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Things To Do Besides Hiking In Sedona Arizona

Best Things To Do Besides Hiking in Sedona

Hiking is our favorite activity while visiting Sedona but there is so much more! Here is our list of things to do in Sedona besides hiking. Enjoy!

Chapel of the Holy Cross is stunning. It’s a definite must stop with breathtaking views. Depending on what time of year you are visiting, it can get very busy. We always make sure to get there early when the chapel opens to avoid big crowds. You can light a candle for someone you love, shop in the chapel store, or just sit for a quiet moment. If you park at the lower level, there is a golf cart driver that will take you to the top or you can get in a short strenuous hike. You can also book a tour through the Sedona Trolley Company.

Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is the perfect location to relax and take a deep breathe. It’s a place for meditation and spiritual renewal. The 14 acres located next to Thunder Mountain is considered holy to the native peoples. This beautiful 36-foot stupa gets its name from Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of Limitless Light. Peace Park is free and runs off donations. It’s such a special spot, I visited this park almost every day while in Sedona.

Posse Grounds Park is Sedona’s first park. 78 acres to explore and enjoy! There are trails, a dog park, skate park, softball fields, tennis courts, bike skills park, basketball court, sand volleyball court, picnic tables, a multi-use grass field, and our favorite…the fitness trail.

Of course, so much shopping! Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village offers many unique shops and restaurants. You can spend a full day walking around, shopping, eating, and people watching. We really enjoyed sitting on the Oak Creek Brewery patio and drinking their locally brewed beer. I also loved stopping at Sedona Candle Magic shop and watching them make the candles (See below). A couple other favorite shopping locations are Hummingbird House and the Hillside Sedona Shopping Center.

My favorite shop to buy crystals is Mystical Bazaar. The staff is so helpful and friendly. They also offer aura photos, psychic readings, and beautiful jewelry.

There is a huge artist market too! I found great gifts here.

I also always find the local farmer’s markets when traveling. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh food and local shopping. The Sedona Farmer’s Market is open in the winter and summer seasons.

Last but not least, treat yourself to a massage at Therapy on the Rocks or one of the many spas in Sedona.

Happy Traveling!

Originally posted in 2020.

© What Stirs Your Soul Media

December 10, 2025
Best Sedona Hiking Trails

Sedona Hiking Trails

We have visited Sedona, Arizona, for extended stays over the years. One of the best parts about Sedona and the surrounding area is that there are endless adventures and things to do. Our favorite activity is hiking! We love how accessible the hiking trails are and the range of difficultly. Below are highlights from some of the best Sedona hiking trails.

Bell Rock and Courthouse are the first two iconic formations that you see as you drive into Sedona coming north on the Bell Rock Scenic Byway/SR 179. The Courthouse Butte Loop is a moderate 4.3-mile trail. This area is very popular so depending on the time of year, it’s best to go early morning (plus it’s the best time to beat the heat). We normally visit in January when it’s not quite as busy or too hot.

There are pay machines for parking that take credit cards. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but if you wait a few minutes, turnover usually happens quickly. Another option is to purchase a Red Rock Pass to display in your window or America the Beautiful passes are also honored.

Dog-Friendly Sedona Trails

Almost all the trails in Sedona are dog-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Please make sure to clean up after your pup. #LeaveNoTrace

If you love climbing rocks, Bell Rock Trail is the hike for you! Look how small all the people look in the picture below. You can see all of Sedona as you make the climb. This hike is considered moderate but if you’re afraid of heights, you might find it difficult.

Little Horse Trail tends to be our go-to hike. We love the views. This is a 3.8-mile moderate hike. You can make it easier by not going as far, the view below is less than a mile on the trail. It’s incredible to hike this trail at sunset, the rocks turn a beautiful orange.

I was super excited to hike Soldier Pass and see the Seven Sacred Pools. They are easy to walk past, so keep an eye out for them. There’s also a large sinkhole on your way called Devil’s Kitchen which is very cool. This trail is considered moderate but we felt like it was a little more difficult especially beyond the pools. We ended up turning around on our first hike (which was still an amazing hike).

Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Picnic Site is another go-to spot for us. This is a great area to relax, picnic, leisurely walk, swim in Oak Creek, or play with your dogs. There is a lot of open area with grass, picnic tables, and benches. All of this with the beautiful backdrop of Cathedral Rock. This is also a vortex site and a sacred area in Native American history.

My favorite thing to do is to visit after it rains and take pictures of all the reflections in the puddles. You have to find the perfect angle to see them.

ALWAYS be careful after a rain, pay attention to the news, and ask questions before you go. Even when the rain stops, the runoff can be very dangerous and catch you by surprise.

The staff and owners at The Hike House are super helpful. They will answer any questions and make sure you are geared up correctly for your hike. It’s important to be prepared even if you think the hike will be short.

Another great resource is the Sedona Hiking App. This app gives you all the details of each hike, directions to the trailheads, and a map to follow as you hike. You can also search by the difficulty of the hike. For more details about Sedona, visit the official Sedona Tourism Site – visitsedona.com

If you’re looking for other fun things to do besides hiking, visit my blog post HERE.

