A weekend in Sedona: Gorgeous mountain vistas and spiritual vibes

“New year, new you”—that’s the line you hear every January. And while that phrase can be overused to the point of feeling corny, there is something about flipping into the next year that makes people want to hit the refresh button. But here’s a suggestion: Instead of going on the attack with resolutions, take this time to get grounded, go deeper. That’s exactly what Sedona offers. Elizabeth Silk will tell you all about it. As a transplant from the U.K., She came to Sedona on a getaway and stayed for 25 years.

“I just felt like it was home,” Silk shares, describing the scenery, the lifestyle, and the pure spirituality of Sedona that mesmerized her into staying. “I couldn’t go back.”

It’s hard not to get sucked into Silk’s view as she lists all the impassioned reasons why her hometown is simply the best. On a hike, she couldn’t help pointing out wildflowers that are always in bloom, the views that go on for miles, and the warmth of the sun even in the midst of winter.

“I believe it to be sacred,” she says of her adopted home.

And Silk doesn’t want to keep all this sacred magic to herself. She’s breaking out the megaphone to shout it out to anyone that’ll listen. Sometimes she does that through the medium of her artwork, which can illustrate some of Sedona’s majestic landscapes. Other times it’s through her hiking tours, where she guides visitors to “high energy” areas to conduct personalized healing sessions using sound baths and meditation techniques.

“It brings stuff up,” Silk says. But to her, that’s the important work. “I have to do the healing, because as the saying goes, ‘pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.’”

But apart from doing this deeper work, Silk knows Sedona is quite simply a wonderful town to recharge and embrace everything that makes life worth living. “It’s a place to come and enjoy. Enjoy the food, enjoy the atmosphere, the balloon rides. Whatever floats your boat, the energy of Sedona will have an impact.

In this edition of the WeekEnder, we’ll take you through a few spectacular Sedona spots that can transport and transform, and maybe even deliver a bit of that “new you” energy.

Find the right balance in Sedona with these activities.

Breathe in, breathe out, and find yourself totally renewed on this spiritual healing tour with Silk. Her tour begins early in the morning with a short hike to either Chimney Rock Medicine Wheel, Cathedral Rock, Thunder Mountain, and Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. Expect plenty of music for the soul thanks to a singing bowl and drum, as well as pastels, a sketch pad, and sage for smudging, all part of the energy work, meditation, and healing experience.

To come all the way to Sedona and not hike up Devil’s Bridge Trail is damn near criminal. The 3.9-mile out-and-back hike provides some of the most spectacular views in the area, and it’s home to plenty of local flora and fauna along the way, making the journey up and down equally spectacular. The hike is rated as moderate, meaning anyone in relatively good shape can tackle it. Just make sure to pack plenty of water, and do try to come early as the trail can get crowded.

Consider this Sedona’s answer to Stonehenge. Like that prehistoric monument, Cathedral Rock Vortex is considered to have spiritual energy, due to Sedona’s “vortexes” (centers of energy that many believe have healing powers). The hike up here is short at just over a mile, but the ascent is steep, making it a spot for confident hikers only. Spiritual practitioners believe the best energy is found about three-quarters of a mile up in what is known as “The Saddle.” Make your way there for a private meditation, and soak in the view and the vibes.

With miles of shops in the Uptown area, Sedona lets you bargain-hunt with the best of ‘em. But shopping here can also be a more soulful experience. For a unique, spiritually inspired treasure, seek out shops like Sacred Sound of the Soul, which sells gorgeous sound bath bowls made out of quartz crystal, or The Mystical Bazaar, which offers crystals, jewelry, aromatherapy, and even psychic readings to those interested in doing a deep-dive on their fate.

Nothing lifts the spirit more than a dose of awe and wonder, and that’s exactly what you’ll find floating above Sedona, as grasslands and red rock formations unspool below. Northern Light Balloon Expeditions, a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1974, holds the longest flying record of any balloon company in Arizona. Guests can board either a seven- or 14-person basket, which will take them above Sedona for a three- to four-hour flight.

Nourish your body with the best local bites.

