Compared to Phoenix and Flagstaff, Sedona and nearby Cottonwood are for an older, more established crowd. Sedona is also especially beautiful just to drive through, even if you aren’t planning to stop for much. If you’re looking to feel like you’re in the movie Cars, this is the place.

Food

While these places can be on the pricier end, the area is a unique dining destination. You’re also in Arizona wine country.

For breakfast/brunch:

Chocolatree is a must-go. It gives the vibes of being run by a cult, but honestly, that’s part of the Sedona aesthetic. For anyone with dietary restrictions, whether vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, this place easily accommodates everyone.

For lunch or snacks:

Four Eight Wineworks, home of the tater tot waffle, is a lovely tasting room with great value flights in downtown Cottonwood.

Hideaway House, while always busy, is a popular lunch spot both for good food and a good view of Sedona.

SaltRock Southwest Kitchen is lovely for lunch or dinner if you’re looking for local flavor. Sit outside for the view from the first photo of this post.

In general, if you have the choice to sit outside in Sedona, take it (as long as you remembered to pack for the cooler weather)!

For dinner:

Merkin Vineyards has a gorgeous view of Cottonwood. I highly recommend a sunset dinner there with the charcuterie board.

Cucina Rustica is a lovely Italian space with great ambiance in Sedona.

Activities

Shopping is the main draw here, unless you’re particularly interested in some of the more spiritual Sedona activities like sound baths, aura photography, or finding areas of magnetic vortices. There are many shops for crystals and Southwestern art in particular.

Outdoor activities are my go-to, whether it’s a walk, hike, or simply looking at nature and snapping some stunning photos. Coincidentally, the vortex sites are usually on a beautiful trail, so you can easily combine the natural and the (allegedly) supernatural.

These are not nightlife spots. The sidewalks tend to roll up around 8-10pm. However, there are a lot of nice wine tasting rooms for those who like to drink and organized vineyard tours for those lacking a designated driver.

Logistics/Loging

Either of these two nearby towns could be a day trip from Phoenix. They’re about two hours away. There’s too much to do in one day in Sedona, but you can see most of Cottonwood in a day. My ideal trip is a few days based in Sedona with one in Cottonwood. It’s not a vacation for those who prefer to be constantly active; this is a place to relax, take time in nature, and slow down with good food.

The best place to stay depends on what you want to do. Most of the hotels in this area are pricey, but there are a lot of AirBnbs. The best move is deciding where you want to spend your time, whether that be Cottonwood, downtown Sedona, or the hiking trails, and trying to find a walkable AirBnb. I don’t think you can go wrong spending time here.