June 17, 2026

195. Sedona, Arizona -

Show Notes
Transcript

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

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Hey, we made it to Sedona, Arizona. You're about to

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embark on a journey through one of the most stunning

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destinations in the American Southwest. Sedona is known for its

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incredible red rock formations, vibrant art scene, and a sense

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of spirituality that seems to infuse the air itself. It's

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the perfect spot for anyone looking to unwind, explore nature,

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and maybe even find a little inner peace. Let's kick

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things off with the great outdoors, because if there's one

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thing you need to do in Sedona, it's hiking. The

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trailhead for Devil's Bridge is a great place to start.

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It's one of the more popular hikes, and for good reason.

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The trek is moderate and difficulty, but leads you to

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a natural rock bridge that offers a view like no other.

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As you make your way up, you'll find yourself surrounded

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by those iconic red rocks, and when you get to

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the top, it's like you've stumbled upon the edge of

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a natural wonderland. The bridge itself is wide enough for

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you to walk across, and when you do, make sure

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to look around and soak in the panoramic views of

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the surrounding landscape. It's the sort of vista that makes

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you want to just pause and breathe it all in.

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If you can aim for an early morning hike to

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catch the sunrise casting a golden glow over the rocks,

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it's an experience that sets a serene tone for the

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rest of your day. After all that hiking, you're probably

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going to want to grab a bite to eat. Head

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over to the Coffee Pot restaurant. It's a local favorite

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known for its enormous menu featuring over one hundred omelet options.

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Yes you heard that right, over one hundred omelets. It's

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the kind of place where you can sit down, relax,

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and enjoy a hearty, unpretentious meal. The vibe is cozy

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and welcoming, the sort of spot where locals and tourists

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alike come to fuel up for a day of exploration.

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Once you're refueled, consider checking out Sedona's vibrant arts scene.

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The Tlacapaukee Arts and Shopping Village is a charming spot

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to wander. Designed to look like a traditional Mexican village,

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this place is full of galleries, boutiques, and artisan shops.

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You can easily spend a good chunk of your afternoon

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meandering through the courtyards, browsing everything from handcrafted jewelry to

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local paintings. There's often live music, especially during the weekends,

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and the atmosphere feels alive with creativity. Whether you're an

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art enthusiast or just enjoy a leisurely stroll, Tlaca Pake

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has something for everyone. Next, let's talk about something a

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little different. The vortex is. Sedona is famous for its

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energy vortexes, which are thought to be swirling centers of

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energy conducive to healing, meditation, and self exploration. Even if

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you're a skeptic, visiting these spots is an interesting experience.

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The Airport Masa Vortex is one of the most accessible.

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As you climb the short trail, you can see why

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people feel a special energy here. The terrain has a

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rugged beauty, and at the top you get a stunning

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view of the entire Sedona area. It's a great place

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to sit quietly, reflect and maybe even feel a bit

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of that mystical energy people talk about. If you're up

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for more hiking, the Cathedral Rock trail is another must do.

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It's a bit of a challenging climb, but reaching the

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saddle of Cathedral Rock is incredibly rewarding. The views are

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breathtaking and it's a great spot for photography. The rock

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formations rise majestically around you, and the sense of accomplishment

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you feel at the top is worth every step. Remember

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to wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water,

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as the Arizona sun can be quite intense. When it's

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time to wind down, head to the Oak Creek Brewery

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and Grill for some dinner and a locally brewed beer.

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It's a laid back spot where you can relax after

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a day of adventures. Try the beer sampler to get

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a taste of what the local brewing scene has to offer.

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Whether you're into pale ales or a rich porter, there's

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something on tap for everyone. Pair it with a juicy

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burger or a plate of fish and chips, and you're

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set for a satisfying meal. If you're interested in history,

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consider visiting the Sedona Heritage Museum. It's a quaint spot

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that offers a glimpse into the area's past. You can

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learn about the early settlers, the development of the town,

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and get a feel for what life was like back

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in the day. The museum is housed in a historic homestead,

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which in itself is worth the visit. It's a nice

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way to spend an afternoon, especially if you're looking to

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escape the sun for a bit. For something a little different,

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take a jeep tour. Sedona jeep tours are quite popular

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and they offer a unique way to see the landscape.

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You'll bounce along rocky trails with a guide pointing out

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interesting geological formations and sharing local lore. It's a fun

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off road adventure that gives you a new perspective on

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the Red Rocks. Plus, it's nice to have someone else

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do the driving while you sit back and enjoy the views. Now,

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let's talk about a special time of day in Sidona. Sunset.

