Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Deanne
Arizona is a fun family vacation destination—and adding in a trip to Sedona is a must. If you’re wondering what to do in Sedona with kids – especially teenagers! – don’t worry. Mixed in with the jaw-dropping scenery are thrilling Sedona family activities, Instagrammable viewpoints, exciting amenities, and a charming town to explore.
A trip to Sedona with teens does take a bit of planning, though. Here are 6 tips to create a Sedona itinerary everyone will love.
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Tip #1: Let them sleep in.
This may sound like heresy to some families… especially those who like to make the most of every moment while on vacation (trust me, my husband Ryan and I feel the same way) but let the kids sleep in.
If your teens are anything like ours, they love to sleep and, frankly, this is their vacation too. So let them sleep in, but while they do, you can get up early and hike a scenic trail before they even wake up. That’s what we did, and it was a win-win.
Ryan and I got up before dawn, saw the sunrise in peace, explored some easy Sedona hikes, and enjoyed some alone time. The kids got their sleep and when we all met back at the hotel for breakfast, they were in a good mood to start the day.
Tip #2: Book a Pink Jeep Tour.
Out of all the things to do with kids in Sedona, taking a Pink Jeep Tour was one of our favorites. We all had a blast as the jeep climbed straight up and over the red rocks traversing the Broken Arrow Trail.
Our driver, Mike, was so funny and knowledgeable—he created an exciting family experience. He even made sure to take our family’s picture when we stopped multiple times to enjoy the view.
The jeep we rode in accommodated our family of five and one other couple. The kids spent a good portion of the ride laughing, while I gripped the side with white knuckles… I was laughing and squealing, too, just with my eyes shut! It was family bonding at its best.
Tip #3: Hike a teen-friendly trail.
Ryan and I love to hike while on vacation, but it doesn’t excite our kids as much. Unless the hike is an adventurous climb—then they are all on board!
With more than 200 hiking trails in Sedona, we had our pick of fun and unique trails. We chose to hike Cathedral Rock with our teens. This is a short, steep climb that is anything but boring. Once you get to the top, the views are so incredible you might not get your kids to come back down.
Plus, if your kids are into social media – they’ll love the epic photo opportunities Cathedral Rock provides. Heck, I loved this climb for the same reason. I couldn’t put my camera down.
This is a very popular trail—so you won’t be alone on the hike—but it’s worth it. You and your teens will be creating some fun memories to look back on years from now.
Tip #4: Choose lodging with amenities.
Sedona thrives on tourism. That’s a good thing for you because that means there are an immense amount of Sedona lodging options: family resorts, hotels, airbnb’s, and more. If you can, choose one with amenities your teens will enjoy. Swimming? Tennis? Pickle ball? Think about your kids’ interests when booking your accommodations.
We stayed at the Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel and Creekside Villas and enjoyed some fun family pickle ball and tennis matches. Playing games among Sedona’s stunning red rock backdrop was truly the icing on the cake of an already exciting family vacation.
Tip #5: Choose lodging convenient to town.
When planning your trip to Sedona, choose lodging that’s right in town so your kids can feel independent as they walk to stores or to get a treat.
We felt comfortable letting our teens walk by themselves down the main road outside our Sedona hotel to get an ice cream cone. They had fun being on their own and we were able to grab a glass of wine at the winery just down the street.
Afterward, we all met up at a nearby restaurant. Again, a win-win!
Tip #6: Take them to McDonald’s. No, seriously.
Okay, let me explain. I’m not actually suggesting you eat at McDonald’s – unless you choose to (no judging!) But your teens may want to see something unique to Sedona. The Sedona McDonald’s is not the home of the golden arches – but of the turquoise arches!
Sedona is the only place in the world that was allowed to change the color of McDonald’s arches. The city thought the gold color clashed with the surrounding Sedona landscape, so they were allowed to change it. They chose turquoise. Another Instagram-worthy photo? I think so.
A trip to Sedona with teens is bound to be a memorable event when you incorporate these 6 tips. Have you been to Sedona with your teens? Do you have any tips to add to our list? Tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!
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