Sedona is one of the most magical landscapes in the southwest. You will find people who flock all over the world to Sedona. Discover the spiritual energy of the vortexes, hike among the red rocks, find healing stones to bring, and relax in luxury hotels in the weekend guide to Sedona, Arizona.

Living in Durango, Colorado provides the opportunity to drive just a short 7 hours to this magical place. I’ll be sharing fun hikes, my favorite vortexes, cool hotels, good eats, what to pack and more!

The Sedona Vortexes

If your looking for a truly spiritual experience, hiking the vortexes will give you just that. A vortex is a supposedly a swirling center of energy that promotes healing, meditation, and self-exploration. You find them out on the red rock formations. Most often they are usually a short hike in. The many times I have visited Sedona, I visited different vortexes. While sitting down on one and meditating, I definitely felt the magical energy. If you are a spiritual person like me who thrives on activities that incorporate wellness & spirituality, this is the true experience to discover in Sedona.

Most Popular Vortex Sights

• Airport Mesa (easy hike!)
• Cathedral Rock at Red Rock Crossing
• Bell Rock
• Boynton Canyon trail

The truth is people all over the world plan a trip to Sedona, Arizona just to sit in a vortex to soak up healing energy. You can book a tour, but it is simple to go by yourself as this offers a more personal experience in my opinion. So get out there and soak in those mind-blowing red rock views and discover your inner peace! 

When traveling to Sedona, it is well worth your time to spend at least 2-3 days there. This gives you much more time to explore, relax and truly take in the magical area. Depending on where you are traveling from, you’ll need a car for your trip as this is a smaller town located 2 hours north of the Phoenix area. Uber is not a great option. Some people prefer to spend a couple of days in Scottsdale before heading to Sedona. Old Town is a great area to explore with many great restaurants, galleries, and shopping. See our Weekend Guide to Scottsdale for more on that area.

We highly recommend trying to get to Sedona on a Friday no later than 4 pm. This will give you the opportunity to check into your hotel or BnB, take a short hike and watch the amazing sunsets and grab a super yummy dinner and drinks before turning in to get ready for an action-packed second day.

Luxury & Unique Stays of Sedona

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel or BnB. We prefer to provide the most luxurious and out-of-the-ordinary stays making your experiences truly one of a kind.

Enchantment Resort

If you are looking for a resort, we suggest the Enchantment Resort which offers views of some of the most dramatic red rocks of Sedona setting the tone for an unforgettable experience. This is a place to enrich the mind, body, and spirit. This resort provides a deep connection with nature, adventures, and solitude. As a Fora Travel Advisor, I can offer an endless number of curated experiences.

Mii amo – A Destination Spa

Let nature nurture your soul at Mii Amo, which has been named the number one destination spa in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure. Here you are surrounded by stunning red rocks of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon (where you can find a vortex hike), This all-inclusive stay offers an intimate collection of casitas that provide privacy and serenity. Discover soothing body treatments, Native American-inspired therapies, and culinary experiences that quiet your world and let you focus on your well-being.

After settling in, head to downtown Sedona to stroll along the main street where you can check out all the stores and crafts village! Here you will find tons of crystals and gemstones. This is the best town to find turquoise and other amazing stones. While most visitors to Sedona head to Uptown, Tlaquepaque offers a calmer atmosphere, and an abundance of beautiful structures & shops. This is by far one of my favorite areas around Sedona to shop and look around when not at the spa, pool, or hiking.

Day 1

If you want to take a load off your feet and still discover the surrounding beauty, you should take one of the famous Jeep Tours! But first, breakfast. I prefer to start my morning with a healthy juice or superfoods meal when heading out on adventures.

The jeep tours offer an abundance of exploration from Sedona jeep tours to a Grand Canyon visit to a 2-hour drive around backcountry canyons and everything in between. This is a great way to see more in a quick timeframe.

Some of the jeep tours include lunch, but If you didn’t eat yet, head to Picazzos to grab some healthy, yummy pizza and Italian food. After a busy morning, it’s time to slow down for the afternoon. Lounge by the pool or hit up a spa for a relaxing massage treatment.

If you are more of an explorer type person, here are optional alternatives for this afternoon:

• Day trip to Jerome about 1.5 hours away, a cute little miner’s town I fell in love with and they have great food & drink!
• Go hiking around Red Rock State Park, a 200+ acre park with tons of trails! 
• Go hike the Devils Bridge Sedona trail, a 6-mile hike with sweeping views. 
• Cathedral Rock Trail

Day 2

Grab your coffee and start hiking, it’s time to visit Slide Rock State Park. It’s famous for the natural water slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek Canyon. Here you can go swimming in the natural forming pools or just go hiking around the trails. It’s a beautiful place to explore.

If you’re visiting during winter clearly it will be too cold to swim. You can head to Boynton Canyon Vortex instead. The hike is mostly flat up to the rocks. It’s not too hard but make sure to bring some bring snacks!

This is the perfect spot to feel the power of the vortex. Along with Maybe sweeping, stunning views. This is the closest to magic one can get. 

By now it’s Sunday afternoon and time to head on home or back to the airport, or to your next destination! BTW Sedona to Grand Canyon is about 2 hours, so perhaps you’ll want to adventure being so close. If you’re ready for us to help you book the best places to stay and experiences with all the perfect perks & upgrades, click here to get started.

Read More: Best Arizona Destinations For Adventurers