Sedona is an Arizona desert town near Flagstaff most known for its stunning red rock scenery, spiritual vortexes, and unlimited outdoor adventure opportunities.
Sedona is also a resort town, drawing more than 3 million visitors each year.
In summary – that means CROWDS.
Ready to beat the crowds and experience the most unique things Sedona has to offer?
This particular list includes unique things to do in Sedona, as well as some off-the-beaten-path experiences you won’t want to miss! (Can you say “fewer crowds”?!)
So let’s get to it.
Where to stay:
Poco Diablo Resort, Sedona
Reasons to stay at Poco Diablo Resort:
Location, location, location.
If you’re ready to stay at a place centrally located to literally everything you want to see in Sedona, look no further. This prime location will give you easy access to all the hikes, tours, crystal shops, restaurants, and more.
They have beautiful rooms with stunning views! Their onsite restaurant, TC Bar and Grill, has delicious food (I recommend their street tacos and Pesto Chicken Sandwich). They also have an onsite spa that offers massages, body treatments, facials, and hair treatments.
Check out Poco Diablo Resort’s rooms and amenities here:
Ready to get into some fun and unique things to do in Sedona?
Let’s do it.
Pet a sloth at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Meet Bart, Linnaeus’s two-toed, adorable sloth. Bart was born and raised in captivity and he loves the attention (and food!) visitors give him.
To sign up for the sloth experience, you must purchase a ticket to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park ($24), then purchase the Sloth Encounter separately ($75 for 1-3 people).
Keep in mind that there is a lot to see at the park itself! And if you’re lucky enough to see all the animals at feeding time, it’s even more fun!
Purchase tickets here:
See Sedona's live music scene
Sedona has plenty of options for great food and drinks. If you’re ready to have both of those PLUS live music – go to Vino Di Sedona.
Vino Di Sedona is Sedona’s finest wine bar, featuring the area’s best collection of fine wine & craft beer from around the world.
I highly recommend their Milano Nachos.
It’s what happens when a caprice salad and nachos have a delicious baby.
Vino Di Sedona is also a favorite spot for locals! Mix and mingle while learning more about the area from the residents!
Or, if you’re like me, you can meet some fun locals and shamelessly sing a stranger Happy Birthday when the cake comes out.
Sedona locals are rad.
For a full calendar of live music events at Vino Di Sedona, click here:
Visit the BLUE McDonald's Arches
Fun fact: there’s one place in the world where McDonald’s arches aren’t yellow.
Spoiler alert: It’s Sedona. (Surprise!)
Why are the McDonald’s arches blue?
When McDonald’s was built there in 1993, city officials claimed that the gold “M” would clash with the surrounding red rocks, so they opted for a more pleasing, soft blue. You read that right – the arches are blue because gold didn’t match the city’s red rock beauty.
For directions to the McDonald’s blue arches, click here!
Visit Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
Sedona’s Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers all over the world.
The Buddhist Amitabha Stupa is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths.
In the park, you will find two Buddhist stupas, a Native American medicine wheel, an exquisite wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, and numerous quiet spots for meditation and quiet contemplation.
The Amitabha Stupa is open every day and your visit is free of charge!
For directions to this sacred place, click here.
Visit Montezuma Castle Sedona and Well
Montezuma Castle, designated by Theodore Roosevelt, is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20-room high-rise dwelling nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of survival and prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.
This is NOT a hike. It is a paved walkway that gives you different views of Montezuma Castle and offers a family-friendly experience for all ages.
For directions to Montezuma Castle National Monument, click here.
Montezuma Well
Montezuma Well is a natural limestone sinkhole near the town of Lake Montezuma. Some 1,500,000 US gallons of water emerge each day from an underground spring. On the side of the mountain overlooking the water, you’ll see more beautiful ruins.
Montezuma Castle is a National Monument, which means it’s part of the National Park Service.
If you have a National Park’s Pass, you get free entry!
No Park Pass? No problem. A 7-day pass will cost $10 for adults, while 15 and under are free. This pass also allows entry to the Tuzigoot National Monuments.
For directions to the Montezuma Well, click here.
Visit crystal shops & have an Aura Reading
It’s no doubt that Sedona is known as one big spiritual giant. You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t stop at at least one crystal shop while you’re there.
But with so many tourist traps, what crystal shops are actually the best?
Crystal Magic and Mystical Bazaar
Both of these shops are awesome. They are also located in the same area, so you don’t have to choose between them!
Not only will you find crystals and stones of all kinds, but both shops offer psychic readings, aura readings, and more.
I did an aura reading at Mystical Bazaar. They take photos around your face and full body, then provide you with a twenty-three-page report (available in sixteen languages) with a detailed analysis of your aura – from its colors and balance to its size and shapes.
Ready to have more Arizona adventures?
2 Responses
I’m really excited to check out The castle and we’ll. Lots of unique places.
Yay! That’s awesome!