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You absolutely have to experience Sedona at dusk. Head up

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to Airport Mesa, which also has happens to be a

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great sunset viewing spot. As the sun begins to set,

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the red Rocks transform into a palette of deep reds

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and purples. It's a magical moment and you'll find plenty

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of people gathered to watch the spectacle unfold. It's a

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communal experience with everyone there to appreciate the natural beauty.

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Take a moment to just stand and watch as the

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day fades away feeling like some dessert after all that

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sunset gazing. How about some homemade ice cream. Head over

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to Black Cow Cafe. They have some of the creamiest

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ice cream around, with flavors ranging from classic vanilla to

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something a bit more adventurous like Prickly Pear. Grab a

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scoop or two and enjoy it while you take a

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leisurely stroll through the town. It's a sweet way to

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wrap up your evening. If you're in the mood for

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some evening entertainment, check out what's playing at the Mary D.

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Fisher Theater. This small independent theater often screens a mix

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of independent films, documentaries, and the occasional classic movie. It's

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a cozy spot that offers a nice change of pace

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from the day's activities. Plus it's a great way to

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support the local art scene. Now if by chance, you're

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hoping to squeeze in a little relaxation. Sedona is also

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known for its spas. There are quite a few options,

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but one stand out as Sidona's New Day SPA book,

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a massage or a facial and let yourself unwind. The

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treatments are designed to rejuvenate and if you've been hitting

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the trails hard, it's a welcome way to soothe those muscles.

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The atmosphere is calming, and you'll walk out feeling refreshed

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and ready to take on more adventures. Speaking of adventures,

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if you're interested in more unique experiences, consider booking a

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hot air balloon ride. Imagine floating gently above the red

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rocks as the sun rises or sets. It's a peaceful

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and exhilarating experience all at once, offering views that you

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simply can't get from the ground. The perspective from up

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there is something extraordinary, with shadows playing across the landscape

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and the vastness of the desert stretching out before you.

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It's a bit of a splurge, but if you're looking

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for something memorable, this is it. If you're into stargazing,

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Sedona is the place to be because there's so little

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light pollution. The night sky is incredibly clear, making it

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perfect for spotting constellations. Head out to a dark spot

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away from the lights, maybe even back to one of

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those hiking spots once the sun and gaze up. It's

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an awe inspiring site, especially if you're used to city

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lights dulling the stars. You might even catch a shooting

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Star too. It's a peaceful way to end the day

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with the vastness of the universe above. Let's not forget

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about Sedona's shopping scene. Whether you're after unique souvenirs or

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looking for a bit of retail therapy, you'll find plenty

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to choose from. Uptown Sedona is bustling with shops selling

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everything from Native American crafts to quirky trinkets. It's a

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fun place to wander through even if you're just window shopping. Plus,

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you never know what hidden gem you might find. Feeling

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peckish again, give a Loat Cafe a try. This place

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is a hit with locals and visitors alike, offering delicious

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Mexican inspired dishes. The Aloat or Mexican street Corn is

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a must try. It's roasted corn slathered in a creamy,

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tangy sauce. Pair it with one of their main courses,

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like the smoked brisket enchiladas or the Lamadobo, and you're

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in for a treat. The ambiance is lively and it's

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a great spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

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After dinner, if you're up for a little more exploring,

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take a leisurely evening walk along Oak Creek. The sound

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of the water is soothing, and the area is particularly

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beautiful In the moonlight. You might even catch a glimpse

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of some local wildlife. It's a tranquil way to cap

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off your Sidona adventure. Before you wrap up your trip,

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make sure to visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

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This architectural wonder juts out from the red rocks and

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offers a place for quiet reflection. The views from up

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there are panoramic, giving you one last look at the

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landscape that makes Sidona so special. It's a spot that's

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both peaceful and inspiring, leaving you with a sense of calm.

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Sedona is more than just a place. It's a feeling.

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Whether you're hiking, feasting on delicious food, soaking in the

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local culture, or simply taking a moment to breathe in

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the stunning scenery, there's something for everyone. It's a destination

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that invites you to slow down and appreciate the beauty

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of the natural world. I'm Johnny Mack and Travel Is Back.

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Follow Travel Is Back wherever you listen to podcasts and

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195. Sedona, Arizona -

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