What Not to Do in Sedona
One of the most beautiful places in America, Sedona, Arizona is often the first choice to visit for a vacation or for fulfilling the dream of relocating or purchasing a second home. It seems that every Sedona visitor comes armed with a list from friends or family that recites the things you must do if you ever visit Sedona. Like beauty, Sedona “must do’s” are in the eye of the beholder, and the DO'S are numerous and have been well covered. As much as we love this destination (and we really do!) we thought we’d offer some DON'TS to keep in mind:
Don't bother to pack dressy clothes unless you are attending a Sedona wedding. There is almost no place you can go in Sedona that requires attire any fancier than your "nice jeans" and a shirt with sleeves. If you feel you must get a bit gussied up, perhaps for dinner at L'Auberge, ladies might want to don a top and skirt, and gentlemen will be properly attired in a sport coat with an open-collared shirt (no neckties!)
Don't book your hotel or bed and breakfast based solely on the views from the accommodations. There are views everywhere you go in Sedona, and we promise your vacation album will include dozens of picturesque photo-ops beyond the boundaries of your guest room balcony.
Don't think that you must stay longer than 5 nights per trip to Sedona; even a 4-night stay is a stretch. The average length of stay in Sedona is about 2.5 nights, and most visitors come back a second, third, or twentieth time. Learn from all the visitors who have come before you: there are over a hundred things to do in Sedona and the Verde Valley, but you need not do them all in one trip.
Don't be afraid to “bookend” your Sedona visit; book a stay in Sedona for 1 or 2 nights on either side of a driving tour of the Grand Canyon / Grand Circle vacation. Spend a couple nights at the South Rim, and even up to the national parks of southern Utah, but return to Sedona for a restorative stay before heading home. Some lodging owners even offer discounts for this kind of bookend itinerary.
Don't try to go without renting a car or hiring your own independent transportation. Shuttles to Sedona from Phoenix and vice versa are a great way to get up and back, but Sedona is a city that’s spread across 18 square miles with little to no public transportation options. You will miss out on 80% of the beauty of the area if you relegate yourself to just the Uptown Sedona scene that’s accessible on foot, for example. You don’t want to miss the chance to see West Sedona, Boynton Canyon, Red Rock State Park, the Village of Oak Creek or Oak Creek Canyon, do you? No, you don’t, so trust us and rent a car upon arrival at the airport or as soon as you arrive in Sedona.
Don't try to take a regular rental car onto back country roads and Jeep tour trails. They’ll probably be challenged to make the Sedona hills or they may become damaged; damage to these rental vehicles can be pricey and are the sole responsibility of the renter. If your plan is to take a car off road, speak to a Jeep or vehicle rental company that specializes in this kind of rental. Talk to your hotel’s concierge or innkeeper to find a reputable company, look the vehicle over carefully before you rent to make certain the vehicle is in good repair and able to handle the trek, and listen to the rental company’s advice on how to drive on steeply graded, loose gravel trails.
Don't wait until the last day of your stay to take the Sedona Trolley or a Sedona Jeep tour. These two classic Sedona tours are available from excellent, reputable and knowledgeable providers and will instantly help you understand the lay of the land in Sedona. The trolley tours allow you to hop-on, hop-off along the trolley route, taking in the area’s shopping, dining and photography opportunities at your own pace. Jeep tours will get you to some of the best photography spots, many on the sides of mountains not accessible by any other means, and you're also likely to get an excellent education on the area’s ancient people, sites, mythology, geography, animals and plant life.
One final thing to absolutely avoid: Do not illegally park in a handicap parking space in Sedona! Not even for a quick trip to a store or to the bank and never at a hotel. The Sedona Police must issue a ticket for this violation of state and federal law and they most certainly will. A total waste of money and act of disrespect for those who have a legal right to the spots; just don’t do it.
RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO IN SEDONA
Red Rock Balloons
Romantic | Activities | Professionally Guided
Sedona Hiking App
Take a Hike! The Sedona Hiking App currently has over 110 trails, over four hundred miles of trail documented and available in the App. You can follow your location in real time and always know where you are on the trail. Visit and explore www.SedonaHikingApp.com for trail listings and … More
Take a Hike! The Sedona Hiking App currently has over 110 trails, over four hundred miles of trail documented and available in the App. You can follow your location in real time and always know where you are on the trail. Visit and explore www.SedonaHikingApp.com for trail listings and hike highlights with pictures from the trails.
