Flying into the Phoenix International Airport (PHX) is the easiest and cheapest option. The drive from the airport to the Sedona area is around two hours. Once you exit the highway for the last 15 miles, the scenic drive will give you the immediate Sedona, western feel.

We booked a rental car in order to have our own access to restaurants and trailheads as we wished. In choosing the car type, we opted for an SUV anticipating snow and driving through mountainous terrain. On a couple of occasions, roads to trailheads were not paved and we were thankful for the larger vehicle.

Accommodations Sedona and the nearby town of Oak Creek are both great locations for accommodations. Airbnb’s are a popular option, especially for larger groups. However, we decided to stay at the Hilton at Bell Rock Sedona, a four-star resort with incredible amenities and an even better location.

The Hilton double queen room had a small kitchen table and living space with a fireplace. The couch also had a comfortable pullout bed. The hotel had a nice bar and restaurant with igloos available for reservation outside. Live music entertainment was every night around the fire pits, with smores packs available for purchase to make it kid friendly. We enjoyed craft cocktails, as well as delicious appetizers such as a burrata.

The location was in Oak Creek, only a few minutes from Bell Rock, and a short drive to the town center of Sedona. Within the small community of Oak Creek, there were a few small restaurants and pubs within walking distance of the hotel.

There are so many gorgeous trails to choose from in Sedona. According to your individual wants and abilities, there is something for everyone. We decided to do two days of hiking wedged between a couple of days of other activities.

Devil’s Bridge First, we decided to do the Devil’s Bridge Trail, which is one of the most popular in Sedona. Parking is one of the biggest obstacles at all of the trailheads, and most hikers were parked along the highway near the road to the trailhead. The hike has a few different trails to choose from depending on your individual level and how much time you have. The trails are generally crowded, especially as you get close to Devil’s Bridge.

The views are absolutely stunning as you climb up towards Devil’s Bridge. At some points, you have to climb up rocks slowly. However, we never felt unsafe and there were always people helping each other up and down. A lot of hikers bring their dogs up the trail as well.

As you reach Devil’s Bridge, there will be a line in order to take an iconic picture on top of the bridge itself. At first glance, the bridge looks so narrow, you will be afraid to fall off of either side. Walk carefully and be sure not to jump onto rocks and cliffs that are off of the marked trail. The cliff overlooking Devil’s Bridge is the perfect spot to take a break before you make the hike back down. Be prepared for a dusty hike, as the road you walk along is mostly sand and can be very dusty if it is a windy day.

Jordan’s Trail to Soldier’s Pass On our second day of hiking, we decided to hike Cathedral Rock; however, the line for parking was so long we feared we would lose half of a day. If you want to make that hike, we suggest getting to the trailhead early in the morning. Instead, we decided to check off a different hike – Soldier’s Pass.

Parking at the Soldier’s Pass trailhead was also difficult, but we heard about another access point via Jordan’s Trail. We decided to hike Jordan’s Trail to the Devil’s Kitchen Sink Hole, as well as the Seven Sacred Pools, then take the loop back via Brin’s Mesa. The hike was around a 7.5-mile loop at the end, with stunning views taking hikers through multiple landscapes. As we ascended towards Brin’s Mesa, it began to snow adding more excitement to the trail.

As far as tours and excursions, you will see Pink Jeep Tours all over Sedona. You can choose multiple Pink Jeep excursions depending on your preferences and what you would like to see.

The tour is an absolute blast, taking you along trails that you would not be able to access on your own. The guides are so much fun with a lot of information to offer around geology, history, and the local flora and fauna. They are also pros at photo ops and getting that perfect shot for your group to remember your trip by.

We had a tour that ended with a stunning sunset. Be sure and pack warm clothes and consider bringing a blanket, as the ride back will be very cold. If you experience motion sickness, consider taking medicine with you or opting out of this tour – it gets bumpy!

Wineries On one day of our trip we decided to have a relaxing day touring the different wineries in the nearby town of Cottonwood. We arrived before lunchtime, and the town was very quiet. There are multiple wineries and restaurants along the main street, which is very walkable.

Our first stop for a tasting was at the Burning Tree Cellars Tasting Room. Their wines were very nice, with an excellent atmosphere to hang out with a view of the street. With both cozy indoor and outdoor seating, this tasting room is a great stop to hang out for a few hours.

For the rest of the day, we decided to venture about 15 minutes away from Cottonwood to the Alcantara Vineyard. This family-owned vineyard has gorgeous views with a winding drive down to the tasting room. We sampled cheeses and wines, at a very reasonable price. They also offer complimentary tours of the vineyard for guests.

Restaurants If you are looking for an upscale dining experience, nothing can beat Mariposa. Make sure and arrange reservations well in advance, as they fill up very quickly. They serve everything from empanadas, to steaks with homemade chimichurri, chorizo, fresh fish, and much more. Everything from the craft cocktails to the steaks to the sides were all delectable. It is a meal that our group will be remembering for a long time.

As far as something more local and off the beaten path, we were recommended Tortas de Fuego by a guide and it did not disappoint. This local Mexican restaurant is a come as you are joint, attached to a car garage with a line out the door waiting for takeout. There is also dine-in service. Everything we ordered was homemade and fresh, the perfect hearty, casual meal after a long day of hiking.

Want to stay state-side and explore the West this year? Contact us to begin crafting your one-of-a-kind journey!