Red rock hikes, pristine stargazing, and oasis swims: here’s a taste of what this Arizona adventure town has in store.
By Amelia Arvesen
Studded with cathedral-like red-rock formations, Sedona has long been regarded as a place of deep spiritual connection and renewal to locals and visitors alike. So much so, throughout town there are up to 15 spots called vortexes that are said to be centers of the Earth’s kinetic energy—places where hopeful visitors might feel something stir within them. And outside of town, the outdoor activities are endless. But this region in central Arizona is not only sacred to New Age enthusiasts but also to the Yavapai people, who still reside there. Long ago their ancestors established cliff dwellings and painted petroglyphs, which you can still see today by following the trails that chart across the landscape.
Though gorgeous any time of year, the Upper Sonoran Desert is most temperate in spring and fall when the giant saguaros bloom with white flowers and the soft light dances across the sandy hillsides. Summer brings temperatures above 100 degrees, while winter brings lows near freezing. Located two hours from Phoenix and 45 minutes south of Flagstaff, Sedona is a convenient destination for spending a long weekend among the rocks. Off State Route 179 just beyond downtown, Outbound Sedona is the ideal basecamp: close to nature and in-town fun, and within striking distance of numerous hiking routes like the famed Airport Mesa trail.
Read on for our three day itinerary for exploring Sedona like a local.
Day 1: Swimming Holes & Desert Magic
Morning — Sleep in and Cool Off
It’s only your first full day at an elevation of 4,360 feet. Take it easy and settle in. Tide yourself over with something from Lucida, Outbound Sedona’s on-site restaurant that has views of the pool terrace and beyond that, the surrounding mountains. For a savory breakfast, go with the green chile egg wrap or nopalito sausage biscuit. For sweet, try the roasted pear yogurt parfait or blue corn muffins with agave. Then pack up your essentials for a day in the water and sun.
Your first stop is the swimming hole at Slide Rock State Park, tucked below an apple orchard in Oak Creek Canyon, offering a welcome respite from the midday heat. The creek’s algae-coated sandstone makes for a natural slip and slide and the main chute, which stretches for 80 feet, is a must-try. Dry off while exploring the quarter-mile trails that skirt above and alongside the banks and take in the oasis-like scene. Note: The park is understandably busiest in summer, and from May to September it costs $30 per vehicle to enter.
Afternoon — Local’s Lunch & a Visit to the Peace Park
After your time in the creek, order enormous sandwiches at the family-owned Sedona Memories Cafe, housed in a quirky red and blue building in town along Highway 89. Pick from six different kinds of bread and eight different sandwich combinations, like the roast beef with all the fixin’s or the crab salad. (Insider secret: call ahead to receive a free cookie.)
Sedona is home to the only McDonald’s in the world with turquoise arches, installed in 1993 and mandated by local officials to comply with city regulations. You might as well go see it because it’s on the way to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, a spiritual destination deemed holy by the native people that’s free to enter. Spin the prayer wheel, and pay a visit to the Buddha overlooking the stupa (a Buddhist monument) in the same shade as the sandstone.
Evening — Drink and Dine at Lucida
Before the sun goes down, head over to the patio at Lucida’s for cocktails. Desert-inspired drinks like the Not Your Mama’s Vortex, which meets mezcal with prickly pear, or the smoky Mesquite Mirage are just the thing to savor while watching golden hour light descend on the red-rock landscape. You’re in no rush, so once lunch wears off and you grow hungry again, stay for dinner or migrate to the dining room for rainbow trout tacos or poblano peppers stuffed with wild rice and black beans. Don’t skip out on the agave-lime cheesecake for dessert, either.
As the sun goes down over the desert and temperatures expectedly dip, Outbound’s fire pits flicker on. On some nights there’s music, while on others the hum of conversation plays as the soundtrack. Pick up a DIY s’mores kit at the front desk to toast (or char, your choice) marshmallows. Let yourself succumb to sleepiness and tuck in early because tomorrow is a big day.
Day 2: Take in the Desert
Morning — Hike to Desert Sites
It’s best to start Sedona days early to beat the crowds—and in summer, the voracious heat. Outbound’s coffee and tea bar opens at 6 AM, so fill a cup before building your own breakfast burritos at the homestyle Mexican grill Cafe Jose. You’ll need energy for a hike or mountain bike ride among the red rocks. For a chill route, the Birthing Cave is two miles roundtrip to a womb-shaped cave where Hopi women historically gave birth. For a longer adventure, the 3.9-mile Bell Rock Loop circles the namesake tower, which is also the location of one of the area’s vortexes. Park at the Courthouse Vista or Bell Rock Pathway parking areas for access ($5 for a daily parking pass).
