annie@anniehurley.comWe have been working on a list of things to do while in Sedona, and have posted this information on its own page. We will continue to add to it as a resource for our wedding guests and friends in the future looking for suggestions in the area. Let us know if you try something you love that we can add to our list for future trips to Sedona too!
Sedona is somewhat sleepy in general. Be prepared for most restaurants to stop serving by 9 p.m. Stores may not open until 10 a.m.
Restaurants & Coffee Shops
Here are a few places we have enjoyed in Sedona:
- Saltrock Southwest Kitchen
- located in the Amara Resort (next door to L’auberge)
- modern atmosphere, unique & diverse menu (unique cocktail menu), generally have live music on the weekend. We went here on a rainy cold evening, but apparently there are beautiful views from the patio.
- yet another nearby hotel option if you haven’t booked a room yet
- Creekside Sedona
- American cuisine, casual
- beautiful Red Rock views from back deck, good place for sunset views
- Elote
- Mexican food
- yummy menu & margaritas
- ChocolaTree
- Chocolatier, Organic, Vegetarian
- amazing chocolates!
- HP Cafe
- American new
- within walking distance of The Orchards Inn & L’auberge, casual
- Michael is a fan of the home fries with brunch
- L’auberge Restaurant
- L’auberge’s restaurant is definitely $$$$. The creekside dining experience is very romantic and serene (where Michael proposed!).
- The Sunday brunch is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. We will definitely be enjoying it the morning after the wedding. If you also decide to take advantage of the brunch (highly recommended), reservations are encouraged as the weekend of our wedding is a busy time of year at the resort. It has a beautiful creek-side setting with unlimited mimosas and bloody mary’s, not to mention stunning food options.
- Heart of Sedona Coffee Bar
- This is a cute, cozy local coffee shop, located next to Whole Foods. It is also the coffee shop that was featured in the movie Sedona.
Activities & Attractions
There are plenty of things to do in Sedona. Relaxing is always at the top of our list! Here are a few activities we have enjoyed, would suggest, or that have been recommended to us by others:
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- We went on a hot air balloon ride for Michael’s 35th birthday this year. It was very peaceful – much like peacefully sailing in the air. Depending on the company you choose, the timing is typically at sunrise or sunset. We chose sunrise and it was an incredibly beautiful and fun experience! If you also choose sunrise, be prepared to wake extremely early in the morning!
- Pink Jeep Tours
- We haven’t taken an official jeep tour yet, but we rode in an off-road jeep to get to the location of our engagement photos with our photographers – does that count? We have heard this is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty and history of Sedona all while having some fun along the way. Let us know what you think if you go!
- Shops
- Simply walking around among the shops downtown or the surrounding areas is a fun way to get out, exercise, and interact with some of the interesting personalities that make up Sedona. Try a prickly pear margarita; you won’t be disappointed!
- Wineries
- Page Springs Cellars: This is our favorite winery in the Sedona area! The grounds are beautiful and, in addition, there’s a restaurant on the premises with some nice pairings. Some nights, they even feature live music (call ahead). In our opinion, if you want to visit a winery without making a whole day of it, this is the one.
- Javelina Leap Winery & Oak Creek Vineyards: These two wineries are right across the street from each other. They don’t have as much green on the property as Page Springs, but the tasting rooms are nice and add some palate diversity.
- If you are interested in making a day of wine tasting, there are some fairly affordable drivers that will take you around to all of these wineries and even more distant ones if you choose.
- Spas: Sedona is definitely the kind of place to treat yourself at one of the local spas. Here are a just a couple in the nearby area but certainly there are plenty of other options:
- Yoga
- Check out My Sedona Yoga for a comprehensive calendar of all yoga going on in Sedona.
- L’auberge hosts daily yoga complimentary to guests. Annie will be attending the L’auberge yoga on the wedding day! If you are staying at the resort, you are certainly welcome to join us!
- Hiking
- Sedona is a beautiful place for hiking. There are a ton of hiking trails in the area of all different levels of difficulty. We have only been to Red Rock but there are plenty of trails to choose from and some of the views are truly amazing! Sunrise and sunset are usually incredible times for photos (check out the reviews in the link above for what time is best for each trail).
- Walnut Canyon National Monument (about an hour away from Sedona)
- Slide Rock State Park
- We actually haven’t been to Slide Rock yet, but everyone is always talking about it. Here is a video with an overview of what to expect if you decide to go:
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a church built into the side of a rock formation. It is a beautiful destination and one of the most visited attractions in Sedona. If you decide to visit, just be prepared for a lot of tourists.
- Sedona Vortexes
- If you want to get really metaphysical, check out the Vortexes in Sedona. You are bound to at least hear or see something about them on your trip!
Click here for a calendar of events in Sedona.