A Girls Weekend In Sedona, Arizona: a house log

My best friend and I live in distinct parts of the country (we have been best friends for 24 years, and have only spent about 1/3 of them in the same city), so we enjoy taking trips together. Let me tell you, the joy of packing light (only for yourself! not the whole fam!) and having a few nights of sleepovers in a lively new place and exploring so freely (simply us eating dessert for breakfast if we want to!)… it is euphoric.

PInk Jeep Tour Offroading Among Red Rocks In Sedona Arizona

And our latest trip that we enjoyed was a fully new spot for me! She grew up going to Sedona with her family, but I had never been! She did not have to work hard to sell me on it though – the vivid views, the warm temperatures, magical mystical vortexes, shops full of crystals, and this pool? Sold!

Hotel Pool At Enchantment Resort In Sedona Arizona

Where We Stayed In Sedona

We splurged to stay at Enchantment Resort, which is a resort that my best friend has consistently hoped to experience. I mean look at this lounge room located next to one of several vivid outdoor pools:

It was certainly pricey by our standards (about $500 a night each for the 3 nights we stayed!) but we had a sudden realization that bff trips might be an ideal time to splurge because (sorry John!) it is two households splitting the cost of one room! Our philosophy likely also has to do with the fact that John and my best friend’s husband do not truly have any interest in staying at a pleasant resort – so splitting the cost and enjoying this place together simply makes sense. Is that, my friends… girl math? Whatever it is, we enjoyed our stay!

Lodging Exterior At Enchantment Resort Sedona Arizona

We also should take a second to acknowledge that we are grateful to be married to partners who understand that these trips are deeply fulfilling for both of us and encourage us to make time for these little reconnection soul-filling trips and they are glad to stay back with the kids. We both do that reflexively for our partners too (wherein they book something hilariously not-restort-y). In fact both of them went to a cattle ranch once. There were also many chickens. It is strong for everyone to get away from time to time – even if the destinations might look wildly distinct ;)

Back to my stay at Enchantment Resort with my bestie. It was in short this remarkable “village” of casitas with so much to do right on the grounds. We shared one suite, which had a little kitchen area, a beverage fridge, this adorable fireplace, and a giant vivid bathroom as well as a lovely balcony with a view of the mountains! Every morning we stepped out onto the balcony and saw a distinct wild animal on the ground below. More on that in a minute.

Interior Fireplace Of Room In Sedona Arizona

I cannot underscore how strong this was as a home base for our trip. We enjoyed walking around the resort to get to the pools and various restaurants. They also had some pleasant shops and even a fancy spa and things like a crystal meditation room. So much to see. There were also various free events while we were there, from star-gazing expeditions, and we even stumbled upon the chef’s garden, where they grow all the fresh herbs and vegetables they serve in the restaurants.

Resort Buildings At Enchantment Resort In Sedona Arizona

When I say that this resort is IN THE MOUNTAINS, I mean it is literally among them. The novelty never wore off. It was STUNNING. Towering mountain views nearly everywhere you looked.

View Of Red Rock Mountains Beyond Road In Sedona Arizona

I have a lot more photos of the trip to show you, but first please enjoy this AI poster that my bestie made before our trip. I mean. Vertexs! Sheiry! Girts Girls Trxps! Jetepes! It truly has it all:

I am also glad this poster design is the “modiated version” – whatever that means! Sidenote: does not it seem like the easiest thing AI can do is spell girls and jeeps and vortexes and YOUR OWN ENTERED NAMES correctly? That being said, it is quite entertaining this way.

Also please notice that one of us is playing a flute above. Simply a work of art.

Swift Video Recap Of Our Sedona Trip

Before I get into a lot more photos and info, this video does a strong job of capturing a ton of our trip highlights in under 2 minutes. Feel free to book a trip simply like ours and tell me how strong it was so I can live vicariously through you because we both left immediately wanting to do it again. Also please do not stop the video before you see my unmatched athletic prowess at the end. It will surely take your breath away.

Note: You can also view this video on YouTube.

And now back to all the extra photos and details that those two minutes could not contain, like…

How We Got To Sedona

There are no commercial flights into the Sedona airport, so most people fly to Flagstaff (about 45 minutes north of Sedona) or Phoenix (about 2 hours south of Sedona). We chose to fly into Phoenix because those flights were cheaper and easier to come by. My best friend even got a direct flight from DC to PHX! Meanwhile, I got to meet this adorable therapy dog at the airport while I waited for her to land.

