How to Spend 5 Days in Red Rock Country

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a relaxing escape from everyday life, or a powerful spiritual journey, Sedona never disappoints.

This vibrant art community is nestled amid stunning fiery red rock and sandstone formations in Northern Arizona with panoramic breathtaking views. Here you will find a dramatic desert landscape that is still somehow lush and green full of endless vistas, towering rocks and sandstone buttes that contrast in shades of crimson against a backdrop of deep blue sky.

Whether it’s the natural beauty that surrounds you everywhere you look or the converging powerful energy of its vortexes, you cannot dispute that Sedona is absolutely magical.

HERE IS THE PERFECT WAY TO SPEND 5 DAYS IN THIS QUINTESSENTIAL SOUTHWEST OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND.

**WHERE TO STAY –** **The Arabella Sedona Resort**

725 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336; (928) 282-7151

The Arabella Sedona provides a casual, laid-back vibe with extremely reasonable rates. Yet, it’s rich in amenities, activities and a wealth of stunning views making it the perfect home base for experiencing Sedona.

The Arabella is walking distance to everywhere you want to be in a location that can’t be beat – far enough away from the crowds to provide a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere yet minutes from Sedona’s vibrant downtown.

You can walk or take one of its complimentary cruiser bikes to some of the best shopping and restaurants around including the historic Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and Hillside Galleries. It is also close to where you can catch the free Sedona Shuttle - an easy and eco-friendly way to explore Sedona’s most popular hikes and vortexes with stops at all major trailheads.

When you check in, you will be provided with an Arabella Adventures Schedule or you can download the app, both of which will give you a list of daily activities for the week of your visit so you can plan accordingly.

Activities typically include scavenger hunts, game nights, walk & talks, bingo, morning meditation, movie nights, live music, stargazing, tarot card or psychic readings, and more. A few activities have a nominal fee but most are complimentary.

DAY 1 - SATURDAY

Check-in - Get settled in your accommodations at Arabella Sedona. Standard check-in time is at 4 pm.

**Arabella Activities** – Check the daily list of Arabella activities on the day of your arrival as there may be something fun you want to try before sunset and/or dinner. Activities change daily and there is likely to be afternoon psychic readings, tarot card readings, scavenger hunts, walk & talks, or art projects like tie-dye.

You can also relax around the pool or take a stroll around the property to get your bearings.

**Catch the Sunset at Arabella** – Hike a short distance up to Sunset Vista Overlook located at the Arabella for stunning panoramic views of the sunset. This scenic overlook includes comfortable Adirondack chairs and a gas fire pit.

**Dinner at Javelina Cantina** – As you will likely be tired from traveling, I suggest reserving a table at Javelina Cantina on your first night in town. It is located just a block away from Arabella so it’s walking distance, and they have incredible Mexican food as well as some of the best margaritas in town.

Javelina’s is located at 671 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336. Make a reservation.

**Relax After Dinner**– After dinner, head back to the Arabella. There is always something fun going on including game nights, movies with popcorn or live music. You can also relax around one of the outdoor gas fire pits near the pool area or take a relaxing dip in the heated Jacuzzi. Nighttime at Arabella is always magical.

**DAY 2 - SUNDAY**

**Morning Meditation or Sunrise Hike** – Start your day off with a morning meditation at the Arabella (typically offered on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) or an on-site sunrise hike.

Toward the back northeast corner of the property, you will find the trailhead to Marg’s Draw Trail. This is a moderate hike that starts off with a short incline then tapers off to flat terrain for the most part. The winding trail takes you past stunning views that are absolutely amazing in the early morning light.

After about a mile, you will reach a point where you can continue left on a partially shaded trail or to the right which leads to a local favorite – Snoopy Rock. Either direction is an out-and-back hike and you will typically want to set aside about 90-minutes total.

Note that you will sometimes see coyotes or Javelina near the trailhead which are fun to watch from a safe distance. In fact, during my last visit in September, I saw a small herd of Javelina with their little babies.

**Breakfast** **at Coffee Pot**– The Arabella provides a great complimentary breakfast with a lot of variety, but I enjoy heading to the Coffee Pot on my first day in town. Coffee Pot is a local favorite that’s been around since the 1950s. Its name was derived from the nearby Coffee Pot Rock that looms in the background. However, it is perhaps most famous for its omelets serving 101 different omelet choices. It gets quite busy and they don’t take reservations but it’s worth the wait if you are seeking traditional, comfort food for breakfast.

The Coffee Pot is located at 2050 W State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336.

**Crescent Moon Ranch or Red Rock State Park** – After breakfast at the Coffee Pot, continue down Hwy. 89A to **Crescent Moon Ranch**. Here you will find a peaceful, scenic park with 1.5 miles of paved trails that wind through it past historic buildings and incredible views of Oak Creek.

A favorite thing to do here is to hike down to the creek for a dip in the water on warm days where the views of Cathedral Rock are absolutely gorgeous. At the right time of day, Crescent Moon Ranch becomes a photographer’s dream as the rocks light up in fiery shades of red reflecting off the water.

