15 Unique Things To Do in Sedona AZ (2024)
Wondering what cool and unique things you can do in Sedona? You’ve come to the right place.
Sedona is a beautiful desert town that’s a mix of small town charm and surprising natural beauty. Often referred to as the “Red Rock Country”, Sedona has many amazing hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
But there’s much more to Sedona than hiking.
To help you plan an exciting trip, here’s my list of the top 15 unique things to do in Sedona.
Unique Things To Do In Sedona
1. Visit Sedona’s Energy Vortexes
One of the most unique things to do in Sedona is visiting Sedona’s energy vortexes.
If you’re unfamiliar, Sedona has sites that are thought to have increased levels of energy, entering or exiting the earth. The idea of Sedona’s energy vortexes originated in the early 1980 when the New Age psychic Page Bryant began identifying these sites throughout town.
Now, many people visit Sedona to hike, meditate, or even do yoga at these vortex sites!
Sedona’s four main vortex sites are Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.
You can hike to all of Sedona’s energy vortexes on your own, or go on a guided vortex tour to learn about their interesting history.
A few years ago, I went on an energy vortex Jeep tour because the idea piqued my interest. We were able to visit multiple energy vortex sites, learn about dowsing (how people used to use sticks to locate water underground), and all about their history.
Although there’s no science to back up energy vortexes, they’re located at spectacular vistas, so they’re worth visiting for the views alone!
If you have limited time in town, I recommend visiting Airport Mesa, the most accessible vortex. There’s a small free parking lot right by the vortex, and it’s just a short (~0.25 mile) hike up a small hill to the vortex.
Here you have an amazing panoramic view of the red mountains. Just note that it’s extremely difficult to find parking around sunset, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the day.
Directions to Sedona’s four main energy vortexes:
- Cathedral Rock: Take the free Sedona shuttle from North SR-179 Park & Ride lot (Thurs-Sun) to the trailhead. It’s a moderately challenging 1.1 mile round trip hike to the top of a mountain with gorgeous views.
- Bell Rock: Park at Courthouse Vista (best option) or Bell Rock Pathway. The trail is 0.8 miles round trip, ending midway up the mountain. But, you can continue to scramble up the mountain if you want an even better view.
- Boynton Canyon: Park at Boynton Canyon trailhead. Hike Boynton Canyon trail for around 0.5 miles, then turn right onto “Boynton Canyon Vista” and continue till the trail dead ends at the “end of trail” sign.
- Airport Mesa: Park at the small lot (10 spaces), then hike “Summit Trail” to get to the top of the small mound to the left of the parking lot. If you can’t find parking, park at Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout ($3/day), then hike Sedona View Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip) to reach the small parking lot, and continue from there.
2. Visit The Chapel of the Holy Cross
Built in the 1950’s, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic Chapel perched atop the red rock mountains.
This chapel was built by the European architect Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who felt that the area was calling for a shrine to bring God closer to everyone.
Now, the chapel is a popular tourist attraction that’s free to enter. You can get close to the chapel for scenic views, or take a golf cart up to the chapel to explore around.
The chapel also has a gift shop on the lower floor.Keep in mind that parking is limited, and there are only portapotties at the base of the hill.
780 Chapel Rd., Sedona, AZ. Take Chapel Road to the end and enter the parking area through the gate. Golf carts are available to reach the chapel. Open 9am to 5pm. Closed Christmas and Easter.
3. Visit Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is a must see place for anyone visiting Sedona. This state park is home to a natural 80 foot long water slide surrounded by red rocks in Oak Creek Canyon.
You can swim in the water slide and pools, or stop by for scenic views during the winter. The park also has an amazing gift shop that sells food, icecream, and souvenirs.
It’s a 15 minute drive from Sedona, and the waterslide closes an hour earlier than the park each day.
Arizona 86336. 7 miles North of Sedona. Park entrance fee cost $10-$30 per vehicle. View full park and facility hours. Open 8am to 6pm (Feb. 3-Dec.1), 9am to 5pm (Dec. 2-Feb. 2). Download printable park map.
Also Near Slide Rock State Park – West Fork Trail
Besides Slide Rock, you can also hike the West Fork of Oak Creek trail to cool off in the streams of Oak Creek. It’s just a 10 minute drive north of Slide Rock, and parking costs $12/day (or you can pay a $3 entry fee if you walk in).
This is a 6.5 mile round trip hike at the base of Oak Creek Canyon with 13 separate river crossings. It’s surrounded by pine trees, and the river crossings require you to get your feet wet!
For more details on this beautiful hike, check out guide to hiking the West Fork Trail!
4. Swim At Buddha Beach
Buddha Beach is a small family-friendly lake, located in the Crescent Moon Picnic Site. This is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day, and you’ll have a beautiful view of Cathedral Rock.
To get here, you’ll pay a parking fee of $12/day, and it’s just a short walk down to the water. It’s much cheaper than visiting Slide Rock State Park, and is open daily from 7am-7pm!
333 Red Rock Crossing Rd. Parking is $12/vehicle a day (up to 5 people), or $3 walk-in fee.
5. Visit Jerome’s Ghost Town
Jerome is a quirky little ghost town perched on Cleopatra Hill, just 40 minutes south of Sedona.
This town was founded in 1876 as a copper mining town, and it has a fascinating history, being rebuilt several times due to catastrophic fires and landslides.
A must-see place in Jerome is the Jerome State Historic Park. This is a historic mansion turned into a museum on the history of Jerome’s mining past, with many fascinating exhibits, and a 3D model of the town’s underground mines.