Enjoy your travels!

Please don’t hesitate to email me with questions.

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

January 1, 2022
Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Arizona

Hiking Fay Canyon Trail Sedona Arizona

Fay Canyon Trail – Sedona, Arizona in the enchanted Coconino National Forest is an easy to moderate trail without much elevation gain. The moss and greenery among the red rocks stood out to us along with the awe-inspiring sandstone formations overhead.

The trail is an out and back 2.4 mile hike. There is a secret natural arch to keep an eye out for or you will miss it. Check out the Sedona Hiking App for directions and details. On this hike, we decided to bring our ukulele just for fun. I don’t know how to play it yet but it’s one of my goals. I wanted to snap some pictures with it against the red rocks. The ukulele ended up bringing us much more than we expected!

When we made it to the end of the of maintained trail, we met a couple who asked us about the ukulele.

We chatted a little bit and the gentleman asked if he could play it. He even tuned it for us and then…

It was so fun to listen to him play on the trail with the sound echoing off the rocks. We had a great conversation and exchanged some recommendations. It continues to amaze me how we can meet complete strangers on the trail and become fast friends. We started working our way back and then met a woman who asked us about the ukulele. She also asked if she could play it.

She was such a sweetheart and helped Terry learn a few chords.

This ended up being one of our all time favorite hikes because we got so much joy out of listening to people play and our conversations. Sometimes it’s more than the trail. ❤️

Use the search box on the right to find all of our Sedona blogs.

Safe travels! Don’t forget – leave no trace.

Life is short, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

January 26, 2021
Best Restaurants In Sedona – Arizona

Best restaurants in Sedona

Our all time favorite restaurant in Sedona is The Hudson. We order the pork chop every time. The Hudson’s tagline is “A Neighborhood Restaurant” and we couldn’t describe it more perfectly. When we sit at the bar and chat with the bartender, locals, and tourists, it feels like we’ve known everyone forever. Their service is impeccable. Do not leave without ordering dessert! I can’t resisit their flourless chocolate cake. Enjoy this list of the best restaurants in Sedona, your mouth will be watering!

Our favorite dessert in Sedona

Speaking of dessert, this beauty is from Creekside American Bistro. This hot banana churros with ice cream is incredible! Yes, that IS banana bread. It was so good! I would recommend ordering this as your meal. 🙂 We loved stopping in for a lunch and sitting at their cozy bar. They also have great burgers and I really enjoyed their salads.

Breakfast at the airport offers the most incredible views

Breakfast at Mesa Grill is a must! Beside a yummy breakfast, you get an amazing view on the way up, and it’s cool to watch the planes land. They also offer an awesome dog-friendly patio with a full dog menu. They even bring your dog a bowl of water when seated. We were so impressed by the level of service especially with our dog. Allen gave it two paws up.

Best brewery, winery, coffee shop and more in Sedona

The Oak Creek Brewery is a great location to sit at the bar and catch a game OR sit on their patio for some sun. The cheese tray is perfect to split and enjoy with your drinks. My husband’s favorite Oak Creek Brewery beers were the Amber Ale and Gold Lager.

The Secret Garden Cafe has the best rueben and coleslaw. The slaw has blue cheese and raisins added which brings it to another level. The perfect spot to stop after shopping at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. They offer a cute patio and we appreciated their friendly service.

The views from Mariposa are unbeatable! My favorite item on their menu is the deep fried avocado. Oh yes….let me say that again…deep fried avocado. Delicious!

For a special treat, enjoy lunch at the L’Auberge de Sedona. The patio sits right on beautiful Oak Creek. It’s so peaceful listening to the sounds of the creek while sipping on a glass of wine. Make it extra special and book an appointment at their spa.

For coffee, stop by Creekside Coffee (now Rattle & Hum Coffee Roasters). They source the highest quality green beans from around the world. Their coffee warms the soul. Look at that view!

For fresh juice (and for more superb coffee or a delicious meal), visit Indian Gardens. This cafe and market is a historic general store just 4 miles north of Sedona. It’s a nice short drive with hikes along the way. They have wonderful to-go lunches for your hike or picnic.

There are a lot of wineries to check out while in Sedona. We ended up only stopping at Page Springs Cellars. It was one of our favorite afternoons with live music, an excellent cheese tray, and very good wine. Page Springs Cellars is located approximately 15 miles south of Sedona. Another beautiful drive with other wineries on the way, you can make a day of it.

Last food tip. Check out the Whole Foods nightly happy hour! Great prices and good food. They also offer a really good coffee and juice bar.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the best restaurants in Sedona. I would love to help!

Check out our “things to do besides hiking” blog post for more fun Sedona ideas.

Happy traveling!

#WhatStirsYourSoul

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

December 7, 2020
Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona was on my bucket list and we finally made it happen!

To say I fell in love is an understatement.

