There is magic in a Sedona vacation that can never be found anywhere else, and as the world flocks to our doorstep, all trying to discover the magic for themselves, we full-time residents of Sedona make our way to the spots the masses do not know about. We have our favorite attractions, our favorite events, and our favorite restaurants, and because we at Sedona.Org think of our guests as family, we are sharing those secret locations with you. This guide on how to experience our area like a Sedona local will give you a magical escape that will shine brighter simply because you learned the secrets of the real Sedona, the town that most tourists don’t ever learn exists.
Off the Beaten Path Explorations of Sedona
Sedona has been thoroughly explored over the years, but there are still parts that we locals frequent, keeping them a secret for the most part, and feel thankful that they exist, some of which we have listed below.
Mary Coyle Ice Cream, 17550 S Munds Ranch Road in Sedona
The mercury doesn’t rise as high in Sedona as it does in our Southern towns, but summer temperatures do like to creep up and on the hottest days, we find ourselves stepping into the air conditioned pinkness of Mary Coyle Ice Cream. The ice cream served here is made from the same recipe they have used for over 70 years and the difference in the taste of real old fashioned ice cream will have you rethinking what you buy at the grocery store! Mary Coyle’s parlor is a delight in pink, taking guests back to a time when all problems could be solved with a taste of something sweet, and sometimes, it feels as if that is true today.
The Views at Merry Go Round Rock
Sometimes you just want to find a secluded spot and sit in tranquil silence, letting the views take you to a higher plane, and Merry Go Round Rock is where we go to find that peace. The hike to the rock is an easy one, with the trail circling MGR and extending just 1.2 miles, but the views from this spot when you face south towards Sedona will brand themselves on your soul, especially if you are there to witness the sunset.
The Palatki Heritage Site, 10290 N Forest Service Road #795
Ancient history comes alive in Sedona and the Palatki Heritage Site, a pair of cliff dwellings inhabited by the Hopi is a perfect example. Palatki, translates to red house and the twin structures that appear separate but equal are carved into the red rocks Sedona is famous for. The Hopi lived in this spot hundreds of years ago, but the history of this site extends thousands of years back with a series of petroglyphs and pictographs carved into the rocks, carvings that date back 5000 years.
Arts & Culture
Sedona is known for its art almost as much as it is known for the red rocks that add magic to the landscape, and as happens in towns where great beauty is found, artists from all over the world flock to our doorstep, eager to replicate the beauty of the surroundings in their work. The art and culture scene in Sedona is a strong one and the businesses listed below offer an amazing representation of that scene.
Kachina House, 2920 Hopi Drive in Sedona
There is a power that is found in the strong colors and simple designs of Native American art and the Kachina House celebrates perhaps the most colorful of all the genre has to offer. The three women who own this shop that is hidden in plain view have a passion for the art they sell and have become the largest distributors of Native American treasures, selling pottery, baskets, jewelry, and yes, kachina dolls. Also selling artifacts that are handmade in the area and include cradle boards, dream catchers, medicine bags, and too much more to list out here. This is where we suggest travelers seeking authentic gifts from the Southwest visit and here is where you will finally see for yourself all the beauty of Native American art.
Sedona Hummingbird Gallery, 6569 AZ-179 #126 in Sedona
Beth Kingsley Hawkins is the artist behind the magic of the Sedona Hummingbird Gallery, offering peace and tranquility in the photographic images that hang from the walls of this low key gallery. Unlike other galleries in the area, you could drive by the unassuming building that houses her mystical art and never know that you missed all the beauty that lies within, but Sedona.Org encourages you to add a stop here to your dance card of activities you have already filled in.
Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road
The entire town of Sedona is considered an artist’s colony, and we would consider the Sedona Arts Gallery as the heart of the colony. Offering classes, workshops, special events, and a gallery that sells all the magic that is created therein, visitors rarely travel this way, but we locals frequent the center as often as we can. Home to Gallery 928, where today’s talented youths learn the skills to become tomorrow’s famed artists, the entry to the Art Barn that lies behind the center is marked by a 12 foot mural that depicts the Rabbit Ears red rock formation and if you find yourself taking a selfie in front of that mural, you will soon discover that you aren’t the only one that recognizes its magic.
Walking in the Footsteps of Those Who Have Walked Before Us
The history of Sedona is as rich and magical as the landscape, and a tour of some of the most historical sites (including the Palatki Heritage Site mentioned earlier) will make you understand the area so much better.
