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The desert city of Sedona may not be the primary place you consider taking your youngsters to. I can already hear the tantrums; it’s too scorching, it’s too sandy, I don’t need to go mountaineering, however when you roll up the automotive and gaze upon your first glimpses of the enduring red-rock buttes and craggy canyons, I assure the moans and groans will cease.
The reality is, there are various issues to do in Sedona with youngsters and they’re certain to have an gratifying trip, even when mountaineering isn’t your loved ones’s factor.
Sedona is an adventurers playground. It’s all about getting outside, gazing upon essentially the most awe-inspiring pure landscapes, and exploring by way of the day, and falling asleep underneath Darkish Skies at evening.
Nowadays, Sedona is broadly often called a luxurious vacation spot because the rise of indulgent spas, artwork galleries, wonderful eating eating places, and 5-star resorts hit the town.
It has all that, sure, however it has additionally retained its rustic and wild attraction. On this information, we share a few of our favourite sights in Sedona to do with youngsters, so you may pick some actions and begin mapping out your itinerary. And better of all, many of those actions are free!
1. Bell Rock Pathway Hike
Among the best brief walks in Sedona is the Bell Rock Path, making it a super hike to do with young children.
You don’t must marvel too laborious as to why it’s referred to as Bell Rock, as the form resembles that of a giant bell, and the spectacular Courthouse Butte sits proper alongside facet it.
The Bell Rock Pathway is without doubt one of the best hikes to do with youngsters, and it’s a surprising view as you get nearer and nearer to those iconic pink rock formations.
The path is simple to observe and solely 3.5 miles spherical journey, so relying upon your strolling tempo and what number of images you cease to take, it is best to be capable to do it inside 1.5 hours.
On our first journey, we didn’t climb it as our niece wasn’t match sufficient, however on our second journey we climbed up Bell Rock with the children!
Nicely, we made it midway up the rock, discovered a pleasant flat and protected space to take a seat and have a picnic, and take within the unbelievable views.
I’d contemplate the trail up a average to straightforward climb, and the trail fairly straightforward to observe, plus there are a number of individuals doing it so it’s laborious to lose your manner!
We got here to a big hole within the rocks you scramble by way of, which was enjoyable for the children, then we hiked across the rock about one other 10-minutes earlier than discovering this flat space.
Simply take your time, maintain your youngsters near you, and also you’ll be wonderful!
That is positively one of many enjoyable kid-friendly issues to do in Sedona, and near the village of Oak Creek.
2. Go to the Chapel of the Holy Cross
The spectacular and widespread Sedona landmark, Chapel of the Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic chapel is constructed into the pink buttes and was in-built 1956.
In 2007, the chapel turned one of many Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona. I imply have a look at these views!
When you solely have time for one cultural web site, make this it, as not solely is the chapel’s place distinctive and attention-grabbing, however the surrounding views out over Verde Valley panorama and Cathedral Rock are beautiful!
The Chapel was designed by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude (a pupil of architect Frank Lloyd Wright) and it’s a simple 4 mile drive from Uptown Sedona.
You solely want a short while right here and possibly finest to plan a morning go to as there may be restricted parking and it’s very talked-about, so get in early!
3. Drive the Purple Rock Scenic Byway 179 and 89A
Among the best free issues to do with youngsters in Sedona is to easily drive alongside Purple Rock Scenic Byway 179 (SR 179), one in all America’s most stunning scenic drives.
It’s on this stretch of street we obtained our first glimpse of Purple Rock Nation and what was to return.
You leap on this stretch of street off interstate 17, however I believe one of the best part is between the Village of Oak Creek in direction of Uptown.
We stayed within the Village of Oak Creek (see our resort down under) and every morning drove 15-minutes into Uptown to satisfy my dad and mom at their resort.
Alongside this stretch you get views of iconic landscapes like Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Fort Rock and Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock and within the distance a glimpse of the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Within the morning the solar is positioned completely to shine good gentle on these formations!
You possibly can pull over at a number of exits for extra scenic vistas, and if you’re staying in Oak Creek Village like I did you get to do that drive in each instructions for a distinct perspective – advisable.
