Sedona is most popular for healing, incredible rock formations, and its unmatched desert charm. Filled with some of the most incredible hiking trails, tasty Southwest inspired eateries and plenty of local shops, Sedona breathes life into all who pass through. This Arizona gem has been on my list for quite some time, partially thanks to my absolute favorite Houndmouth song, but primarily for the unbeatable outdoor scene.

Whether the good vibes come from Sedona’s Seven Vortexes, or simply being surrounded by unique desert land, I’m not sure if I’m the best judge of that. However, I do hope you can find some inspiration for your next trip, as Sedona is a must.

Stroll Through Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque is a shopping center designed to immerse you into a traditional Mexican village experience. While most shops and restaurants are more than modern, the design and architecture of Tlaquepaque give ample photo ops and an overall pleasant experience for a midday outing. There are plenty of shops to explore. Once we saw all we could see, we tried a coffee from The Secret Garden Café, found a little spot to sit, people watch, and take in the unique environment.

Find the Iconic Subway Cave

There’s a solid chance you have seen this iconic spot if you follow any travel accounts or have searched for things to do in Sedona, and for good reason! This fairly easy hike through Boynton Canyon is located around 15 minutes northwest of Sedona and only takes about 3 hours round trip. If you don’t stop to take in the incredible feats of nature, 1. you’re doing it wrong, 2. it might not take you that three hours.

Surprisingly the trail to get to the cave itself is not on AllTrails, but we used this very helpful blog post to find our way: How to Hike The Subway Cave in Sedona – Travel 80 by 80. Looking for the very specific aligator tree is key!

As most hikes go, get there early and be prepared with proper equipment. It may be easy, but it is still in the Arizona desert, and still a hike. Plenty of water, layers for the elements and proper shoes will make for a good day. The hike is filled with slight slopes until you reach the cave area, it is some steep-not-quite scrambling, uphill battle to the actual cave itself. We saw all ages and all experience levels enjoying the Subway Cave, so wherever you are on your journey of exploring the great outdoors, don’t miss this!

There is a $5 parking fee for the lot directly connected to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, and it fills up fast! Free roadside parking is available if you’re off to a late start.

Experience a Sedona Vortex

While on the Boynton Canyon Trail, if your legs, (and soul) are up for it, you can hike up to one of the seven Sedona Vortexes. These ‘vortices’ are said to be centers of energy that have given the area a reputation of healing, uplifting, and rejuvenating. Whatever you believe about energy spirals and enlightenment – I can attest, exploring Boynton Canyon was an experience that left goodness in the soul. There are Vortex tours and some that are easier to access, such as the Airport Mesa – but wherever you are in Sedona, you can’t miss these mystery marvels.

Indulge in Southwest Cuisine

Travel is not traveling without appreciating local flavor, and Sedona did not disappoint. While there are plenty of popular food stops, our absolute favorite was Elote Cafe. It is highly recommended to get a reservation well before your trip, and the food (and price…) is worth it! With fine southwestern inspired meals, the best elote I have found in life thus far, simply delicious margaritas, a lovely atmosphere, and shops all around, Elote Cafe is the place.

I failed to capture any pictures to do this lovely establishment justice, so you’ll have to check it out for yourself! If spicey is your game, try the guava and serrano margarita, it will not disappoint!

Hiking Haven

While we had limited time in Sedona, there is a plethora of hiking trails in and surrounding Sedona. If you live for the mountain top views, I would recommend at least 4-5 days in Sedona to fully explore the great outdoors with some proper rest time in between.

For a curious afternoon, check out the Sugarloaf Mountain and Coffeepot Rock area. Mindlessly wandering the area, I found myself summiting Sugarloaf and enjoying the views of wild terrain that stretches to what seemed to be the ends of the earth. The summit of Sugarloaf may only be a whopping 4,900 ft above sea level, but it is a good little workout and brought a good sense of accomplishment to my day.

AllTrails is locked and loaded with countless hikes in the area, the most popular being Soldier Pass, Devil’s Bridge, and Seven Sacred Pools.

Arizona is one of our favorite places and we are very much looking forward to our next stop in Sedona. Let us know your favorite spots in the comments below!

As always, safest travels, thanks for adventuring with us 🙂

M & M