Wowwwwww. It has been a LONG time since I’ve written a blog post! We just moved back to our hometown in North Carolina and I have been taken some time to settle in, get used to my new job, and spend time with my family. But I’m back! My new work schedule will hopefulllly allow me to be a little more consistent around here. I’ve also got a handful of really awesome trips coming up, so I need to catch up with our summer travels so I can share our new travels! I’m getting back into the swing of things with a Sedona weekend guide.
The second we stepped foot in Sedona, I knew I needed to share a Sedona weekend guide. Sedona is SO trendy right now but it didn’t feel extremely crowded or touristy. It’s a small enough town that you can see it in a weekend and big enough that there’s an abundance of things to do. It is such a unique, beautiful town you might want to stay longer… but I think a long weekend will suffice if that’s all you can manage! So, take a day of PTO and head out to Arizona.
We were here in the dead of summer which is not the most pleasant time to enjoy Arizona, but we had a blast nonetheless! From hiking to delicious eats, there is no shortage of amazing ways to spend your time during a weekend in Sedona.
So let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
Sedona in a weekend: the ultimate guide
Friday (day one)
To make the most of your weekend, head into town around lunch or mid-afternoon. The closest airport is Flagstaff (about a 2 hour drive), and I would recommend grabbing a rental car from the airport. Sedona is an intimate town, but the best hiking will require a drive!
I don’t know about y’all, but I am always hungry when I get to a new destination. May I recommend the Wildflower Bread Co? There are few locations, and it’s the perfect lunch spot. A salad and sandwich or sandwich and soup combo can never be beat. The cookies are also delicious and great fuel for your later hike!
After lunch, it’s time to check into your Airbnb or hotel. We stayed in an Airbnb with beautiful views of the red rocks… I highly recommend it! Here are a couple other recommendations from luxury hotels to modest Airbnbs:
Budget: Adobe Hacienda Bed and Breakfast
Average: The Sedona Hilltop Inn
Luxury: Amara Resort and Spa
Airbnb: Sedona Home with a Red Rock View
Airbnb: The Trail Hub
Once you settle into your weekend digs, I won’t judge if you choose to take a nap. However, downtown Sedona is very walkable and a great way to orient yourself to the city. Take a stroll through town, pet some dogs, get lost in the side streets. Head over to Tlaquepaque Village to do some shopping and explore some unique culture! Tlaquepaque Village is modeled after a village in Mexico and means “the best of everything.” There are local artisans, unique architecture, and often events in the middle of the village! The village has a couple of simple restaurants to grab a bite to eat and there are a handful of great restaurants just up the street. Try Javelina Cantina or SaltRock Kitchen to fill up before your sunset hike!
One of the BEST places to get an intro to the amazing hiking Sedona as to offer is Cathedral Rock at sunset. This is a very popular hike, so be prepared for crowds. Cathedral Rock is a short, 1.4 mile hike that leads to epic views over Sedona and the surrounding area. The top also boasts some really unique rock formations that gives it the name. The trail is dog friendly but I don’t recommend bringing your dog. There are some places that require scrambling. Also note that the Sedona area hikes require a Red Rocks pass. It’s $10 and good for 7 days!
After your hike, head over to Elote for dinner. Elote is absolutely famous in Sedona for its Mexican style cuisine and amazing cocktails. Just be mindful that there is often a very long wait and reservations are made 3 months in advance (especially during the pandemic).
I would personally call it in after this and head to bed, but I’m not a night owl 😉 If you are, some great breweries and bars to check out are listed here:
Vino Di Sedona: wine and craft beer
Oak Creek Brewery
Sundowner: a bit of a dive bar
The Hudson: chic cocktails
Saturday (day two)
Set your alarms bright and early because it’s time to go for a hike! Since today is your only full day in Sedona, let’s go on the longest and best (in my humble opinion) hike! If it’s summer, I highly suggest The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek. Its about 7 miles round trip, but lets out to an amazing swimming hole that can’t be beat! If it’s not quite warm enough to swim, head over to Boynton Canyon. This hike boasts some amazing views that you will surely never forget!
After an amazing hike in the red rocks, hit up Red Rocks Café for some delicious brunch! Its closer to The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek, so I would choose something different if you choose to do Boynton Canyon.
Your tummy is full and you’ve had a good hike… there’s only one way to make this day absolutely perfect. Winery hopping! Shocked that there’s good wineries in Arizona? You’re not alone… I was surprised too. Head about 30 minutes outside of Sedona to follow the Verde Valley wine trail for the afternoon. Our favorites were Page Springs Cellars and Oak Creek Vineyards. Due to the climate and elevation, you’ll get mostly dry wines (my favorite!). There are over 20 vineyards in the valley, so you’re sure to find something you love.
Round out the day with dinner at the famous Mariposa. You will definitely need reservations for this one as well, because it’s that popular. If you can’t swing a reservation, have no fear. I’ve got back ups for you! Eat some great, budget friendly Mexican food at Tortas de Fuego or grab some Korean from a food truck at Momo’s Kitchen.
Sunday (day three)
Your weekend is coming to an end and so is this Sedona weekend guide, but the trip isn’t over just yet! You’ve got a few big plans before heading out.
Another early alarm (come on, you can sleep on the plane!) for a great morning hike. Short but amazing, I highly recommend the Birthing Cave trail. It’s a little over 2 miles round trip and leads you to a beautiful cave in the red rocks. This is known as a sacred site where women have come to pray for a baby or pregnancy. It’s very quiet and serene with some amazing views.
No Sedona weekend guide can fully encompass all the amazing hiking in the area, so make sure you check out more hikes in this post.
Grab a quick breakfast at The Secret Garden Café and then head over to downtown Sedona to do a spiritual reading or visit a naturopathic healer. You can also visit a New Age bookstore and visit a labyrinth to tap into your inner calm. Sedona is a very spiritual area with vortexes and energy, so this is something unique you can’t do at every destination! This is optional if you have time, but I think this will really make your trip to Sedona stand out.
The weekend is over and it’s time to head back to the airport… but, I have a feeling you’ll be back?
Sedona is SUCH a fun city with so much culture and beautiful views. Sedona makes for a perfect weekend getaway and hopefully this post helps you plan your trip!
Have you visited Sedona? Did I miss any must-dos?
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