My best friend and I live in different parts of the country — we’ve been friends for 24 years and have only shared a city about one-third of that time — so we take trips together whenever we can. Packing light for yourself, a few nights of sleepovers in a new place, exploring without obligations (dessert for breakfast, yes please) — it’s pure joy.
On our latest trip I visited a place that was new to me: Sedona. My friend grew up visiting with her family and has always raved about the scenery, warm weather, mystical vortexes, crystal shops, and the pools. She didn’t have to try hard to convince me — I was sold.
Where We Stayed In Sedona
We splurged on Enchantment Resort for three nights — a bucket-list place for my friend. The property feels like a village of casitas nestled among the red rocks with multiple pools, restaurants, shops, and a spa. Our suite had a small kitchen, beverage fridge, a cozy fireplace, an oversized bathroom, and a balcony that looked out over the mountains. Every morning we stepped onto that balcony and saw wildlife below — more on that later.
Yes, it was pricey by our standards — roughly $500 per person per night — but splitting a room with a friend makes splurging feel more reasonable. Also, both of our partners are happy to stay home and hold down the fort while we recharge. We returned home refreshed and already planning what to do next.
The resort was a perfect home base. We loved walking between pools and restaurants, browsing the on-site shops, and visiting the crystal meditation room. There were free activities during our stay, from stargazing to a tour of the chef’s garden where they grow herbs and produce for the restaurants. Being literally among the mountains was breathtaking — towering red-rock views in nearly every direction.
Before the photos, here’s a fun AI poster my friend made to hype the trip — delightfully imperfect and full of character.
It even includes one of us playing a flute. Art, indeed.
Quick Video Recap Of Our Sedona Trip
We put together a short video that captures many highlights of our trip — Pink Jeep off-roading, a vortex tour, shopping, and more. It’s a great overview if you want a quick sense of the experience.
Note: You can also view this video on YouTube.
How We Got To Sedona
Sedona doesn’t have commercial flights, so most travelers fly into Flagstaff (about 45 minutes away) or Phoenix (approximately two hours away). We flew into Phoenix since flights were easier to find and often cheaper. We rented a car and drove up; plan to arrive early in the evening if you can — long rental lines meant ours didn’t reach Sedona until after midnight.
The Wildlife In Sedona
The wildlife at the resort was one of our favorite surprises. Tiny lizards reminded me of home in Florida, but local species like mule deer and javelinas were totally new to me. Mule deer looked almost like a donkey-deer mix, and javelinas resemble wild boars but are more closely related to other mammals. Watching them wander around the grounds was endlessly entertaining.
Activities We Loved In Sedona
We mixed spiritual experiences and outdoor adventure, leaning into Sedona’s mystical side while also getting our adrenaline fix.
1. Guided Vortex Tour
We booked a small-group vortex tour with Blue Bear Tours. Our guide, Robert, shared the history and lore of the area, showed us unique trees that grow in spiral patterns, and led us into a medicine wheel where the experience felt powerful and emotional. The tour involved hiking and standing, so wear comfortable shoes. At one stop I held metal rods that crossed and snapped apart, and our guide commented on the energy — the whole day felt truly special and bonding.
Pink Jeep Tour of Broken Arrow
We also did the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, a thrilling off-road route over steep, rocky terrain. It’s intense and exhilarating — there were moments when I wondered why I paid for the exhilaration — but our guide Rick was phenomenal and kept us safe while making the ride unforgettable.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Recommended to us by fellow travelers, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is built into the rocks and offers dramatic architecture and sweeping views. The site is popular and the walk from the parking lot includes carved stone paths; it’s worth the visit and the gift shop is a nice stop.
Weather notes: mornings and evenings can be cool (around 60–65°F) while daytime in early October reached the mid-80s to 90s. It’s a dry heat but intense — bring sunscreen and sunglasses, and layer for morning and evening.
Shopping Favorites
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Tlaquepaque is a charming cluster of shops, galleries, and eateries set among lush landscaping and fountains. We found unique souvenirs and gifts for our kids and loved the beautiful atmosphere. One of our favorite shops, Cocopah Jewelry, sold curiosities like fossils, shells, butterfly displays, jewelry supplies, and crystals.
Main Street Shops
Wandering Sedona’s shops was a full-day activity if you let it be. Crystal stores, clothing boutiques, and quirky spots (like a place selling jerky, jewelry, and flutes) made for fun browsing. We also visited several tarot readers until we found one we connected with. Our reader, Monet at Green Witch Creations, gave deeply meaningful readings that left us emotional and grateful.
What We Ate
We enjoyed a mix of dining out and cozy in-room snacks. Highlights included gelato (cherry and chocolate were my picks), a standout dinner at the resort’s Tii Gavo — the grilled peaches with burrata, mint, oil, honey, and pistachios appetizer was unforgettable — and repeat visits to Coffee Pot for breakfast, famous for a hundred omelette options.
We balanced restaurant meals with grocery-store snacks — cheese and crackers, chocolate-covered strawberries warmed in the microwave, and even hot wings enjoyed back in our room.
During our stay we watched a beautiful wedding take place on the resort grounds. The setting was magical and it added a lovely, celebratory atmosphere to our visit.
Day Trip: Jerome, Arizona
On the drive back to Phoenix we stopped in Jerome, a hillside “ghost town” with steep streets, shops, and eerie local lore. We browsed copper shops and kaleidoscope stores, picked up souvenirs, and had lunch at the Haunted Hamburger — a restaurant carved into the cliffside with dramatic views. Jerome is a fun detour en route to the airport.
Girls Weekend In Sedona: An Overview
- Stayed at Enchantment Resort
- Restaurants: Coffee Pot, Tii Gavo at Enchantment Resort, PussyCat Gelato
- Blue Bear Vortex Tour (guide: Robert)
- Pink Jeep Tour of Broken Arrow (guide: Rick)
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Shopping at Tlaquepaque and downtown Sedona
- Day trip to Jerome with lunch at the Haunted Hamburger
Other Trips We’ve Taken
If you enjoy this kind of travel, we have posts about family-friendly trips and other getaways that might inspire you — from South Dakota and New Orleans to Palm Springs and Hawaii. This Sedona girls’ weekend was one of our favorites: restorative, adventurous, and full of laughter. Highly recommended.