2-Day Weekend In Sedona, Arizona (Fun Weekend Itinerary!)

Sedona, Arizona is surrounded by fantastic red rock views, endless hiking trails, and loads of wineries. It’s a premier destination and upon visiting you’ll quickly understand why it draws 3 million annual visitors (it’s one of the most visited places in Arizona!).

This desert oasis, located about 100 miles north of Phoenix in the Verde Valley Region, has so much to offer but it can get quite crowded. Having a clear weekend itinerary and knowing the best places to stay will help negate this, which I’ll help with below!

This follows my exact two day itinerary from a previous girls trip. Read on for the best things to do with a weekend in Sedona!

Itinerary For Your 2-Day Weekend In Sedona

Day 1: Sedona Weekend Itinerary

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

Located just south of Sedona’s main drag, Uptown, you’ll find Tlaquepaque Shopping Village. The outdoor shopping center is home to southwestern shops, cafes, live music, and tons of photo-worthy spots.

This is a great place to find unique gifts or trinkets and kill a few hours during the hot afternoon (like we did!). Following the 2 hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona, we wanted a bite to eat and a relaxed activity that killed some time before checking into our rental, Tlaquepaque was perfect.

Pink Jeep Tours Sedona

For our first evening in Sedona we went for a Pink Jeep Tour. These off-road guided tours are iconic Sedona. And yes, they’re touristy, but they’re famous for good reason.

The company has a huge variety of tours to chose from. We did Broken Arrow at sunset, which I highly recommend.

The tour included a two hour off-road adventure and two stops with stunning 360-degree views. Our guide, who had been with the company for 10 years, was very fun and provided us with a ton of information about Sedona, its history, and the surrounding landscape.

The price varies depending on which tour you chose. Our group of six paid extra to have a Jeep to ourselves, it was well worth it for a group our size, we had the best time!

You can book your tour here: Pink Jeep Tours — I recommend booking this in advance, the popular tours sell out quickly.

Tip: Give yourself plenty of time to arrive, Pink Jeep Tours does not have a parking lot and parking in the area is very limited.

Stargazing

The main “nightlife” scene in Sedona is stargazing. Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, meaning it has very limited light pollution. 

There’s numerous places to go hiking, like Two Trees Observation Area or Merry Go Round Rock, there’s even Stargazing Tours available, but we just stargazed from our rental, which was in a residential part of Uptown.

Day 2: Weekend In Sedona

Hike Devil’s Bridge Trail

On day 2 of the trip we were up early (I’m talking 5 am) to hike Devil’s Bridge, a 4.2 mile, out-and-back hike ending at the largest sandstone arch in the Sedona area.

This hike is unique because you can walk onto the arch; in most places this would be a big no-no. While the sandstone has drop-off’s on either side, it’s very wide and safe for most.

The night before, our Pink Jeep guide had kindly warned us that Devil’s Bridge gets really, really crowded and suggested we arrive very early.

He was right, it’s clear this is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona. We visited on a Friday morning in mid-September, got to the trailhead at 6 am, hiked the moderate trail in about an hour, and then waited 30 minutes for our turn to stand on the bridge.

The wait wasn’t bad at this hour, the views are excellent and it was a fun experience. However, by the time we took our photo on the bridge, the line had nearly doubled in length… this was before 8 am. At this point it was already getting very hot and there was little shade near the arch.

Additionally, when we returned to our car around 9 am, the lot was completely full and people were beginning to circle the lot. When we arrived at 6 am, we had no problems finding a spot in the large parking lot.

What I’m trying to say is, do this one early or skip it.

Breakfast & Shopping In Uptown

Following the hike, we had a quick breakfast at Wildflower Bread Company, which was delicious.

We then browsed the shops in the Uptown area. In Uptown, there’s a line of shops along Arizona 89A, these are primarily souvenir shops, crystal shops, and galleries, mixed in with restaurants and cafes.

My favorite spots were the crystal shops just a block off the main shopping area, whether or not you have an interest in purchasing, the shops are really cool to walk around.

