Touring Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is in the Northern part of Arizona. It is It is most famous for its red rock formation. The red sandstone glows a brilliant orange in the sunlight and forms an amazing background for many activities. Hiking will definitely put you right in the middle of all of this beauty, but almost every other activity in Sedona will give you an amazing view.

Sedona is only two hours south of the Grand Canyon and two hours north of Phoenix. If you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, you can easily plan a side trip to Sedona.

In order to be able to get the most of your Sedona experience, you may want to consider a professional tour guide. There are several; ways you can do this. There are shuttles and buses to take you around for a small fee. The drivers will point out the interesting spots and provide a running commentary, pointing out the interesting spots.You can also rent a jeep to take on your own or one with a guide, take a helicopter ride or take a guided hike to experience any of the different sights Sedona has to offer. There is even a night tour to see the stars which are abundant and startlingly clear!

Downtown Sedona is a collection of shops, restaurants and galleries, all nestled into the red rock. It is a mixture of New Age metaphysical shops, art galleries, coffee shops and more. The streets are filled with all kinds of people, including tourists and authentic cowboys. There are many photographers and artists set up on the street because no matter what direction you turn in, there is always a spectacular view! While the Southwest flavor is apparent, there is also an eclectic feel to the city. There are amazing sculptures and colors everywhere you go. They bring style to the streets, restaurants and shops! Walking down the streets of Sedona, offers you a treat for your senses: a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, the enticing aroma of homemade fudge, music being played on oversized street instruments and unique trinkets to admire!

This paragraph could easily be many pages long. Suffice it to say that Sedona has an abundance of hikes ranging from easy to difficult, short to long and scenic to....well... scenic. You can hike in several different areas including: Red Rock State Park, Devil's Bridge, The West Fork Trail and Cathedral Rock. Everywhere you go in Sedona, you will find hiking books, pictures and maps. All of the trails are rated and directions are easy to come by. Some trails may require a different vehicle as the terrain can be rough. There may be a fee in certain areas. Most trails have a registry so they can keep track of its hikers. Be sure to sign in. Remember it is very dry and warm. Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated. No matter where you hike, you will have a beautiful view. If you are not much of a hiker, there are many scenic walks, as well!

Imagine sitting amongst these beautiful red rock formations with cool breezes and flowing water. It doesn't get much better than this! Well, actually, it does! Imagine with just a slight push, you slide into the water. In fact, you can slip, slide and, essentially "cliff dive" as much as you like. As long as you remember to wear clothing that you won't mind getting saturated with red clay and shoes that will keep you from slipping too much, you can have a blast here.

If you are less adventurous and don't want to swim, it is still a beautiful park to visit and walk around. There is a Slide Rock Market on the grounds where you can buy snacks and souvenirs!

Shopping in Sedona is more like a sightseeing trip. The downtown area consists of many galleries, Native American Crafts, boutiques and one of a kind shops. If you so desire, you can have your picture taken professionally as a lasting souvenir.There is a very unique stop called Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. It is located a bit off the beaten track but on your way if you are going to Slide Rock or hiking the Devil's Bridge. It is a replica of the town of Guadalajara in Mexico.

You can also find typical fast food restaurants and grocery stores near by.

Sedona has a world wide reputation as a spiritual mecca. It is home to about 15-20 vortexes in a 5-10 mile radius. This attracts many artists, shamans and spiritual sages who come to experience this combination of beauty, power and energy. As you hike or walk through town, you will feel the energy surrounding you. There are shops filled with spiritual and Metaphysical services. When you enter, you are surrounded by beautiful colors, warm scents and inviting, knowledgeable people.