Crescent Moon Ranch is located at 300 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. It’s typically open daily from 7 am - 8 pm. The park fills up fast so early arrival is suggested. Pets are allowed and there is an entrance fee (currently $12).

Crescent Moon Ranch often fills up early during certain times of the year. If this is the case during your visit, do not fret. Simply continue down the highway until you reach Red Rock State Park, another beautiful spot to explore with beautiful panoramic views including the infamous Cathedral Rock in the distance.

**Red Rock State Park** is a 286 acre nature preserve with a 5 mile, easy to hike, trail system that has interconnecting loops that take you to beautiful vistas, through lush greenery and down to the crystal clear waters of Oak Creek. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed, but there is a Visitor Center and gift shop that are fun to explore. Plus, the park offers a variety programs and events including daily guided nature hikes, guided bird walks, and moonlight hikes.

Red Rock State Park is located at 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. It’s typically open daily from 8 am - 5 pm. The Visitor Center usually opens at 9 am. The entrance fee is currently $7 per adult, $4 per youth (ages 7-13) and free for children 6 and under.

**Optional Hike** - Unlike Crescent Moon Ranch, if you decide to visit Red Rock State Park, you will probably only want to spend an hour or two there, not the majority of the day. In that case, I would suggest combining your day with a hike such as Devil’s Bridge Trail which leads to a famous Instagram spot pictured here. Because of the stunning views, this is one of Sedona’s most popular hikes and often has heavy foot traffic.

This hike is about 3-5 miles depending where you start. The majority of the hike is easy but the last bit to get to the natural bridge is steep and requires a bit of rock scrambling. Learn more.

Other great hikes include the Birthing Cave Trail (pictured here), Boynton Canyon Trail, Cathedral Rock Trail, or Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass.

Anywhere you hike in Sedona is beautiful. The views never disappoint.

**Dinner at Stagecoach** - For dinner on your second night, I highly recommend Stagecoach Country Roadhouse.

Stagecoach is the creation of Wild Thyme Group, a dynamic culinary company that has several incredible restaurants in town - each offering a completely unique dining experience. Every one of their diverse restaurants redefines modern cuisine by adding a contemporary flare to chef curated menus, serving artisanal handcrafted cocktails and hand picking staff who are always friendly and welcoming.

Stagecoach is a western theme restaurant with a relaxed, rustic vibe. It is decorated with horse themed art, old leather saddles, and a giant American flag constructed from vintage red, white and blue beer cans. There is even a mechanical bull in the dining area and an old wooden spoke wheel hanging above the bar providing a lively, fun atmosphere that comes to life with the sounds of vibrant country music on stage most nights.

Even better, the food is phenomenal. Stagecoach offers hand-cut steaks, authentic BBQ, and mouth-watering burgers as well as artfully crafted appetizers and cocktails. I recommend trying the margarita fleet which blends this tequila classic with creative twists and flavors.

Stagecoach Country Roadhouse is located at 1405 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ. It is a very short drive from the Arabella.

**After Dinner Stargazing** – Sedona is internationally recognized as a dark sky community which means the stargazing here is phenomenal. Your second night at the Arabella will likely be a Sunday, so head back after dinner for on-site, complimentary stargazing with a professional astronomer. You will be able to see the moon, the planets, nebulas and galaxies through high powered telescopes while learning about our galaxy.

Another option is to book a stargazing tour with a local company such as Night Owl Tours which offers small group forest stargazing from spring to early fall, and private tours.

Before heading to bed, you may also want to spend some time unwinding and relaxing around one of the outdoor fire pits at the Arabella. The Arabella offers s’more kits or you can purchase beer and wine at the sundry shop inside the lobby if you care for an after dinner drink by the fire.

DAY 3 - MONDAY

**Morning Meditation or Sunrise Hike** – Even if you did a morning meditation at the Arabella or completed a sunrise hike on Day 2, this is still my favorite way to start off your next morning.

You can also just walk up to Sunset Vista Overlook at the Arabella with your morning coffee (there is a Keurig in your room) where the sunrise can be just as dramatic as the sunsets.

**Breakfast at Secret Garden** – Complimentary breakfast at Arabella is always a great option, but I recommend trying The Secret Garden Cafe at Tlaquepaque located at 336 AZ-179 f101, Sedona, AZ 86336.

I actually met a couple of woman from Canada on my last trip to Sedona who had eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner here all on the same day! It’s that good.

**Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village -**

After breakfast, spend time wandering around the cobblestone streets of the adjacent Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

Tlaquepaque is a beautiful open air shopping area full of art galleries, unique shops and quaint little stores that you can stroll through as well as a chapel and some great coffee shops, restaurants, and bars.

The area mimics a traditional Spanish-style village with a Mediterranean flare that makes you feel as if you have been transported to Mexico.
Nestled between the shade of the sycamores, the shops and stores have actually been built around its natural lush landscape preserving its timeless beauty and creating what feels like an artist colony rather than a shopping area.

