Sedona is a small town in the heart of Red Rock Country, one of the most visited places in the US. Stunning scenery, red rock formations well known from classic western movies, and plenty of outdoor activities make Sedona a perfect spot for a family vacation. Although it is a small town in the middle of Southwest wilderness, Sedona has a certain glamour around it thanks to frequent past visits of famous Hollywood stars. It is also a place with more than 80 hotels and plenty of accommodation and restaurants for visitors.
Best time to Visit Sedona
The desert landscape comes to life in the spring. With desert flowers in bloom, a rusty red color gets elevated, and most visitors come between March and May, which also means there is a problem with finding a room, and the rates are higher. Fall is also a great time to visit because the temperatures are moderate. There is little to no precipitation throughout the year. Summers bring very high temperatures, while winter can get a bit chilly.
Sedona with kids
Sedona is a great place to visit with kids. Older children will enjoy the immense beauty of the landscape, while younger have a ton of activities and adventures. One of the most popular attractions is Pink Jeep Tours. Going on adventurous Red Rock ride with steep degree climbs and incredible views, Jeep Tour is so much fun. You will also learn a lot about the geography and history of the place.
Another scenic ride is with the Verde Canyon railroad, which ranks among top US attractions. There are open platforms where you can take pictures of breathtaking scenery.
In the Oak Creek Canyon, a second most visited because of its stunning beauty, you could visit Grasshopper Point and Slide Rock State Park, wherein warmer summer months kids can enjoy water activities such as sliding on natural rockslides.
Red Rock Country is a place of rock formations with exciting names, and some of the most popular are Cathedral Roc and Bell Rock. All of the scenic rock formations provide hiking trails, and depending on the age of the kids, you can explore them.
One more fantastic thing is looking at the stars in the clear desert night. There are designated astronomy guided groups for older kids, or you can sit and gaze at the blanket of stars with your kids.
A 45 minutes ride from Sedona in Camp Verde where you can explore Out of Africa wildlife park, or you can go to Cliff Castle Casino that features arcade center and bowling alley.
As for historical landmarks, Camp Verde is a place where Montezuma Castle National Monument is situated. It is an impressive locality of prehistoric native American inhabitants.
Sedona family resorts
Sedona is a tourist hotspot of the US, and there are all types of accommodation. Red rocks surround the Enchantment Resort, and there are designated kids’ activities like Camp Coyote. Kids will learn about Sedona history, and go on scavenger hunts and stargazing. There are children, playrooms, and playgrounds.
Amara Resort and Spa is almost in the city center, has an open area with pool, and offer cribs for babies. Although pricey, it is one of the best accommodations in town.
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock will provide playpen and cribs in room, and there are special kid menus at restaurants.
An outdoor pool and bike rentals make Poco Diablo Resort an exciting choice for a family vacation. The hotel offers excellent value for its affordable price.
Kayaking in Sedona
A short car ride from Sedona is Cottonwood, where there are a couple of attractive kayaking tours. A classic river run on the Verde river includes a guided kayak tour from Cottonwood. In a three-hour trip, you will see the beautiful scenery. In the summertime, the river can cool you off from immense heat.
A Kayak River Adventure offers a similar experience with kayaking through small rapid runs and a couple of breaks for swimming.
Full-day guided kayak fishing down the Verde river lasts for six hours and offers an incredible experience. Most visitors catch trout on a kayaking tour.
Cheap places to eat in Sedona, AZ
Eating out with kids can be a challenging experience. The restaurant should have a kid-friendly menu and preferably affordable prices. Indian Gardens Market offers outdoor dining with healthy sandwiches, soups, or salads. ChiocolaTree Organic Oasis offers child-sized tables, an enormous garden for playing, and menus without unhealthy food. Kid’s menu has fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, nuts, and seeds.
89Agave Cantina has more Mexican and Southwestern cuisine with kids’ menus that include Carne Asada or macaroni and cheese. Parents will enjoy delicious Mexican dishes.
If you want more than a meal, Blazin’M Ranch offers a Western stage production along with BBQ chicken and ribs.
Arizona is a scarcely populated area with great natural beauty. If you are planning a visit to the Red Rock Country, make sure you apply for ESTA USA approval. The whole process can be finished online, and it is straightforward. Once you finish with the application, you will have to wait for the approval. Check your ESTA application status frequently, and once it is approved, you have a two-year window for visiting the US.
Conclusion
Sedona is a tourist hub in the middle of remote Arizona wilderness, where a stunning landscape meets Southwestern hospitality and plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family. Trails, hiking, kayaking, and Jeep riding are among the most popular. Red rock formation will blow you away as well as Oak Creek Canyon.