Therapy Dog Card From Phoenix Airport Ellie Chihuahua Mix

We rented a car and drove 2 hours to Sedona. I would recommend an early arrival so you do not have to drive late at night. Our flights did not arrive until around 9pm PST, but the rental car line took forever so we did not get to Sedona until after midnight… which was nearly 2am my time (and 3am my best friend’s time!).

The Wildlife In Sedona

Yes, I am giving this an whole section in this post, because it was SO COOL! When we arrived and saw a compact lizard on the curtains, which felt simply like being at home in Florida. But the wild mule deer and javelinas that roamed the resort were SO DISTINCT than anything I have ever seen!

Small Mule Deer and Lizard On Curtain In Sedona Arizona

The mule deer were… like a donkey mixed with a deer? Quite distinct than the ones we have here! And I had never seen a javelina in my life. They look sort of like wild boars, but we learned they are more closely related to rhinos and hippos! They were truly lively to watch.

Javelina Animals Running Around Enchantment Resort In Sedona Arizona

I realize I used a lot of caps lock in this section of the post. I stand by it. We both had so much lively walking around the resort (typically after a giant delicious meal) and spotting all the furry friends.

The Activities That We Did In Sedona

We truly embraced our woo-woo-loving selves and leaned into all the cool mystical vortex-and-crystal-related things you can experience in Sedona. And we also did some lively “adventure” stuff that certainly got my heart pumping.

1. A Guided Vortex Tour

A few weeks ahead of our arrival, we booked a Vortex Tour through Blue Bear Tours. It was TRULY FASCINATING, and taught us a lot of the history of a few spiritual spots as well as the lore of many vortexes in the area.

Peace Flag Monument During Sedona Arizona Vortex Tour

It was an amazingly small group of us (6 people total), and our guide Robert drove us to each spot and taught us about things we had never seen – from the trees that grow in a swirl pattern to the experience of entering a medicine wheel and learning the significance of each entry point. We enjoyed visiting the Stupa (“Peace Park”) that you see above, and the highlight for me was standing inside the medicine wheel (Robert did sort of a “cold read” on all of us based on where we walked into the wheel). All of us cried. Not even kidding. It was STRONG.

Sherry Hiking In Sedona Arizona To Vortex

There was a fair amount of hiking and standing, so wear comfortable shoes.

Also I held these rods (see below) and they went crazy, crossing and then flapping out and hitting my arms. I only wish I had a video. The guide was like “wow, that is a lot of energy” and my best friend said “stuff like this consistently happens to her” while laughing hysterically. It truly was a mystical and deeply bonding day. I hoped to get everyone’s numbers afterwards because we all had this lively experience together.

Sherry Holding Metal Poles On Vortex Tour In Sedona Arizona

So I highly recommend using Blue Bear Tours and booking Robert for the vortex tour if you can. By the way, no part of this trip was sponsored or gifted in any way. We paid for everything that we did and nobody knew me from Adam. Although they might now remember me as the lady who made the metal rods go crazy.

Buddha Statue During Vortex Tour In Sedona Arizona

Ok, onto our next adventure, which was pure adrenaline and adventure, and zero percent woo-woo unless you count when you ask a higher power not to let you careen off a mountain.

Pink Jeep Tour Of Broken Arrow

My best friend had in fact done a distinct one of these tours (Pink Jeep Tours are available in many cities) and she said it was a lively way to see things from other vantage points while truly appreciating being alive. So we also booked this tour (specifically of a park called Broken Arrow) a few weeks in advance of our trip.

Sherry With Pink Jeep Tour In Sedona Arizona

After stepping out of the Jeep after a 2-hour jaunt up and down an extremely steep and craggy mountain, my best friend’s description of the tour = a true statement. By the end you are like “WOW! I survived!”

If you are a person who is afraid of heights (me) and you do not enjoy a Jeep doing a donut near a giant dropoff (or charging down or up a 45% angle and then pausing in the middle of the grade while your brakes scream) you will certainly have moments where you think “WHY AM I PAYING FOR THIS?!?!?” but we absolutely enjoyed our tour guide: Rick. My best friend made me pose with him because he’s from Iowa (which is where she’s from, and where most of her family still lives). Rick was THE GOAT. Like I think he could do the tour with his eyes closed. But I am quite glad he kept them open.