Afternoon — Visit a Modernist Landmark
Rest your legs and replenish your energy at your choice of restaurant. North of town you’ll find Indian Gardens Cafe & Market serving artisan coffee, breakfast, and lunch—and dinner on Mondays—on a shaded terrace. Ask for “enchilada style” to get a burrito covered in red sauce. More centrally located, Hideaway House serves Italian fare on three treehouse-like patios with views of Snoopy Rock and Camel Head Rock, two of the town’s most familiar rock formations. Nearby is the all-organic Pumphouse Station Urban Eatery and Market, where the interior is decorated with antiques and the regulars are too.
After lunch, make your way to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a modernist Roman Catholic chapel built in 1956 atop a butte overlooking the Verde Valley. It was designed by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, to appear as if it was growing out of the rock. Even if you’re not an architecture aficionado, it’s worth stopping at this vortex site to pause and reflect. It’s also free to enter. As one of the top attractions in town, the parking lot at the base of the chapel can get crowded, so book a shuttle ahead or park and walk up.
Afterwards, lather on the sunscreen and fill up on Vitamin D back at Outbound’s Moonwater Pool, a two-tiered aquatic oasis. After a few laps, order cocktails and shareable snacks—avocado dip and jicama salad are go-tos. From the water, trace the silhouettes of Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney Rock, and Capitol Butte in the distance as the afternoon light performs its desert magic.
Evening — Window Shopping & Stargazing
Time to go into town. Ride the Verde Shuttle ($2 one way) from Outbound to the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village (pronounced Ta-la-ka-pa-kee and meaning “the best of everything” in the Aztec language). Follow the outdoor market’s cobblestone paths to art galleries and craft shops, splurge on a real turquoise ring at one of the many jewelry boutiques, or stock up on Southwestern spices at the kitchen supply store Cucina Sedona.
After you’ve scored some treasure, duck into The Cowboy Club, a tavern steeped in lore. It first opened in 1945 as an all-in-one hub—a pool hall, saloon, grocery store, and gathering place. By the 1950s and ’60s, Arizona had become a backdrop for more than 50 Western films, and when filming wrapped each day, the bar filled with Hollywood stars like John Wayne, James Stewart, and Joan Crawford—even Elvis passed through. Oh, and the burgers and steaks are good too. Once you’re full and happy, catch the Verde Shuttle home; service ends at 10 PM.
It’s not time for bed yet. In 2014, Sedona was designated as the world’s eighth International Dark Sky Community, making it an incredible place for stargazing. If you’re up for a little night hike, see the stars on display from the Raven Cavess, a 10-minute walk from Outbound. Bring a flashlight or headlamp to find your way in the dark along the half-mile out-and-back trail that leads to an underground cave. Don’t go too far inside; instead, look up at the velvety sky and try to spot the Big Dipper and other constellations. Prefer to hang back? The stars are also pretty magical from the hotel’s Moonwater Terrace.
Day 3: Adrenaline Rush, Then Relax
Morning — Hit the Courts & Go Off-Road
After a light breakfast at Lucida, rent racquets or paddles from the front desk and head to the property’s paddle sports courts. Outbound has four for tennis, one of which can flex into two pickleball courts, where you can smash a friendly rivalry and get your sweat on before the heat of the day sets in.
Now it’s time to see Sedona on four wheels. Book a Pink Jeep Tour where you’ll crawl atop iconic buttes that are difficult to reach by foot, like the extreme two-hour Broken Arrow adventure that descends the “road of no return.” Or explore on your own behind the wheel of a 4×4, which you can rent from a number of places includingSedona ATV Rental or Outback ATV Rental. The staff at either will guide you to the area’s most scenic trails.
Afternoon — Get Satiated
All that exposure can work up an appetite. You’re probably dusty so snag a seat outside at The Hudson, a hillside eatery serving casual lunch daily. Pick from seven different bruschettas as a starter—our choice is the classic tomato and mozz or street corn and goat cheese—and then take in a salad or sandwich alongside the elevated desert view.
Whether or not your muscles are sore, cap off your desert weekend with a luxurious, recovery-focused treatment at Outbound’s Spa. Choose from a menu of massages, facials, beauty services, and other body treatments, and let yourself fully relax.
Evening — Splurge on a Final Dinner
By now, you’re familiar with riding the shuttle, so hop on and head up to Elote Cafe, a local institution going back 20 years. Unless you want to wait in line for hours, it’s best to make a reservation—ideally months in advance. It’ll be worth it though. When you arrive, take note of the black-and-white floor tiles that pay tribute to Indigenous blanket patterns. Influenced by the flavors of Mexican and Southwestern street food, favorite dishes include fire roasted corn, cured cactus salad, brisket enchiladas, and duck carnitas.
Before you tuck in, take another look at the endless stars, and see if you can catch some of Sedona’s vortex energy.
