Visit for scenic hiking and a dose of mysticism.
Located in Arizona's Red Rock country, the town of Sedona exemplifies the crossroads of outdoor adventure and wellness. Beyond its captivating surrounding landscape, a host of famed metaphysical vortexes (natural energy centers) have also made this locale a haven for the spiritual and the artistic.
Plan your trip in late fall and spring, when the weather is at its mildest.
Getting there
Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (the closest international airport), then drive two hours north to Sedona. Alternatively, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is a 40-minute drive away from town.
Where to stay
Book a casita suite at Enchantment, an adobe-style resort inside Boynton Canyon (one of Sedona’s vortex sites). Check out their daily agenda of activities, which might include guided meditation, Navajo flute performances, and celebrations of the solstice and equinox with Yavapai-Apache crown dancers.
Sitting on the banks of Oak Creek, L'Auberge de Sedona feels like a true, hidden retreat. Reserve one of the Creekside Cottages to enjoy their outdoor showers and in-room fireplaces. The resort has two restaurants and boasts the most extensive wine list in Sedona.
What to do
Hiking excursions:
Hike the six-mile West Fork, where you can dip in reflecting pools along the way, or explore Devil's Bridge at sunrise. Opt for a guided hiking experience with Vitapura Yoga, which includes a hatha yoga class among the red sandstone rock formations.
Spiritual retreats:
Tap into the area’s renowned mysticism with a “shamanistic” vortex journey from locally-owned Sedona Mystical Tours. Excursions align with themes like energy healing and mindfulness, all led by an integrative wellness specialist. Then check out SpiritQuest’s range of metaphysical treatments, like sound therapy, emotional clearing, and chakra balancing.
Cultural exploration:
Meander the cobblestone pathways of the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village for its eclectic selection of indigenous folk art and handicrafts. Then, visit the Exposures International Gallery and the nonprofit Sedona Arts Center, which fosters local creative and educational initiatives. Sedona Sacred Earth also offers a guided immersion into the Hopi Nation, where you’ll explore thousand-year-old native villages.
What to eat
For breakfast:
Fuel up at the popular Tamaliza Cafe with a vegan Mexican breakfast of mushroom enchiladas in house-made adobo sauce. Chef Claudia Gonzales uses non-GMO masa in her preparations and lighter cooking oils instead of traditional lard.
The menu at Local Juicery includes organic smoothies, tonics, breakfast bowls, and avocado toasts. Try the peanut butter and cacao gluten-free waffles.
For lunch:
Pre-hike, stock up on sandwiches and salads (especially the sweet-and-spicy butternut squash) from Wildflower Bread Company.
Head to L’Auberge de Sedona for a midday meal at Etch Kitchen & Bar. Enjoy ahi tuna Niçoise or a chickpea burger while taking in the scenic ambiance.
Everything on ChocolaTree’s menu is organic and gluten-free. Try the spring rolls wrapped in curried zucchini or the vegan macadamia paneer, then customize a box of artisanal chocolates made on-site from heirloom Ecuadorian cacao.
If you decide to pass on a full lunch, consider afternoon tea at The Chai Spot. Sip on their “happy potions”—variations of chai tea that include cardamom, coconut, rose, and Kashmiri pink butter.
For dinner:
Sample elevated Southwest fare at SaltRock Southwest Kitchen. Order the watermelon and burrata to start, then follow it up with roasted vegetable tacos or seared salmon accompanied by smoked tomato purée. The agave-focused drinks menu highlights over 50 tequilas and mezcals.
Chef Lisa Dahl’s Latin-inspired Mariposa Grill spotlights seasonal, locally-grown ingredients. Choose from dishes like the tuna parfait (layers of sushi-grade yellowfin, avocado, and mango-chile salsa), rack of lamb with roasted bell pepper coulis and cilantro-mint pesto, and the trio of lobster, scallop, and shrimp.