10 Things to Do in Sedona Without Hiking
Sedona’s red rocks are famous for their trails, but not everyone wants to spend the trip in hiking boots. Maybe your knees have opinions, maybe it’s 100 degrees, or maybe you just came to relax. Good news: some of the best things to do in Sedona don’t involve a trailhead at all. Here are ten of our favorites.
1. Taste your way through Verde Valley wine country
The Verde Valley became an official American Viticultural Area in 2021, and its vineyards and tasting rooms are a short drive from town. On a SIP Sedona tour, we pick you up in Sedona, drive you between wineries like Alcantara, Cove Mesa and Arizona Stronghold, and you buy only the tastings you want. No hiking, and no designated driver.
2. Wander Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Shaded courtyards, fountains and dozens of galleries and shops, all in a village built to look like old Mexico. It’s an easy, flat stroll and a great place for lunch.
3. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross
This chapel, built right into the red rock buttes, is one of Sedona’s most photographed landmarks. A short walk up from the parking area gives you big views of the valley.
4. Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway
State Route 179 between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona is a designated scenic byway, with pull-offs for Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. You can see some of Sedona’s most famous formations from the car window.
5. Watch the sunset from Airport Mesa
Drive up to the overlook on Airport Road for a 360-degree view as the red rocks glow at sunset. Get there early, because parking fills up.
6. Shop and snack in Uptown Sedona
Uptown’s main street is lined with galleries, shops, tasting rooms and restaurants, with red rock views between the buildings.
7. See the cliff dwelling at Montezuma Castle
About 30 minutes from Sedona, Montezuma Castle National Monument protects an ancient cliff dwelling set high in a limestone cliff. A short, paved, mostly flat loop takes you right below it.
8. Explore historic Jerome
This old copper-mining town clings to the side of Cleopatra Hill, with galleries, quirky shops and tasting rooms in buildings more than a century old.
9. Sip in Old Town Cottonwood
Old Town Cottonwood packs some of Arizona’s best tasting rooms into a few walkable blocks. It’s on the route of our 4-Hour SIP & Savor Tour, along with Alcantara and Arizona Stronghold.
10. Look up at the stars
Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, so on a clear night the Milky Way is easy to see. Step away from the lights of Uptown and look up.
Let us do the driving
SIP Sedona is the easy, social way to see Arizona wine country without hiking a single trail. Our small-group tours pick you up at any hotel or vacation rental inside Sedona city limits, and tours start at just $30 per person per hour. Guests must be 21 or older.