Sedona: City Highlights Tour with Chapel & Scenic Overlook

4.97

(459 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a Sedona city tour—honestly, I just wanted to see those red rocks up close without worrying about parking or missing something important. From the minute we met our guide (her name was Jamie, she wore these turquoise earrings that almost matched the sky), it felt more like hanging out with a local friend than being shuttled around. She pointed out Snoopy Rock and Darth Vader Rock right off the bat—yeah, they actually look like those characters if you squint—and I caught myself grinning like a kid. The van was cool inside, which felt good because the sun was already warming things up outside.

We rolled through Tlaquepaque Village next. Jamie slowed down so we could catch the mosaic tiles and ironwork arches—she told us about how artists still work here, and I could smell coffee drifting from one of the open-air cafés as we passed. Someone waved from a pottery shop. It’s funny how quickly you start to feel part of the rhythm of a place when you see locals going about their day. After that we cruised by Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock—she explained how these formations have all sorts of stories tied to them (some geological, some spiritual). I tried snapping photos but honestly, nothing does those colors justice.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross surprised me most. We got dropped off right at the entrance (I’d heard parking is usually a nightmare), and when I stepped inside it was quiet except for footsteps echoing on stone. Sunlight spilled through the window behind the altar and made everything glow gold for a second—I just stood there breathing in candle wax and old wood. Jamie pointed out relics tucked away near the front; she said people come from all over just to sit in silence here. I kind of get why now.

On the way to West Sedona, Jamie talked about Native American history and showed us Thunder Mountain (which really does look like it belongs in an old western movie). We even passed this teal McDonald’s—the only one in the world painted that color because regular yellow wasn’t allowed here. That little detail stuck with me for some reason. Our last stop was this overlook where everyone went quiet for a minute—the view just sort of demands it. I still think about that light on the rocks as we drove back into town.