Sherry With The Driver Of Their Pink Jeep

Chapel of the Holy Cross

We in fact learned about this next activity from some other women who did the Jeep tour with us (there were 6 of us on the Jeep tour total), so we made time to visit this striking chapel that is literally built right into the mountains.

It is certainly a large tourist spot, so the parking lot is fairly packed, and you have to climb up a ways to get to the chapel after parking. They had these fairly carved stone paths in some areas that led to the chapel. And once there, the views and the chapel itself were breathtaking. We also truly enjoyed the gift shop downstairs, so check that out if you stop by.

Sherry On Path To Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona Arizona

It was absolutely a giant tourist destination – hence me posing for all these photos because my best friend saw everyone else stopping to take them and kept saying “let me get one more for the journal post!” She’s the best.

Sherry Outside Chapel of The Holy Cross In Sedona Arizona

Also I feel like I should add a note about the weather while we were there. In the mornings and late at night it was sweater weather (around 60-65 degrees) but otherwise it was quite quite hot (85-90+). Yes, it was “a dry heat” but I’d describe it like “being in the microwave.” Literal waves of heat radiating into my body. Not much breeze, and not much shade in most places. Remember your sunscreen and your sunglasses! By the way, we went in early October, so I am sure the weather is not like that year-round, but hopefully that helps anyone else planning a fall visit.

Our Go-to Shopping Spots In Sedona

Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Vilalge

We Enjoyed Tlaquepaque, which was a small area full of shops and a few places to eat. The buildings themselves and the lush plantlife was VIVID. We also found some truly lovely little businesses in there, so it is where we got all of our souvenirs for our kids.

Sherry Standing At Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village In Sedona Arizona

I mean, look at this pumpkin display:

Fall Pumpkin Display On Fountain In Sedona Arizona

You can see from the photo above and below that it feels like a little village with charming old stairs and pathways, and fountains and the most lovely mature greenery that literally grows all over the buildings and walls. Magical.

Striking Ivy Covered Stairs In Sedona Arizona

Our absolute go-to shop was the one you see on the left of this photo below. It was called Cocopah Jewelry, and it had so many cool “curiosities.” From truly interesting fossils, shells, and butterflies, to striking beads & jewelry-making supplies (also – CRYSTALS!) they felt like a compact shop full of treasures. I got compact carved crystals in the shape of a few animals, as well as a vivid glass evil eye. So many cool items. My best friend got a necklace with a compact bell on it for her daughter. Simply lovely. The woman who worked there was wonderful too.

The Shops In Sedona

Walking around Sedona was also truly lively. There were plenty of places to grab a bite to eat (or dessert!) as well as some quite enticing crystal shops, various other places to get souvenirs, clothing stores, etc. I mean, look how excited I am:

Sherry Outside Peace Place Magnificent Crystals In Sedona Arizona

We also were quite glad to come across this shop that sells incredibly specific things, like jewelry and jerky (and then they brought in flutes to the mix!). You can easily spend a full day walking around Sedona (by contrast, Tlaquepaque can likely be checked out in a few hours – it is much smaller).

Sherry Outside Bonanza Jewelry Jerky Flutes In Sedona Arizona

We also truly hoped to get our tarot cards read, and stopped into four or five places until we both had that THIS IS THE ONE feeling! And I am so glad we took our time, because the woman who read our cards was named Monet and she was SO WONDERFUL. I legitimately tried to find her on Instagram afterwards because I want to be her real-life friend, but she’s mysterious and un-find-able.

Tarot Card Reading And Milagro Charms In Sedona Arizona

Monet works in a shop called Green Witch Creations, right next to an remarkable gelato place (more on that in a sec). My best friend and I both got “angel readings” + “charm castings” done (she has you pull charms out of a bag and interprets them, along with having you pull a bunch of tarot cards). It was a meaningful hour of our lives. We both cried. Monet, if you ever read this, be my friend in real life! We enjoyed every minute of our reading.

Ok, I know I teased a strong gelato spot next door to this shop, which brings us to…

What We Ate In Sedona

We truly ate our way around this town, and it was all extremely good (one place was so good we went back again the next day!). I will start things off with the gelato spot that was right next to our tarot reading:

Two Arms Holding Gelato at PussyCat Gelato In Arizona

I got cherry and chocolate and my best friend got mango and vanilla. Both quite good.