Capricorn Hill in Sedona
As well it should, art and history combine with a visit (by appointment only) to Capricorn Hill, the former home of surrealist artists Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning. If art isn’t your strong point, you may not recognize those legendary names, but if art is in your blood, you are more than likely fangirling at the thought of walking in their footsteps. Perched high on the hilltop and offering panoramic views of the countryside on the outside and inside, the home is a homage to the two iconic artists who left a strong and long lasting mark in the art world. Dorothea actually lived to be 101 years old and was still creating almost up to the moment that she took her last breath. Today, Capricorn Hill is known as the Capricorn Hill Center for Surrealism, and appointments to see the room Dorothea Tanning used as her studio and the grounds that surround the home can be made by emailing surrealsedona@gmail.com.
Sedona Heritage Museum, 735 Jordan Road in Sedona
To understand the Sedona you see today, it is vital to explore its humbler beginnings, and the Sedona Heritage Museum is our favorite place to do just that. Once home to the Jordan family, a family that settled here early on, the structure has gone through many incarnations over the years, including private home, hotel, general store, and of course, museum. The museum explores the challenges of living life in red rock country and also explores our golden years in which our town often served as the backdrop for the Western movies the world loved. Today you can even see a part of a movie set on the grounds of the museum, an old telegraph office that was moved here from Winona, Arizona (it was a railroad depot) and used in the movie “Angel and the Badman.”
Events We Sedona Locals Love
Perhaps the best way to get to live like a Sedona local is to experience the special events and festivals offered in the town you are visiting, and the ones listed below are ones we would never miss.
Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, Late February, Various Venues
The Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop lasts nine days and is a celebration of the best independent movies made. Giving Sundance a run for its money, more than 90 films will be aired, covering the gamut from short films and documentaries to animation and student films and so much more.
Sedona St Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday Before St Patrick’s Day
Although our heritage is that of Native American and Hispanic, on this glorious day in March we are all Irish, and the parade that runs from Jordan Historical Park to Mesquite Avenue is a celebration of the old country. Also offering a variety of celebrations that will include all the green beer you want to drink, even though this is a one day event, you will enjoy a thousand experiences in that one day.
Sedona Winefest, Late September, 525 Posse Ground Road
Arizona wines are developing quite a wonderful reputation, enough so that Napa is starting to look nervously over its shoulder at the upstarts quickly overcoming them, and the Sedona Winefest will give you the chance to explore their deliciousness for yourself. Offering wine, food, music, and a plethora of vendors selling their wares, this two day festival is much beloved by the locals that live here.
Sedona Plein Air Festival, Mid-October, Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center
The Sedona Plein Air Festival is a celebration of artists painting outside and no matter where you go in Sedona during your visit, you will have the opportunity to watch these talented people create their masterpieces in this weeklong festival. At the end of the week, the paintings will be judged and offered for sale, so be sure to leave room in your suitcase!
Meals to Remember
The best vacations revolve around the foods of the region, and these wonderful spots are our secret go to spots, the ones we don’t want to get too popular, but want to continue to stay in business forever. Each spot listed offers that one dish that we think your visit would be incomplete without trying, so we invite you to sample them all.
El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano, 336 AZ-179 in Sedona
The southwest is known for its authentic Mexican food and you can’t get more authentic than the wondrous dishes created at El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano. Famed for their prickly pear margaritas and their live flamenco music, it is their chimichangas that we urge you to experience, offering hand rolled masa (such as what you would normally find in tamales) instead of tortillas stuffed full of all manner of tasty ingredients.
Red Rock Café, 100 Verde Valley School Road #107 in Sedona
Tucked away in a nondescript strip mall, the Red Rock Café offers a menu that is exploding with flavor. In a tie for best breakfast with the Coffee Pot (2050 State Route 89A in Sedona) you must try their Southwest Benedict topped with green chiles, but we can promise that whatever you order will make you fall in love.
Golden Goose American Grill, 2545 W State Route 89A in Sedona
If you can snag a patio table where the puppies can eat, we invite you to do just that, because all that furry sweetness will bring your happy levels even higher. Offering an all-American menu of casual favorites, we suggest that the crab stuffed prawns will bring you to even higher levels of happiness and joy. Yes, seafood in a landlocked state, but don’t worry. The Golden Goose American Grill works magic with their meals!
The Locals Love a Staycation
When you live in paradise, you don’t really want to leave, but the honey-do lists that grow longer each day are left behind when we and our fellow Sedona residents choose to staycation in our Sedona.Org Arizona retreats. We know for a fact that you will feel pampered, comfortable, and so spoiled when you stay in these spaces because we have sampled them ourselves! Reserve your favorite escape today!
