Arizona is one of the most beautiful states and Sedona has some of the best scenery of any of the locations in the state. As such, there’s plenty to see and do if you decide to spend a bit of time there. But before you get everything in order and pack for a road trip, we wanted to offer some insight into the best places to visit in Sedona.
There are beautiful rock formations all over the place and you can access amazing overlooks by car, bike, or even on foot. In addition to that, Sedona is a place of culture and entertainment. There are museums, wine tastings, and several amazing restaurants. We’ll share some of the places we think you should make a point to visit while in the area.
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Slide Rock State Park
You can find Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon and you will want to set aside at least a few hours to enjoy all that it has to offer. This canyon is considered the little cousin to the Grand Canyon but is just as amazing to take in and it’s entirely free to do so. If you want a nice birds-eye view of the area, we recommend starting at the Oak Creek Canyon Vista
While you can look at the canyon from your car or an overlook, heading down into it to stretch your legs, swim, or have a picnic is a lot more fun. One of the best places to get a few pictures is Midgely Bridge. This is certainly one of the things you should make sure you take time to do in Sedona.
Palatki Heritage Site
The Palatki Ruins are considered a World Heritage Site and give a great perspective of the culture of those who lived in the area ages ago. The site is filled with pictographs, cliff dwellings, and petroglyphs that were all created by the Sinagua who lived there from around 500 AD to 1400 AD.
While they have long since left the area, they’ve left a lot of history to explore. However, keep in mind that there is some hiking involved if you do visit. There are three different trails: one of them takes you to the dwellings, another to an area with painting symbols, and the last to other cliff dwellings. The trails are only about a quarter mile long and aren’t overly difficult so most people should be fine.
Devil’s Bridge Trail
Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch that can be found in the area of Sedona. Hiking up the trail is the best option and the hike is suitable for even casual hikers. It’s a fairly simple hike and is great for those who may not be up to bigger challenges. However, if you continue on far enough, it can get more adventurous for the skilled hikers out there. Getting to the first trail marker is a breeze and you’ll enjoy seeing the prickly pear cactus lining the way.
After you get to the trailhead and an elevation of over 4500 feet, the rough climbing starts to set in. There are around 500 feet of intense hiking before you reach the very end. However, those who make it there are in luck because the view is to die for.
Verde Valley Wine Trail
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys exploring all on your own, the Verde Valley Wine Trail is a great option. However, you'll want a designated driver, so you aren’t on the road after tasting a few different whites and reds. The trail is home to five different wineries and a total of six tastings rooms at Clarkdale, Cornville, Cottonwood, Jerome, and Sedona. Each is unique and has distinct wines to enjoy.
You can enjoy the ride and the wine while taking in the greenery and red rock canyon of the area. Once you reach the heart of Verde Valley, you’ll end up in Cottonwood. This is a quaint town with mountains, buttes, and mesas in every direction. It’s definitely worth spending a bit of time in if your schedule allows.
Sedona Heritage Museum
One place you should make a point to spend some time at is the Sedona Heritage Museum. It’s on the property of a historic park and community uses the space to preserve the history of the area. You can expect to see all sorts of exhibits that range from the lifestyles of the pioneers back in the late 1800s all the way to the lives of those who live in the area today.
This is a decent sized museum with thousands of artifacts, more than 25,000 photographs, and plenty of video and audio tapes. There’s also a research library with hundreds of books, clippings, and other documents. Even the kids can have a good time here as there are programs for them to take part in.
Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano
When you need to grab something to eat, there are tons of options in Sedona but one that stands out is Dahl and Di Luca. This is a romantic Italian restaurant with a lot of charm. It’s also the sort of place that is great for a date and urges you to wear your best tie or dress, even though that isn’t a requirement of entering. The décor is European, and the rock walls make a great setting to indulge in homemade pasta and Italian beverages.
The chef has a nightly special each day and you’ll find dishes with the freshest possible ingredients as the place works farm-to-table and has relationships with local farmers and growers. The pasta is some of the best you will ever have and there’s often a live pianist to add even more class to the experience.
Sedona Red Rock Tours
If you want to take in the red rocks of Sedona, take a Sedona Red Rock Tour. You’ll get to experience the unique vortexes, which are areas near interesting rocks or formations where many people feel a positive source of energy. The ones located in Sedona are known worldwide and celebrated by all sorts of individuals. The Red Rock Tours Company is authorized to go to these sites and the ride will be in an air-conditioned vehicle.
These tours can last anywhere from an hour and a half to four hours. The trained guides will offer you information about every site you visit from the history to what people have experienced while visiting in the past. There will be plenty of hiking, so you want to wear comfortable shoes. Everything else from water to sunscreen, snacks, and blankets will be provided for you.
While there are nearly unlimited options of things to see and do when in Sedona, this list will give you a good place to start for planning your trip to Arizona. Take some time to learn more about the places that sound interesting to you and you’ll likely find yourself discovering other destinations to add to your trip itinerary.
Make sure to have a great time and take lots of photos. Before you know it, it will be time to hit the road and head back home. However, the experiences will last a lifetime and there are more than enough to be had here. Also, make sure you’re ready to hit the road and save money by getting cheap car insurance in Arizona here. Good luck, and have a safe trip!