State Route 89A provides views of Coffeepot Rock, Thunder Mountain (Capitol Butte), Sugarloaf Mountain and Chimney Rock!
3. Catch a sundown from the Sedona Airport Overlook
The Airport Overlook is a pleasant spot to look at the solar go down with beautiful views of Thunder Mountain (Capitol Butte), Coffeepot Rock and the valley under.
Undoubtedly do it at sundown, however I like this view at dawn and even mid-morning because the place of the rising solar shines stunning gentle on Thunder Mountain and Coffeepot Rock, however at sundown they have been principally in shade.
There are much less individuals within the mornings too!
Once more, get right here early at sundown to get a great place, particularly on weekend evenings!
4. Hike the Airport View Path
We did the airport mountaineering trails on our final journey in mid-January when it was quiet. These visiting in the summertime, if the small automotive park space is full on the trailhead of the Airport Loop Path, proceed driving up hill and park on the Airport Overlook the place you watch the sundown.
From there you may stroll half a mile again down hill on the Airport View Path (one of many straightforward hikes to do with youngsters) to the beginning of the Airport Loop Path and get these views!
Airport Summit Path
At first of the Airport Loop Path on Airport Street, take the brief climb to the highest of the Summit Path for sensational views out over the valley and again over Thunder Mountain (Capitol Butte).
Really feel the vortexes at Airport Mesa
Purple Rock Nation is regarded by Native People as sacred, and it continues to be acknowledged as a spot of therapeutic and non secular renewal.
Many guests come to expertise the Sedona vortex power facilities. Individuals journey from everywhere in the world to expertise the mysterious cosmic forces which might be mentioned to emanate from the pink rocks.
The time periodVortex refers to a spot the place the earth power swirls and attracts to its heart all the things that surrounds it like a twister.
Though all of Sedona is taken into account to be a vortex, there are particular websites the place the power crackles most intensely.
This is without doubt one of the vortex websites, Airport Mesa, so sit again and breathe in a few of that optimistic power.
Again onto the Airport Loop Path
After tuning into the vortex power on the summit path, we headed off on this 3.2 mile Airport Loop Path, which circles the Sedona airport.
We headed clockwise from the trailhead which provides wonderful views of the valley under and as you around the bend Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock become visible.
On the second half of the hike, you get extra fantastic views of Thunder Mountain and Coffeepot Rock as you’re mountaineering just under the Airport Overlook sundown level.
This can be a average hike that’s fairly rocky early on with some steep drop-offs on the south facet of Airport Mesa. Once more, keep near your youngsters and take it gradual.
Carry loads of water and a few snack meals. This hike took us about 2.5 hours with loads of stops for images and a picnic lunch.
5. Discover Uptown Sedona
Wander up and down either side of the principle road (SR 89A) in downtown Sedona testing all of the shops!
My youngsters beloved searching for crystals at Sedona Crystal Vortex, and selecting out their favourite crystals to both put on as a necklace or bracelet, or place beside their mattress.
There’s artwork shops, galleries, dwelling decor, memento shops, boutique purchasing, plus Native American jewellery, arts and crafts, and far more.
Be warned, you would simply go loopy on the purchasing right here!
6. Have sundown drinks and ice cream at Canyon Breeze
Late afternoon, we discovered ourselves on the patio of Sundown Breeze with these beautiful mountain views of the pink rocks!
Our youngsters all loved an ice cream from Sabrina’s Ice Cream store, while the adults an grownup beverage, or two!
Canyon Breeze is correct in the midst of Uptown and is a little bit of an all-in-one restaurant serving up pizzas, burgers, a full bar, and ice lotions.
It’s a calming spot to relax on the finish of the day and luxuriate in household time with views!
7. Hike the Cathedral Rock Path
I believe you may classify Cathedral Rock as extra of a rock climb than a hike, however our children managed it safely and it ranks as one in all their favourite adventures in Sedona! They love climbing up and over rocks in any case.
