Gorgeous views of the red rocks. Delicious meals. Prickly pear margaritas. And sunshine. If you are planning a weekend in Sedona, Arizona, you should be excited. This area in northern Arizona is one of the MOST beautiful places in the entire United States. And I will help you build the perfect weekend!
Sedona, Arizona is a trip you will want to tell ALL your friends about…
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Whether it’s your first time in Sedona, or you have been here before, use this itinerary and you won’t be disappointed with your trip. This is built off personal experience after a few trips myself and I wanted to compile what I would recommend as the BEST. TRIP. EVER. Let’s start with the basics…
When Should You Visit Sedona, Arizona?
Based on the weather, spring (March-May) is the best time to visit Sedona. Temperatures are between 60-80 degrees, but keep in mind that this is peak season and the highest amount of tourists! Summer is a wonderful time to visit, especially for my heat lovers—temps are in the 90-100s. Don’t forget your swimsuit!
The fall (October-November) cools things down and you’ll find fewer crowds. And winter (December-February) allows you to see the beautiful red rocks glisten with light snow. Plus, the least amount of tourists of the year.
How Do You Get to Sedona?
The easiest way to get to Sedona is to fly to Phoenix Airport and then make the two-hour drive to Sedona with a rental car. The cheapest way is to take the shuttle—it’s run by Groome Transportation, costs $60 per person, and takes about two hours and 45 minutes. Keep in mind: I do recommend having a car. Read: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Trip to Sedona.
In addition, Sedona, Arizona is about 5 hours from Las Vegas and 7.5 hours from Los Angeles.
Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona
The Hyatt Regency Sedona is a fantastic hotel which BEAUTIFUL views as well as big, clean, spacious rooms that include outdoor patio space. The pool and hot tub area is a great place to be after a morning of hiking—not only does it feel good, but you get the red rock views. And it’s in the perfect location with Uptown, restaurants, bars, and shops all within walking distance.
Sedona, Arizona Packing List
Here is a list of items you want to make sure you have ready for your trip to Sedona.
- Daily Outfits: Sedona is VERY casual. Don’t feel pressure to dress fancy anywhere.
- Hiking Outfits: Lightweight, breathable layers.
- Water Bottle: Bring a reusable one. This is my FAVORITE—it stays SO cold.
- Hiking Shoes: Don’t try Sedona hikes without the proper foot gear! Find hiking shoes that are comfortable, remain dry, and have a good grip. They don’t need to be expensive—these Merrells are great.
- Hiking Backpack: A nice, lightweight bag is nice to have to carry the essentials. This is an affordable, cute, and easy-to-pack one.
- Sunglasses: Sedona and sun go together. Don’t forget your shades.
- Cooler: Keep water and beer cold. Plus, you’ll need it for an afternoon at the state park. More below 🙂
Red Rock Pass
Don’t forget the Red Rocks Pass: This recreation pass will give you access to most Sedona hikes in the beautiful red rock country. A daily pass is $5, a week (7 consecutive days) is $15, and an annual is $20. Note: if you stay at the Hyatt mentioned above, you can do this right on site!
Weekend In Sedona, Arizona: The Best Itinerary
This itinerary will begin on your first evening in Sedona, assuming you spend the morning and afternoon flying and taking your road trip in. I mark the weekend as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but (obviously!), whatever days you are here will work 🙂
Friday Late Afternoon & Evening
GROCERY STOP
When you’re in Sedona, you want to start your day EARLY—especially when you plan to hike. The best way to stay on track is to have a quick breakfast handy at your Airbnb or hotel. It’s also nice to have some trail snacks, and as mentioned above, you’ll pack a cooler (with lunch) for the state park. Here is a quick list of what to grab at the grocery store when you arrive.
Sedona Weekend Grocery List:
- Coffee
- Fruit (Bananas, Apples)
- Granola Bars/Protein Bars
- Sandwich Bread
- Sandwich Meat
- Cheese
- Small Mayo or Mustard
- Chips/Crackers
- Cookies/Dessert
- Big Jugs of Water
- (A lot) of Beer 😉
After you get unloaded and unpacked, squeeze in a hike! You only have a weekend in Sedona and we want to pack as many in as we can. Don’t worry, we’ll start easy.
