Southwest Spring Break

Hi friends! We’re in Sedona this week for our Southwest Spring Break. We’ve been planning this trip for a while, and it feels surreal to actually be writing this post and glancing up at the view from the room at the resort we are staying at (pictured above).

When we told friends about our trip, anyone who had visited Sedona, reacted in the same way. Immediate “Oohs and Ahhs” and “You’re going to love it.” Despite getting this response consistently, nothing could have prepared me for seeing the Red Rock scenic byway as we approached it for the first time.

I wanted to share a few photos of our trip so far. These are just a few highlights of what we’ve seen and done while in Sedona so far.

I also want to share the top things to do while in Sedona, many of which are on our bucket list:

Visit the Grand Canyon – while the Grand Canyon is not in Sedona, it is definitely a “must do” day trip if you are staying in Sedona. It is about a 2-hour drive from Sedona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you have a car, you can easily drive it. There are also several tour companies that can drive you and your party to the Grand Canyon. Once there, the tour continues and will provide a guided tour of key areas of the canyon.
Hiking – this is the number one activity while in Sedona, at least in my opinion. The scenery in Sedona is unlike anything you will ever see anywhere in the world. The entire point of being in Sedona is to explore the breathtaking landscape. As far as where to hike, it really depends on what you want. If you are traveling with kiddos that are old enough to hike, Doe Mountain Trail is the way to go. For more ambitious hikers, Broken Arrow Trail and Cathedral Rock offer more challenging hikes. Self guided hikes and well-worn trail paths are easy to navigate, but tour companies offer guided hikes.
Sightseeing Tours – My family is big on tours. After traveling extensively, one of the best tips I have learned is to take advantage of a great tour. It’s typically one of the things we do on the first or second day when we arrive. I’ve found that I have a greater sense of appreciation of my surroundings from all perspectives. After the tour(s) when we are on our own, my depth of knowledge about the area is deeper and I enjoy our vacation so much more.
Local Cuisine – The food in the Southwest is as unique as you’d imagine. While it is true that you can get Southwestern or Mexican food almost anywhere in the U.S., it’s definitely more authentic when you are actually in the area. When in Sedona, some of the top restaurants are: Red Rock Cafe, Cafe Sedona, Elote Cafe, and Mariposa.
Shopping – Sedona Village is chocked full of wonderful stores that sell a variety of items. Art, in all forms, is one of the main attractions in Sedona. We stumbled across an art gallery that had the most beautiful wind sculpture installation on their front lawn. So pretty to watch, I’ve included some photos below.

I hope that you enjoy the photos!