48 hours in Sedona

Just because you're short on time doesn't mean you have to sacrifice an amazing experience in Sedona!

Day 1 - Arrive in afternoon/evening

The easiest way to get to Sedona is to fly into Phoenix, rent a car, and drive I-17 north into the Verde Valley. In general it takes about 2 hours to drive this route. Along the way you'll see beautiful Saguaro Cactus and have a chance to stop for a piece of world famous Rock Springs pie!

Check out Rock Springs here: https://rockspringscafe.com/

Once you're in Verde Valley, make your way to one of our homes either in Cornville: www.stargazersedona.com/cornville which are perfect for couples, Sedona: www.stargazersedona.com/sedona a home made for small groups or families, or Cottonwood (coming soon!) www.stargazersedona.com/cottonwood a ranch style 2 bedroom home or one of several amazing off-grid container homes!

Aerial shot of our Cornville property, Stargazer Cottage on the far left, Stargazer Bungalow in the middle, and the Stargazer Loft on the far right. All with private decks and hot tubs! Container pool in the middle with valley and vineyard views.

Here's our Sedona home, located in the heart of West Sedona this home is available as a 1 or 2 bedroom option and can sleep up to 5. It features a hot tub, fire pit, basketball hoop, and fully stocked kitchen. There are also several hiking trails accessible right from our neighborhood!

Day 2 - Explore Sedona!

Morning - Grab a quick bite to eat at Sedonuts or Cafe Jose. They are both family owned, locally operated, and a favorite among locals and visitors! Then head to Sedona Airport Loop Trail for a beautiful hike around the airport mesa giving you a 360 degree view of Sedona. Park at Sunset Park and take the sunset trail right up to the airport loop trail, this way you avoid the limited parking at the trailhead. Alternatively park at the pay lot at the top of the airport mesa. If you park at sunset, once you connect to airport loop go right (so you go counter-clockwise around the mesa). This route is a little easier in terms of elevation change and also ends at the airport vortex and look out point.

Lunch - After you finish hiking check out Tortas de Fuego if you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, it's one of our family favorites! Another amazing option is Mesa Grill, another of our family go-to's. They are frequently voted among the best restaurants in Sedona and Mesa grill boasts one of the best views in the valley.

Afternoon - A short ways from the airport mesa is Tlaquepaque, an art and shopping district inspired by a traditional Mexican village. They feature local art galleries, shops, and fantastic restaurants such as Rene and Secret Garden Cafe.

Evening - Start your evening off with a cocktail at Red Wall Lounge, one of our favorite spots for relaxing, listening to live music, and enjoying the red rock views! Follow it up with dinner at Forty1, Mariposa, Rascal's Modern Diner, or Dahl & Di Luca. All are fantastic options, but almost all require a reservation especially during busier months so make sure to plan ahead so you don't miss out!

Here we are at Red Wall and Mariposa!

Day 3 - Sunrise Hike!

Get up early on your last day and take a hike up Doe Mountain to watch the sunrise. If you want less of a scramble Fay Canyon or Secret Slick Rock trail are both easy options with breathtaking scenery.

View from Doe Mountain and Fay Canyon

This shot was taken at night from Secret Slick Rock trail. This amazing trail gives you awe inspiring views of Cathedral Rock, one of the most iconic rock formations in the area. The best part of this trail is it is flat and easy to access, making it a local favorite and hot spot for photographers.

Lunch/Afternoon - After spending the morning hiking up an appetite it's time to find some lunch. Take the short trip over to Old Town Cottonwood and check out Colt BBQ or Belfry brewery and take a stroll through the shops, wine tasting rooms, and antique shops. For more on Cottonwood see my earlier blog post here!

Alternatively, head to Uptown Sedona and stroll the shops and restaurants. Browse for souvenirs, gems, keepsakes, antiques, or jewelry all with the red rock backdrop.

If you have time you can also check out one or more of the many wineries in the surrounding area such as Page Springs Cellars, Oak Creek Vineyards, or DA Ranch. There are several tour companies that can provide a guided tour or simply go down Page Springs Rd to find many excellent wineries in a gorgeous valley 10 minutes from West Sedona. If you want more information you can see my winery post here!

Have fun and happy exploring!