The city of Sedona is located at the lower end of Oak Creek Canyon. More specifically, it is near the city of Flagstaff in the US state of Arizona. Here are the 15 best things to do when you visit the area.

1. The Sedona Heritage Museum

This museum centers on the mid-1870s when the first settlers arrived here. Supported by the local Historical Society, it’s found in the Jordan family home which harkens back to that era. The museum covers the early days when people farmed mainly for their own families and a single creek irrigated the entire area. It also focuses on the development and disappearance of the local fruit trade. Finally, visitors also get to learn about how Hollywood shot so many western movies there back in the old days.

Devil’s Bridge is a remarkable natural sandstone arch. The hike to reach it is only a1.8-miles roundtrip hike. From the starting point, there is an elevation of only 400 feet.

The hike is neither steep. The trail is pretty good since it was originally meant to be for 4 x 4 vehicles. The base of the famous bridge is reported to be 50 feet high. The most difficult part of the hike is getting to the top but you’re rewarded with an incredible view.

Arizona’s clear desert skies are exceptional for stargazing. The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Arizona. Some travel bloggers think it is one of the best places in the entire country to stargaze.

You can sign up for a tour with an expert and use quality astronomical equipment too. You’ll learn about the stars and groups are small enough that everyone gets plenty of time to look through the telescopes. Book onto a tour whenever you wish as the skies are almost always clear.

The Oak Creek Canyon features six organized camping grounds. They all reportedly have excellent facilities, including grills and picnic tables. Some sites can be booked ahead of time while others remain first come first served.

There is a one-week limit on camping here. You can go fishing in the creek or go hiking in the canyon. It’s a family-friendly place too!

Palatki is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Coconino Forest near Sedona. The word ‘’Palatki’’ is Hopi for “red house.” The Sinagua people once lived in this region.

No one is certain if they died out or left. Attacks from outsiders and drought are both current theories. The cliff homes found here in Red Rock County were inhabited roughly between 1150 and 1350.

The rock art here is another one of the site’s highlights. It is run by the Arizona Natural History Association. It is kept open all year.

People don’t often think about Arizona when it comes to the subject of winemaking. The Verde Valley Wine Trail will change that for anyone who hikes it. Mind you, you may need a designated driver.

Indeed, if you hike the entire trail you will be visiting a total of five wineries and six tasting rooms. This trail takes you through not only Sedona but additional towns in the valley as well. Veteran visitors confirm that you will actually be able to taste the difference between the broad variety of wines you will be tasting too.

Even if you’re not a shopaholic you still need to visit this popular arts and crafts village. You’ll find it near Oak Tree. The village has an interesting traditional Mexican style to it.

For nearly 50 years the famous Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village has been a local landmark. It was born of an idea to create a unique artistic community. Today it is a lot more than that.

See the work of the artisans here. A number of different products are offered here including art, jewelry, textiles, and weaving. Go ahead! Pick up a souvenir or two!

You’ll find this state park just north of Sedona. It was once an actual family homestead. The Pendley family grew apples and kept livestock here.

An improved irrigation system had to be installed to keep the apple orchard thriving. In the 1930s cabins were constructed in order to host local visitors. In 1987 it became a state park.

The park is now run by both the Arizona State Parks and the Forest Service. More than 300 apple trees remain on the property. It has been used in different movies such as 1950’s Broken Arrow, 1953’s Gun Fury and 1954’s Drum Beat.

This hiking loop trail is one of the most beautiful trails in the entire region. Here you will be hiking at a height of approximately 4,500 feet. There are moments when you will be able to enjoy an impressive 360-degree panoramic view above several different landmarks, including Sedona’s signature red rocks.

You can park at the trail’s official starting point. If the parking lot there is full, don’t stress. There is another parking area a mile away that will reward your extra effort with some superb scenery on the way to the actual trail.

The six-mile Boynton Canyon Trail is dog-friendly. Your dog can make the hike with you provided he/she is on a leash. Keep your eyes open and don’t make too much noise and you never know what you’ll see.

You could spot lizards, gila monsters and numerous birds too. The terrain here is varied and includes forests and deserts. The early spans are best for picture taking. The best time to visit is when it’s warmer but be sure to take enough water even if there are shady spots on the way.

The Cathedral Rock Trail is less than one mile in length. Ah, but don’t let that fool you. It might be short but it sure isn’t for a newbie hiker.

The initial ascent is said to be pretty straightforward. The trail is even marked with basket cairns. When you reach a plateau stop to take in the wonderful view.

Shortly after that though you will have to make a decision. Do you keep hiking on the more difficult section or decide you have seen enough? Should you decide to go on, you should know your climb will be at roughly 45 degrees for nearly 40 feet.

If you are visiting when the weather is warm and dry the hand and foot hold will be good. If you’re visiting after it’s rained, beware of slippery conditions. While the view from the end of the trail is stunning, it’s not worth risking bodily injury.

This famous chapel is ensconced amidst a backdrop of huge red rocks so typical of this part of the state. It was created by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students, Marguerite Brunswig Staude, in 1956. Staude wanted to build something that would be a tribute to the Catholic Church.

She saw the scarlet rocks and knew this was the ideal location. The best time to visit is when the sun’s rays hit the stained-glass windows. You don’t need to be a Christian to be impressed by this place.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Buddhist in Arizona . . . more than one apparently. Stupas like this one are like those located in Asia. Indeed, it is reminiscent of those constructed more than 2,500 years ago. Of course, this particular stupa is surrounded by verdant pines and smaller red spires.

It has been a popular tourist stop since 2004. This stupa is only 36 feet tall. You can visit any time between sunrise and sunset. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Wake up before daybreak and soar above the Sedona landscape and surrounding area in a hot air balloon. Normally, six or seven passengers go up together. If you have a family that size you’ll be alone in the balloon in the quiet of dawn. Enjoy a real birds-eye view of all the different places you might already have seen or look down on the places you are planning to check out later.

The Montezuma Castle National Monument can be found under an hour south of Sedona. The 20 rooms here were constructed of stone and mud. Oddly some online sources indicate that It was named in tribute to the legendary Aztec Emperor who reportedly was not even born when the buildings were erected.

(No doubt the original residents called it something else.) The Sinagua people resided here between the 1100s and 1400s. It is said to be the best-preserved place of its kind in the area. It is only a short hike to get to the site.