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One of the things I love most about visiting Sedona is that there is no shortage of adventures and activities to be had. You could spend a month here and not check off all the best things to do in Sedona.
I’ve been to Sedona more than a dozen times now – it’s my favorite place in the US to mountain bike – and I’m always discovering something new.
From beautiful hikes that showcase Sedona’s incredible red rock landscape to challenging (but fun!) mountain biking singletrack and helicopter tours that will give you a birdseye view of the area, there’s something for everyone in Sedona.
So if you’re planning a trip to this magical place, read on to learn what tours and activities you should add to your Sedona itinerary.
Looking for an itinerary? Check out our 4-day Sedona Itinerary for Adventure Travelers.
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1. Go hiking
Sedona is one of the best places in the southwest to hike. There are hundreds of miles to explore and each trail offers its own special surprise.
Some trails lead to stunning lookouts while others take you through narrow canyons lined with oak trees and tall red rock walls.
Here are a few of my favorite hikes in Sedona. For more recommendations check our post on the best hikes in Sedona.
- West Fork Trail: 6.5 miles, 564 ft elevation gain, out-and-back
- Courtyard Butte & Bell Rock: 3.6 miles, 341 ft elevation gain, loop
- Devil’s Bridge: 3.9 miles, 521 ft elevation gain, out-and-back
- Cathedral Rock Trail: 1.2 miles, 741 ft elevation gain, out-and-back
- Soldiers Pass to Brins Mesa: 5.6 miles, 1,066 ft elevation gain, loop
2. Go Caving
By caving, I don’t mean spelunking…Caving in Sedona means exploring some of the neat red rock caves that can be accessed via hiking trails around Sedona.
Popular caves around Sedona include:
3. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Even if you’re not religious, visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a must-do when you’re in Sedona.
This chapel is an architectural landmark that blends seamlessly into the natural beauty of the surrounding red rock landscape.
It was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and is an iconic monument in Sedona.
The Chapel is open from 9am – 5pm seven days a week. You can drive up to it or hike to it via Chapel Trail.
4. Take a Pink Jeep Tour
Pink Adventure Tours is one of the oldest and most famous tour operators in Sedona. Their Jeep adventures will get you out onto the red rock landscape of Sedona where you can experience some of the best views and scenery.
They have a number of tours to choose and you can select how rugged and off-road you want to get.
Looking to get rowdy? Check out the Broken Arrow / Scenic Rim Combo tour.
5. Go mountain biking
As a mountain biker, Sedona is my all-time favorite place to ride. I love the challenging trails, the incredible views, and the engaging terrain. Just like hiking, there are hundreds of miles of trails to explore.
For route recommendations, check out my detailed guide on Sedona mountain biking over on my blog, Two Wheeled Wanderer.
Book a Mountain Biking Tour
Sedona is not a very beginner-friendly place to mountain bike. If you’re new to mountain biking, I recommend booking a tour. Your guide will be able to take you on the easier trails so you can maximize fun. I recommend Sedona Trail Lovers for booking a guide.
6. Take a guided e-bike tour
E-bikes aren’t allowed on the trails in Sedona, but you can still see the red rock vistas by the seat of a bike with an e-bike tour led by a local guide.
This tour will take you to some of the most scenic places around Sedona like the Cresent Moon Picnic area. Plus, you don’t have to sit in Sedona’s dreaded traffic!
7. Enjoy Sedona’s food scene
After all your adventuring outside, you’ll want to refuel at some of Sedona’s best restaurants.
There’s no shortage of good places to eat in town, but here are a few of my favorites:
- Elote: Authentic and delicious Mexican food. Reservations required
- Mariposa: Fancy Latin-inspired grill
- The Hudson: American eatery with great food and cocktails.
- Hideaway House: Italian-inspired. Go for sunset!
- Indian Gardens: Great place for breakfast or lunch. Located up Oak Creek Canyon.
- Black Potion: Excellent coffee
Helpful Tip
Make Reservations
Most restaurants in Sedona can get really busy, especially during peak tourist season. I highly recommend making advanced reservations for the more popular places.
8. Catch the sunset at Sedona Airport’s scenic lookout
Head to the Sedona Airport Lookout For some of the best views out over Sedona’s red rock landscape. This is a great place to catch the sunset.
If you want to add on a hike, the 3.3-mile Sedona Airport Loop offers great views.
9. Spend an afternoon at Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is located up Oak Creek Canyon and is a beautiful spot to spend the day or afternoon, especially on hot days.
The park is famous for its natural water slide, which has been carved out from the red sandstone bed of Oak Creek. You can slide down the smooth, slippery chute and plunge into a refreshing swimming hole at the bottom.
Slide Rock State Park is open from 8am – 5pm. The day-use fee is $20-$30 per vehicle depending on the day and season.
Learn more on the Slide Rock State Park website.