HIKE: Bell Rock
This short hike is a great one to squeeze in when you get into town. It’s a short distance (0.8 miles), Not that it does come with a bit of a challenge and a steep incline. As the name states, you will climb the “bell,”—also a sight you see right as you drive into Sedona!
From the top, you get amazing views of the red rock formations (you don’t even need to make it all the way to the top for them). Plus, this is a great place to experience a vortex site so pay attention to your body and emotions.
Note: kids are known to love this one since you incorporate climbing.
More Easy Sedona Hiking Options:
- Airport Mesa: This is the best place for sunset so it will be busy, but you get amazing views!
- Fay Canyon Trail: Great hike that you can squeeze into any time of day—it’s only 2.5 miles round trip.
- West Fork Trail: one of the easier hikes in Sedona that runs along Oak Creek Canyon.
DINNER: Pisa Lisa
Start your meals off with a BANG! This is one of the best places to eat in town. The thin, wood-fired pies created by Chef Lisa Dahl and team are next-level delicious and you can choose from classic toppings to ones that get more creative. It’s a perfect place for the whole family.
It’s a chill environment with friendly staff and an incredible menu from appetizers to desserts. I recommend the meatballs and the Justino pizza which is topped with ricotta, provolone-mozzarella, fresh prosciutto, organic arugula, and white truffle oil. Then, make sure to get your favorite gelato for dessert—they will give you samples!
After dinner, get some sleep. Tomorrow is a BIG DAY.
Saturday Morning
HIKE: Boynton Canyon
ALL trips to Sedona, Arizona should include hiking whether you have one day in Sedona or five. And it’s the perfect way to start the day and take in the true beauty of this place.
My recommendation for your first morning? Boynton Canyon (a vortex site) offers amazing canyon views as well as caves to climb and green trees for miles across the red rocks. It is gorgeous. The hike itself is moderate but starts off easy and flat to get your legs moving and body ready for the climb.
TIP: This is a popular hike. The best time to get here is before 7 AM in order to find a spot in the parking lot and deal with fewer crowds.
More Moderate Sedona Hiking Options:
- Devil’s Bridge: one of the MOST popular hiking spots (picture below) where a lot of Sedona tourists want to go. Keep in mind, you will wait anywhere from 1-3 hours for the bridge picture. Your call on if that is worth it!
- READ: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hikes in Sedona, Arizona for more ideas.
Saturday Afternoon
EXPLORE: Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is a MUST on your weekend in Sedona! This place is a TON of fun. And the cold water feels great after a hot morning of hiking through the red rocks.
The state park is located in Oak Creek Canyon and is known for its natural water slides. Park prices vary depending on the time of year, but the hot season weekends (Memorial Day-Labor Day) are $30 per vehicle (up to 4 adults.) Once you pay at the entrance and park, walk about a half-mile into the canyon and you’ll soon find people swimming, sliding, and relaxing on the rocks.
Don’t Forget to Bring:
- Cooler: Don’t forget lunch! (You can bring alcohol, just no glass.)
- Swimsuit: Crusin’ down the natural slides is a MUST.
- Water Shoes: Totally optional. But it is definitely slippery!
- Towels: Both for drying off and sitting on.
- Change of Clothes: Make sure you have something dry to throw on.
SHOP: Uptown Sedona
After a few hours at the park, it’s time to head into the heart of Sedona: UPTOWN. It’s only about a 15-minute drive but be forewarned that this area of town gets BUSY. You likely won’t find a parking spot on the main drag, but there are side streets and additional parking lots throughout the area.
Shopping in Uptown is a great time with a ton of places for souvenirs, art galleries, clothing, antiques, healing rocks for my spiritual seekers, home decor, and sweets. Let yourself wander and find the shops that lure you in.
NOT A SHOPPER? HIT COWBOY CLUB!
