We all have that list of attractions or landmarks that we want to see on vacation to different places; the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, the Hollywood sign in California, and Disney World in Florida are just examples. But if this is your first trip to Sedona, do you know enough about our Southwestern town to really know all there is to see, and if you don’t, wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on something spectacular? Fortunately, you have chosen Mighty Tree Properties for your Sedona vacation sanctuary, and we don’t stop at providing luxury and comfort for tired travelers. It makes us happy to share all that makes our red rock town unique and this ultimate first-time visitor guide to Sedona, Arizona will help you see everything that makes us special!
The Iconic Red Rock Formations
Of course, we have to start with the one thing you are sure to have heard of, perhaps even seen on television or in the movies, and that is those red rock formations that add a layer of magic to the Sedona landscape. The scientific reasoning behind their famous color brings up rust and ancient seawater, but do you really care how they were formed? Their beauty, their shapes that often resemble other more mundane objects, and their appearance all over the landscape makes the red rocks one of the top tourist attractions, with the ones listed below being ones you simply can’t miss if you want your visit to Sedona to be a successful one.
Bell Rock
Every postcard, every dramatic sunset scene in old Western movies always features Bell Rock in the background as it is going to be the first formation you encounter on your initial drive into Sedona. As like all the other formations, its name came about from its resemblance to a giant red bell and as you follow the road that leads you to your Mighty Tree Properties retreat, you will see a few spots where you can take a break from your driving, pull over and take the first of many exciting photographs. The Bell Rock Pathway via Bell Rock Access Trail is the simplest hiking path to take to reach this structure.
Cathedral Rock
We’re not going to insult your intelligence by continuing to explain why the formations we suggest you see are named as they are, so skipping to the fun stuff, Cathedral Rock is next on our list of shouldn’t miss formations during your first time visit to paradise. As popular as Bell Rock is, it is Cathedral Rock that has earned the distinction of being the most photographed formation in Sedona and its impressive church like spires will shine bright, especially when photographed at sunset. The Cathedral Rock trail is the best trail for hiking, but it does have an elevation gain of 741 feet, so be prepared for a climb.
Devil’s Bridge
This last formation is a trail that leads to a sandstone arch named the Devil’s Bridge, where some of the most panoramic views of red rock country can be explored. Walk across the top of the bridge and take photos that, as lovely as they will be, will never truly match the shining beauty of the area but will serve as a reminder of the mystical adventures you enjoyed during your Arizona vacation. The Devil’s Bridge Trail is an easy one, and if heights aren’t your thing, the pictures taken from beneath the red sandstone arch will be equally memorable!
Tours of Sedona
Since your Sedona journey is not an open ended one, you may have a struggle determining which sites you should explore in more depth and which ones a passing glimpse will be enough for you to say, “Been there, done that.” When faced with a conundrum of this type we suggest taking a tour of the area, one that will give you a great overall exploration, take up a few hours of a single day, and let you decide which attractions you want to examine closer. Additionally, the tours listed below are going to explore not just Sedona, but a couple of its surrounding towns, giving you a more complete picture of the entire area.
Pink Jeep Tours, 204 N State Road 89A
As you pull into town, if you can take your eyes off the red rocks long enough to look around you, the appearance of multicolored jeeps filled with happy people will suddenly become apparent. These jeeps lead tours out into red rock country, exploring the formations, the vortexes (something we will be discussing next) and the history of the area. There are many different jeep tour companies out there, but Pink Jeep Tours was the first and will always be the one that represents the unusual vibe of Sedona area. Offering a variety of tours that last anywhere from 1.5 hours to 11 hours (the longer tours might be best for a return visit), guests will come away from this adventure really feeling as if they have truly seen Sedona.
Horsin’ Around Adventures, 2650 Dancing Apache Road in Cornville
First of all, you will see this adventure doesn’t take place in Sedona but in the nearby town of Cornville, and that’s ok. This entire area deserves to be explored and a tour by horseback seems only natural while you are in what was formally the wild west! Horsin’ Around Adventures takes riders on a tour of the Verde Valley countryside, exploring the natural beauty of this area while examining its history a little closer and introducing you to the beauty of the four-legged steeds that chauffeur you along the trail.
Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N Broadway in Clarkdale
This last tour takes guests on a renovated train from days long past, riding the rails through some of the most stunning landscape in the state. The Verde Canyon Railroad, once an actual means of transportation for miners and their families, believes in the old phrase, Adapt, Migrate, or—well, you probably already know the ending to that saying! In any case, today, the Verde Canyon Railroad takes guests on tours of the countryside, while also offering themed rides during the holidays including a Chocolate Lover’s Festival in February, the Easter Bunny Express, and the Magical Christmas Journey. Also offering wine, beer, and summer starlight rides, you really would be missing something magical if you didn’t pencil a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad into your vacation schedule.