10. Visit Montezuma Castle National Monument
There are dozens of Native American archaeological sites spread throughout Arizona and one of the most well-preserved ones is Montezuma Castle.
This impressive ruin is a 5-story cliff dwelling that was built somewhere between 1100 and 1350 A.D. by the Sinagua people.
It’s a little bit of a drive to get out there, about 30 minutes one-way from Sedona, but if you’re interested in history, it’s definitely worth the trip.
While you can’t go into the cliff dwelling, you can see it from below and check out a replica in the Visitor’s Center.
11. Go wine-tasting
Before I’d spent a lot of time in Arizona, I was surprised to learn that there are a number of wineries around Sedona.
The Verde Valley, where Sedona is located, is one of three grape-growing regions in the state (the other two are farther south).
More than 40 different varieties of grapes are grown in the Verde Valley and there are at least a dozen different wineries that produce wine. Some of them have even won international awards!
If you’re interested in sampling some southern Arizona wines, check out the Verde Valley Wine Trail for a map and more information about grape growing and wine-making in the area.
You can also sign up for a 4-winery tour with transportation.
12. Join a ghost tour of Jerome
Jerome is a small town perched high on Cleopatra Hill above Sedona. Once known as the “Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome was once a thriving copper mining camp. When the mines closed in the 1950s, though, Jerome became a deserted ghost town.
Today, Jerome has been revived as a haven for artists, musicians, and history enthusiasts. The steep, winding main street is lined with Victorian buildings that house art galleries, wine-tasting rooms, quaint shops, and restaurants full of character.
You can stroll around town, or dive into its history by signing up for a Jerome Ghost Tour.
13. Take a hot air balloon ride
There’s really no better way to see Sedona than by a hot air balloon. Red Rock Balloons offers sunrise balloon rides 7 days a week.
14. Take a helicopter ride
If hot air balloons aren’t your thing, you can opt for a helicopter ride over Sedona.
I’m not much of a shopper, but I did enjoy strolling around the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in Uptown Sedona. It’s especially nice at night when all the lights are lit up.
The are a number of shops to poke around in from art galleries to bead shops to jewelry stores and more. There are also several restaurants if you’re looking for a place to have a nice dinner.
Insider tip: Head to the courtyard outside of El Rincon Restaurant on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday evening for some live flamenco music!
16. Explore the Palatki and Honanki Heritage Sites
Palatki and Honanki are two archaeological heritage sites located northwest of Sedona off of OHV roads.
Palatki, meaning ‘red house’ in the Hopi language, consists of cliff dwellings and rock art that date back thousands of years.
Honanki, meaning “bear house” in the Hopi language, is also a cliff dwelling and home to home of the largest and best-preserved pictographs and petroglyphs in the region.
You can visit these sites on your own or book a tour with a tour guide company in Sedona.
Tip: The roads out to Palatki and Honanki can be rough and not well maintained. You’ll want a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle.
17. Relax at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Looking for a relaxing afternoon? Head to the Crescent Moon picnic site with a good book and picnic lunch.
This beautiful place is surrounded by tall red rock cliffs, leafy oak trees, dramatic views of Cathedral Rock, and the meandering Oak Creek River. It’s paradise!
There is a day-use fee of $12, but it’s worth it, especially if you plan on spending a few hours there.
18. Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad
The Verde Canyon Railroad starts in Clarkdale, a town near Sedona, and winds its way along the Verde River through the picturesque Verde Canyon.
Often referred to as “Arizona’s longest-running nature show,” the train travels on tracks laid over a century ago and offers unobstructed viewing of the canyon’s wildlife, vegetation, ancient cliff dwellings, and geological wonders.
The 4-hour ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad is a bit pricey ($109/per person), but a cool experience and one of the best things to do in Sedona.
If you want lunch and a champagne toast, book the Verde Valley Railroad Adventure Package.
19. Drive Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff
Whether you’re on an Arizona road trip or you’re just spending a few days in Sedona, a drive up Oak Creek Canyon is a must.
This narrow, winding road cuts through a deep chasm carved out by Oak Creek. As you ascend toward Flagstaff, the road becomes tightly switchbacked and offers great views back down the canyon.
This drive is particularly magical in the fall when the foliage turns into a display of autumn colors.
20. Sign up for a Sedona Stargazing Tour
The night skies above Sedona are some of the best in the southwest. If you’re into night photography or want to learn about the constellations, sign up for a night stargazing and story tour.
21. Book a Spa Day
Sedona is touted for having healing energy and vortex vibes, so why not soak up some of that goodness with a day at the spa?
There are a handful of day spas around town that offer massages, facials, and other services, or you can book a night or two at a destination spa like Enchantment Resort or The Wilde Resort & Spa. Just be prepared to pay Sedona prices.
Planning a road trip in Arizona? Check out these blog posts so you make the most of your adventure:
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Have you visited Sedona? What’s on your best things to in Sedona list? Which of these hikes, activities, or sites interests you the most? Leave a comment below!
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