Sedona is a creative playground for the senses. Artists, adventurers, culinary aficionados, wellness-seekers, and vacationers come here to engage with the vortex energy and natural environment. The visual drama of the red rocks; the sound of silence in the canyons; the scent of the desert after a refreshing rain; the first sip of an award-winning Verde Valley wine – these are just a handful of examples of an individual’s sensory experience of Sedona.

With hundreds of things to do and see, your Sedona experience should be entirely unique. From art galleries, energy vortexes and spiritual retreats to hiking and mountain biking trails, restaurants, and festivals, practically every activity brings you closer to nature, immersing you into the vibrant landscape. Blue skies are the norm here, and a mild, four-season climate enables outdoor activities practically year-round.

Ambiente, a landscape hotel, is the ideal base for an unforgettable Sedona adventure. Surrounded by the Coconino Forest, Ambiente is a microcosm of what Sedona is all about: stunning red rock views, art, healing treatments, inspired cuisine, and stargazing. Ambiente also offers exclusive activities that showcase the best of the area, including Jeep tours, horseback riding, and wine tasting. Guests can easily access a hiking trail from the hotel’s own backyard, and a major vortex lies just across the road.

Check out our Sedona travel guide below for more attractions, activities, and dining options you won’t want to miss.

Attractions

Red Rock vistas: Scan the horizon and see if you can pick out geological formations by their descriptive names like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Steamship, Coffee Pot, Courthouse Butte, and Snoopy. Kick back and relax while watching how the red rocks shift colors in the changing light. 

Chapel of the Holy Cross: Commissioned by a local rancher and sculptor, this chapel has a dramatic design built into the red rocks. Visitors are drawn to its peaceful ambiance and splendid views.

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village: A collection of art galleries, shops and restaurants are contained within a series of charming stone courtyards with bubbling fountains and shaded plazas. The picturesque architecture was inspired by a traditional Mexican village.

Sedona Arts Center: Discover and purchase artwork, including paintings, fiber art, and photography by local artists. This local community hub also stages ongoing special exhibits, workshops and art classes.

Oak Creek Canyon: A popular drive that winds through a scenic canyon shaded by oak trees, offering brilliant color in the fall. Hiking trails, fishing, swimming, and picnicking spots are scattered throughout the canyon.

Slide Rock State Park: This is a very popular spot in the summer for cooling off in the cold waters of Oak Creek. Slip and slide down a natural, 80-foot-long water slide of smooth, slippery rocks. Be sure to wear water shoes for this cold-water adventure.

Activities

Jeep Tours: Go deeper into Sedona’s rugged, red-rock terrain with thrilling, off-road Jeep tours led by guides who explain the area’s geology, culture and history.

Hot Air Balloon Rides Take off gently at sunrise and float silently on the wind in a hot air balloon over Sedona. You’ll see the red rock formations, canyons and wildlife from a different perspective. 

Vortex Energy  Sedona’s vortexes are said to be centers of energy. Join a guided vortex tour to learn more about the specific energies of each and how to interact with them. Don’t be surprised to find people doing yoga, sound bathing or meditation around the sites. The four major vortexes are Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Bell Rock. 

Red Rock Trails: Explore hundreds of trails made for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding.  Each offers varied terrain, from easy to challenging, and each will have gorgeous views.

Wine Tasting: Taste local Arizona wines along the Verde Valley Wine Trail, just a short drive from Sedona. Several award-winning wineries have tasting rooms where you can sip local varietals, view the vineyards, and purchase a bottle of your favorite wine to take home. 

Wellness & Spirituality: Healers are drawn to Sedona’s unique energy, and there’s no better place to explore the mind-spirit-body connection. You’ll find skilled practitioners in massage, acupuncture, reiki, cranial sacral, Qigong, yoga, and meditation, as well as psychics, aura readings, and crystal shops.

Festivals: Sedona has many festivals throughout the year focused on music, art, wine, and film. Check with the Sedona Tourism Bureau for what’s happening: https://visitsedona.com/events-calendar/

Stargazing: Thanks to minimal light pollution and its designation as a Dark Sky Community, Sedona is one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing. At Ambiente, guests climb up to their atrium rooftop for uninterrupted views of the galaxy.

Dining

Restaurant Forty1: The fine dining restaurant at Ambiente presents seasonal menus showcasing  ingredients from the Verde Valley. The incomparable Copper State Ranch filet is ranch-raised beef from a fifth-generation Arizona rancher. Lighter options include blue crab ramen with black truffle and pea shoots; and a refreshing watermelon and peach salad with micro cilantro.

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill:  Next door to Ambiente, this upscale restaurant with a view offers Latin-inspired dishes like empanadas, Peruvian ceviche, and filet mignon with gorgonzola chipotle sauce. Chef Lisa Dahl has several other restaurants in Sedona including Pisa Lisa, a casual spot for wood-fired pies.

Elote Café: There’s usually a long line to get into this first-come-first-serve restaurant that serves Southwest and Mexican cuisine created by chef/owner Jeff Smedstad. Try the namesake appetizer, elote; smoked pork cheeks with cascabel chile sauce; and a tequila cocktail. Save room for the Mexican chocolate pie.

Cress on Oak Creek: This fine dining experience offers a romantic setting with tables draped in white linen alongside babbling Oak Creek. The Southern European-influenced menu uses local ingredients in refined fare like roasted quail with brioche and grape stuffing. Enjoy a specialty cocktail in Cress Bar, voted #3 Best Hotel Bar by Food & Wine readers.

Che Ah Chi: Located inside Enchantment Resort, the dining room has spectacular views of Boynton Canyon. Modern American cuisine highlights ingredients from Arizona ranchers and farmers, like venison molé or garam masala-crusted lamb loin. Pair these with a wine from the Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. 

Tamaliza Cafe: This is where to find the best tamales, made with organic masa. Choose from vegetarian, vegan, beef, chicken, and pork options. An excellent choice is the Tamale Supreme, an unwrapped tamale with black beans, spinach, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, radish relish and salsa. 

With unique energy, incredible natural beauty, and great restaurants, Sedona offers a plethora of sensory-rich activities for every traveler. Book a stay at Ambiente, create your own Sedona Arizona travel guide, and revitalize your senses in this enchanting landscape.