Cathedral Rock has elevation achieve of about 740 ft (225m) over a brief distance, so does require a certain quantity of health.
There’s a designated path to observe, and being one of many most-photographed sights in Arizona, and widespread Sedona hikes there are many individuals round to observe of their footsteps.
We hiked as much as the saddle, which is the hole within the opening, and the views going up and on the high are wonderful!
We did this hike throughout our January go to, however for those who go to in the summertime months it will be finest to do that within the morning or late afternoon to keep away from the tough solar and warmth.
8. Do one of many Pink Jeep Excursions
Many individuals steered we do one of many Pink Jeep Excursions in Sedona, and we’re so glad we took their recommendation!
They’re laborious to overlook when on the town as they’re effectively often called among the best sights, and we will see why – it’s an exciting option to discover Purple Rock Nation!
We did the 2 hour Damaged Arrow tour, their most excessive off-road journey, and agree it’s positively for the adventurous!
Our youngsters beloved holding on within the again and going up and down 45 diploma rock faces – and the views of pink rock nation are unbelievable!
The Schnebly Hill tour additionally comes extremely advisable.
You possibly can learn our full overview of the Damaged Arrow Pink Jeep Tour right here.
9. Hike the Satan’s Bridge Path
Talking of journey, this hike begins off with an adventurous two mile drive in down a bumpy observe to the path head.
Fortunately for us we personal a 4×4 Ford F250 with excessive clearance which is important for this drive, in any other case it’s important to park on the exterior automotive park and stroll the additional manner in.
The Satan’s Bridge Path may be very widespread because it has the biggest pure sandstone arch in Purple Rock Nation. The path up is pretty straightforward and provides extra beautiful views.
However when you attain the arch, you’ll see the attraction!
Don’t fear, the suspended arch is so much wider than it appears to be like from this angle and is completely protected. Stroll on the market slowly, keep near your youngsters, and don’t sit or stand close to the sting!
We took a picnic lunch and sat on the principle rock face of the mountain and have been entertained watching others get their images.
10. Chill out on the Verde Canyon Railroad
Curiously, nobody from our neighborhood had steered the Verde Canyon Railroad earlier than we visited Sedona, however we overhead a workers member on the Customer Heart telling a pair in regards to the practice journey and we thought it sounded enjoyable for our household!
So we jumped on board, and our women insisted that we do it in type – First Class! This can be a nice half day journey from Sedona.
We have been hosted by the railroad, however completely suggest First Class because it’s solely a small value additional than an everyday ticket and I believe effectively well worth the worth to get the appetizers, champagne toast upon arrival, entry to a money bar, and comfortable seats giant sufficient to lie down on!
You additionally get entry to an open air carriage to face exterior and take uninterrupted images!
The Verde Canyon Railroad expertise takes a 20 mile journey by way of 100 years of historical past and pink rock canyon partitions.
The commentary is informative, and it was so good to take a seat and chill out for 4 hours and take within the unbelievable surroundings with out having to hike or drive.
11. Stroll the Boynton Canyon Path
Firstly of the Boynton Canyon Path is the Vista Path, a brief climb to Boynton Canyon Spire, a Sedona Vortex space!
There are unbelievable views right here and a man who performs a flute twice per day and arms out coronary heart formed rocks. Savannah beloved this and actually tuning into the power right here.
Then you may stroll onto the precise Boynton Canyon Path, a 6 mile out and again path, which was the longest hike we did in Sedona with our youngsters.
This was a distinct hike as we have been strolling by way of a canyon ground, so don’t overlook to lookup on the hanging rock partitions. The stroll adjustments from canyon views to strolling by way of a forest.
A lot of the stroll is average, though the final part entails a 400 foot elevation rise. Carry loads of water, and a chunk to eat to take a seat on the finish and take within the canyon earlier than the return stroll.
12. Discover Purple Rock State Park
Purple Rock State Park was not as glamorous as the opposite hikes we did in Sedona. However, in order for you a mild tempo, particularly in case you have younger youngsters new to mountaineering, and if you wish to see some wildlife, this can be an ideal spot for you!