Here's how it works: After you decide on the trails you'd like to experience, download the trails onto your device (with a network connection) and 'select' them as you do the hike. Click 'Take a Hike' to see the map. Everything you need is in each hike package, including driving directions This really is hiking for everyone. Easy, moderate, and hard day hikes to enjoy the grandeur of Sedona!
Check out our new Discovering Sedona Landmarks app!
Self-Guided | Activities | Native American Culture & Tours
One Tribe Tours
Vortex Experience | Professionally Guided | Private Tours Available | Custom Options Available | Guided Meditation | Sacred Ceremonies | Beginner Friendly
Blazin' M Ranch
Blazin' M Ranch features a BBQ chicken and ribs chuckwagon supper and a toe-tappin Western stage production by award-winning musicians. Guests may arrive before dinner to enjoy Old-Tyme photography, a museum, shoo … More
Blazin' M Ranch features a BBQ chicken and ribs chuckwagon supper and a toe-tappin Western stage production by award-winning musicians. Guests may arrive before dinner to enjoy Old-Tyme photography, a museum, shooting gallery, tractor pull, ropin' lessons, Western shops or the Copper Spur Saloon.
Western Experience | Activities
Wildland Trekking
Four Seasons Guides
Professionally Guided | Custom Options Available
Private Sedona Red Rock Tours
Experience the extraordinary beauty and power of Sedona with a first-hand experience of a private Sedona tour, where you'll immerse yourself in this powerful gift of nature and learn how to harness the energy for real transformation in your life, you've come to the right place.
Experience the extraordinary beauty and power of Sedona with a first-hand experience of a private Sedona tour, where you'll immerse yourself in this powerful gift of nature and learn how to harness the energy for real transformation in your life, you've come to the right place.
Our tours are private and tailored to your personal and spiritual needs by highly intuitive guides. Once they meet you, they'll tune into which vortex site to visit first and, from there, you'll follow Spirit and go where you are called. Every experience is unique and one of a kind-just as you are.
Choose from the Original Vortex Tour or any of our spiritual tours (medicine wheel tour, yoga tour, chakra tour, psychic tour and more). You'll visit the most powerful energy centers in Sedona and learn how to tune into and work with the energy right out on the red rocks and in Sedona's breathtaking countryside.
We also do photography tours for individuals who want to be taken out to the best locations for photo ops and hiking tours.
Vortex Experience | Professionally Guided | Private Tours Available
Out Of Africa Wildlife Park
Activities
Sedona Vortex Food Tours
The FIRST and only Food Tour in Sedona, Old Town Cottonwood, and Jerome is Vortex Food Tours!
A food tour is the best way to not only get to know our town intimately, but to know where you want to go for ALL your dining while here. If you're only here for one day, then you wi … More
The FIRST and only Food Tour in Sedona, Old Town Cottonwood, and Jerome is Vortex Food Tours!
A food tour is the best way to not only get to know our town intimately, but to know where you want to go for ALL your dining while here. If you're only here for one day, then you will enjoy being able to dine in many locations, all with spectacular views of our red rock wonderland!
Vortex Experience | Activities
A Day In The West
Western Experience | Activities | Native American Culture & Tours | Professionally Guided
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterwards, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where y … More
Spend a day visiting two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest- Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend! Our Lower Antelope Canyon Tours take you into the heart of one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Afterwards, we visit the famous Horseshoe Bend, where you can peer off the edge at the mighty Colorado River! Tours leaves from Flagstaff.
Professionally Guided
Sedona UFO Tour Guided By Contacted Scientist
FEATURING: UFO Conference March 13-14 | FREE ADMISSION
UFO Tour Practicing Social Distancing and Using Clean Night vision Googles: At sundown, all participants caravan … More
FEATURING: UFO Conference March 13-14 | FREE ADMISSION
UFO Tour Practicing Social Distancing and Using Clean Night vision Googles: At sundown, all participants caravan 3 miles to a parking area with a dark sky. 3rd gen night vision goggles are distributed to see what can't be seen with the naked eye. Satellites, airplanes and UFOs are seen every night.
Personal UFO Tour: With 3 or more in a party, the Sedona UFO Tour Guide comes to you with the gear and the information that has made Michael THE guide to hire for a UFO Tour.
Conversations with a Contactee: Michael will buy lunch and spend an hour sharing his ET contact story, and answering the attendees' questions.
