• By Lynne Sullivan

Looking for a solo wellness escape? Need a romantic tune-up with your partner?  Sedona is the ideal destination. The eclectic little desert town offers relaxation, romance, and adventure. Plan for a weekend getaway or a multi-day vacation. Expect to splurge a bit, but the results will be worth it.

Stay at a romantic resort and dine at restaurants with sweeping views of the Red Rocks or Oak Creek. Discover new interests or perfect a sport to enjoy together. Relax at a yoga class or sign up for a healing session for the body and soul. 

For adventure, jump aboard a hot air balloon to get a bird’s-eye view of the red rock monuments, or explore the wilderness on horseback. Book a jeep tour to learn a bit of history and geology about Sedona’s rocky terrain. Join an excursion into wine country and taste the local vintages. After dark, go stargazing with a local astronomer or simply enjoy the amazing night sky from your hot tub or balcony. Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, so little artificial light will spoil your view of the heavens.

Airport Mesa, Airport Road, Sedona, AZ, USA

Sugarloaf Mountain, Sedona, AZ, USA

Coffee Pot Restaurant, West State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

Indian Gardens Cafe & Market, North State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona, USA

Devil's Bridge Trailhead, Devil's Bridge Trail, Sedona, AZ, USA

Pink Jeep Tours, North State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

The Hudson, Arizona 179, Sedona, AZ, USA

Hideaway House, Arizona 179, Sedona, AZ, USA

Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ, USA

Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits, North State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

Elote Cafe, Jordan Road, Sedona, AZ, USA

L'Auberge de Sedona, L'Auberge Lane, Sedona, AZ, USA

Stargazing Arizona, Harmony Drive, Sedona, AZ, USA

Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit, Navoti Drive, Sedona, AZ, USA

Sedona UFO Tours LLC, West State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

2697 W State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

Vortex Yoga Hiking

Sedona's New Day Spa, 3004 West State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ, USA

Vortex Yoga Hiking

Before Breakfast in Sedona

Airport Mesa Vortex

Start your awesome day with the magic of a Sedona sunrise atop Airport Mesa and Vortex. Take in panoramic views of the town and surrounding mountains as the sky transforms before your eyes. Notice the twisted Juniper tree on the trail to the vortex. Junipers are native to the Coconino Forest and some have been twisted by weather over many years. Some say such a tree is a sign of powerful energy nearby. This vortex energy is considered a positive spiritual force that impacts one’s wellbeing. Whether you believe in the power of the vortexes or not, these distinctive trees are beautiful. Enjoy them.

Bell Rock

If you’re looking for a great sunrise experience in the Village of Oak Creek, located 5 miles north of Sedona city limits, look no further than Bell Rock. This spot is a well-known vortex that offers serenity and breathtaking views, making it popular for both sunrise and sunset. You can hike all the way to the top for an amazing experience, or simply sit anywhere along the trail to enjoy a beautiful light show as the sun reflects off the red rocks.

Best Places for Breakfast in Sedona

Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market

Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market is a cozy, rustic cafe with a front porch and patio. Order at the counter as you walk in. The best morning bites are eggs benedict, omelets, quiches, and burritos. Locals often stop in for a cup of the freshly roasted fair trade organic coffee. The comfortable, mismatched furniture will make you feel right at home and tempt you to linger over a second cup of coffee.

Secret Garden

Secret Garden

This charming cafe is a hidden gem tucked inside the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.  The tranquil atmosphere on the lovely patio overlooking a garden and water feature sets a calm tempo for your day. The cafe offers a variety of dishes made with local ingredients and can adjust most meals to suit your dietary preferences.

Best Things To Do in the Morning in Sedona

from Sedona, Arizona: One Awesome Day Of Wellness on Slow Down, See More
Twisted Juniper on Airport Mesa

Vortex Yoga Hiking

Hike to a vortex to partake in yoga, QiGong, and meditation to harness the power of the energy center. No experience is required, and start times are tailored to the weather and outdoor temperature. Whether you seek answers, relaxation, or simply want to learn more about Sedona’s vortices, this experience is sure to add something special to your day.

