Sedona, Arizona, is one of those magical places that has a hold on me. From the first time I visited years ago over a long weekend with my sister, I knew it would be a place I would return to again and again.

While the spectacular red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests are part of the appeal, I know something more draws me to this place. Is it the vortexes? Or my general love for the desert? Who knows?

One thing is for sure: Sedona has captured my heart, and I can’t wait to share with you all the reasons I think you’ll love it, too. So keep reading for my tips and recommendations on everything to see, do, eat, and drink in Sedona, Arizona for a long weekend.  

The Best Time of Year to Travel to Sedona:

The best time of year to travel to Sedona is during the shoulder seasons, which means late March through early June or September through November, to avoid excessive crowds and extreme heat. I find fall the best time for a long weekend in Sedona because you get cooler temperatures, gorgeous fall foliage, and fewer people since kids are back in school. 

The monsoon season is from June through August, but the storms usually pass through quickly. However, if you travel during monsoon season, you could have a day or two of rain.

During the peak season, you must rely on the Sedona Shuttle to get to many of the area’s popular hiking trails. The parking lots are only open to private vehicles Monday – Wednesday. You will need to use the shuttle if you are there Thursday – Sunday.

We arrived in Sedona on a Sunday evening and spent the next three days, Monday through Wednesday exploring. This was a happy accident for us. I didn’t know about the shuttle requirements for the popular hiking trails until we arrived. But even with having our car, we knew that we needed to get to the parking lots very early to get a spot. Most trailhead lots will fill up by 7 a.m.

What Sedona, Arizona is Best Known For – The Vortexes

The epic scenery is not all that Sedona is known for. Sedona, Arizona is also known for its vortexes.

What exactly is a vortex? If you’re asking yourself that question, you’re not alone! Many people have no idea about this phenomenon until they either start researching a trip to Sedona or arrive in this desert city.

The vortexes are intense energy centers that are beneficial for healing, meditation, and self-exploration. Technically, all of Sedona is a vortex, but there are specific areas where the energy is supposed to be more intense. (See below for more info on the 4 specific sites.)

The energy at the vortexes is classified as either “female” which means energy entering the earth, or “male,” energy emanating from the earth. Some people claim to feel physical sensations, including vibrations, tingling, static electricity in their hair, or a palpable sensation across the shoulders and neck. Other people connect via emotions. It’s not uncommon to burst out in tears or to have a deeply spiritual experience while visiting the vortexes.

One thing I’d like to note is that when my husband and I did a Pink Jeep Tour, our local guide told us that some people are also negatively impacted by the vortexes, to the point that they can’t stay in Sedona because they experience such discomfort. This is just hearsay, so take this with a grain of salt. Many people feel nothing when visiting Sedona, other than a genuine appreciation for its natural beauty. And that’s fine too!

I think the bottom line when visiting Sedona is to go in with no expectations. Whatever you do end up feeling or experiencing, respect that and know that everyone’s experience is different. There’s nothing wrong with you if you feel nothing or if you have intense sensations.  What you feel or don’t feel in Sedona, Arizona is very personal!

The 4 Main Vortex Sites in Sedona, Arizona:

There are 4 main vortex sites in Sedona where supposedly the energy is more intense. These four places are Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon.

All four of these locations are free and open to the public. Some of these locations involve hiking or moderate walking. Also, keep in mind that the parking lots for most of the hiking trails in Sedona, including these four, are very small. I recommend getting to these locations very early in the morning, or if you are visiting during the peak season, take advantage of Sedona’s free shuttle bus system.

Cathedral Rock

• This site has electromagnetic energy with both masculine and feminine properties.
• The best time to visit is at sunrise or sunset.
• There is a large outcropping 1/3 of the way up the trail that is perfect for yoga or meditation. We did a guided meditation our first time there and it was a beautiful experience.
• The entire hike is a 1.2-mile roundtrip moderate climb and takes about 1.5 hours. A small section is a bit of a scramble.
• It is possible to hike up beyond the end of the trail between two of the spires, but this is at your own risk.
• Parking is very limited. There are two lots at Back’ O Beyond Road.

Bell Rock & Little Bell

• This place has pure upflow / masculine energy that is very powerful.
• The best time to visit is at sunrise (Sunset is also stunning).
• Climbing to the top of Little Bell or Bell Rock gives you incredible views of the valley and Cathedral Rock in the distance. Both are great spots for meditation.
• Climbing Bell Rock is a moderate 1 mile roundtrip hike with an elevation gain of 400 feet, that will take approximately 1 hour.
• Parking is available in the North Bell Parking Area.

Boynton Canyon (Also Where you Access the Subway Cave)

• Upflow / masculine energy and one of the best vortex sites to visit in Sedona.
• There is no best time of day to visit although earlier is better to avoid the excessive heat of midday.
• The vortexes are located throughout the Canyon so many people spend the entire day exploring offshoots of the main trail.
• It’s an intermediate 7.5-mile hike with some uphill climbing if you choose to visit the Subway Cave as well as Boynton Canyon Vista.
• Near the Enchantment resort, parking is located on Boynton Canyon Road near the intersection with Boynton Pass Road. Overflow parking is located on Boynton Pass Road.

