Sedona

One of the best day trips from Phoenix is Sedona. Surrounded by striking red rock mountains, cut through by the meandering Oak Creek, and said to contain vortexes, Sedona is one of the most scenic and intriguing towns in the entire Southwest. The main street consists mainly of tourist shops and restaurants but is also home to crystal sellers, fortune tellers, and other unique retail outlets you can't find just anywhere, including places to buy metaphysical gifts or gets aura photo and aura readings.

If you have time, a 4-hour Jeep Tour is a wonderful way to get out into the landscape and see some of the sites, including ancient ruins and rock wall art. Hikers will find fantastic hiking trails around Sedona. You can hike to a saddle of the famous Cathedral Rock or takes in some of the easier but equally beautiful canyon hikes. To experience the powers of an energy vortex, you can take a Sedona Vortex Tour, where a guide will explain what these mystical places are all about. While most of the appeal is the incredible surroundings, other things to see and do in Sedona include visiting ancient cliff dwellings and ruins, having a look at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and tackling some of the local mountain biking trails.

Distance from Phoenix: 115 miles

Travel time: 2 hours
Location: Verde Valley, Arizona, United States
Tripadvisor Rating: 5/5