Going to Sedona, AZ next week. Is there anything you recommend that I absolutely have to do/try?

The jeep tours are great.

I'm a native Arizonan, and the main thing Sedona offers is shopping. If you're into that, go to Talakapake. It has a lot of unique shops, Native American and New Age type stuff. A lot of art shops, glass blowing, etc.

The "must see" is Oak Creek Canyon. It's on, I believe, the West end of Sedona. You just go right through the touristy area of town, and keep on going, and it's just a few minutes, and you'll be going through the winding roads down into Oak Creek Canyon. There are a lot of camp grounds, etc, and a trout fishing pond, but beware, you pay by the inch for anything you catch, and you cant throw back. Believe me, there are some HUGE trout in that pond! (that's the idea with the charge per inch!)

The canyon is really beautiful, and if it's in the fall, there are wild berries that are great to eat growing along the roads. The creek is good for wading, and is amazingly cold! Slide Rock is OK, but in the summer it is extremely crowded, to the point that it's often shut down because of high bacteria in the water (too many people pottying in the water!) So if you go in the water, I recommend UPSTREAM from slide rock!

Also, in the canyon, right along the roadside are sand sculptures that are really beautiful! Been there since I was a kid.

Summer is a very packed time as far as tourists go to go to the Sedona area, but if you're going now and through the fall, you'll really get the feel for the local culture.

Have fun!

Amy

I live about 20 min from Sedona. What i'd do if you i'd take the Jeep tour. Then get some info on the Verde Train Ride in Clarkdale. You can get the info on both places at any of the info centers in downtown Sedona when you are walking around Also get some info on the BlazinM Ranch in Cottonwood. Both would be less the 30min from downtown Sedona. The balloon rides far as what I see are a rip off.

http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/article/id/83/page/...

Here is a website to help you. I have been many times and can honestly say the chapel built by Frank Lloyd Wright is gorgeous and well worth the ride up to it. I would also suggest a hike by bell rock. As for dining...that is not Sedona's strong suite but a nice lunch can be had in the middle of town at the mexican restaurant, it is a two story building, cannot remember name, super margaritas.

Slide Rock is good fun, I went as a kid and as a college student, haven't been back in many yrs. But the fry bread & fresh pears were a treat...not sure if they still do that. Another thing I loved was the Doll Museum, it's gone but as a young girl it was fun to walk through.

Also, besides window shoppign the over priced shops & eating the so-so food I recommend you just hike Oak Creek, truly my favorite thing to do. If you fish (need licenses) it's a plus but if not, it's still fun. In the spring, blackberries are on the side of 89A - beware of snakes tho.

Pink jeep tours

slide rock state park

Go to Slide Rock

Peyote.