Saving money in Sedona can be a challenge. It’s a very sought-after destination and once you’re there, you’re not really going to leave the area for much. Finding lodging for a family of five on top of the previous factors and you’ve got the cards stacked against you. Insert creativity!
My husband and I had been wanting to check out the Sedona area and we knew our kids would love the hiking. It’s known for the swirling energy vortex and who doesn’t like more energy? Somehow, I had to make this happen for our family without spending a small fortune.
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Credit Card Points
I follow several credit card hacking accounts but had not applied for one yet. This summer, the Chase Sapphire Card came out with an amazing bonus points offer I couldn’t resist, so I applied and was accepted. This particular card gives bonus points for referrals. My husband and a friend both signed up. They, in turn, qualified for the amazing sign-up bonus points as well.
The Chase app makes booking a hotel very easy. You can see what hotels are in the area and how many points they are going to use. I decided to go for a comfy stay since it was practically free and booked us four nights at the Hilton Sedona Red Rock Resort. Our room would have normally been $475 a night, but I had enough points to only have to pay $50 a night. I was stoked! Yes, I could have held off and acquired more points through my spending, but I wanted to make sure the room was booked for the dates we needed.
Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock
There are so many things we love about this resort. As a guest, free fitness classes are offered throughout the day. These vary from day to day but include Zumba, Yoga, Myofascial Stretching, Tai Chi and many others. There is a nice gym, an outdoor ‘warrior style’ facility, a lap pool, a family pool, two hot tubs, and tennis courts. Access is included with your stay.
We love the fact that there is a Starbucks inside the resort, open during morning hours. The bar’s $5 Happy Hour is a nice bonus as well. Walking down to the lounge area, grabbing a favorite drink and playing a game of Scrabble quickly became a family favorite. On the wall near the restaurant/lounge area is a huge magnetic Scrabble board. This is not a game we typically play at home, but we shared more laughs than I could have imagined playing this classic.
During the winter months, there are igloos, firepits, and heat lamps set up for the restaurant and by the pool area. Even though the weather in Sedona is normally pleasant, being able to take off the chill during the evenings was extra nice. In the evenings, kid movies are shown on a big screen with animal beanbags to lounge on. Cozy seating is all over the resort which makes it ideal for relaxing, reading, and/or watching the big screen.
If you would like to apply for the Chase Sapphire card, using my referral code is greatly appreciated. I will get bonus points when you sign up, but it doesn’t affect any of your sign-up points.
Hilton Sedona Resort at Rock 90 Ridge Trail Dr. Sedona, Arizona
Hiking and Activities in Sedona
We are an adventurous family and hiking in Sedona fits the bill perfectly. One of my favorite moments was when we crested the hill and my teenage son stopped walking and just said ‘WOW’. The red rock views are stunning and when a teenage boy is stopped in his tracks, you know they’re amazing..
Broken Arrow
The Broken Arrow hike is a few miles north of the resort. A small parking lot off of Morgan Road puts you at the trailhead. It’s a relatively easy hike from there to Chicken Point. There is elevation, but it’s gradual over the course of the 3 miles. From the Broken Arrow Trail, you can veer off onto other trails as well. They all have comical names: Hog Wash, High On the Hog, Pig Tail. There is a fault line that runs through this region, and you can literally see the shift in the plates. It’s pretty cool!
This is a popular destination for mountain bikers and off-roading jeeps. The terrain that both of them maneuver across is crazy! Check out ‘white line Sedona’ on YouTube to see the ridge that the most adventurous bikers ride. You can see the line behind us in our Pink Jeep picture.
Bell Rock
For the most part, the names of the rock structures are true to their image. Bell Rock looks like a bell, Snoopy looks like Snoopy lying on his doghouse and the Coffee Pot looks like an old fashioned coffee pot. Driving by Bell Rock, I thought it looked like a leisurely hike that went around the circumference of the ‘bell’. This assessment was made completely from the hikers I saw as we drove past it. It was completely wrong!
The trail from the small parking lot started out very much like Broken Arrow’s. We were following the caged rocks, which serve as the trail markers, until we weren’t. With two adventurous kids, the slopes and random rocks were too much to resist. Instead of a leisurely, winding trail, we began rock/mountain climbing. It was fun, but I did need hoisted up a few times. The kids, on the other hand, climb like mountain goats.
They had their eye on a particular pinnacle they wanted to ascend to, and we finally made it. Just to be silly, we had taken Cliff Bars and our Arizona Teas with us on the hike. Once we got to the top, we enjoyed our makeshift picnic. And yes, the views are stunning here as well. Coming down was a bit more nerve-racking to say the least. My heart and their bellies got workouts as I became the scaredy cat of the group. Hey, it made for great memories.