If you’re like me, shopping only lasts about 30 minutes or so! Ha. If you can relate, find a spot at the bar at Cowboy Club, a Western-themed cowboy bar with delicious cocktails and fun appetizers.
Saturday Night
HAPPY HOUR: 89Agave Cantina
You’ve got to be thirsty! And 89Agave Cantina is the perfect place to quench your thirst. Find a spot on the outdoor patio and enjoy the red rock views while sippin’ DELICIOUS margaritas—the best part of Sedona 😉 (The Spicy Margarita was one of my favorites EVER.) Plus, don’t forget appetizers that include guacamole, chicken flautas, nachos, and more.
DINNER: Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
*Before you even read this—go to their site and make a reservation NOW*
Mariposa is a Latin-inspired grill with stunning décor and an ambiance that almost outweighs its remarkable food. And it’s packed every night. Admire floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing spectacular views, large wine vaults, dark lighting, and a modern interior dining room.
Order tapas to try a variety of dishes created by an award-winning Chef Lisa Dahl (her, again!) who successfully combines her Latin cuisine and interior design skills to offer an incredible Sedona experience. There is occasional live music here as well to enhance the experience.
And with a full belly, you’re probably ready for bed. If not, READ: The Best Bars in Sedona, Arizona to find the nightlife! You should party one night on your weekend in Sedona!
Sunday Morning
HIKE: Cathedral Rock
If you have only heard of a couple of Sedona hikes, then Cathedral Rock is probably one of them! This is a popular hike in the area—and for good reason.
Start your Sunday morning on a pretty short hiking trail (1.2 miles), but a steep climb at points of your journey (741 ft. elevation gain.) Take in the green amongst all of the red rock formations. And once you reach the top, enjoy panoramic views of Sedona, including Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.
More (Difficult) Sedona Hiking Options:
- Bear Mountain: 5.0 miles and 2,024 ft. elevation gain! You will get some GREAT views—but at a cost!
- Doe Mountain Trail: start at the beautiful Secret Mountain Wilderness and gain 538 feet of elevation to reach a spot with amazing red rock views.
Sunday Afternoon
LUNCH: The Vault
This is one of my favorite spots in all of Sedona! There are fantastic views of the red rocks at The Vault Uptown and it’s a fun place to have some drinks. Plus, they serve great, quality food, have top-notch service, and TVs to catch the game. What a great way to celebrate your accomplished hike!
Order the Trash Can Nachos or Dynamite Shrimp to start. And for your full meal, the menu is full of options like steak, salmon, pasta, and burgers—all smaller portions with quality ingredients.
SHOPPING: Tlaquepaque Arts Shopping Center
A beautiful place to walk through on the cobblestone paths and decorative arches! Enjoy the outdoor market that features art galleries, shops, and restaurants. This is a lovely shopping experience and one of the top things to do in the area and a popular tourist destination. (Don’t forget to stop at Oak Creek Brewery!)
Sunday Evening
HAPPY HOUR: Hideaway House
Another fantastic place and easily one of the best bars in Sedona! You’ll find more spectacular views of the red rocks while sitting amongst the green trees—their outdoor seating area is tough to beat.
Hideaway House is a casual spot and you’ll find both locals and tourists enjoying the restaurant. Make sure you order one of their hand-crafted cocktails (Sam’s Sunshine Elixir is too tasty!)
DINNER: Elote Cafe
End your weekend in Sedona at Elote Cafe boasts rave reviews and is one of the most well-known restaurants in the area. The Mexican & American Southwest dishes explode with flavor. The meat falls apart without effort. The salsa is fresh with a kick. And you can fully taste tequila in the hand-crafted margaritas.
Reservations are required! And they are booking as far as 60 days in advance! Make sure to plan ahead for this one! It’s a short walk from Uptown.
Weekend In Sedona, Arizona: The Best Itinerary
That will do it! A fun, long weekend in Sedona, Arizona full of outdoor activities, amazing food, great cocktails, and shopping.
What’s next? The surrounding area is beautiful and includes the Grand Canyon, National Parks, Antelope Canyon, and more. Add more and make it a full Arizona road trip!