Tip: In Uptown you’ll also find Sedona Arts Center which has fine arts display, workshops, special exhibits, and events. It didn’t fit in our itinerary, but I hope to visit another time.

We wrapped up our shopping with a quick beer from Sedona Beer Company. They have an excellent courtyard and good food menu, in addition to delicious craft beers.

Wine Tasting & Dinner

After relaxing at the rental for a bit, we headed to Art of Wine in Uptown for a wine tasting.

There are nearly 20 vineyards surrounding Sedona, all of which make up the Verde Valley Wine Trail. With more time we would’ve loved to visit one, but it wasn’t in the cards this trip. Instead, we had a tasting with Art of Wine, which featured all Arizona wines. It was a perfect pre-dinner activity!

Our original plan for dinner was Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, known for its incredible views, but we didn’t make a reservation in time. Instead, we ended up at Sound Bites Grill for dinner and live music, which was a fun alternative. (Note: Sound Bites has since closed and has been replaced by Broome & Orchard, which also offers live music. I can’t personally speak to the food yet, but reviews so far look promising.)

Day 3: Sedona Weekend Guide

Cathedral Rock Trail

For our final morning in Sedona, we woke up early again and hiked Cathedral Rock Trail before hitting the road.

This is a 1.2 mile out-and-back hike with beautiful views. The trail is short but boasts a 600 foot elevation change. Some sections were quite steep and required scrambling on slick rock. There weren’t drop-off’s or anything that made the scrambling scary, but it could be a bit uncomfortable for some.

There are spectacular views throughout, especially at the end. Once you reach the trail’s end you can go a little further to an energy vortex location.

This is one of Sedona’s most popular trails and can therefore get very crowded. Sections of the trail are narrow and require scrambling which causes added congestion, plus parking at the trailhead is extremely limited. Early Sunday morning, just after sunrise, was perfect for our group, the crowds were very limited.

Tip: This hike is very popular at sunset thanks to epic views. If you do this hike in the evening though, I would recommend a headlamp. Using a phone flashlight would be difficult because you’ll need your hands, on the return hike I had to scoot on my bottom in sections.

Additional Things To Do In Sedona

Have more time? Or looking for more ideas? Below are additional things to do in Sedona, Arizona:

• Go for a hot air balloon ride.
• Spend a day at Slide Rock State Park or Red Rock State Park.
• Hike or bike in Oak Creek Canyon.
• Visit the Indigenous site, Montezuma Castle National Monument.
• Day trip to Jerome or Flagstaff.
• Drive Red Rock Scenic Byway.
• See the stunning Chapel of the Holy Cross.

For more ideas, check out these Iconic Things To Do In Sedona, Arizona or Top Things To Do In Sedona (Besides Hiking!).

Where to Stay In Sedona, Arizona

When looking for lodging you’ll find two popular options, Sedona proper and Village of Oak Creek, the latter of which is located 7 miles south of Sedona.

Both areas have great views, a variety of lodging options, and quick access to hiking and biking trails.

Below I’ll break down the differences between the two.

(Or, for more details, check out The Top Hotels In Sedona!)

Lodging in Sedona Proper 

Sedona itself has two main sections, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona (Uptown is sometimes referred to as Downtown Sedona).

The most popular area for tourists is definitely Uptown. Here you’ll find a ton of shops, dining options, and tourist necessities. Much of this section is walkable and easy to navigate.

West Sedona is residential, quiet, and not walkable.

If you don’t want to deal with traffic and finding parking, I highly recommend finding lodging in Uptown Sedona.

For our weekend in Sedona we stayed at a rental in Uptown just north of Sedona Beer Company (similar to this one: Uptown rental with hot tub). It was a surprisingly quiet neighborhood considering its close proximity to the hustle and bustle. Since parking can be difficult in Uptown we were happy to be within walking distance of so many great shops and restaurants. 

For centrally located hotels in Sedona Uptown, check out:

• L’Auberge de Sedona ($$$)
• Arroyo Roble Resort ($$)
• La Petite Sedona ($)

Lodging in the Village of Oak Creek

The Village of Oak Creek is great for visitors who prefer a bit more space and some peace and quiet. There are some dining and entertainment options here, though less prevalent than you’ll find in Sedona proper.

