It has been a month since I got back from an amazing trip to Sedona. You guys know I travel a lot, but Sedona is some place special that I would recommend to anyone. Whether it be for a weekend or more days, the energy, peaceful and beautiful surroundings take you away from the bustling day-to-day life. I went to Scottsdale first and drove with a dear friend to Sedona (2-hour drive). If you missed my Scottsdale blog post, check it out here. The two choices you have to get to Sedona is to fly into Phoenix and drive the 2 hours or fly into Flagstaff Pulliam (19 miles from Sedona). The drive is incredible coming in as you start seeing the landscape and it’s just stunning. The photos just don’t do it justice!
The entire trip was one of my favorites. I actually took time off, did a few hikes, and relaxed. My friend Jim that took us around also took us to a ghosttown! Read more for where.
I’m not a huge outdoor person but this trip is a must-do and see. I want to go back and do more as I didn’t get to hike some of the famous trails, but read on for more!!
WHERE TO STAY:
Enchantment Resort: Set in the dramatic red rocks of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon, the resort is breathtaking with its views and surroundings. There is no bad view, from where you dine, to the pool, to our room, the red rocks are nestled all around the resort.
There are 218 casitas (as pictured above) and all offer a private patio or deck. We had a lovely 1 bedroom suite and ate breakfast and had drinks on our patio with a view.
The hotel offers a pool, tennis courts, pickleball, golf, hikes, spa, and 70 acres of natural terrain. Plenty of activities to do.
Enchantment is special and really the only resort you can stay in right in the Sedona Red Rocks. The other resorts are still a drive and don’t have private access to hikes. When driving here we saw the long lines of hikers/cars as the area has gotten so popular. We didn’t feel the crowds at all and experienced a very relaxed environment.
WHERE TO EAT:
Lunch was at Tii Gavo at the resort and exactly what we needed as we had driven from Scottsdale to Sedona that day. My salad was fresh and delightful. I love the menu as it does elevated Southwestern food.
We did room service a few times as honestly when you go to this kind of resort you don’t want to leave. Service was impeccable and it came quickly.
Also, dine at Che Ah Chi. If you didn’t need to leave, there really is no reason to dine anywhere else as the resort has the best views and the patio dining is incredible.
The Hudson was highly recommended by my friend Jim who works with Enchantment resort. I hope to go back next time!
The Vault Uptown as our dinner spot after a day at the wineries (see below for what to do). Yummy New American food with a view on the patio.
WHAT TO DO:
Hikes:
Private hikes: the resort provided us private hikes that were only available to guest at the hotels. We did the Sunset Hike in the Red Rocks and it was gorgeous seeing the sunset along the trail and rocks.
Pink Jeep Tours: I would love to do this next time as I heard so much about it! The Broken Arrow tour is something I would love to do.
Cathedral Rock: Cathedral Rock is home to one of Sedona’s famous vortexes and located halfway down Back O Beyond Road, off Highway 179, between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.
Devil’s Bridge: 4.2 miles out and back; this is one of the most popular hikes. I heard it is fairly easy a 2-3 hour hike and epic views.
View from our private hike
View only steps away from the hotel walking to the hike
Wineries:
Jim took us to 3 wineries and wow, we had so much fun. We hired a driver for the day and enjoyed ourselves at these 3.
D.A Ranch Estate Vineyards – I LOVED this place – it was huge, a gorgeous farmhouse setting with wine tastings, lake, goats to feed and a fun swing as you can below in the photos.
Page Springs Vineyards – our second spot where we bought a bottle of wine and sat on the back patio and enjoyed the views of the creek it was up against.
Javelina Leap Estate Vineyards was a quick stop after and we had a glass of red. A family-run winery, there is an extensive wine tasting bar and they have food as well.
This was such a fun day and highly recommend it if you can fit it in.
If you have an extra day and a car – head to Jerome, once known as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome was a copper mining camp, growing from a settlement of tents into a mining community. A ghost town with a history, I loved hearing about its past and it is set upon a hill facing the rocks of Sedona. The town is known for having ghosts and even a place where you can stay which is haunted! We had lunch here but would have stayed longer if I could! No sleeping with ghosts for me, I would be too scared to do this.
If you have two full days in Sedona, try to squeeze in hikes and a day of wineries. The best is having 3 days and 2 nights as you’ll get a day to relax. I’ve been on many trips all over the US. Sedona is unique and very special to me. We combined fun with relaxation and it was the perfect weekend trip. I can’t thank Enchantment Resort or my friend Jim enough for their hospitality.
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Loved this post? Don’t miss my Scottsdale guide below!
