You’ve heard about Sedona and really want to plan a visit. But you want a more unique Sedona experience and not just the usual you may read about on social media posts. We’ve got you covered in this article. Not only will we give you some ideas to truly offer you a unique Sedona experience but we’ll also give you recommendations for the more popular things to do.

The best of both worlds!

What To Do: Finding Your Unique Sedona Experience

View from below of Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona.

There’s SO much to see and do in and around Sedona. Hiking and biking are what brings many people to the area. But think outside the box for other experiences too.

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We like using Viator to search for unique Sedona experiences. From hour long tours to full day excursions and everything in between, you’re sure to find something that will make your experience special. And it doesn’t matter if you’re solo, coupled up, bringing your kiddos, or hanging out with a group of friends. There’s options for everyone.

  • Wine Tours
    • The Original 4 Winery Tour takes you to 4 wineries (5 if the most popular isn’t already booked for a wedding) and you don’t have to worry about finding a designated driver. You’ll get discounts at the wineries for tastings and more. You’ll also have a light lunch – your own personal charcuterie board!
    • Bliss Sedona’s Most Luxurious Wine Tour is also a great option. Again, you receive lunch and don’t have to worry about driving around yourself – just sit back and relax!
  • Vortex Tours
    • Meditate in the Sedona Vortex Energy with this private experience for just you and your group. You’ll meditate in a beautiful area outside to help you connect with the unique energy in Sedona. This is about 1.5 hours in total which leaves you plenty of time for whatever else you’d like to do during the day.
    • Looking for a more immersive experience? Then this 4 Hour Sedona Vortex Tour is for you. You’ll get outdoor meditation opportunities in 3 different locations that are customized for you and your group. There is some moderate hiking involved to reach the energetic locations.
  • Stargazing Tours
    • One of the unique Sedona experiences is having the opportunity to see UFOs! If this floats your boat, you’ll definitely want to check out the Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour. You’ll get military grade night goggles to use to really be able to see what’s out there. You will need to use your own vehicle and follow your guide.
    • See the stars with a professional astronomer on this Sedona Stargazing Tour. You’ll get to use a high powered telescope and learn some interesting facts about the solar system.
  • Sightseeing Tours
    • Seven Canyons 4×4 Tour is a smaller group tour that takes you back in time. You’ll learn about the history of the area and get to experience some pretty spectacular views.
    • Hit a trail only accessible by 4×4 when you take this Private Colorado Plateau Jeep Tour. You’ll see gorgeous views along this old stagecoach route between Flagstaff and Sedona.
    • Visit some ancient Apache Indian ruins on horseback on this Guided Horseback Tour.

What To Do: Some Less Unique Sedona Experiences That Are Worth It

Grab a Bite to Eat

Picture of street tacos served t Javelina Cantina in Sedona. In the background is a margarita and beyond that a fire glows in the fireplace.

No matter what you do, you likely want to grab a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage. There are MANY places to choose from that won’t disappoint. Try the area’s signature drink – the prickly pear margarita – at many of the great dining options in the area. Here are 3 of our favorites all located in Sedona.

  • Mariposa is a Latin inspired dining option that has incredible views. This truly is an experience you can’t miss.
  • Javelina Cantina allows you to enjoy some of the best Mexican cuisine with a beautiful view. They offer some delicious plant based meal options that won’t disappoint and have a great patio option for seating.
  • The Vault Uptown has….you guessed it….views for days. That’s a theme here, have you noticed? Anyway, this is a great option with a nice big patio so you can enjoy the red rocks while you have a delicious drink and relax after a day spent exploring the area.
View of the Sedona scenery from Mariposa Latin Grill
View from the patio at The Vault Uptown restaurnt. There is a picturesque mountain range in the background.

Go Shopping

Sedona also offers plenty of places to shop. Whether it’s for souvenir hats and clothing, jewelry, or art, you have a lot of different options. Some fun places to check out include:

  • Uptown Sedona has lots of shopping and eating opportunities. This is also a great area to explore a variety of galleries. You can easily spend a few hours walking up and down the sidewalks and ducking inside of stores or just window shopping.
  • Check out Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village if you want to feel like you’ve gone back in time. It was designed in the 1970s as an artist community and has around 40 shops of all types including galleries. Even if you don’t want to shop, this is a fun place to walk around.

Galleries and Art

A Native American woman sculpture in Sedona's shopping area. She is pointing as if to tell people to look at something in front of her.
Sculpture of a man and woman with Sedona's red rock in the background. The man is carrying a rifle pointed down and the woman is holding aloft a lantern to guide their way.

The art scene is another reason to visit Sedona. It’s listed as one of the 5 best cities in Arizona for the arts. There are countless galleries full of everything from paintings to photographs to jewelry, to sculptures, Native American kachinas, ceramics, and more. You might end up having to ship things back to your home or bring an extra bag to check at the plane. Don’t ask me how I know……

Be sure to check out the events calendar before your visit. There are many art festivals and gallery nights that allow you to view and experiences incredible pieces. The first Friday of each month offers you a chance to enjoy wine and food and even meet artists as you stroll through gallery receptions. You won’t want to miss this!

Come Visit!

Sedona landscape as seen from a hike near Bell Tower.

There is SO much to see and do when you visit Sedona. You’ll leave already planning your return trip – trust me. We recommend planning to spend 3-5 days at a time if you can. One of the cool things about Sedona is that no matter how many times you visit, you can have a different experience each time.

While this article focused more on the unique Sedona experience, our next one will get into hiking and biking opportunities. And trust me when I say, there are SO MANY to choose from. We’ll also talk about the basics, such as how to get to Sedona and places to stay. Hint – they’re not all in Sedona and that’s ok!

For a taste, click on this article where I share my experience hiking to Cathedral Rock. It was one I won’t soon forget!

So what do you plan to do on your trip to Sedona? Hit reply and let us know!