Nightlife | Vortex Experience | Activities | UFO Tours
Grand Canyon Railway
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course is an elevated obstacle course set in the tall Ponderosa Pines. It is securely suspended between the trees at 15 to 60 feet off the ground. At Flagstaff Extreme, we believe the best family memories are usually ones that take place outdoors, so bring th … More
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course is an elevated obstacle course set in the tall Ponderosa Pines. It is securely suspended between the trees at 15 to 60 feet off the ground. At Flagstaff Extreme, we believe the best family memories are usually ones that take place outdoors, so bring the entire family! There are 5 adult courses and 1 junior course with obstacles ranging from tarzan ropes, to wobbly bridges, swinging logs, cargo nets, ziplines, and even an aerial surf board!
Come Play in the Trees and explore the outdoors like you never have before!
To see our availability or book a reservation, check out www.flagstaffextreme.com or give us a call at 888-259-0125!
(See our website for age and height restrictions)
Activities | Activities
Maverick Helicopter Tours
Private Tours Available | Custom Options Available
Pink Jeep Adventures
Native American Culture & Tours | Professionally Guided
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Wedding Venue
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
Private Sedona UFO & Vortex Tours
"Voted BEST 1 day experience in Sedona. Let me show you the true POWER of SEDONA! Sedona is not a city it is a consciousness. The Vortex energy here is the most powerful any where on the plane … More
"Voted BEST 1 day experience in Sedona. Let me show you the true POWER of SEDONA! Sedona is not a city it is a consciousness. The Vortex energy here is the most powerful any where on the planet. I will take you to the most miraculous healing vortex for a guided meditation to meet your Spirit Guides. Sedona NIGHTS are pure magic! Not only will you see a million more stars in our sky. My UFO tour will forever change the way you think of the world around you. I GUARANTEE SIGHTINGS! This 1 day experience can truly be a game changer. Your consciousness will open to coming into more contact with your Star Family. MAKE THIS PART OF YOUR SEDONA JOURNEY
Private Tours Available | Vortex Experience | Nightlife
Predator Zip Lines
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of … More
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of Northern Arizona's wine country, just minutes from tasting rooms and vineyards. From the top of the towers, you can see majestic red rocks, the San Francisco peaks, and the whole breathtaking Verde Valley including Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome. Come join us for a Zip Line adventure that you'll never forget! Ride the most exciting zip line ever devised, over Out of Africa and soar over Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Hyenas, Bears, Jaguars and other natural predators!
Professionally Guided
Mystical Bazaar
Psychic Readings | Vortex Experience | Guided Meditation
Private Sedona Vortex Retreats
When you're ready to transform your life with Sedona's vortex energy while experiencing the best vacation of your life, you're ready for a Sedona Vortex Retreat. Sedona's vortex energy has been used for centuries by experienced shamans and other intuitive people for personal and planeta … More
When you're ready to transform your life with Sedona's vortex energy while experiencing the best vacation of your life, you're ready for a Sedona Vortex Retreat. Sedona's vortex energy has been used for centuries by experienced shamans and other intuitive people for personal and planetary healing, refreshment and rejuvenation, spiritual ceremony and life acceleration, inspiration, enlightenment and getting answers to life's most pressing questions. Whatever your reason for retreat, our highly experienced, heart-centered guides will lead you through the vortex mystery to experience for yourself the life-changing transformation this energy is designed to provide to all who truly seek it.
"This was absolutely one of the best experiences of my Life. The knowledge, clarity and deeper understanding of myself were truly priceless. This is not entertainment, this is the REAL DEAL and in my opinion no one could have assisted me with my journey better than the Sedona Vortex Retreats Team."
--Sonya Friday
We customize our retreats just for you or your small group and orient your retreat to your specific interests (couples retreats, yoga, healing, girlfriend's getaway and more).
Visit our website through the links below and get a copy of our free 26-page special report on the secrets of using vortex energy for powerful spiritual transformation.
Vortex Experience | Professionally Guided | Custom Options Available
Grand Canyon Day Tours
Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five millions people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our profess … More
Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five millions people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our professional guides will make sure you get the most out of your trip. While touring in comfort you will learn about the geology and history of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The day tour includes short walks to some incredible "less-used" outlooks, a looking into some of the areas most impressive historic buildings, and time to browse resident art galleries and gift shops.
Professionally Guided | Lunch Included | Private Tours Available
In the Spotlight
