Things to Do in Sedona — Tours, Sights & Experiences (Local Guide)
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Things To Do In Sedona

Tours, attractions, and underrated stops most travel blogs miss. From Pink Jeep adventures to peaceful Buddhist stupas — what our team actually sends guests to do.

Get Out There

Top Things to Do in Sedona

Beyond hiking, these are the experiences our team recommends to every group. Pink Jeep tours, hot air balloons, and the Sedona Trolley are the headline picks — but the lesser-known stops (Amitabha Stupa, Palatki Cliff Dwellings) often end up being guests' favorites.

4x4 Off-Road · 2 hrs
The definitive Sedona jeep experience since 1960. The Broken Arrow tour takes you through narrow canyon slots and up sheer rock faces. The whole group will be talking about it for years.
Broken Arrow is the top pick · pinkjeeptours.com · book days ahead in peak season
Group Favorite
Aerial · Sunrise · ~1 hr
Floating over the red rock formations at sunrise is one of the most spectacular things you can do in Sedona. Red Rock Balloon Adventures is our recommended operator. Champagne breakfast after landing.
redrockballoons.com · ~$250/person · flights at sunrise · book weeks ahead in spring/fall
Narrated Tour · Uptown Pickup
A narrated open-air trolley tour covering Sedona's most iconic areas. Picks up and drops off in Uptown — an easy walk from the Uptown properties. West and South Sedona routes available.
Tickets must be purchased in advance · sedonatrolley.com · runs daily · great first-day activity
Great Orientation
Scenic Train · 30 min away
A 40-mile scenic train journey through a remote canyon inaccessible by road — past cliff dwellings, canyon walls, and wildlife. Open-air viewing cars. Fantastic for non-hikers and families.
Departs Clarkdale, 30 min southwest · verdecanyonrr.com
Spiritual · Free · Dawn to Dusk
A 36-foot Tibetan Buddhist stupa at the base of Thunder Mountain — one of the quietest spots in Sedona. Free to visit. 5-minute drive from West Sedona properties. Perfect for a peaceful morning walk.
2650 Pueblo Dr, West Sedona · open dawn to dusk · free · donations appreciated
Free · Underrated Gem
History · Guided · Free Reservation
The largest cliff dwellings in Sedona's Red Rock Country — built by the Sinagua people AD 1150–1350. Guided tours through the ruins and remarkable rock art. Limited daily visitors for an intimate experience.
Off FR 525 via Hwy 89A West Sedona · ~30 min drive on rough gravel roads · recreation.gov reservation required ($1 fee) · Red Rock Pass also required · closed Wed mornings

Must See

Sedona Sights & Attractions

Beyond the trails, Sedona and the surrounding area have remarkable places to visit — from iconic landmarks like the Chapel of the Holy Cross to natural wonders like Slide Rock State Park.

Cultural · Free · Daily 9–5
A striking modernist chapel built directly into the red rocks in 1956. The architecture and approach road views are extraordinary, regardless of faith. Open daily, no admission charge.
780 Chapel Rd, Village of Oak Creek · 365 locals recommend · paid parking, arrive early
Free Entry
State Park · Natural Waterslide
Natural rock chutes carved by Oak Creek into an 80-foot waterslide — one of Arizona's most visited attractions. Perfect summer day for families and groups. Also beautiful in other seasons for the scenery alone.
N Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Canyon · arrive before 9am in summer · $30/vehicle
437 locals recommend · Family Favorite
Views · Free · All Day
One of the best and most accessible viewpoints in Sedona — a short drive up Airport Road reveals a 360° panorama of the entire red rock landscape. Free, easy parking, spectacular at any time of day.
Airport Rd, West Sedona · 115 locals recommend · great alternative when vortex parking is full
Free · 360° Views
Wildlife · Drive-Through
Drive-through and walk-through wildlife park in Williams, AZ — black bears, wolves, bison, and more roaming free. A fantastic family experience on the way to or from the Grand Canyon.
Williams, AZ · 45 min north · bearizona.com · allow 2–3 hours
600 locals recommend
Wildlife · Immersive
Immersive wildlife park in Camp Verde featuring big cats, African animals, and the famous Tiger Splash show. One of the most unique wildlife experiences in the Southwest.
Camp Verde · 30 min south · outofafricapark.com · Tiger Splash show not to be missed
311 locals recommend
Arts Village · All Day
Built to resemble a traditional Mexican village — 50+ galleries, boutique shops, and four restaurants around a central courtyard. The best shopping in Sedona. Allow 2–3 hours.
Hwy 179, south of the Y · free parking · gallery openings most Friday evenings
Must See

Where To Stay

Stay Where You Want to Be

Whether you're prioritizing trailhead access, walking distance to Uptown shopping, or the most epic red rock views from your own pool — we have the right home for the trip you're planning.

Trip Planning

Things to Do FAQs

What are the top things to do in Sedona?

The top experiences in Sedona are: Pink Jeep Tours (Broken Arrow trail is the favorite), a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, hiking to Devil's Bridge or Cathedral Rock, visiting all four vortex sites, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Slide Rock State Park in summer, and Tlaquepaque Arts Village for shopping and dining. Most visitors do 2–3 of these in a 3-day trip.

Is Pink Jeep worth it in Sedona?

Yes — Pink Jeep has been operating since 1960 and the Broken Arrow tour is a genuine highlight for most guests. The 2-hour trip takes you through narrow canyon slots and up sheer rock faces you couldn't access otherwise. Book at pinkjeeptours.com several days ahead in peak season. It's pricey ($110–$150/person) but consistently rated as a trip-defining experience by our guests.

How long do you need in Sedona?

Three to four days is the sweet spot. Day 1: orientation, an easy hike, dinner in town. Day 2: a longer hike (Devil's Bridge or Cathedral Rock) plus a vortex visit. Day 3: a tour or experience (jeep, balloon, or the Verde Canyon Railroad). Day 4: shopping at Tlaquepaque, a spa or massage, and a sunset drive. A week works well for guests doing day trips to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, or Jerome.

Do you need a car in Sedona?

Yes — Sedona is spread out and most trailheads, restaurants, and attractions require a car. The Sedona Shuttle covers some popular trailheads (Devil's Bridge, Cathedral Rock) for free, but for general exploring you'll want a vehicle. AWD or 4x4 is helpful for some forest-road destinations like Palatki Cliff Dwellings, but a regular car handles most Sedona attractions just fine.

What's the most underrated thing to do in Sedona?

The Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park is the single most underrated stop in Sedona. A 36-foot Tibetan Buddhist stupa at the base of Thunder Mountain, free to visit, open dawn to dusk, and almost always quiet. It's a 5-minute drive from West Sedona properties and a beautiful peaceful start or end to a day. Palatki Cliff Dwellings is a close second — limited daily visitors makes for an intimate, almost private experience among 800-year-old ruins.

Can you do Sedona without hiking?

Absolutely. Pink Jeep Tours, the Sedona Trolley, the Verde Canyon Railroad, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Sedona Airport Overlook, Tlaquepaque Arts Village, Slide Rock State Park, and the Verde Valley wine trail are all enjoyable with zero hiking. A spa day at one of our properties (sauna, hot tub, mobile massage) plus a sunset drive to Airport Overlook makes for a complete Sedona experience without ever putting on hiking boots.

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