The spotlight of our time in Purple Rock State Park was seeing 6 mule deer within the brief distance. Savannah beloved figuring out them together with her animal foot print identikit given to us by the state park ranger!
See our suggestions for mountaineering with youngsters right here.
13. Hike the West Fork Path
After studying the West Fork Path was among the best walks in Arizona AND the USA, we set off within the afternoon for it.
It’s a simple mountaineering path for teenagers in Sedona because it follows the creek on the canyon ground. And they’re going to like it for its 13 creek crossings. Our youngsters love stepping stones and strolling throughout logs!
Be warned although, the signage will not be superb on this stroll – you’ll have a number of tracks to select from! Maintain following the creek and also you’ll be wonderful.
We loved this hike however wouldn’t put it within the class we heard others say as among the best! I believe it will be higher in summer time.
14. Watch the evening skies on a stargazing tour
Budding astronomers and science nerds within the making will love the stargazing tour of Sedona. As a result of it’s so far-off from massive cities like Phoenix or Flaggstaff, you don’t get the haze of massive metropolis lights.
One of many greatest highlights to Sedona is that when the solar units, there’s no gentle air pollution to spoil the evening time spectacle above your head.
You don’t want a telescope to admire the celebs, however it does assist to have an knowledgeable information telling you about constellations and planets you may see.
Take a look at stargazing excursions in Sedona right here.
We didn’t do these sights as we ran out of time, however we’ve got marked down these sights on our listing for after we return.
- Slide Rock State Park – a water slide created by nature (hotter months).
- Ruins of Palatki and Honanki – largest cliff dwellings of the Purple Rock Nation between AD 1150 – 1350 Palatki Heritage Web site is alleged to be the extra spectacular.
- Montezuma Fort and Montezuma’s Nicely in Camp Verde is a well-liked place to go to close to Sedona. These two nationwide monuments provide a glimpse into Verde Valley historical past and life with well-preserved cliff-dwellings. It was closed after we visited Sedona.
- Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village: A good looking assortment of Mexican-styled buildings is dwelling to over 50 boutique arts and crafts retailers, in addition to a number of nice eating places.
Locations to eat in Sedona with youngsters
We all know how laborious it’s to discover a place to eat with fussy eaters, so listed below are some locations we ate and beloved.
Cowboy Membership Grille & Spirits
This place got here extremely advisable. Previously the Oak Creek Tavern, it has served as a gathering place, pool corridor, grocery retailer and saloon.
Greater than 50 motion pictures have been filmed on this area and lots of of Hollywood’s greatest film stars have stepped inside what’s now referred to as the Cowboy Membership.
It serves up steaks, burgers, and seafood. Plus some well-known distinctive dishes like Cactus Fries and Grilled Rattlesnake & Wild Boar Sausages.
I loved my Bison Burger, Kalyra her ribs, and the salads and vegetable platters are nice too! It’s informal and family-friendly, however with a full bar.
You are feeling like you will have stepped again in time with the Nation and Western decor, plus on show is the second largest set of Longhorn horns within the US and Cowboy Artists’ works.
Usually busy within the evenings, we determined to cease in for lunch as an alternative. And if it’s full inside, they provide patio seating outside too!
Outlaw Grille
In search of scrumptious burgers in an off-the-cuff setting? Look no additional!
The Outlaw Grille was a high insiders tip from a neighborhood within the know, and we’re glad they pointed us on this path.
Positioned down a lane manner off the principle strip in Uptown, you received’t get these traditional pink rock views from right here, however you’ll get tasty burgers made with recent elements served up by pleasant locals.
I went with the Outlaw Basic burger – there’s loads right here for the children too!
Wildflower
When you like sandwiches and soups, contemplate the Wildflower. Once we arrived at lunch time, the road was just about out the door. It was good meals with out being nice.
However what’s nice is the views from their patio, so for those who can seize a seat outside in hotter climate achieve this!
Additionally they do breakfast dishes and numerous pastas.
Elote Cafe
The Elote Café got here extremely advisable to us by a number of mates, and it didn’t disappoint.
