The Top Things To Do in Sedona

There are 101+ things to do in Sedona but we’ve picked our favorites to ensure that each and every day of your monthly stay in Sedona is inspiring and unique. We’ve touched on the top Sedona attractions, rich Southwest culture, fun artsy vibe of Uptown, and natural red rock beauty of the great outdoors in and beyond Sedona.

Whatever inspires your wanderlust, you’ll find it here in Sedona and the Verde Valley – whatever inspires your dream home, you’ll find it in our selection of luxury Sedona vacation rentals. Pick from our list of activities to build a customized day to day itinerary for your Sedona stay, or simply pack the bare essentials and relax in the tranquility of a luxury Sedona vacation rental with all the comforts of home.

World Famous Arts & Culture

The Sedona Trolley

The Sedona Trolley is voted the “The Best First Thing to do in Sedona” by Travelers’ Choice and our team at Foothills Rentals. The narrated city and scenic tours on open air trolleys are a fun and educational way to start your stay and sightsee the top attractions in Sedona.

Sedona Events & Festivals

If you’re flexible on dates, plan your stay around one of Sedona’s cultural events like the International Film Festival in February, Sedona Photo Fest in May, Fiesta de Tlaquepaque in September, and Plein Air Festival or Sedona Art Festival in October.

Art Galleries & Workshops

Explore the visual arts in Sedona’s world-class art galleries. Take a workshop at the Sedona Arts Center, visit the local Sedona galleries on a First Friday Art Walk, and be sure to take a slow paced, self-guided tour of the sculptures around town.

Shopping in Sedona's Neighborhoods

You can easily spend an entire day shopping, eating and exploring Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village on the banks of Oak Creek, the unique stores in Uptown Sedona, and the neighborhood shops of West Sedona and Village of Oak Creek. 

Sedona's Spiritual Vortexes

Travelers visit Sedona for the spiritual vortexes alone. Whether you’re seeking the peace that surrounds these sacred sites or a scenic hike through the red rocks, visiting the vortexes at Sedona’s Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon is a must-do.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Attend a Catholic church service at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a National Historical Landmark, architectural marvel, and spectacular setting in the towering red rocks. If nature inspires, Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a scenic and tranquil outdoor destination for mediation and prayer.

Sedona Heritage Museum

The Sedona Heritage Museum is a cultural treasure and a must-see for every visitor to Sedona. Learn the Native American history of the Verde Valley, browse the exhibits and historic buildings, or join one of the museums regular nature, history or cultural programs. 

Dude Ranch Dinner Theater

Gear up for family fun and an evening of cowboy entertainment with a classic chuckwagon dinner at Blazin’ M Ranch. Blazin’ M Ranch offers an unforgettable western experience on an authentic dude ranch and frontier town in Cottonwood and is highly recommended for ALL ages.  


Outdoor Adventures & Experiences

Hiking & Biking Trails

With more than 200 miles of trails in Sedona you can hike or bike a different trail every day of your stay. Pick up a Red Rock Pass at the Sedona Visitors Center and head into stunning landscapes of creeks, canyons, and towering red rocks - or book a guided hiking tour by daylight or moonlight!

 

Red Rock State Park

Spend the day in Red Rock State Park, a small 286 acre nature preserve on the beautiful banks of Oak Creek with hiking trails, guided walks, nature programs, and breathtaking views of Sedona’s iconic Cathedral Rock.

Sedona Jeep Tours

There’s a tour for every traveler in Sedona but nothing quite like the award-winning Pink Jeep Tours! With 8,500+ five-star reviews, expert local guides, and bucket list red rock tours for every age and adventure level, it’s an experience worthy of your Sedona vacation itinerary.

Paddle the Verde River

Plan for a day of paddling on the majestic Verde River. Verde Adventures are your one stop shop for kayaking, paddling or tubing the mild rapids with award-winning river trips and tours. For an exclusive Arizona experience, the world-famous Water to Wine Tour is a must!

Golf & Tennis

Sedona’s mild four seasons are perfect for a round of golf, tennis match, or competitive pickleball playoffs. Oak Creek Country Club, Canyon Mesa Country Club, and Sedona Golf Resort in the Village of Oak Creek rank among the most beautiful golf courses in the US.

Aerial Tours of Sedona

If your budget allows, it’s worth every penny! Book a scenic sunset float above the breathtaking red rock landscapes in a hot air balloon or take to the skies for a helicopter tour of Sedona, the scenic Verde Valley, or beyond for birds eye helicopter views of the Grand Canyon.

Picnic & Play on Oak Creek

There are endless places to picnic and play on Oak Creek. Our favorites include the natural water slides at Slide Rock State Park, the swimming hole at Grasshopper Point, or the scenic pool and picnic spots on Crescent Moon Ranch at Red Rock Crossing.

Watch the Sedona Sunset

Whether you’re hiking the trails, barbequing on your back porch, or wining and dining on a scenic outdoor patio, you’ll witness a spectacular sunset every night of your stay in Sedona. We love the outdoor patio at Mesa Grill for sundowners and Sedona’s finest alfresco dining with sunset views.

Stargazing & Sky Tours

Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community – the night skies are simply spectacular. Embark on a celestial adventure of the milky way, galaxies, planets, and our award-winning dark skies on an Evening Sky Tour with Sedona Stargazing, ranked one of the best things to do in Sedona!


Day Trips & Scenic Drives

Verde Valley Wine Trail

There are 30+ vineyards and tasting rooms along the Verde Valley Wine Trail with award-winning Arizona wines, farm to table food, live local music, and gorgeous settings on the banks of Oak Creek or in the heart of historic Old Town Cottonwood. Take a scenic drive, hop on the Wine Shuttle or experience the best of Verde Valley Wine Country on a Sedona wine tour.

Old Town Cottonwood

Take the 89A from Sedona to Old Town Cottonwood, a charming historic district with antique shopping, restaurants, tasting rooms, breweries, and the top attractions in the Verde Valley. Climb aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, visit Tuzigoot National Monument and escape to the wild desert landscapes of Dead Horse state Park for fishing, hiking, biking and horseriding.

Ghost Town of Jerome

America’s largest ghost town and the wickedest town in the west, Jerome, is only 7.5 miles from Cottonwood but requires a full day of exploration. Take in the majestic views of Verde Valley, visit the historic Douglas Mansion, Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, eat haunted hamburgers, and sip spirits with the Lady in Red at the haunted Hotel Connor on Main Street.

Red Rock Scenic Byway

Travel on the Red Rock Scenic Byway south through the Village of Oak Creek and Rimrock towards Camp Verde. Highlights along the way include Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Fort Verde Historical Park, Cliff Castle Casino, and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

Grand Canyon

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is only 2 hours from Sedona and the journey is as awe-inspiring as the destination! Grand Canyon bus tours depart daily from Sedona but with an extended stay, a self-guided tour allows absorb all the fabulous sights at your own pace.