Things To Do On A Sedona Vacation - Part 1

There is an awful lot to do in Sedona. If you are the outdoors type, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had by exploring canyons, mountains, creeks, and forests that speckle the gorgeous geography. You just need to a heart that is quick to see natural beauty and a mind that likes to meditate upon the magnificent to be able to enjoy the nearly endless opportunities that a Sedona vacation will provide.

Just by getting out into the open air and letting the power of knowing your own insignificance empower you to tread across the red horizon you will feel a quickening of you heart and a brightening of your eyes. The natural fun will do your body good.

Even if your outdoor activities don't take you to some of the local attractions near the city, Sedona is still a great base for excursions to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powel, Verde Valley, Page, and Flagstaff. There are even several companies that offer tours in the area if you don't want to go it alone. Some of the destinations for these tours even go as far as the Grand Canyon.


The actual city of Sedona has several things that can keep anyone interested on a Sedona vacation. One in particular is the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. This park attempts to educate and entertain audiences of all ages through fun and interactive methods about some of the world's most interesting and dangerous animals. You can experience the animals through mock safaris, tours, observations, walks, and even shows that feature some wild animals exhibiting their wonder in controlled settings. The park is strongly oriented to increasing animal conservation and preserving existing species. It also tends to tout a lot of spiritual mumbo jumbo, so if you are put off by this type of thing you might want to look for some entertainment elsewhere.

If instead you like booze then you have at least six wineries and vineyards to choose from within a 30 minute drive. Chances are you won't be able to drink a wine from France, and you might not even be able to get a wine from California - but if you want some quality, locally grown wine then you shouldn't have much a problem finding something to tickle your tongue. One winery located within the city of Sedona is The Art of Wine.

Additionally, there are a few national monuments in the area that are certainly worth a visit: Tuzigoot and Montezuma's Castle. Both of these are ruins from Verde Valley’s Sinagua Indians, a tribe of natives that built their structures seamlessly into the natural environment. Tuzigoot is a terraced pueblo that rests on top of a 120 foot high ridge in the neighboring city of Clarksdale, Arizona, a short 30 minute drive from Sedona. The first buildings of this pueblo date back to circa 1000 A.D. At its height, this town was comprised of around 110 rooms and buildings with multiple levels. When you visit it now you will see the foundations of these ancient and magnificent structures. This park costs $5.00 for adults over the age of 16 (free otherwise) and is open every day of the year.

Montezuma's Castle is similarly spectacular. It is built inside the limestone recess of cliff high above the floodplain of Beaver Creek. It is one of the best preserved and easiest to access of all cliff ruins in North America. This structure stands 5 stories tall and consists of 20 rooms, easily housing a significant sized tribe or clan. Don't expect to view any modern day natives at this structure because it has been abandoned by its original inhabitants for over 600 years. This park costs $5.00 for adults over the age of 16 (free otherwise) and is open every day of the year.