The moment we got home, we booked our return trip. ❤️

We arrived in the evening and we were welcomed by one of the famous Sedona sunsets. We stayed at Alma De Sedona Inn in West Sedona and we were so impressed with their level of service. I tend to shy away from bed & breakfast lodging but this was a wonderful experience. Here are a few highlights…

Mornings at Alma De Sedona Inn start with their famous breakfasts. Again, not being a “bed and breakfast” person and a bit of an introvert, I was skeptical BUT it was amazing! We had our own table and the moment we sat down, they served freshly brewed coffee along with juice and warm homemade muffins and scones. You can smell them baking when you wake up! Next is the main course which is different every day and made from scratch.

If you are seeking spirituality or alone time to connect with yourself and nature, Alma De Sedona Inn offers a Labyrinth and Medicine Wheel. I took full advantage of both…it’s so serene in their gardens and such a nice amenity.

Medicine Wheel Stones

The property is so peaceful and quiet tucked back in a neighborhood but still walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and hiking trails. We loved the convenience of everything!

A lot of people say to stay in Uptown but we really enjoyed West Sedona.

Uptown is much busier and touristy.

Our favorite activity was going for hikes every day. We mostly did easy hikes because we were both fighting awful colds. They say Sedona has healing powers so we tried to get as much fresh air as possible. 😉 Here are a few of our favorite spots…

Cathedral Rock

Our first hike was to the Cathedral Rock Vortex. I could have laid on the red rocks all day. Such an incredible view and when the sun hits the red rocks, it feels like heaven.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

Chapel of the Holy Cross was breathtaking. We were told that it gets very busy so we arrived right when they opened which worked out great. I would definitely recommend getting there early!

Lighting a candle for prayer intentions.

We also really liked the variety and different trails in the Bell Rock area.

Last but not least, the Aiport Loop Trail! The views at sunset are crazy gorgeous, there is a scenic lookout and a fantastic restaurant called Mesa Grill.

Other restaurant recommendations:

Creekside Coffee and Bakery (perfect spot to catch up on work and enjoy a yummy cup of coffee), The Secret Garden and Cafe (best rueben and coleslaw EVER), The Hudson (wonderful views, service, and the pork chop was out of this world – definitely need a reservation).

We also did a day trip to Jerome, Arizona and ate at The Mine for breakfast. Jerome is an artsy, old town with so much character and the drive up is something to see!

We also loved going for a walk by the river at L’Auberge Restaurant. We had an incredible hamburger and bloody mary’s for lunch. It’s a treat to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous views and comfy couches!

My last recommendation is the Myofascial Release Treatment Center. This therapy was my saving grace after being diagnosed with Dystonia. Whether you are battling health issues or just tired after a hike…this is the perfect place to heal.

I can’t wait to go back and explore because I know we barely scratched the surface!

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have recommendations.

Happy traveling!

This post was originally created in 2018. We’ve been back to Sedona each year since this original trip. See blog for more posts about Sedona.

Hiking: https://solsiteco.com/2020/07/26/hiking-in-sedona-arizona/

Favorite Restaurants: https://solsiteco.com/2020/08/01/top-restaurants-sedona-arizona/

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

July 21, 2020
Sedona, Arizona – Hiking – Broken Arrow Trail

Broken Arrow is a new trail for us this year. We were hesitant to hike here because the trail runs parallel to the jeep path and we thought it would be disruptive. The jeeps didn’t bother us at all and it was fun to watch them cruising over the red rocks.

The hiking distance for Broken Arrow Trail is approximately 3 miles out and back. There are 12 parking spaces at the trailhead. The road to the parking lot is dirt for a short distance and very bumpy. There’s only room for one vehicle at a time on the dirt road to and from the lot so prepare to back up if another vehicle is coming. The trail is worth the little scramble of parking. This hike takes about 2 hours.

The 360° views are beautiful of the canyons and red rock spires.

Not far into the hike (at about 1/2 mile) you will come to Devil’s Dining Room. Devil’s Dining Room is a 50-foot wide and 90-foot deep sinkhole! The area is fenced off so you don’t miss it or accidentally fall in. 🙂 There are informative signs as you walk up explaining how the sinkhole was created and more about the bat colony that lives here.

Hello down there!

As you work your way up and you will see more signs for Chicken Point which is the top or you can take a side trail to Submarine Rock. Submarine Rock is a nice flat area to enjoy a picnic and the views. If you continue up to Chicken Point, you will also be connected to Little Horse trail to make this a longer hike.

When you see these views you will understand why so many old westerns were filmed in this area. You couldn’t create a better backdrop. I love the way the rock formations look in the shadow of the sun.

Almost all the trails in Sedona are pet-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Our little guy is having a blast hiking these red rock trails.

We always meet the nicest people hiking the trails. We met a professional photographer who offered to take our picture. So great to have a photo of the three of us on the trail.

Enjoy and keep on exploring!

#WhatStirsYourSoul #RoadTrippinTheUS

©Tracy Blowers

January 27, 2020

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