The Mystical Side of Sedona
We are a very spiritual and mystical town and can perhaps even change the way you see the world, when you visit the destinations listed below.
Energy Vortexes
An energy vortex is a place where Earth’s energy is believed to be “amplified and concentrated” and Sedona is known to have seven of these energy-filled spots, with five of the vortexes being amongst the most powerful in the world. These spots offer a spiritual connection and are often used for meditation and self-discovery, with Bell Rock (yes, that red rock formation we first talked about) offering a strong masculine energy that can enhance self-confidence and strength. Cathedral Rock is known for its female energy, bringing visitors emotional healing and enhancing their compassion. When you seek a more balanced energy, however, the Airport Mesa Vortex is thought to offer both masculine and female energy, offering clarity and a sense of centeredness as its gift to visitors.
Chapel of the Holy Cross, 780 Chapel Road
Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built into the red rocks and offering the more typical type of spirituality you expect out of life. Still active, everyone is invited to step inside and explore their own spirituality while losing their ability to speak over the views visible through a wall of windows at the back of the church. Offering a gift shop inside and a short hiking trail that also leads you to another powerful vortex, the Chapel of the Holy Cross Vortex promoting a tranquil and sacred energy that leaves visitors feeling peaceful and connected. No matter what your beliefs may be, a visit to the chapel is one that all first time visitors should experience.
Sedona Crystal Vortex, 270 N State Route 89A and Various Other Locations
Shopping for souvenirs is always a popular vacation activity, and you will experience many opportunities to do so during your Sedona visit, but this specific shop offers a metaphysical experience that fits into our topic, so we are separating it from the pack. Sedona Crystal Vortex offers wares that will help you find clarity, creativity, even success in your chosen career, simply by picking the right crystal. Offering psychic readings, either in person or virtually, and a massive selection of crystals that are raw, polished, formed, mounted, sliced, or made into trees, this special store also offers an online shop that will allow you to continue your crystal education when you return home to real life.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, 336 AZ-179
You can’t go far in Sedona without coming across a cute shop, boutique, or art gallery, and we highly recommend you visit them all, but if you don’t visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, you will be missing out on an iconic Sedona experience. This walled in community of shops, galleries, and restaurants looks as if it has been planted there for centuries, but in reality, it was built in the 1970s and has become one of the areas most beloved shopping spots. At Christmas, their Festival of Lights, created with 6000 luminarias brightens the night and a visit to their Feliz Navidad store celebrates Christmas every day of the year. The galleries located within the walls represent the best of our local artists, Sedona has always been considered an artist’s colony of sorts, and Rene at Tlaquepaque is one of our favorite fine dining experiences.
Epicurean Adventures
You can’t explore Sedona without enjoying epicurean adventures, and the restaurants of our red rock town never fail to disappoint.
The Coffeepot Restaurant, 2050 State Route 89A
Start your day with an omelette at The Coffeepot Restaurant, resting in the shadow of Coffee Pot Rock and offering a menu, that among other meal items, offers over 100 omelette options and a comfortable diner type experience.
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits, 241 N State Route 89A
Lunch at the Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits, 241 N State Route 89A, will give you an authentic Sedona experience, offering exotic and filling delights such as rattlesnake sausage and Bison Ribeye. The Cowboy Club has served the Sedona area for decades and was once a popular restaurant for the stars who were in town filming westerns during our golden age of filmmaking years.
Elote Café, 350 Jordan Road
Although Elote Café hasn’t been around anywhere near as long as Coffeepot Restaurant or Cowboy Club, it has come to represent the spirit of Sedona quite nicely in the nearly 20 years it has been in existence. Owned and operated by local celeb chef, Jeff Smedstad, the menu of his Mexican restaurant has been developed over years of travel South of the border. Offering an upscale dining experience and we can promise that every bite will bring an explosion of flavor that will haunt your dreams in the best of ways for years to come.
A First-Time Visitor Guide To Sedona Vacation Rentals
It’s the moments at home in your Sedona sanctuary that will make your Sedona journey one you will never be able to forget and will wish to revisit many times. Comfort comes first, travel can be tiring and uncomfortable, but when you sink into plush sofas, crawl between silky soft linens, or simply sit on cushioned chairs on patios that rest in the shadows of the red rocks, you will forget any aches or pains. Reserve your favorite Mighty Tree Properties Sedona sanctuary today and come home to comfort and luxury every day of your first time Arizona journey.