Just an hour and a half away from our house, Sedona is an easy family getaway for us. We recently took our first Sedona, Arizona trip with the kids and we are already planning to return! Sedona is a retirement community and known for it’s peaceful environment, however there are plenty of kid friendly activities to do there! If you have a nature loving/adventure seeking child, this magical place is meant for them. From hiking to shopping and everything in between, there’s so much to explore in Sedona as a family!
The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock invited us to stay in one of their amazing suites that overlooked the majestic red rocks. The room featured a private balcony, fireplace, refrigerator (a must for us!) and separate living area. It is so nice to be able to put the kids to bed and sneak into the living area to have some adult time. We also enjoyed breakfast at The Grille, which is in the Hilton, where you can order off the menu or opt for the buffet. I’m a big fan of buffet breakfasts for restless kiddos that don’t particularly care for waiting. Plus, under age 4 was free. Hilton is my favorite when traveling with kids!
Even though you are vacationing with the kiddos, make sure to sneak off to the Hilton eforea spa during nap time for some much needed pampering! I highly recommend the signature full circle massage (ask for Joanne), which is inspired by the four directions and is very Sedona-ish. The treatment included hot stones and a cocoon wrap, which was heavenly. I have never felt more relaxed in my life. I’ll make sure to do this more often while on vacation! I texted my mom right after the treatment telling her that we needed to plan a mother-daughter spa day at eforea!
Here are the kid friendly things to do that made our “best activities for kids in Sedona” list, in no particular order.
1. Trolley Ride: Catch a trolley ride in Uptown Sedona. I recommend doing a shorter 1 hour tour with younger children. Make sure to do this at the start of your trip as there may be things you see along the ride that you want to go back to. My toddler kept asking for Daniel Tiger while we were on the trolley and it was the highlight of her trip!
2. Sedona Rainbow Trout Farm: Head to this kid-friendly fishing hole in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. Admission is only $1 per person and they supply you with fishing equipment and bat for a fun day of fishing. They also offer “Grill Kits” so you can BBQ your fish on property and eat at one of their picnic tables.
3. Chapel of The Holy Cross: This landmark is built into the rock formations overlooking Sedona and is one of the most visited sites in Sedona. It is quite a stunning sight that all ages and religions can appreciate. My children enjoyed the scenic drive to the chapel and the views from inside.
4. Crescent Moon Ranch: This beautiful area is perfect for hiking, fishing, picnicking or even swimming in the warmer months. The beautiful trail is very kid-friendly, right next to the creek and is only a mile round trip (if that). The kids were amazed by the many stacked rocks (or cairns) that people created along the path and even created a few of their own rock towers.
5. Blazin’ M Ranch: Unfortunately, Blazin’ M Ranch was closed while we were in Sedona, but we’ve heard so many good things about it that we’re planning a day trip back next month to experience the fun! It’s an old west cowboy town, only 20 minutes away from the Hilton, complete with a shooting gallery and vintage pull tractor. Enjoy a BBQ dinner as they entertain you.
6. Black Cow Cafe: A stop for homemade ice cream or pie while in Sedona is always a must for us! Grab your ice cream or slice of pie and head to one of the nearby benches outside and people watch or enjoy the live street music.
7. Tlaquepaque Shopping Center: Many of the shops are high end art studios, where you might not want to let a toddler loose in. However, the grounds are very pretty and we enjoyed window shopping after dinner. Stop by the candy shop for dessert, the fudge is amazing!
8. Bell Rock Trail: If you have younger children, stick to the lower trail (the trails are all well marked). It’s an easy hike for the littles with beautiful scenery! There is limited parking, so get there early during tourist season. January was a great time to experience Sedona without the crowds.
9. Picazzo’s Pizza: Pick up a pizza or dine in, this place was voted best pizza in Sedona and we agreed! The ingredients are organic and they have gluten free options. We opted for the gluten free cheese pizza and took it back to the Hilton to enjoy on our balcony. It was delicious and sometimes an easy pick up option with kids is much appreciated.
10. Bearizona: This is technically not in Sedona, but it’s only an hour away from the Hilton and worth the drive! You actually stay in your car and can spot bear, wolves, buffalo and other animals along the 3 mile drive. At the end you can get out and enjoy the walking portion of their zoo. My kids ask almost daily to return to Bearizona!
What are YOUR favorite kid-friendly things to do in Sedona, AZ? Make sure to reserve a room at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock for your next stay!
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