7 Cool Things to Do in Sedona

Nestled in the stunning Boynton Canyon, and surrounded by green cottonwood trees and towering red-rocks, Enchantment Resort has one of the most spectacular settings in all of the Southwest. It’s also blissfully remote: getting there requires turning off Uptown Sedona’s main drag and onto a winding eight-mile road with dwindling cell phone service. The 218 rooms and suites are set inside low-slung adobe casitas and take cues from the surrounding terrain with their neutral palette, kiva fireplaces, area rugs inspired by traditional basket-weaving, and a balcony from which you might be able to glimpse deer, coyote, javelin, and cats. Your casita is steps (or a golf-cart ride) away from the resort’s legendary amenities: three pools, tennis and croquet courts, and a handful of amazing dining and drinking options, including View 180, which has an expansive outdoor terrace perfect for watching the sunset. During the day, take advantage of the comprehensive range of activities offered on-site, from organic gardening and stargazing to guided meditation and hikes through the canyons.

Pink Jeep has been providing the most epic off-road adventures in the Southwest since 1960. Going where only four-wheel drive vehicles can go, the tours take guests on thrilling rides over the red rocks and through the canyons to catch views of Submarine Rock, Airport Mesa, and Chicken Point, among others. Your helpful guide will point out landmarks along the way while teaching you about Sedona’s indigenous populations and all the plants and animals native to the area.

Chef Franck Desplechin whips up imaginative contemporary American fare with a Southwest twist at Che Ah Chi, Enchantment Resort’s premiere dining destination. Go early in the evening, and enjoy a prickly pear margarita on the terrace as you watch the sun dip behind the red-ribboned canyon, then tuck into creative dishes like coconut honey truffled shishito peppers, crispy skin Campbell River salmon with pumpkin, pecans, local squash, and a mesquite “smoked” chocolate brownie with sherry beet gel. And be sure to order a bottle or two of vino; the hotel has an award-winning wine list with more than 650 labels. (We’d recommend the chenin blanc from Arizona Stronghold.)

Tlaquepaque means “the best of everything,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this open-air complex of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Modeled after a traditional Mexican village, the vine-covered stucco buildings are dotted with tiled fountains and arched entryways and shaded under towering sycamores and Ponderosa pines. Don’t leave without picking up a souvenir — we’d recommend the Native-American art and Southwest-style jewelry.

When celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow need to escape from it all, they sign up for a three-, four-, or seven-night journey at this heavenly destination spa in Boynton Canyon. Situated at the foot of the red rocks on a so-called vortex site— a spot where the earth’s energy is said to be at its most concentrated— Mii Amo is known for promoting feelings of healing and self-awareness. It’s also super luxurious; there are only 16 rooms, and staff go out of their way to make sure your every need is taken care of. Guests can meet with spa representatives to map out personalized programs that might include pinon body scrubs, jojoba butter wraps or spiritual therapies such as tarot card readings and reiki. These services are also available to guests at Enchantment Resort.

Getting to Sedona’s energy vortexes more often than not involves a trek up some fairly rugged terrain, but the jaw-dropping scenery and New Age vibes make these sweat sesh’s more than worthwhile. For staggering views of north Sedona and the colorful mountains beyond, opt for Cathedral Rock Trail, which is less than a mile in length but climbs steeply, gaining 600 feet in elevation. Bell Rock, one of the first identifiable red rock formations you see when driving into Sedona, is another popular trek, but gets crazy crowded on the weekends.

In a place as beautiful as Sedona, it’s practically a crime to dine somewhere that doesn’t showcase the breathtaking views. That’s why Mariposa—a Latin-inspired grill with floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive outdoor deck— is one of our favorite restaurants in town. Chef Lisa Dahl’s serves up hearty fare like grilled skirt steaks, fire-roasted chickens, and lobster scampi in a contemporary space with a fun, lively feel. Don't miss the impressive selection of South American wines.