There’s something about Sedona. The red rocks are so breathtaking, it makes a quick getaway feel like a real escape. For a short trip with my daughter, we wanted a mix of adventure, beautiful scenery and a little time to slow down, and Sedona turned out to be the perfect combination. We flew from Atlanta to Phoenix and rented a car for the 2 hour drive to Sedona. While picking up the rental car I was informed my drivers license was expired- so crazy! So I renewed online (thank goodness) and we were good to go but this is your PSA to check and see if yours is nearing expiration, it’s something no one really thinks about! So we got on the road for an easy 2 hour drive with a quick stop at one of our western state favorite places, In&Out burger. They don’t have any in Georgia, so it’s a treat (I get an off menu ‘grilled cheese’ which is everything on it except the burger- so good!)
In Sedona, we stayed at Enchantment Resort, tucked into Boynton Canyon and surrounded by Sedona’s famous red rocks. The resort sits on 70 acres and has 218 casita-style rooms and suites, many with private patios overlooking the canyon. (Enchantment Resort) It was the perfect place to come back to after a day of exploring and honestly, the setting alone made the stay worth it. We were upgraded to a junior suite and it was nice to have extra room and a living room area along with a private patio with comfy furniture to lounge on. Not only is the resort incredibly beautiful but the service was top notch. It was definitely a 5 star experience and honestly even better than some of the top ‘brand name’ 5 star resorts we’ve been to. The employees really go above and beyond and make you feel like you’re so well taken care of. There is also a lot of wildlife along the grounds, including lots of hummingbirds, deer, bunnies and javelina (like a little pig). It was magical and we’ll definitely be returning to this special place. I would highly recommend it and, honestly, I’m really picky! This resort had literally no notes from me- it was just that good.
One of the highlights of our trip was driving to Page, Arizona, to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. It’s about a 3 hour drive, but very easy and beautiful scenery along the way. However, there are parts with limited cell coverage and almost no gas stations, so check your gas before you start out. The canyon was carved by water and wind through Navajo sandstone, creating the incredible curves, waves and layers of color that make it so recognizable. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Nation land, so visitors are required to go with an authorized guide, which also makes the experience more meaningful because you learn about the canyon’s history and geology along the way. Our tour was through Roger Ekis' Antelope Canyon tours and it was great and very organized. You meet at the office and then are divided into groups on vans to be taken out to the canyon. We were in the last group and had time to see the ‘side canyon’ first while waiting for your exact time slot to go in the main canyon. Ask if you can see this- it’s a great place for pictures and smaller but just as beautiful. The tour was super organized, ran like clockwork so it didn’t feel too crowded and you had time to take pictures without lots of people in them. We also stopped at Horseshoe Bend, only a 10 minute drive from where the Antelope tour dropped us off. It’s where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn through the canyon. The bend sits about 1,000 feet above the river, and it’s one of those places that photographs beautifully but is even more impressive in person. Only a short flat walk from the parking lot and well worth the extra stop. We got lunch in Page before driving back, there are not a lot of great lunch options there, but we found a little hole in the wall spot called Desert Nutrition and got an açaí bowl and it was just what we needed before our drive back to Sedona. We got cleaned up and had dinner at one of the restaurants on the resort called Tii Gavo and it was perfect. Sitting out on the patio with cocktails and several apps to share it was the perfect desert evening.
The next day was all about Sedona, starting with one of the area’s most famous hikes: Devil’s Bridge. The natural sandstone arch is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area, and the hike is considered a moderate hike but I’d say more than moderate. The Devil’s Bridge is about 4 miles each way with approximately 350 feet of elevation gain, although the total distance can vary depending on where you begin the hike but it’s more like 8+ miles. I’d say do a little research here, we didn’t and weren’t really prepared for how long or hot it was. There are some steeper sections toward the top that are a rock scramble but mostly it was just a nice steady walk and once you reach the bridge and looking out over those layers of red rock it’s so beautiful and worth every step. It’s definitely one of those Sedona experiences where you understand why people come from all over the world to hike here. Couple things… there’s no cell service on the majority of the hike and also very poor signage so easy to take a wrong turn and get lost (ask me how I know). We ended up hiking 11 miles all morning, not really on purpose. If you’re more prepared than we were, it’s no problem- just bring water, a granola bar and download the hike on your phone and then screenshot it so at least you have a view of what it’s suppose to look like.
After the hike, we earned some R&R and slowed down. We headed back to Enchantment, and ate lunch at the Spa. Mii amo is a world-class Sedona resort spa right in Enchantment. It was voted as a #1 Domestic Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure magazine, and it was amazing. We didn’t do any services this time but had lunch at their farm to table restaurant and then changed into swimsuits and spent some time relaxing by the spa pool. The resort also has several pools including a main pool, family pool and adult pool, along with tennis, pickleball, bikes and an artist cottage to take art classes in. But great poolside service with a cocktail by the pool was definitely in order after walking miles that morning. I loved that we could have a morning filled with hiking and adventure and then spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the view. It was perfect. That balance made the trip feel like a vacation instead of simply checking places off a list. We had dinner at the other restaurant on resort, Che Ah Chi, and again it was absolutely dreamy. Delicious food, cocktails and impeccable service on the patio looking over the red rock cliffs.
Our last day we got up and had a lovely breakfast and drove into town for a little shopping. The Navajo jewelry is exquisite but comes at an exquisite price too. Most silver and turquoise necklaces, like the squash blossom style, were priced at $4,000+. Everything was pretty expensive but there were beautiful jewelry items. I love that style but wasn’t quite willing to go that high. A shop owner told me to check out eBay and you can sometimes find a deal. If you'd like to eat dinner in town, I had heard the Mariposa restaurant in town is a must-do but we couldn’t get a reservation so do that ahead of time if that interests you. It’s supposed to be fabulous and have the best views in Sedona.
Our Sedona trip was short, but we packed a lot into a few days- red rock hikes, breathtaking canyons, a few of Arizona’s most recognizable viewpoints, pool time and plenty of time together. If you only have a couple of days, I’d absolutely recommend combining Sedona with a day trip to Page for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but definitely leave room in your schedule to explore Sedona’s trails and unwind in town and at the resort. For me, the best trips aren’t necessarily the longest ones- they’re the ones where you come home feeling like you actually experienced the place. Sedona gave us a little adventure, a lot of beauty and wonderful memories with my daughter I’ll cherish 🌵