New Day Spa

New Day Spa offers exclusive resort-style massage therapy and health-restoring treatments with organic native ingredients. The serene international staff provides Desert Nature Body Treatments for men and women, using body butter, oils, and lotions for specific purposes. Choose Turquoise Sage Mountain Arnica for relief from inflammation and muscle aches or Cedarwood Citrus Wild Chaparral to promote detoxification and circulation. Facials and nail services are also available.

Best Places for Lunch in Sedona

The Hudson

There’s not a bad table in this classy urban restaurant at the top of a hill — it has great food and photo-worthy views. Ask for a table on the patio or next to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu features American favorites with a modern twist, and Chef John specializes in seasonal specials. Pop in for a burger, salad, or a creative sandwich. The Hudson is open for lunch and dinner and has a full bar, a kid’s menu, and scrumptious homemade desserts.

The Hideaway House

The Hideaway is the perfect blend of delicious food and natural beauty. Look for this home-style restaurant tucked at the back of a small shopping center across SR 179 from Tlaquepaque. Take a table in one of the two cozy dining rooms or on one of the three shady patios. Some of the most popular menu items include onion soup, creative pizzas (try the roasted peach and pancetta), and super-sized burgers. There’s a kid’s menu and dogs are welcome.

Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in Sedona

Shopping

Stroll the sycamore-shaded Internationally renowned shopping, entertainment, and dining spot, Tlaquepaque (Ta-la-keh-pah-keh). The Mexican-style village whose name comes from the Aztecs and means “the best of everything” has cobbled stone walkways winding through arched portals, huge sculptures, and exquisite shops. Tlaquepaque began as an artist community, and it’s not uncommon to come upon a sculptor or artist at work in one of the galleries or workshops. Stop for a snack at one of the restaurants or grab a refreshing drink at Chai Spot, located above bennali sports gear near the Chapel.

Best Places for Dinner in Sedona

Cowboy Club Grille and Spirits

Cowboy Club’s on the main drag in Uptown Sedona. When the dinner bell rings at 5:00 pm, y’all come on in for some tasty grub. Get them cactus fries to go with the grilled rattlesnake sausage or buffalo tenderloin, and wash it all down with something cold from the bar. Yeehaw! Y’all come back, ya hear?

Elote Cafe

This isn’t a typical Mexican restaurant. It’s so popular you must have reservations to get in line for a table. Some of the unique dishes are the signature fire-roasted corn appetizer, carne asada, and smoked pork cheeks. Vegetarians have several choices including tamales, tacos, and enchiladas. Complete your meal with a slice of Mexican dark chocolate pie or a shot of hibiscus-infused tequila.

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Best Places to Stay in Sedona

L’Auberge de Sedona

For a luxury resort in the center of Sedona, L’Auberge de Sedona is set right on Oak Creek. Choose one of the individual cottages or take a room or suite in the lodge. I favor the cottages located on the creek and sleep soundly to the sound of flowing water. These also have wood-burning fireplaces and outdoor showers. Sheer decadence.

Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit

Hilton has several properties in Sedona but my favorite is this resort, about five miles west of Uptown. Solos and couples find the cozy studios are ideal. They have a ‘fridge, microwave, a sofa bed, and a queen bed. The two-bedroom suites are large and have a separate kitchen, living, and dining area, making them ideal for a family. The property features several pools and hot tubs with red-rock views scattered around, and a small fitness center is available. But you’ll probably be too busy to use it.

After Dark in Sedona

silhouette photo of trees during nighttime
Photo by Michael

Stargazing

If you’re into astronomy or just love looking at the night sky, hook up with the expert guides at Sedona Stargazing. They’ll take you to a secluded spot, set up their pro equipment, and let you view marvelous galaxies, star clusters, nebula, and planets. You’ll also get a close-up view of the Milky Way if it’s visible, usually during the summer months on new moon nights.

UFO Tours

Sedona has a reputation for having out-of-this-world stuff going on. To get a taste, join the tour at Sedona UFO & Vortex Tours. They use $3,000 military-grade goggles that allow you to see a million more stars than are visible to the naked eye and spacecraft that are 1,000 miles away. In addition to UFO tours, they offer meditation tours and chakra vortex tours.

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