While it’s only 7 miles south of Uptown, the drive between these areas is often very congested, so be prepared for a longer commute than the distance would suggest.

For popular hotels in the Village of Oak Creek, check out:

• The Penrose Bed & Breakfast ($$$)
• Las Posadas of Sedona ($$)
• Sedona Village Lodge ($)

Getting Around Sedona

You’ll most likely need a car on this trip, outside of Uptown, everything is spread out. Whether you’re heading into town for dinner or heading out for hiking, allow yourself extra time to navigate traffic and find parking.

If you really don’t want a car, look into shuttles or tour companies to get you around. While Sedona does have Uber and Lyft, they can be unreliable.

What To Pack For A Weekend In Sedona

Sedona is a pretty laid-back destination. With the exception of a few restaurants, there’s no need to get overly dressed up. Outdoor gear, shorts and a tee, a summer dress… it’s all welcome here.

During the day, light and breathable layers are best. Sedona gets very hot during summer so you’ll want to dress accordingly. Additionally, sun protection is important, bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Winter visitors will need warmer layers, snow is possible in winter, but most days are sunny and mild.

During spring and fall, daytime temps are usually warm but extra layers will be necessary for the evenings, the temperature can drop significantly when the sun goes down.

Below is what I packed for a fall weekend in Sedona:

• 1 pair of lightweight pants or leggings
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 3 t-shirts and/or tank tops
• 1 casual summer dress
• 1 lightweight long sleeve
• 1 lightweight jacket (for chilly mornings/ evenings)
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of tennis shoes
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle

If you’re planning to hike or enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll also need:

• Hiking boots
• Wool socks
• Athletic shorts or pants
• Breathable athletic top
• Fleece jacket
• Windbreaker or rain jacket
• Backpack

Sedona Weather

Summers can get hot here, with daytime highs reaching 90°F to 100°, but cooler mornings and evenings make it manageable, especially for early or late outdoor adventures.

Spring and fall are excellent times to visit with mild temperatures ranging from 60° to 80°, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking.

Winters are mild, with daytime highs around 50° to 60°, but occasional snow showers will cover the surrounding red rocks.

Average Monthly Temperatures:

• January – 58° / 33° (average high / low F°)
• February – 62° / 35°
• March – 67° / 39°
• April – 75° / 44°
• May – 84° / 52°
• June – 94° / 60°
• July – 98° / 67°
• August – 95° / 66°
• September – 89° / 60°
• October – 79° / 50°
• November – 67° / 39°
• December – 58° / 32°

Getting To Sedona

By Car

A majority of people visiting Sedona arrive from Phoenix. Sedona is located 115 miles north of Arizona’s capital city.

Plan for a 2 hour drive primarily on 2 lane highways. The drive is fairly easy and very scenic in spots. There are also plenty of spots to stop for gas or bathroom breaks.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, a regional airport located about 45 minutes away. There are shuttles between Flagstaff and Sedona which should be arranged in advance.

The closest major airport is back in Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, at about 2 hours away. Shuttles to Sedona from PHX can be arranged in advance.

Looking for cheap flights? Be sure to sign up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get cheap flight alerts delivered right to your inbox. It’s a free service I’ve used for years and couldn’t recommend more. 

With so much to do in Sedona it’s hard fit everything into one weekend, I hope you found this helpful in planning your 2 days in Sedona and have the best time!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Arizona and US Southwest guides or check out Visit Sedona!

More Information For Your Sedona Vacation:

• Best Hotels In Sedona
• Iconic Things To Do In Sedona, Arizona
• Top Things To Do In Sedona (Besides Hiking!)
• Day Trip To Sedona, Arizona (Easy One Day Guide!)

More Information For Your Arizona Vacation:

• Flagstaff, Arizona Guides
• Grand Canyon Guides
• Page, Arizona Guides
• Tucson, Arizona Guides