AOK Guide to Sedona, Arizona

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travel blogger Amanda's OK guide to sedona, arizona

Hey, what’s up, hi there! Very long time no weblog submit, eh? I’ve taken a bit of step again from running a blog (and social media generally) in 2023 and it has been so refreshing. It has allowed me to deal with determining my new job, nurturing my marriage and studying to like life and myself once more. All good issues! I’ve very a lot loved my two month running a blog break…. it jogged my memory that it is OK to spend little much less of my time with my face in my telephone/laptop. That being mentioned, I nonetheless worth this little nook of the web and love attending to share my life and travels with you all….whether or not that be in my very own yard, round Oklahoma, across the nation or around the globe! I type of wish to shift my weblog to me extra journey targeted shifting ahead as that’s the place I discover essentially the most inspiration and really feel essentially the most ardour!

For my thirtieth birthday C and I spent a protracted weekend in Sedona, Arizona and completely fell in love. It was a type of locations that actually took our breath away. It was not solely stunning, however peaceable, enjoyable, energetic, scrumptious…..all of the issues. I can say unquestionably that Sedona is likely one of the most stunning locations I’ve seen in the US (and I’ve seen quite a lot of locations). I can not advocate it sufficient!

blogger Amanda Martin travels to Sedona Arizona and hikes Devil's Bridge

OKC blogger Amanda Martin's guide to Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Journey Ideas
Pack Appropriately for the Time of Yr – Sedona is a excessive desert the place the solar beats down through the day but it surely will get chilly at night time! We visited in January so the climate was absolute perfection (highs within the 60s, lows within the 30s) however positively pack accordingly relying on what time of yr you go to… I am positive it’s loopy sizzling in the summertime. If exterior through the day, you’ll want to pack sunscreen (bear in mind you possibly can nonetheless burn within the winter) and convey water with you in the event you hike! If visiting in the summertime, I might advocate mountain climbing at dawn or sundown to keep away from the tough solar and warmth.

Hire a Automobile (or drive) – we flew into Phoenix (a direct flight from OKC on Southwest) and rented a automotive. It was a two hour drive, so not dangerous in any respect! You can more than likely Uber/Lyft round Sedona itself, however you would wish a automotive to get there from any main airport.

Make Reservations – it appeared like a lot of the nicer eating places in Sedona have been packed! I’d advocate making reservations forward of time until you wish to hover over the bar and watch for a seat to open up.

airport mesa is the best place to watch the sunset in sedona
Airport Mesa Vortex 

What to Do in Sedona
Hike – the primary motive we selected to go to Sedona! The mountain climbing oportunities and out of doors actions are infinite. I shared my favourite hikes beneath.

Go to a Vortex – Sedona is thought for its vortexes! A vortex is a swirling heart of vitality used for therapeutic, meditation or self exploration that depart folks feeling impressed, uplifted, at peace or recharged. Sedona as a complete is taken into account to be a vortex, however there are particular websites inside Sedona the place the vitality is most intense: Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon. Do I essentially consider within the powers of a vortex? No. However I did discover Sedona to be probably the most peaceable locations I’ve ever visited and after visiting Airport Mesa (the place the above picture was taken), I felt so balanced and at peace with myself, my thoughts and the world! The entire journey left me feeling extra relaxed and reharged than some other trip I have been on. I am often filled with journey nervousness, however not in Sedona! Perhaps it was the vortex or perhaps it was my #newyearnewme mantra?

Go to a Vineyard – after I suppose wine tasting, Arizona is not the primary place that involves thoughts….. however simply exterior of Sedona there are a handful of little wineries and vineyards you possibly can go to! It will be good for a woman’s journey or bachelorette occasion. I used to be shocked at how a lot I loved the wine tasting we did at Web page Spring Cellars. It was the one vineyard we had time to go to, however there have been a number of others within the space to select from or to make a day of.

Loosen up on the Spa – Sedona is thought for it is enjoyable atmosphere! We did not go to a spa ourselves so I haven’t got particular suggestions for you, however if you wish to calm down and pamper your self, there are many resort spas on the town.

Go on a Pink Jeep Tour – we did not have time to go on a tour however I’ve heard wonderful issues! Pink Jeep Excursions take you out into the desert to climb over the crimson rocks the place solely suped up 4x4s can go. They are going to even take you to the Grand Canyon in case you have an additional day to decide to it.

Get Exterior – we selected to hike, however there are quite a lot of different actions you are able to do exterior in Sedona like bike rides, horse again rides, and so forth! Simply prowl round uptown and you will see that loads of tour corporations / rental corporations with a number of choices.

Watch the Sundown – severely, earth is cool! We drove as much as Airport Mesa to look at the sundown and WOW! I’d counsel getting there early to say your spot if you wish to watch from the vortex itself as a result of there is not a ton of parking. Nonetheless, you possibly can pay to park on the airport and stroll to the sting of the cliff. Each views are stunning!

Oklahoma blogger Amanda Martin of Amanda's OK explore Sedona, Arizona
Airport Mesa at Sundown



The place to Eat in Sedona
Creekside Espresso – brew with a view! We stopped right here each morning earlier than occurring a dawn hike.

Indian Gardens Cafe – perhaps my favourite meal of the journey! We ate brunch at Indian Gardens submit dawn hike and it hit.the.spot. Perhaps as a result of I used to be ravenous after mountain climbing all morning or perhaps as a result of it was simply that good! This cafe is positioned simply exterior of city on the aspect of the freeway in what seems like an previous comfort retailer but it surely boasts essentially the most stunning backyard patio. They’ve blankets at each desk so you possibly can sit exterior even when it’s chilly. I ordered the breakfast burrito and YUM is all I’ve to say about it!