Start your day with coffee and a killer view. The beverage menu here is extensive, as is the “artisan oatmeal” combos with toppings like papaya or cacao nibs. You’ll also find staples like smoothies, egg sandwiches, wraps, and more. If you’re in a rush to hit the trail, you can’t go wrong with a coffee and a locally made croissant to go. But really, the better option is to rest for a while on the cafe’s balcony. There’s a reason for the cafe’s name—it comes with stellar views of the red rocks below.

At Elote, chef and owner Jeff Smedstad merges the flavors of his home in Arizona with those he sampled on travels through Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Puebla, and the result is pure artistry. Start the meal off with an order of queso fundido—a warm skillet of melted cheese with chorizo verde—then move on to smoked brisket enchiladas, which come with 14-hour smoked Niman ranch brisket and roasted tomato chipotle sauce, or the potato enchiladas with roasted fingerling potatoes, guajillo chile sauce, white truffle crema, and pickled carrots for a vegetarian option.

Really any visit to Sedona should involve eating as much Southwest food as possible, and another fusion spot to add to your must-eat list is SaltRock. Here, the cuisine mixes Southwest flavors with a “cool California sensibility.” Locally sourced ingredients from Arizona’s Verde Valley are the focus, along with agave-based drinks and craft margaritas, tequila, and mezcal cocktails. What to order? Our vote goes to the ahi tuna tostadas plus a main of birria braised short rib.

Looking for a foolproof date night? This old-school Italian restaurant doesn’t disappoint. Dahl & DiLuca has been in operation for more than 25 years, and in that time it’s racked up the fine-dining awards. Expect meals crafted with organically grown produce and wild-caught seafood all influenced by the different regions of Italy. Our advice: Start with the seafood bruschetta topped with wild-caught red shrimp and bay scallops scampi, and share its tortellini della nonna with your date, which comes with prosciutto, baby green peas and an alfredo sauce.

Rest and recharge at Sedona’s outstanding hotels.

Roaring fireplaces, plush bedding, and personal terraces—L’Auberge de Sedona piles on the luxury. This expansive resort also features dazzling vistas and breathtaking landscapes, including Oak Creek Canyon. Another major highlight? L’Apothecary Nature Spa, which offers a full menu including holistic treatments utilizing sound healing and crystals. Make sure to stay up late to take part in the resort’s stargazing program, which will leave you in a state of pure awe at the galaxy around you.

Yes, the 218 guest rooms at the Enchantment Resort are excellent—decked out in mid-century modern furnishings, kitchenettes, even private pools in some—but the real reason you should book a night or two here is the surrounding land. The hotel sits on 70 private acres encircled by red-rock formations, the perfect backdrop to hiking and biking experiences. Golfers can also tee off at the Tom Weiskopf-designed Seven Canyons Golf Club. And in 2021, the property opened its Trail House, an outdoor adventure activity center offering professional-grade equipment rentals, accessories, and outdoor apparel, which helps guests level up their adventures.

Sky Rock is another Sedona accommodation showcasing views that seem to go on for infinity. And the rooms, with hand-painted dream catchers on the walls and natural light flooding in from picture windows, make for a happy home base. But what makes this place stand apart is its wellness programming, which includes yoga and meditation sessions located outside to help guests connect body and mind to their surroundings. Following any practice, guests are invited to visit the Sky Rock Lounge located on top of a hill to bask in their experience and sip on a glass of wine from the hotel’s curated local wine list.

Here’s a hotel that can hold its own against Sedona’s staggering landscape. Designed by a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, this inn is mid-century-modern-meets-desert-chic at its finest. Every oversized guest room comes with rich wood furnishings, cozy bedding, and stone showers, and some are even outfitted with balconies overlooking the breathtaking landscape. It’s a great choice for a romantic getaway, too, as it’s an adults-only property.

Tiny but mighty, that’s the best way to describe El Portal. This 12-room hotel shines with turn-of-the-century architecture, and each room features a fireplace, a whirlpool bath, and a patio or balcony to take in those dramatic Sedona views. Guests here can relax in the lush and leafy courtyard or shop at the adorable Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village right next door. The venue’s personalized concierge is on hand when you’re ready to set off on adventures—or just score a dinner reservation. And pet-lovers should note, this hotel never charges extra to bring your four-legged friends.