3 perfect days in Sedona

The postcards don’t lie: Surrounded by red rock buttes, Sedona has the most stunning landscape in the Southwest. Artists come for inspiration (and some never leave), nature lovers for outdoor adventures, and wellness seekers for the energy vortexes. As a lifelong Phoenix resident, the desert town is one of the first places I bring out-of-state friends not only for the views but to bliss out at the spas, browse through art galleries, and sip local wines.

This three day Sedona itinerary covers all the highlights, with a mix of my own personal recs and real Tripadvisor ratings and traveler recommendations.

Kick off your day with breakfast at Coffee Pot Restaurant, famous for its 101 omelet variations. (My favorite is #80, corned beef hash and cheese.) Then, venture into Red Rock Country. The area is best explored on an 4x4 tour, where guides have in-depth knowledge of the geology, wildlife, and history. Fun fact: Arizona native Don Pratt first introduced these tours in the 1960s, when he painted his Jeep bright pink and took visitors for an adventurous ride.

Today, Pink Jeep Adventure Tours still offers his original route, Broken Arrow, which navigates massive boulders on a scenic, rollercoaster-like ride. They also give tours of 700-year-old cliff dwellings and backcountry wagon trails. Depending on the tour, outings can last two to eight hours and include a hike or a yoga break. Tip: It’s best to book well in advance.

If you prefer to do the driving yourself, consider a guided ATV tour. You can rent ATVs and 4x4 vehicles to explore on your own, too. Off-road vehicle outfitters supply necessary gear like helmets, complimentary water, and maps for navigating your way through the wilderness.

OFF ROADING TOUR OPTIONS

Following a high-octane morning, relax with a leisurely lunch at 89Agave Cantina. The fajitas and prickly pear margaritas are fantastic. This Uptown restaurant makes a good starting point for souvenir hunting along Main Street. If you take home just one memento, make it a Dirt Shirt, a T-shirt dyed bright orangish-red with local dirt.

You can spend all day in the Uptown shops, but save time to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Built into a butte in 1956, the chapel features a 90-foot cross in front of a glass wall overlooking Sedona. You can see it from a distance, but it’s worth searching for a parking spot on the neighborhood streets to experience the serenity inside. Or, avoid the crowds on a scenic shuttle tour. Most make a 20- or 30-minute stop at the chapel, which is just enough time, as well as stops at Airport Mesa.

Sedona is ideal for food lovers. Spend your first evening at one of the top restaurants, Elote Café. Inspired by owner and chef Jeff Smedstad’s 20-plus years traveling through Mexico, the menu features authentic, boldly-flavored dishes like braised buffalo short ribs in mole poblano and the corn-crusted scallops with tomato jam.

What Sedona lacks in nightlife it more than makes up for with its dark skies. Set aside the evening for stargazing. Tours range from programs led by astronomers to hybrid stargazing and UFO-hunting experiences. Some hotels, like Enchantment Resort, have a telescope and offer an array of stargazing activities.

STARGAZING TOUR OPTIONS

Rise and shine! The earlier you leave, the more likely you’ll avoid the crowds and, in the summer, the blazing heat. For a quick bite before you go, grab a latte and muffin at Cuptown or an acai bowl at Berry Divine in West Sedona. Hike House, which opens at 9 a.m., is my go-to stop for maps and any gear I may have forgotten. The friendly staff can also make suggestions on the best trail based on your physical abilities.

Sedona has more than 100 hiking trails to choose from, but the relatively easy Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular. It leads you to a 50-foot-high arch you can stand on and have your photo taken. It’s my favorite Sedona hike, but unless you go very early in the morning, expect to wait in line for your turn to pose for a picture.

Another option is the trail to Cathedral Rock. Although it requires some scrambling, it rewards with astounding views. Looking for a hike with a little shade in the summer or color during the fall? Try the beginner-friendly two-mile

You’ll need to refuel after your hike with some lunch. If you are near Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock and want brunch, Red Rock Café serves hearty meals like biscuits and gravy and a three-pound, icing-drenched cinnamon roll. In Tlaquepaque (more on this in a minute), René plates healthy salads and mouth-watering sandwiches. Try the grilled cheese with seven-hour braised short rib, chive goat cheese, and hand-cut duck fat fries.

Inspired by the famous shopping area outside of Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque resembles a Mexican village with fountains, gardens, and overhanging balconies. It’s home to some of Sedona’s best boutique stores and art galleries (keep your eyes peeled for rare finds). Don’t miss the spiritual ceramics at Honshin Fine Art Gallery, glass pieces at Kuivato, or bronze sculptures at Navarro Gallery & Garden. Between purchases, head to The Chai Spot to sip homemade tea and admire fabrics made from Pakistani artisans.

SIGHTSEEING TOUR OPTIONS

Airport Mesa is arguably one of the best places to watch the sunset in Arizona. Get there well before to snag a parking spot and stay until the very end to see how the fading light changes the colors of the red rocks. Want to toast to the evening? The Art of Wine tasting room has a selection of nearly 300 bottles, many of which are made locally.

Plan a date night at the romantic Cress on Oak Creek restaurant at L’Auberge de Sedona. (Picture: white tablecloths, candles, a riverside setting.) Each dish showcases fresh ingredients, prepared with French techniques. Note: You’ll need to make reservations. For a more casual meal, drop by The Hudson, where you can order entrées like prime-cut beef to chicken pot pie.

On your final day, sleep in and eat an indulgent breakfast at Casa Sedona Restaurant. Unless you are staying at the inn, you’ll need a reservation, but it’s worth the effort for the lemon ricotta pancakes, eggs Benedict, and cinnamon, raisin, and walnut French toast.

Once you’re nice and full, dedicate the rest of the morning to Sedona’s vortexes. These swirling pockets of energy promote healing and introspection. The city’s visitor center provides maps to local vortexes, but you can also take a tour that incorporates yoga sessions, guided meditation, and other spiritual experiences.

Not sure about vortexes? Connect to your inner self during an aura reading, sound bath, or past-life regression. Then, let your cares melt away with a treatment at one of Sedona’s world-class spas.

SPIRITUAL TOUR OPTIONS

One of the state’s prettiest stretches begins in Sedona and continues 30 miles north to Flagstaff along AZ 89A. Cruise through Oak Creek Canyon, pulling over for lunch at Indian Gardens Café & Market. The roadside joint makes a killer Reuben sandwich (the grilled brie and bacon is a solid second). Continue to the Oak Creek Vista Overlook for a bird’s-eye view of the forest below. You might find Indigenous artists selling handmade jewelry and crafts here as well.

On your way back to Sedona, check out Slide Rock State Park. A favorite with families, the swimming hole has an 80-foot-long natural rock slide made slick by algae. Even when it's too cold for a dip, the park has several meandering trails.

End your trip on a high note with dinner at Mariposa Grill. Designed by chef Lisa Dahl, the restaurant is as architecturally striking as it is gastronomically pleasing. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the sun setting over the red rocks, and the glass-enclosed wine vault displays a collection of 600 bottles. Order a glass to accompany the Latin American fare, such as empanadas, ceviche, chorizo, and steak with housemade chimichurri. Craving Italian instead? Dahl has three other restaurants: Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante, Cucina Rustica, and Pisa Lisa.