Have you been traveling since covid? I started taking small, socially distant trips since June – places like Catalina Island and Joshua Tree that were easy to get to and had plenty of low key, safe activities. I finally ventured to a place I had been dying to visit for almost a year – Sedona, Arizona! Sedona is a tiny but incredible town that made for the perfect escape. It’s an easy road trip from LA, or a quick flight to Phoenix. Even though it’s easy to get to, you’ll definitely want to make more than a weekend of it. There is SO MUCH to see in Sedona and the surrounding area you could easily fill a 7 Day Itinerary. However it’s not a trip that you should rush. The magic of Sedona lies in its vortexes – pockets of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy, and many visitors feel inspired, recharged and uplifted after experiencing a vortex.

You will definitely feel that distinct energy in the air, but only if you allow yourself the room to open up and absorb it. So take your time, pace yourself, and let Sedona work its magic. Here are my tips for can’t miss activities to add to your Sedona, Arizona itinerary!

Sedona Arizona Travel Tips

How to Get to Sedona

The closest airport to Sedona is in Phoenix, about 2 hours away. Don’t be confused with Airport Mesa! When I first started planning my trip I thought that was the airport to fly into, but spent days trying to figure out why there were never any flights available. Airport Mesa is a functioning airport, but it only serves private planes! So unless you have some deep pockets or major connections, you’ll be flying into Phoenix. And be prepared for major traffic depending on the time you land/arrive!

Getting Around Sedona Arizona without a Car

We decided not to do much driving locally, since the traffic can get crazy, parking is almost non-existent, and we both wanted to relax and have our fun! It took a bit of research to figure out how to navigate Sedona without a car. It’s a small town and none of the sites are terribly far apart, but the infrastructure isn’t the most efficient and there is almost zero public transportation.

You may also think Uber and Lyft work in Sedona, but they really don’t. Yes, the apps are functional, but try opening them to get a ride and you will almost always see NO CARS AVAILABLE. It will take some adjusting to calling a taxi service and carrying cash to pay for your ride, but you’ll get used to it! It will be just like the good old days before ride-sharing apps were even invented!

If you want to avoid driving, you can easily reserve a round-trip airport transfer for around $100-120 and get around with local taxi services. I used Bob’s Taxi and I-Ride, and both were pretty convenient and affordable. If you need an early morning pickup, like for a hike or something scheduled, give them a call the night before to reserve the pickup and provide an estimated time for when you’ll need your return. And for random stops around town, give them a call at least 30 minutes before you want to be picked up.

Another way to avoid driving in Sedona is to pick a hotel that offers some kind of shuttle service. We stayed at the Sky Rock Inn and their About Town shuttle ran every 30 minutes in a loop close to Uptown, where there are tons of shops, restaurants and galleries. That was a great way to easily pop into town for shopping, dinner or drinks without having to pay for a cab.

What to Do In Sedona Arizona

Sedona is full of activities for pretty much every type of traveler, so you will never be bored! We spent about 4 days in Sedona, and these are some of the activities that made the list!

Start with a Vortex Yoga Session

The first thing I wanted to do was clear my head, shake off the travel funk and get into a space of relaxation. I booked a Vortex Yoga session, which started with a gentle hike to the base of Cathedral Rock. The instructor led a simple yoga session with modifications and variations for all fitness levels, than you had the option to continue your hike on your own to the top of Cathedral Rock, or stay with the group for a guided meditation. The views were incredible and I experienced a sense of calm that stayed with me through the entire trip.

Hike to Devil’s Bridge Sedona

Devil’s Bridge had been on my hiking bucket list for a while, so I was not going to miss it! Devil’s Bridge is a large natural sandstone arch and it is definitely not for the faint of heart! The hike itself isn’t too bad. If you take the scenic route, it’s a beautiful trail with gradual elevation that eventually leads to the end of a dirt road that you follow straight. You can also take the dirt road all the way straight to the bridge, but the scenery isn’t really pretty. Also 4x4 vehicles drive down the road, so you’ll be navigating the occasional truck and the cloud of dust that comes with it. The road eventually leads to a pretty steep rock staircase, then scramble to the top which is the only challenging part of the hike. But the views of Devil’s Bridge are just stunning!

Be prepared to wait in a long line if you want a photo on the bridge. I got to the top of the bridge around 930am, and waited an hour! By the time I was heading down the line had doubled. I didn’t mind the wait because it was some much needed rest after the long hike and aggressive climb. People are really nice about taking photos of you when it’s your turn, so just chat someone up in line and show them how to work your device.

If this doesn’t sound like your thing, there are tons of gorgeous hikes in Sedona that don’t involve insane elevation, rock scrambling, and a walk across a bridge that’s at a 4,600 foot elevation! Do some research to find trails that are your speed, because there are plenty!

Explore the Sedona Vortexes

Sedona is full of vortexes, and if you can disconnect and tune in to the energy, it can truly be transformative. I felt the strongest energy at Cathedral Rock, and we had a beautiful visit to Chapel of the Holy Cross. Other vortexes in Sedona include the Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. Take your time at each site to truly tune into the energy and feel its transformative effects. Don’t make these a rush stop on a crowded itinerary – you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself and these incredible places.

Plan an Affordable Spa Day

Wellness is the vibe in Sedona, so naturally the town is full of spas. A lot of them are at fancy resorts or fine hotels, which come with a pretty price tag! My friend really wanted to have some spa time, and I needed some pampering after my crazy Devil’s Bridge hike. We scoured Yelp and chatted with locals at our hotel, and eventually decided on a Couples Massage at Namti Spa. They had a special for a 1 hour couples massage for only $79 each, which was a fraction of what most of the hotels charged. The massages were incredible, and the spa was clean, well-maintained, and perfectly relaxing.

If you come here make a stop at Crystal Magic next door! There is a gift shop and center for Aura/Psychic readings, which is a very Sedona thing to do.

Shop Crafts and Locally Made Foods

I’m not a really big vacation shopper, but something about the charm of Sedona had me pulling out my card and swiping all over the place! The touristy looking shops are actually surprisingly good – you’ll find everything from locally made soaps and candles to crystals and spiritual guidebooks. We mostly wandered in and out of the shops in Uptown, picking up candles, a cute notebook and mug set, and a few boxes of prickly pear gummies. Make sure you leave some room in your budget and suitcase for the shopping you’ll want to do!

Indulge in the Sedona Food & Wine Scene

Take a break between shopping and hiking to stuff your belly! I seriously didn’t have one bad, or even mediocre meal in Sedona. Everything from the Mexican to the Italian was on point. Our hotel was near Uptown, so most of the places we ate were in that zone. 89 Agave had amazing fresh salads and Mexican classics and Pisa Lisa had the best pizza I’ve had in years –and coming from a New Yorker that lived in Italy that is a pretty big deal. For a really fun, unforgettable Western meal, don’t miss Cowboy Club! We split small plates since everything looked too amazing to pass up. Skip the restaurant dessert and get ice cream, sundaes, or fresh baked pie from Black Cow.

Arizona also has a burgeoning wine scene, so make sure you do some tours or tastings. We popped into The Art of Wine for an afternoon tasting, but if you have a full day, explore some local vineyards in the Verde Valley.

Take a Sedona Pink Jeep Tour

Sedona is known for its unique Red Rock formations and the best way to see them is either hiking them or taking them in on an off-roading adventure. Pink Jeep Tours is one of the most famous tour operators in Sedona, and they have several different tour options depending on how much time you have and what you want to see. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride!

Hope these tips help you plan an amazing trip to Sedona! Let me know if you go and what you think. The city is just so magical it can’t be missed!