This is without doubt one of the hottest eating places in Sedona, with delicacies impressed by the markets of Mexico, and they don’t take reservations so get there early or be ready to attend.
We totally loved the service and our goat cheese balls, duck carnitas with guacamole, and vanilla bean flan.
Picazzo’s Wholesome Italian Kitchen
We stumbled upon this place by chance, and glad we did.
If you’re gluten free like us, or simply get pleasure from wholesome consuming, then put Picazzo’s in your listing. And it’s removed from simply Italian, with loads of wholesome salad and quinoa bowls, and your typical kiddie choices.
Canyon Breeze
I’m hesitant so as to add this as a spot to eat, as the standard of the meals was simply okay, however it served it’s objective as an inexpensive and informal place with the children after an extended day to seize some pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, salads and ice lotions for a deal with.
However as talked about above, a minimum of cease in right here for the beer/wine and that beautiful view!
Blazin’ M Ranch
This isn’t only a place to eat – it’s an expertise. Earlier than dinner, you may partake in some Western actions reminiscent of axe throwing, bull using, or apply your capturing on the Taking pictures Gallery.
The Blazin’ M Ranch then provides its iconic cowboy present dinner theater, the place you may chow down on BBQ hen or rib dinner while being entertained, after which watch a Nation Music band afterwards.
It’s not truly in Sedona, however in Cottonwood, however it’s geared in direction of households and an gratifying expertise, so we suggest going to it.
The place to remain in Sedona with youngsters
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
My two youngsters and I stayed on the Hilton Resort at Bell Rock. Located within the Village of Oak Creek, the Hilton Sedona Resort was a stunning place to return again to and get better and chill out after our day by day actions in and across the area – and it’s only a 15-minute drive again into Uptown alongside the attractive Purple Rock Scenic Byway 179!
We had beautiful pink rock views from the balcony of our two queen suite room all the way in which to Bell Rock, and resort facilities embrace three glowing swimming pools, an expansive athletic membership and spa, and championship golf course.
What my youngsters beloved, and what was nice for me throughout breakfast and time for supper, was the close by video games of cornhole, desk tennis, and jenga – I might truly sit and chill out throughout a meal while they have been entertained, lol.
There’s additionally hearth pits to take a seat round, and you’ll dine out on the resort porch space with distant views.
Finest Western Plus Arroyo Roble Lodge & Creekside Villas
If you wish to keep within the coronary heart of Uptown with out spending a fortune, contemplate the Finest Western Plus Arroyo Roble Lodge & Creekside Villas.
My dad and mom and sisters household stayed right here. My sister is an in depth journey researcher and planner and she or he selected that one herself.
They stayed in one of many Creekside Villas and beloved the house and placement.
E-book early due to this motels proximity to Uptown. I additionally checked out staying at this Finest Western a number of months out from our go to in September, however it was booked strong.
Remaining Ideas
That is Purple Rock Nation and as you may see, lots of the actions revolve across the outside! That is nice for households because it’s often free to go mountaineering and play immerse your self in nature – one in all our our favourite issues to do in Arizona!
With 300+ miles of trails for mountaineering and biking, beautiful mesas and canyons, a small-town ambiance, and quite a few different outside actions, we love Sedona as a household trip vacation spot!
Sedona is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in America, if not the world. Our youngsters nonetheless discuss it, and so do my dad and mom and sisters household!
I hope this weblog publish impressed your journey and helps plan your individual Sedona Arizona household itinerary.
Purple Rock Nation actually does provide a number of the most picturesque hikes we’ve ever finished. Plus the quite a few different family-friendly actions on provide have us planning to make this journey to an annual household trip!
Widespread Sedona Excursions
Under are different advisable excursions and child pleasant Sedona sights and excursions you would possibly need to try.
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Extra Arizona Journey Suggestions
When you’re planning your journey to Arizona, listed below are another useful guides on issues to do within the state that may provide help to along with your itinerary:
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Do you intend to go to Sedona quickly along with your youngsters? What are you most excited to do? Please share within the feedback under!
