Sedona, AZ
Red rocks, blue McDonalds arches, and off-roading, oh my!
*Visited in July / August 2019
Where to stay? Arabella Hotel has views of the red rocks, a fire pit to spend peaceful evenings around, and a private hiking trail! They also offer complimentary breakfast and bike rentals.
Should I rent a car? Definitely! Phoenix is the closest airport and Sedona is about a 2 hour drive away so it’s a given. If you want to off-road but don’t want to take a guided tour, rent a Jeep! Or if you just want something durable to handle the west (that’s also cute, let’s be honest), get a Jeep.
Where should I go to eat? If you’re in Sedona, you have to try the cactus fries at the Cowboy Club. A trendy & fabulous Mexican restaurant close to Arabella is Javelina Cantina. If you’re a red velvet (or just a donut) fan, you must go to Sedonuts — I recommend the red rock velvet! Bella Vita is a fabulous Italian spot with a fabulous atmosphere.
What can I do in Sedona? Take the 9-mile off-road venture on Schnebly Hill Road! Take a morning sunrise hot air balloon ride over the red rocks through Red Rock Balloons. If you want to hike, check out Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge Trail, and Bell Rock. Honestly, stop in every little shop you come across. All of them vastly unique & filled with so much culture. They have a killer art scene!