the many trails in the Coconino National Forest and Sedona. As well as the Verde Valley and trails that explore the Mogollon Rim. Check out our Sedona Hiking Guide before hitting the trails! You will find trails for beginners through more seasoned, and serious, hikers. Included are helpful tips, links and our favorite hiking websites. We, of course, have a few of our favorite hikes listed! Also, guest’s favorites to share with you. Have a great time exploring!
Tours and Attractions
Pink Jeep “Broken Arrow” Tour
We highly recommend taking an exciting ride through the red rocks with Pink Jeep! Pink Jeep’s famous “Broken Arrow Tour” is by far the most popular four-wheel drive tour in the Southwest. Excitement abounds on this fun-filled four-wheeling Two Hour adventure that leads you on and over the red rocks while the magnificent canyon walls surround you. You’ll be awestruck by the natural splendor and thrilled as your guide expertly navigates you down “The Road of No Return”. Don’t forget your camera on this One-of-a-Kind Pink Jeep Tour.
Red Rock Balloon Adventures
Treat yourself, that special someone, your family or your friends to the smooth flying of Red Rock Balloon Adventures. Fun begins with the exciting inflation of the balloon, and before you know it, your soaring with the eagles! Watch the sunrise during your ascent. After your gentle lift-off, you’ll be gliding over the gorgeous red rock country. The views are simply incredible! Red Rock Balloon Adventures holds a permit from the Coconino National Forest. They join them in their efforts to preserve our lands for the enjoyment of future generations.
Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures
Yes, there is water in the desert, and more importantly there is fly fishing! Oak Creek offers some of the most pristine pools and secluded stretches of water in Northern Arizona. This creek, along with its breathtaking red rock views, make for an unforgettable fishing adventure any time of year. The fishing season is open year round, and Oak Creek is stocked regularly. Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures offers a fishing excursion of a lifetime from the red rocks of Sedona to Arizona’s White Mountains, and on to historic Lee’s Ferry. Fishing licenses is required and can be purchased online at www.az.gov/app/huntfish.
Adventures Near Sedona
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Out of Africa Wildlife Park is located only 30 minutes from Sedona in Camp Verde, Arizona and is the ultimate wildlife experience! The park offers fun, exciting and educational attractions for the whole family to enjoy such as Wildlife Preserve, Tiger Splash, African Bush Safari, Giant Snake Show, Wonders of the Wildlife Show and Predator Feed. These adventures give you the opportunity to get up close to wildlife in a natural habitat. With all the great attractions offered we highly suggest allowing at least four hours to experience all the Park’s adventures.
Horseback Rides and Cowboy Cookouts
When it comes to experiencing Arizona the way of the cowboy, the M Diamond Ranch is top on the list. This 100 year old family cattle ranch values its cowboy heritage and takes great joy in offering guests a taste of the lifestyle of a traditional Arizona ranch. One of their knowledgeable cowboy wranglers will take you on a guided horseback ride with breathtaking views of Sedona’s Red Rocks, the Mogollon Rim, Verde Valley and the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff! They even offer a cowboy cookout that can’t be beat.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Known as Arizona’s longest-running nature show, Verde Canyon Railroad trains take you on a scenic tour along the Verde River, over bridges and old-fashioned trestles, and past crimson cliffs, red rock pinnacles and ancient Sinagua Indian ruins into the heart of spectacular Sycamore Canyon. Depending on the season, you’ll enjoy spring flowers, fall foliage, migrating waterfowl, and wintering bald and golden eagles. The Verde Canyon Railroad also offers special events throughout the year.
Vortices
Discover Sedona’s vortices (vortexes)
Excerpt from www.visitsedona.com
Some say Sedona’s vortex energy is so powerful that you can actually feel it and that it is powerful enough to help people take giant leaps with their spiritual development. The Native Americans believe that spiritual transformation can occur more quickly and easily in Sedona because the veils to other dimensions are thinner here. Whether or not you believe that energy vortexes actually exist, one thing is for certain, there is “something” about Sedona that has made people travel here for something more than just its incredible beauty. Although all of Sedona is considered to be a vortex, there are special spots that have been identified where the energy is more intense and where you are more likely to actually feel the energy. – www.visitsedona.com
Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is one of the most visited spiritual sites in Sedona and was built as a gift to the community and the world. On any given day in Sedona, dozens of visitors of all faiths trek up the short winding trails to the 36 foot Amitabha Stupa and the smaller Tara Stupa for prayer, meditation, healing, and the experience of peace in a beautiful and sacred setting. The Amitabha Stupa is open every day from dawn until dusk and your visit is free of charge. (Of course, donations to support the stupa are gratefully accepted.)The Stupa is located at 2650 Pueblo Drive, off of Andante, in the heart of West Sedona.
More Fun Things to do
Visiting the Sedona Airport Mesa
The airport is located on top of a high mesa on Airport Road overlooking the red rocks of Sedona, AZ. You definitely want to make the trip up to the Sedona Airport Mesa for some of the best overall panoramic views in Sedona! Sunset is the most popular time to visit because of the way the lights and colors bounce off the red rocks. Make sure to bring your camera, you can get some amazing shots of Coffeepot rock from the lookout! If you happen to go around mealtime, the Mesa Grill comes highly recommended. For more information about the Sedona Airport please visit www.sedonaairport.org.
Visiting National Monuments and Historical Sites
Flagstaff, the Verde River Valley and Sedona, Arizona are rich with history, from the history of the Native American Sinagua culture, to the Pioneers of Northern Arizona. You will find many places to explore and ignite the imagination of yourself and your children. You will find everything from an amazing five-story cliff dwelling and well-preserved petroglyph sites, to a self-guided trail exploring a variety of volcanic formations. Please visit our Ancient Ruins, Historical Sites and National Monument Guide where you will find our top suggestions for your exploration of the past. We have arranged them by location to help you plan a day trip to each destination.
Visiting Jerome and Cottonwood
Many of our guests who come to Sedona and have access to a vehicle highly recommend experiencing the history and fun of the Verde Valley. Jerome and Old Town Cottonwood rated high on the list from guests.
Jerome
Located 5,200 feet up on Cleopatra Hill, was once the 4th largest city in the Arizona Territory. Between the late 1880s and early 1950s, Jerome was a thriving mining camp producing an amazing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Now that’s a lot of copper! You can still feel the history in Jerome today, the Jerome Historical Society has done a wonderful job of guarding and preserving many of the historical buildings. You will now find the town filled with galleries, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms. They have a very popular “Art Walk” that takes place every 1st Saturday of the month throughout the year.
Cottonwood
Shops, galleries and restaurants line Main Street and provide the backdrop for this quaint and colorful historic district. The unique Cottonwood Jail stands guard at the top of Main Street. Cottonwood is surrounded by jagged mountains on the south and west, and to the north and east by mesas and buttes. Named for the beautiful Cottonwood trees that grow along the Verde River, the town grew from a small farming community to the Verde Valley’s population center, called “the biggest little town in Arizona” by the late 1920s. At that time Old Town businesses supported residents and workers of the many mines that operated in nearby communities.
Sky Rock
A visit to Sedona can be anything you want to make it. Whether you’re interested in ancient cultures or hiking, wild animals or off-road adventures, Sedona has something to offer. To save our guests time and money, we’ve put together several lodging deals. To learn more about our Sedona hotel visit our home page.