There’s a variety of quirky little shops in Jerome, and unique themed restaurants like Haunted Hamburger and the Asylum. In Jerome, you can go on a ghost tour, see the Sliding Jail, visit the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town, or go wine-tasting around town.
If you’re taking a day trip to Jerome, it’s best to arrive early, as many places close in the afternoon.
6. Hike Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular Sedona hikes, to a large 50 foot tall natural rock arch. The hike to Devil’s Bridge is relatively easy, but a little bit long, as the main trailhead is only accessible by 4×4 vehicle.
To get to Devil’s Bridge (without a 4×4), you can park at either the Mescal or Dry Creek trailhead. Parking is completely free at these trailheads! From Dry Creek, it’s a 3.9 mile round trip hike, or 4.2 miles from Mescal. I parked at the Dry Creek trailhead, and did the 3.9 mile hike, and it was a lot easier than I expected.
The first part of the hike is on a dirt road, until you reach the Devil’s Bridge trailhead, where you begin to ascend up the mountain.
This part of the hike is shaded by pine trees, and there’s only a small steep set of stairs right before you reach the natural rock arch.
Once you reach the top, the rock arch is very wide, so many people walk over it to take pictures. Just be mindful and stay far from the edges to stay safe.
If you want to avoid crowds, I recommend doing this hike on a weekday, or later in the afternoon.
7. Ride The Verde Canyon Railroad
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a family-friendly train ride in a vintage train car, with beautiful views of the Verde River, old mining sites, ancient cliff dwellings, and more.
The train depot’s located in Clarkdale, which is just 30-45 minutes north of Sedona, and the entire ride lasts 4 hours. The train ride is narrated and they provide you with champagne, appetizers, and lunch.
After the train ride, you can stop by the Copper Art Museum, and get food in Old Town Cottonwood, both are less than a 10 minute drive away.
8. Visit The Son Silver West Art Gallery
The Son Silver West Art Gallery is a souvenir shop on the side of the road that sells many unique items. They sell everything from jewelry to quirky sculptures, and kitschy artwork.
The shop also has an outdoor area with interesting displays and sculptures so it feels like you’re walking around a museum.
1476 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ. Open daily 9am to 5:30pm. Drive north on highway 179 past Chapel of the Holy Cross and it’s on the left.
9. Go Stargazing At Night
Sedona is an incredible place to go stargazing, being designated as the world’s eighth International Dark Sky Community. Since many businesses close early, there’s little to no light pollution at night.
You can see the stars from nearly everywhere in town, or go on a guided tour to spot constellations, galaxies, and more with a professional telescope.
One of the best places to go stargazing is the Boynton Canyon or Fay Canyon trailhead, just off of Dry Creek Road in West Sedona. If you plan on visiting here, just remember to download the offline maps, as there’s no service in this area.
10. Visit Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
The Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a peaceful 14 acre park sitting at the base of Thunder Mountain. The Amitabha Stupa is a consecrated buddhist shrine sitting in the middle of the park that was built by the Buddhist community as a gift to the rest of the world.
Now, many people visit the park to meditate, and it’s one of the most serene places in Sedona. If you’re looking for somewhere to relax in the quietness of nature, this is the place to go.
It’s free to enter the park, and there’s street parking available near the entrance. From the street parking, it’s just a short (less than 5 minute) hike to the park. The park has benches, flags, a medicine wheel outlined by rocks, and two buddhist stupas.
Every morning, a volunteer fills bowls of water on the altar to represent peace offerings to the Buddha.
11. Go On A Wine Tasting Tour
Sedona, and the nearby towns of Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Cornville are home to dozens of wineries and wine-tasting rooms.
If you’re a wine connoisseur, you can go on a wine tour from Sedona to visit all of the best wineries in the Verde Valley region.
12. Shop For Artwork at Kachina House
The Kachina House is a hidden gem shop in Sedona that sells Native American artwork and authentic Kachina dolls.
They sell pottery, dream catchers, and many unique souvenirs to bring home on vacation.
The owners are incredibly friendly, and won’t hesitate to teach you about the artwork, or meaning of the Kachina dolls.
13. Get a Psychic Reading
Sedona’s considered one of the most spiritual places in the United States, and it’s surrounded by a bunch of New Age gift shops and psychic centers. You can get everything from a psychic reading to a photograph of your aura!
One popular gift shop is the Mystical Bazaar, which sells everything from tarot cards to jewelry, crystals, and more.
if you’re looking for a spiritual experience while in Sedona, their shop offers psychic readings, aura readings, and healing sessions as well.
14. Shop at Tlaquepaque Art & Shopping Village
The Tlaquepaque Art & Shopping Village is an outdoor shopping mall with over 50 shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
Designed after a traditional Mexican village, it has a beautiful layout and charming ambience.
It has stores selling everything from candles to clothing, and Native American artwork. If you’re looking for a unique place to shop for gifts, this is the place to go.
336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ. Open Mon. – Thurs. (10am to 5pm), Sat. – Sun. (10am to 6pm)
15. Shop For Crystals
If you’re into crystals, gemstones, and tarot cards, head to Peace Place or Crystal Magic.
These are two popular gift shops that sell everything from crystals and gemstones, to incense, and sound bowls!
Peace Place is right across the street from the Elote Cafe in Uptown, whereas Crystal Magic is just down the street from Layla’s Bakery in West Sedona.
Summary
Whether you’re looking to visit spiritual vortexes or go stargazing at night, Sedona has many unique activities to offer.
If you plan on exploring Sedona, make sure to bring comfortable hiking shoes and layered clothing since it can be chilly at night.
For more ideas on what to do during your stay, check out our ultimate Sedona day trip itinerary.
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