- Curated By Your Host
Things To Do In Sedona
From vortex sites to canyon hikes, the best activities to do in Sedona start minutes from the front door. Here is what to do in Sedona, curated by your host.
- The Icons
Explore Sedona's Red Rocks
Sedona’s red rock buttes are what draw visitors here, and there are many ways to experience them during your stay.
Red Rock Scenic Byway
Amazing views without leaving your car. SR-179 is known as one of America’s most beautiful drives.
Sedona Vortex Sites
Sedona has 4 spiritual energy sites: Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Each offers its own views and its own energy.
Slide Rock State Park
A seasonal, family-friendly natural rock slide in Oak Creek Canyon. It fills up fast, so go early.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Free to visit and built into the red rocks. For services: Taizé Prayer Mondays at 5:00 pm; Adoration Wednesdays and Fridays 12 to 3 pm, Confession 1 to 2:30 pm, Mass at 3 pm.
Thunder Mountain Trail
The trailhead is under one mile from Sundial Retreat. Four miles round trip along the base of Capitol Butte with towering views the whole way, plus a challenging summit route for experienced hikers.
Bell Rock Pathway
Easy, 3.6 miles, iconic views. Great for families.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Short but moderate, steep near the top, and worth it: Sedona’s most photographed formation.
Devil's Bridge Trail
4.2 miles to a breathtaking sandstone arch. Moderate. You’ll recognize it from the art in the house.
West Fork of Oak Creek
Easy trails through a lush canyon, 6.6 miles.
Soldier Pass Trail
Moderate, 4.1 miles, featuring the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole and Seven Sacred Pools.
- Before Your Go
A Red Rock Pass is required at most trailheads: $5 a day, $15 a week, or $20 for the year. Buy online at Recreation.gov, at trailhead kiosks, or at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Popular lots fill early. Go at sunrise or ride the free Sedona Shuttle.
- Lace Up
Sedona Hiking Trails
Six favorites, from an easy family pathway to a summit scramble, starting under a mile from the front door.
Beyond the Trails
Other Sedona Gems
Sedona rewards slow afternoons too: wellness, dark skies, and an arts village worth wandering.
Spas And Holistic Wellness
Massages, facials, Reiki, sound healing, and aura readings at nearby spas and healing centers.
Stargazing
Sedona is an International Dark Sky community. The back deck at Sundial Retreat is kept dim on purpose; on clear nights the Milky Way shows up without you leaving the hot tub.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
A charming arts village packed with local shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Perfect For
Where your Host Eats
You’ll have a full kitchen, and we still recommend eating out a few times. Some favorites:
- Layla's
- Sedonuts
- Coffee Pot Restaurant
- Mesa Grill
- Hilltop Deli
- Elote Café
- StageCoach
- Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
- The Hudson
- Tortas de Fuego
- Broome & Orchard
- Vino Di Sedona
- Pisa Lisa
- Gerardo's
- Vino Di Sedona is your host's favorite for a casual dinner and live music.
- Tortas de Fuego is amazing Mexican takeout.
Farther Afield
Day Trips from Sedona
Four towns within an easy drive, each worth an afternoon.
Cottonwood
Old Town charm on the Verde River, wineries, and Tuzigoot National Monument a short drive away.
Prescott
Historic Whiskey Row, Sharlot Hall Museum, and mead tastings at award-winning Superstition Meadery.
Jerome
A former mining town in the mountains, 30 minutes away: dining, shopping, and ghost tours.
Flagstaff
A funky college town and gateway to the San Francisco Peaks, full of breweries, historic buildings, and independent shops.
- FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Sedona?
Hiking the red rock trails, visiting the four vortex sites, driving the Red Rock Scenic Byway, stargazing under the dark sky, and browsing Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. All of it starts minutes from Sundial Retreat.
How far is Sundial Retreat from the vortex sites?
All four vortex sites are a short drive from the house. Airport Mesa is the closest, and Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon are each within about 20 minutes.
What hiking trails are near Sundial Retreat?
The Thunder Mountain trailhead is under one mile from the front door. Soldier Pass, Devil’s Bridge, and Cathedral Rock trails are all a short drive away.
Is Sedona good for stargazing?
Yes. Sedona is an International Dark Sky community, and the back deck at Sundial Retreat is kept dim on purpose. On clear nights you can watch the Milky Way from the hot tub.