The Espresso Pot – one other submit hike breakfast spot! The Espresso Pot is only a good previous diner with actually 100+ omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, and so forth. It is nothing particular, but it surely was fast and  hearty.

The Secret Backyard Cafe – this little restaurant is positioned within the Tlaquepaque Village and is such a cute, upscale cafe! It was type of costly for what it’s, however I am nonetheless fascinated about their southwest corn chowder. I consider they serve all three meals however we ate right here for lunch!

The Hudson – the right date night time spot! The Hudson is a extra upscale neighborhood restaurant. It was tremendous well-liked and packed on a weekend. We did not have reservations however have been capable of hover till a number of bar seats opened up. Their spicy margarita will get all the celebs + the mushroom burger…… Lord almighty, ya’ll. I felt like a pig as a result of I devoured up each single solitary chunk.

Others I did not make it to: Wildflower Bread Firm, Tii Gavo, Elote Cafe, Mariposa, Saltrock, Oaxaca, Oak Creek Brewery, Etch….. I feel one other journey is so as, do not you?

Indian Gardens Cafe in Sedona Arizona is a a must eat!
Indian Gardens Cafe

Travel blogger Amanda's OK devours the breakfast burrito at Indian Gardens Cafe in Sedona
Indian Gardens Cafe

The Gardens at Indian Gardens Cafe in Sedona make for the perfect patio seating
Indian Gardens Cafe
the spicy margarita at The Hudson in Sedona gets all the stars!
The Hudson

The place to Hike in Sedona
We selected to hike at dawn or sundown for picture functions however we ended up loving the expertise and plan to do this once more sooner or later! The dawn hikes had a lot fewer folks and made for a extra fulfilling time….plus it’s simply cool to be in nature because the world wakes up! The sundown hikes have been a lot busier, however nonetheless stunning. Through the summer time, it may be too sizzling and harmful to hike mid-day so hold that in thoughts! 

Satan’s Bridge Path – Satan’s bridge is the enduring picture spot in Sedona! I’d advocate beginning earlier than dawn if you wish to beat the gang….in the event you do not, there’ll no the place to park and the path can be completely packed! The parking zone is sort of a methods from the trailhead so you’ll be strolling down a dust highway for a really very long time. When you attain the trailhead, although, the hike is gorgeous! It wasn’t toooo troublesome till you began to climb as much as the bridge itself, then it was simply steep. It took us about two hours and (together with the trek from the parking zone) was about 4.35 miles out and again.

Cathedral Rock – this hike was superior but it surely was HARD! I wasn’t ready for the way steep and slick it might be…..however the view was 100% price it. I would not advocate this hike for younger youngsters, aged people, or people who find themselves off form. I’d positively advocate you put on grippy mountain climbing sneakers in case you have them as a result of the rock may be very slippery and there is not a lot to grip or maintain onto in among the steep areas. I used to be terrified I used to be going to slide and knock out a tooth haha! That being mentioned, I am so glad we did this hike! We went at sundown and though the view on the high was stunning at sundown behind the crimson rocks, it was reeeeeeeally busy up there. In the event you needed to be extra secluded, dawn or early morning is likely to be extra fulfilling. The hike is about 2 miles out and again and it took us simply over an hour to finish.

Soldier’s Cross – I loved this hike as a result of there was one thing attention-grabbing to take a look at round each nook! It was a comparatively straightforward hike (largely flat till the turnaround level) and could be effective for teenagers. We hiked at dawn however this could possibly be completed at any time of day, climate and warmth allowing. This hike was simply over 3.5 miles and it took us about two hours. Alongside the path you will see that a large sink gap, the seven sacred swimming pools, and the Soldier’s Cross cave. I wasn’t capable of get into the cave as a consequence of a foul shoulder, however my husband was capable of pull himself inside and mentioned it was actually neat! The sink gap is what wow’d me….it collapsed in 1989 and once more in 1995. It continues to develop as a consequence of rain dissolving limestone below the floor and creating caves beneath it. Loopy!
Be aware: the Soldier’s Cross parking zone has strict hours and the neighborhood during which this trailhead is positioned doesn’t enable vehicles to be parked on the highway. To make sure a parking house, arrive proper at 8 a.m. when it opens! 

I additionally needed to hike Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon and discover the Birthing Cave. Subsequent time!

Travel blogger Amanda Martin crossing Devil's Bridge in Sedona Arizona
Satan’s Bridge

Travel blogger Amanda's OK is excited to be hiking in Sedona
Cathedral Rock

travel blogger Amanda's OK overlooks the Sedona sunset from Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock

travel blogger Amanda Martin has her morning coffee overlooking sunrise at the seven sacred pools in Sedona, AZ
The Seven Sacred Swimming pools on Soldier’s Cross Path

the devil's sinkhole on soldier's pass trail in sedona, az
Satan’s Sinkhole on Soldier’s Cross Path

The place to Store in Sedona
Uptown – principally Sedona’s “downtown.” That is the place you will see that the vacationer outlets, boutiques, and so forth. Make sure to choose up some prickly pear gummy sweet when you’re there, yum.

Tlaquepaque Village – a extremely fairly space to stroll round in (or take footage in)! This village has eating places, artwork galleries and some eclectic high-end boutiques. It’s nestled below essentially the most stunning sycamore bushes on the banks of a creek.

travel blogger amanda's ok goes shopping in Tlaquepaque Village
Tlaquepaque Village

Tlaquepaque Village is the perfect photo location in sedona, arizona
Tlaquepaque Village

And that wraps it up! I completely beloved my time in Sedona and 100% advocate it as a journey vacation spot. I for positive wish to return…..or perhaps transfer there, haha. Have you ever been to Sedona? In that case, inform me what you’re keen on about it!

Thanks a lot for studying and completely satisfied travels!

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