Top Things to Do in Sedona

Whatever inspires your wanderlust, you'll find it here in Sedona and the Verde Valley. 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.

Sedona Trolley Tours

The Sedona Trolley is voted "The Best First Thing to do in Sedona" by Travelers' Choice. 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.

Pink 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.

Hot Air Balloon and Helicopter Tours

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 bird's eye views of the Grand Canyon.

Verde River Paddling

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

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.

Swimming Holes and 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.

Arts and Galleries

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. You can easily spend an entire day shopping, eating and exploring Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village on the banks of Oak Creek.

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.

Stargazing

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 award-winning dark skies on an Evening Sky Tour with Sedona Stargazing, ranked one of the best things to do in Sedona!

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.

Day Trips from Sedona

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. Jerome — America's largest ghost town and the wickedest town in the west — is only 7.5 miles from Cottonwood. Travel on the Red Rock Scenic Byway south toward Camp Verde for highlights including Montezuma Castle National Monument, Montezuma Well, Fort Verde Historical Park, and Cliff Castle Casino.

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.

Sedona International Film Festival 2023

February 1, 2023
Celebrate the 29th Anniversary of the Sedona International Film Festival with our team at Foothills Vacation Rentals! From February 18, 2023 to February 26, 2023, don't miss the chance to mingle with filmmakers, screenwriters, movie critics, a high-profile list of celebrities, and a local community that cares deeply about the arts – in the most beautiful place on earth, Sedona, Arizona.

5 Reasons to Spend a Month in Sedona

November 1, 2021
So much has changed since the pandemic, and the flexibility we have as individuals, families, employees and business owners to work remotely, travel outside of peak seasons, and take a break from the daily grind for extended periods of time is unprecedented. Whether you're using up accrued paid time off, enjoying the freedom of retirement, taking advantage of remote work, or indulging in a mini wellness sabbatical, there's no better place to escape the routine and take a break than Sedona and the scenic Verde Valley.

Horseback Riding Tours in Sedona

October 1, 2021
Get ready to saddle up and explore the stunning beauty of Sedona, Arizona on horseback! Surrounded by the wilderness of the Coconino National Forest, iconic red rock landscapes stretching for miles, and Arizona's premier wine country, there's no shortage of natural beauty to explore during your stay in Sedona, AZ.

Fall Vacation Rentals in Sedona

September 1, 2021
Fall is a spectacular and special season to visit Sedona and the scenic Verde Valley. The sweltering summer heat (and crowds!) are gone, Sedona's sacred canyons, national forests, and epic trails are ablaze with majestic fall colors, and there are countless activities and attractions for every type of traveler!

Sedona Neighborhood Guide

September 1, 2021
Sedona, Arizona is a small town but is fairly spread out with unique neighborhoods along Scenic Route 89A and the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179), two of the most scenic drives in America! Whether you prefer the bustling energy of downtown or the serenity of a desert oasis, you're sure to find a slice of Sedona heaven to suit your style.

Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting in Sedona

September 1, 2021
The Verde Valley Wine Region is one of Arizona's most celebrated wine destinations, boasting over 30 vineyards and tasting rooms all within 25 miles of scenic Sedona. There's no need to travel far to experience Arizona's award-winning wines in Sedona. You'll find an enticing selection of wines hand-harvested from local vineyards in the restaurants, wine bars and tasting rooms in Uptown Sedona and the surrounding neighborhoods. Top Wine Tasting Spots in Sedona Our top suggestions for a wine tasting adventure in Sedona are The Art of Wine and Winery 1912 in Uptown Sedona, VinoZona and the Secret Garden Cafe in the Village of Tlaquepaque, Vino Di Sedona in West Sedona and the Decanter Tasting Room in the Village of Oak Creek. Sedona Wine Tours Including a vineyard tour or wine tasting experience in your Sedona itinerary is a must, and there's an abundance of Sedona wine tours to choose from — romantic date nights in the vineyards, behind-the-scenes and hands-on harvest tours, private chauffeur-driven tours, or a unique Sedona winery experience with a float trip down the scenic Verde River.

Sedona Nightlife Guide

July 1, 2021
Sedona is not a party city! It's a vacation destination that bustles with activity during the day and is quieter at night. You won't find night clubs or rowdy late night venues but instead upscale bars and casual breweries, award-winning restaurants with scenic outdoor patios, cozy lounges with indoor fireplaces and a couple of late night spots and live music venues that mostly shut by midnight. From sunset hikes to late night vibes, we've got the scoop on how to enjoy a night out in Sedona!

The History of Sedona

June 1, 2021
Sedona is visited by over 3 million tourists each year! The attractions are endless — the stunning red rock landscapes surrounding Sedona entice outdoor adventurers of all kinds, luxury spa resorts lure wellness travelers, foodies have a fine selection of restaurants and wineries, and national monuments of timeless beauty give evidence of times gone by. According to archaeological evidence, the story of Sedona's first settlers dates back over 10,000 years with ancient tales ranging from cliff dwellers to cowboys.

State Parks near Sedona

June 1, 2021
The Sedona and Verde Valley area is home to some of Arizona's finest state parks, offering incredible nature experiences for every type of traveler. Red Rock State Park Red Rock State Park is one of Arizona's most scenic destinations. The small 286-acre nature preserve lies on the scenic banks of Oak Creek with a visitors center, park stores, a classroom and theater for educational programs, a ramada for picnics, and 5 miles of well-marked, interconnecting trails. The park offers an abundance of family-friendly activities from Junior Ranger programs and birdwatching walks to unique guided experiences and full moon hikes. Dead Horse Ranch State Park Dead Horse Ranch State Park features two day use areas with ramadas for BBQs and picnics, a playground and small zipline for the kids, a launch ramp and dock for kayaking and canoeing, three stocked fishing lagoons, and over 20 miles of mixed-use trails for hiking, biking and horseriding. It is a haven for nature lovers with beautiful birdlife and wildlife viewing. Perhaps the best way to experience Dead Horse State Park is on a guided wrangler tour of the trails. The park is only a short drive from the historic pueblo dwellings and traditional Sinagua artifacts at the Tuzigoot National Monument and Museum. Fort Verde State Historic Park Fort Verde State Historic Park is located in Camp Verde and provides a fascinating look at Arizona frontier military history, with well-preserved buildings and exhibits from the 1870s-1890s.

Sedona's Best Swimming Holes

May 1, 2021
As the sweltering Arizona summer sets in, there's no better way to beat the heat than by plunging into Sedona's scenic swimming holes – surrounded by stunning red rock landscapes, the soothing sounds of cascading creeks, and beautiful bluebird skies.