Bell Rock is a few miles north of Hilton Sedona Bell Rock Resort.
Boynton Canyon Trail
Our third hike was six miles. Our tour guide from Pink Jeep Tours had recommended this one to us, knowing we liked to see diverse landscapes. This trail is located a few miles west of Sedona, about a 15-minute drive from the resort.
This trail provides a lot more vegetation and new cliffs to admire. We had been told about the ‘secret’ cave that only the locals knew about. As social media has grown, so has the traffic to the cave. There are no official signs, and we weren’t positive what we were looking for. Fortunately, my son spotted ‘cave’ carved into a rock with additional rocks making a natural arrow. We stayed on the trail and were glad we had ventured out.
The place was amazing! Once we got to the cliff side, we had to mountain goat our way up a slippery slide sort of rock. From there we CAREFULLY walked the three-foot ledge, hugging the cliff. The ledge is somewhat of an S shape. When we got to a larger, more breathable ledge, we all took a moment to look out over the valley. Sedona’s beauty is astounding. Heading down a makeshift path wasn’t too bad.
It’s always fun to learn about different trees when we travel. There was one variety in particular, the manzanita, that really stood out on this trail. A very ancient manzanita tree is located at the midway point of this trail. Its plum-colored bark makes it very distinguishable. Be sure to take in its splendor.
Pink Jeep Tours
These tours came highly recommended from a friend. I booked us on the Broken Arrow Tour although there are several to choose from. This two-hour ride takes you into the canyon, drives you over large boulders and down steep ravines, known as the Devil’s Staircase. Nothing seems to get in the way of these jeeps. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the area and the history of the rocks. Our group ranged from a 4-year-old to adults, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Pink Jeep Tours 204 N. State Rt. 89A Sedona, Arizona
Where to Eat in Sedona
Nick’s
The sign out front reads ‘Where the Locals Go’ and after eating here we know it’s for good reason. To begin with, the service is the friendliest and most attentive I’ve experienced in a long time. The restaurant is known for its Mexican food and loaded burgers. Their Chicken Tinga is so tasty creating an undisputed delicious quesadilla.
Nick’s Westside 2920 W. State Rt. 89A Sedona, Arizona
Tamaliza Café
For more authentic Mexican food, Tamaliza is a must. There are a few tables inside and a few on the patio. Their specialty rests in their tamales. I ordered the Veggie Tamale, which was served with roasted poblano peppers, corn, and cotija cheese. So yummy! They also serve Horchata and hibiscus tea for added tastebud pleasure.
Tamaliza Cafe 1155 W. State Rt. 89A Sedona, Arizona
Rotten Johnny’s Brick Fired Pizza
A trip isn’t complete in my book without trying out the local pizza joint. Rotten Johnny’s is within walking distance from the Hilton. It has a nice vibe with live music playing. The menu has a large variety of scrumptious choices from veggie to meat lovers.
Rotten Johnny’s Brick Fired Pizza 7000 AZ-179 Suite B110 Sedona
Hitching Post Restaurant
When a restaurant has been in business since 1939, you’re sure to find a delicious meal. We were not disappointed. The location is in the downtown area of Sedona, across the street from the Pink Jeeps. It made a great breakfast option after a morning ride.
Hitching Post Restaurant 269 N. State Rt. 89A Sedona
McDonald’s
Now, if you’ve been reading my articles, you will notice that I never recommend chain restaurants. So, why of all places am I recommending a stop at McDonald’s? You actually don’t even have to eat here to soak in the uniqueness. The thing that makes this restaurant special is that the golden arches are TEAL. Yep, you read that correctly. Due to city zoning color codes, this world-wide chain had to opt for a different color. The ONLY teal M in the world! It’s worth the few minutes just to get a picture.
McDonald’s 2380 W US Hwy 89 Sedona
Tips while in Sedona
Sedona does cater to the tourists, so prices seemed to be on the higher end. That being said, booking with credit card points and eating in our room for a few meals made a big difference in the overall budget. There is a very nice grocery store about a 1/2 mile north of the Hilton that made shopping very convenient.
Sedona is an hour away from Flagstaff. The back road that connects the two ranks as one of the top scenic drives in the U.S. You’ll go past jaw-dropping cliffs, raging waterfalls, S-curves and various vegetation. It is well worth the trip, especially because Flagstaff has such a cute commerce area. Just look at this adorable tea shop, Steep, with cozy little tables in the window.
Sedona is also a short distance from the Grand Canyon. You can read about our hiking and camping adventures here.
