As the owner of Sedona art galleries, I am biased as I write this. Still, when my friends visit and are looking for things to do in Sedona, I always recommend visiting Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. It is one of the most magical sites with so much to offer, and you can easily spend a whole day, if not longer, browsing the shops, enjoying the restaurants, and soaking up the architecture and landscape.
Sedona is magical, and Tlaquepaque is at the center of that magic, positioned alongside the beautiful, crisp waters of Oak Creek. The recently added underpass that connects the North and South parts of the plaza is more than a detour away from the crosswalk; it is a pristine and serene casual stroll along the creek with incredible views.
When looking for things to do in Sedona, my go-to recommendations are art galleries, food and wine, hiking, and Stargazing. Here are a few of my favorites in each category and why.
Sedona Art Galleries:
Creative Gateways—As a partner in this business, I am biased; however, I love what we have curated in our Tlaquepaque gallery: excellent art glass, vibrant color, and fun, happy, and whimsical paintings and sculptures.
Rowe Gallery-Not only are Ken and Monica wonderful people, but Ken's endearing wildlife bronze sculptures, often created live on-site, are world-class and world-renowned. Rowe also features popular bronze artists, Joshua Tobey and Kim Kori. Also, local artist Shirley Albrecht is on-site with beautiful gourd art and raku pottery.
Renee Taylor Gallery-There are three locations in Tlaquepaque North and South, and they are our closest neighbors, just 10 feet away. They offer a robust roster of unique artists and fine jewelry brands. One of my favorites is the collection of William Henry Knives.
Andrea Smith Gallery-Gary and Andrea are not only lovely people, but the art is curated in a way that only they can do. Their extensive international travel, knowledge, and experience afford them a unique offering you won't see elsewhere.
Although there are many other beautiful Sedona art galleries in Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, these are four of my favorites.
Sedona Food & Wine
The Secret Garden Cafe-Friendly staff, delicious food, and an incredible patio.
Rene at Tlaquepaque-Incredible ambiance with French Mediterranean cuisine by renowned chef Mercer Mohr.
Broome & Orchard-One of my new favorites with some of the best Sedona views from their outdoor patio. I love their live music, great cocktails, and delicious food.
Hiking
Thunder Mountain Trail and Chimney Rock Pass Loop—I hike this every day for under one hour to get my heart rate up with a short vertical ascent and to be time efficient. It has beautiful scenery and is an all-around wellness activity. There is a small parking lot, but it is also not popular with tourists, so you can usually park.
Chicken Point via Broken Arrow to High on the Hog to Hog Wash Loop-4.6 miles in under two hours. Again, beautiful views and not necessarily heavily trafficked by tourists. You can usually find parking, exercise well, and enjoy beautiful red rock formations.
Cathedral Rock Trail-This is one of my favorite popular hikes. Although you usually need to shuttle in, if you go after 5:30 pm you can drive in and park, hike to the top, catch an epic sunset, and make it back down before it is too dark. Hard to beat.
Stargazing Secret Slick Rock Trail-One of my absolute favorite things to do in Sedona, and Im going to share with you how to do this in a memorable way, step-by-step. Sedona got its dark sky designation in 2014 and is one of approximately 200 in the world since Flagstaff, Arizona, became the first one in 2001. This particular location is the best I have found.
Arrive at the trailhead 30 minutes before the sun begins to set. It is a short hike of less than a mile. I bring a backpack with a flashlight, my drink of choice, mosquito repellent, water, and a blanket. Find the best spot on the massive flat red rock, set up, and enjoy the show. After the beautiful sunset, next comes the black silhouette of Cathedral Rock, then the epic show of the stars.
As always, keep Sedona beautiful by hauling out your trash and any other trash someone may leave, which is rare. We hope you enjoy these tips. Share this post with your friends who are coming to Sedona and they will be happy you did! Cheers!
Brett, Lera, and the Creative Gateways Team!