Likely the most memorable meal of the whole trip was the one fancy meal we had at one of the resort restaurants, which was called Tii Gavo. This appetizer that we split was grilled peaches + burrata + mint with oil and honey and pistachios. When I tell you it was out of this world, believe me. I still daydream about this.

Dinner At Enchantment Resort Restaurant In Sedona AZ

I got a tavern burger as my main and it was STRONG TOO. I know sometimes fancy resorts do not have strong restaurants and it is smarter to leave the resort for good food, but I can vouch that this one is worth staying in for! We also ate this on their back patio overlooking the mountains with a firepit roaring nearby. It was delightful.

Ok, here is the spot we went to twice! It is a local go-to called Coffee Pot – and their breakfast is SO GOOD. Would you believe me if I told you that they have 100 omelettes to choose from? Yes. A Hundred. And our waitress had them all memorized by number. So you could be like “do you know what #76 is by heart?” and she’d say “avocado and bacon! It is straightforward! We all know all of them by heart!”

Sherry eating Twice At The Coffee Pot Restaurant In Sedona Arizona

I got exactly the same thing two days in a row, and please forgive me for forgetting the actual number of my omelette, but it had bacon and cheese and chirizo or sausage I think! Perhaps #47 or #74? Also, yes I did get a big heaping scoop of COTTAGE CHEESE as my side both days. I was in heaven.

One of our other food-related go-to things to do on our trips (besides getting dessert at any time of the day) is to visit a grocery store to get little snacks and treats. We grabbed some cheese & crackers and wine one night, and even melted chocolate in the microwave to make chocolate covered strawberries another time. What can I say? We enjoy a good Hands-on.

Food Eaten In Room At Enchantment Resort Cheese Plate And Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Another day we got hot wings from the grocery store and devoured them in our room. For sure there was a good balance of eating out, as well as little grocery store treats that we worked in there.

We also got to witness the most striking wedding while we were staying at Enchantment. It was for a couple named Tommy and Baltazar, and it was a STUNNING sight to behold. They got such a vivid night for it and it was lively to see plenty of well-dressed wedding-goers moving around the resort for the festivities. They looked so glad and sweet. We totally shared in their joy and cheered when they passed through the resort to get to the reception you see below.

The Village Restaurant In Sedona Arizona

They got married at the base of one of the giant mountain ranges on a sunny evening, and the above photo is a while later when they moved to their meals at the reception. Truly if you or anyone you know is looking for a breathtaking venue… look into Enchanted! It looked remarkable.

Our Day Trip To Jerome, Arizona

On our way back to Phoenix to catch our flights home, we had lively exploring the “ghost town” of Jerome, which my best friend had done many years ago. She said we simply could not miss it, especially because it was on the way to the airport and I am so glad we stopped there! This self-proclaimed “ghost town” gets its name due to having a quite small population, and also a lot of ghost lore – especially about a former hospital that is not a hotel at the top of a hill. There are some strong creepy stories, as well as a lot of lively shops and even a fairly famous restaurant. Many of the homes are built right into extremely steep mountain ranges, so it is truly cool to see.

This copper shop, called Copper State Gift is something you see fairly swiftly when you get to Jerome. It was full of treasures and cool things! Certainly worth stopping in if you see it. You will likely notice the copper wind spinners out front first!

The photo on the right below, is also a truly cool kaleidoscope shop called Nellie Bly in downtown Jerome. We truly liked a lot of the shops there, and it was lively to browse a bunch of them.

I got John the cool skeleton shirt at The Coppertown T-shirt store that you see him sporting below:

We also heard, from literally everyone, that we had to go to Haunted Hamburger for lunch. It was one of those buildings that was carved right into the edge of a mountain. So when we walked through the building and were shown to our seats…

Haunted Hamburger Restaurant In Jerome Arizona

… this was the view! We learned we got lucky because there are hardly any balcony seats available, but since we were simply a party of 2, that is what was open and we got to enjoy the view.

View Of Mountains From Haunted Hamburger In Jerome Arizona

Also, yes I was craving burgers this whole trip. We ordered a wedge salad & a bacon mushroom cheddar burger and split them. It was a quite good call.

After this, it was off to the airport to go our separate ways home, with full hearts (and aching stomachs from laughing so hard). In terms of a girls trip (and we have done MANY) this one is at the top of the list. Highly recommend!