Airport Mesa

• This area has Upflow / masculine energy and is one of the most visited vortexes because it’s right in the center of town.
• My husband had a very powerful, emotional experience while visiting this Mesa.
• You can hike the actual short but steep trail and take a seat at the top to watch the sunset, or you can pay a fee to park in the airport lot and watch the sunset from an accessible viewpoint which involves no hiking.
• I have done both. The sunset hike I did with my sister was serene and beautiful. This time, with my husband, we took in the view from the airport parking lot. My husband had a very powerful, emotional experience here, even though we were surrounded by many people.
• There is a very small parking lot right at the trailhead or you can pay to park in the airport lot.

Getting There:

The biggest airport near Sedona is in Phoenix. We took a direct flight from NYC to Phoenix, picked up our rental car, and drove 2 hours North to Sedona. You can also fly into Flagstaff, Arizona, and drive 40 minutes south to Sedona. While Flagstaff is closer, I recommend flying into Phoenix since it’s a larger airport and you will have more flight options, including direct flights, than flying into Flagstaff.

Sedona has a small airport but it’s for private planes and charters only. There are no commercial aircraft that fly into or out of Sedona.

Where we Stayed in Sedona for our 3 Day Trip:

We stayed at the Amara resort, and it was perfect for us. My husband and I are at an age where we sometimes prefer to splurge on a bit of luxury, and Sedona is the place to do it. I liked the small, boutique feel of the property and the fact that our room looked out on the pool and grounds, with the towering red rock buttes beyond. We enjoyed eating at Saltrock Southwest, the hotel’s restaurant, for both dinner and breakfast, and the hotel has a gym and spa in addition to the outdoor pool and hot tub.

If you have a Platinum American Express card, you can book this hotel through their Hotel Collection. Booking through American Express qualifies you for a free room upgrade if it’s available, and a $100 resort credit. This is not an ad or sponsored, I’m just sharing this info because this is how we booked our room, so I wanted to let you know about the additional perks you get if you do the same. We also got a free bottle of champagne and a lovely cookie platter when we checked into our room.

If you’re looking for a total splurge, (that will cost you a lot of money), I recommend the Enchantment Resort. My sister and I had lunch at the resort when we were in Sedona and got a sneak peek of this hotel. It was stunning. It’s also a bit further out from town and much more private than the other hotels in the area.

Even though the L’Auberge is also considered a top luxury hotel in Sedona, I wouldn’t recommend it right now. I spoke to people who stayed there recently and they said the hotel was a bit rundown and dated for the money they are currently charging.

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, try the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, the Hilton Vacation Club Ridge, or the Courtyard by Marriott.

Where We Ate:

Saltrock Southwest Kitchen – The restaurant at the Amara Resort. Get the lobster tacos and the skirt steak asada!

Pisa Lisa – a casual spot that turns out superb pizza. Also, the first restaurant was opened by Lisa Dahl, the ‘culinary queen’ of Sedona.

Mariposa – Also owned by Lisa Dahl and one of the most upscale dining experiences available in Sedona. We loved the attention to detail and welcoming staff.

Coffee pot

Elote Café – The number one thing to know about this restaurant that serves Mexican fare is that they now take reservations! In my opinion, this is the best restaurant in Sedona, so book a table here as soon as you book your trip!

Shorebird – We didn’t have time to try Shorebird but I have heard great things about the restaurant and we plan to check it out next time we are in town.

What We Did in Sedona:

Hiking – There are too many great trails to list here but some of my favorites include: Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, Birthing Cave, and Bell Rock. (If you want to learn more about all of the hiking trails, check out my blog post about The Best Hiking Trails in Sedona.)

Spa Treatments – There are many places in Sedona to get spa treatments. While our hotel had a beautiful spa, we opted for more affordable treatments at Uptown Spa. We did a 75-minute couples’ massage and it was divine!

Pink Jeep Tours – I highly recommend taking a Pink Jeep where you get to drive off-road in the canyons and visit places that are not readily accessible by foot. They have many options to choose from. We did their most popular tour which lasted for 2 hours.

Vortex Tours – Sedona is known for its vortexes, energy centers that are known for radiating a special energy. The four main ones are Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa. We did a tour of some of these vortexes with Crystal Weaver, where we learned more about the specific energies and did a guided meditation. It was one of the highlights of our stay there.

And here’s a list of some other things to do in Sedona:

• See the Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Get a Psychic Reading – Center for the New Age
• Shop at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village
• Visit the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
• Go Mountain Biking
• Cool off at Slide Rock State Park
• Visit the Palatki and Honanki Heritage Sites
• Go wine tasting on the Verde Valley Wine Trail

Are You Ready to Visit Sedona, Arizona?

I hope this post has inspired you to start planning your trip to Sedona, Arizona. It is a special place and worth seeing at least once in your lifetime.  

And if you’ve been already, what are your highlights? Comment below with all of your favorite spots in Sedona so we can share our knowledge with those who haven’t been there yet.

As always, happy travels!