Ultimate Guide to Sedona, Arizona
Sedona might be one of the top 5 prettiest places in the United States! In the age of social distancing and outdoor activities - I can't think of a better place to visit than Sedona, Arizona. Growing up on the East Coast I have never seen views quite like this before. Arizona is the perfect vacation if you're looking to shy away from the typical trips filled with eating and drinking. If you are ready for days filled with outdoor activities, hiking and a bit of adventure - this is the trip for you! Something to note about the Sedona/Grand Canyon region of Arizona - you aren't there for the food. It is all about sightseeing. Most restaurants are pretty casual - with the understanding people will be coming from hikes. While we ate at a few great restaurants - it was not the priority of our vacation. I can't recommend Sedona enough. During our stay we did Sedona, Lake Powell, The Grand Canyon & Scottsdale. Shameless plug - we can help build out the perfect itinerary for all 4 locations!
Just a general note any of the "what to see" spots listed below are all considered to be a hike!
WHERE TO EAT:
Mariposa
Butterfly Burger
The Hudson
Creekside American Bistro
WHAT TO SEE:
Cathedral Rock
Devils Bridge
Antelope Canyon
Airport Mesa
WHAT TO DO:
Kayaking on Lake Powell
Pink Jeep Tour
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Mariposa: This is one of the more fancy restaurants in Sedona. If you are looking to get dressed up - this is your spot! The menu is unique, and a great group dinner or date spot.
Butterfly Burger: Cozy atmosphere - serving upscale Burgers.
Hudson: We really enjoyed our dinner at the Hudson - it was upscale American food with great cocktail options. The cocktails were delicious - we all tried something with the famous "Prickly Pear". I'd also recommend the toasted bread with whipped feta - it was one of our favorites.
Creekside American Bistro: This restaurant has great views all around - perfect for brunch or lunch. For the best views, I would request to sit on the porch.
Cathedral Rock: Do not underestimate this hike. At times I was on all fours climbing to the top - but trust me it was worth it. The views were absolutely beautiful! It is about 1.2 miles in total but will take about an hour and a half to complete.
Devils Bridge: One of the most popular trails in Sedona! So many great views from the red rocks, to forests, and mountains in between. This was an "easier" trail and but t towards the top it gets quite steep. Lots of great Instagram and picture opportunities here - but be prepared to wait! I would allow about 3 hours for this hike (in total). NOTE: Parking is really tight at this location and we had to park about a mile away from the starting point of the hike.
Airport Mesa: Quick walk to a beautiful vantage point. Super easy and very quick - takes about 30 minutes in total.
Antelope Canyon I hope I never forget how cool this was - a once in a lifetime kind of beauty! This is a MUST see. It is a bit of a drive from Sedona but you can check this off alone with Lake Powell - I would recommend reserving a full day for both activities. NOTE: that you can only get to this location via the lake - so you need to reserve kayaking!
Kayaking Lake Powell: SO this was probably the hardest thing we did on our trip but by far my favorite thing. Lake Powell is about 3 hours from Sedona, Arizona. We rented kayaks from Antelope Point Marina. I will say - the overall establishment was very clean and convenient but the staffing was not super friendly. We kayaked out to antelope canyon which took about 2.5 hours there and 2.5 hours back, by the end of it you will be exhausted. I grew up kayaking - but it was nothing like this. PRO TIP: Pack Band-Aids or wear gloves - we were definitely feeling the burn. The water literally sparkled - it was probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life. If I could recommend anything on our Arizona trip it would be this!!
Pink Jeep Tours: I have nothing but positive things to say about this experience. This is a great thing to do on day 1 as you get to see a lot of sites but not exert too much energy. Lots of great views and photo opportunities.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village: Great shops for local art and gifts/souvenirs