It is my understanding that the area used to be an apple orchard and when it was sold to create the outdoor shopping area it is today, the prior owners sold the property with a contingency that the old sycamores are never to be disturbed hence them sprouting up all over the grounds.

Tlaquepaque is filled with spectacular art expressions in every medium including decorative arts, handcrafted jewelry, Southwestern paintings, unique bronze sculptures, colorful ceramics and pottery, weaving and fine art photography.

You can even purchase a love lock at the Red Rock Candle & Gift Shop in the Plaza De La Fuente at Tlaquepaque and lock your heart away in Sedona.

Tlaquepaque is definitely worth spending some time exploring.

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is located at 336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336. Most shops here open daily at 10 am.

**Page Springs Cellars Wine Tour** – After wandering around the village for a few hours, spend the afternoon at Page Springs Cellars for an afternoon wine tasting, wine tour and food.

Page Springs Cellars lies along the banks of Oak Creek in nearby Cornville, Arizona, conveniently located just a few miles from Sedona.

I suggest starting off your visit to Page Springs Cellars by visiting the Tasting Room and Bistro. Here you will find expert staff that will pour and educate you on the local wines.

Start off by choosing a flight which will allow you to experience a variety of the wines offered by Page Springs. Each flight provides 5 tastes or you can order the Reserve Flight which includes three specially-selected limited edition wines.

The Bistro offers a variety of tapas, cheese boards and a charcuterie board to pair with the wine.

They also offer incredible wood fired pizzas in unique flavors. My favorite is the Fig & Prosciutto pizza which provides a sweet unexpected flavor with a creative twist combining fig preserves, prosciutto, goat cheese, walnut and white truffle oil.

Additionally, Page Springs offers picnic lunches that can be enjoyed out near the vineyards. There is a viewing deck overlooking endless rows of grapes and a great shaded spot overlooking the creek where you can enjoy the soothing sounds of the rushing water below.

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After lunch, be sure to take a behind the scenes, insider tour of the winery and vineyard, You will learn about Page Springs Cellars’ history, culture and winemaking from grape to bottle, and enjoy a tasting siphoned right out of the barrel!

Additional tours include the Estate Winery Tour, Harvest Estate Winery Tour, House Mountain Vineyard Tour, and private tours.

Page Springs Cellars is located at 1500 N. Page Springs Road, Cornville, AZ 86325, just outside Sedona. They are open 365 days a year. Children 12 and under are not allowed on tours due to the nature of the tours.

Book a tour.

**Sunset at Airport Mesa Vortex** - No trip to Sedona would be complete without experiencing one of its seven main vortexes, a place where powerful energy is believed to pool more than other locations drawing people to it for healing, meditation, self reflection and spiritual growth.

After visiting the winery, catch the sunset at the Airport Mesa Vortex. You can watch the sky unfold right by the Airport Road parking area or you can make the 3.3 mile round trip hike to the vortex itself. The hike is easy to moderate.

The Airport Mesa Vortex is known for its harmonizing energy where both feminine and masculine energies are balanced. It is believed that its positive energy can help you gain a higher spiritual perspective and become connected with your true self. It is the vortex to seek out if you are looking for a change in life.

Airport Mesa is located at 483 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. Note that this area can become quite crowded around sunset with limited parking. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, another great spot to view the sunset is from Cultural Park.

**Dinner at Spoke & Wheel** - For dinner on the third night, I like to do something a little more causal and laid back. I highly recommend grabbing a pizza or a burger at Spoke & Wheel Tavern, another incredible restaurant by Wild Thyme Group located at the Tlaquepaque Village.

Spoke & Wheel serves comforting American classics as well as some of the best cocktails and desserts in town. There are numerous TVs set up in both the bar and seating areas so you can catch a game while you enjoy some delicious wings and a cold beer.

In addition to a full bar with big screens, they have a pool table, grand piano and fireplace making it a great spot to unwind at the end of the day.

Spoke & Wheel Tavern is located at 160 Portal Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336 at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. Even though I have not had the opportunity to explore it, they apparently also serve food and drinks from April to August at a poolside bar at the resort that looks and sounds incredible.

If you are looking for something a little different than bar food, visit Spoke & Wheel’s sister restaurant located directly adjacent to it - Wild Thyme Group’s Timo Cucina.

Timo Cucina serves authentic Italian food in a beautiful, intimate setting reminiscent of a genuine Italian trattoria. The menu includes classic pasta dishes, wood fired pizzas, soup and salads. Everything is made fresh using vibrant, locally sourced ingredients and their hand crafted cocktails are amazing.

Timo Cucina is located at 160 Portal Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336. Reservations can be made directly on the website.

DAY 4 - TUESDAY

Breakfast at Arabella – Since today includes an early morning e-bike tour, I suggest grabbing a light, complimentary breakfast at the Arabella. Breakfasts here typically include coffee, juice, eggs, bacon, sausage, cereals, muffins, pastries, toast and bagels, fresh fruit, and more. Gluten free and vegan options are available.