Planning a weekend trip to Sedona Arizona and wondering what to do and see? Here’s the perfect 2 days in Sedona itinerary, which is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.
What’s to love about Sedona? Everything.
Nestled amid striking sandstone formations, Sedona is a real looker. This scenic desert town is surrounded by glowing red buttes and steep canyons.
The myriad hiking trails will take you to up winding paths, to overlooks that will leave you breathless with awe.
Sedona is also an adorable New Age town and healing paradise. Sedona has long attracted spiritual seekers, artists, and healers. Many people believe that Sedona has a number of vortexes that radiate the earth’s energy.
Sedona is a place for serious foodies as well as nature lovers. It’s well known for its world class restaurants and cute eateries. The cuisine ranges from French, Italian, Latin, Mexican, and more.
Overview Of 2 Days In Sedona Itinerary
There are many ways to structure a two day itinerary for Sedona. It all depends how much you like to hike. If you want to do all the big hikes in Sedona, you should budget more than 2 days in Sedona for sure.
I like to hike, jeep around, admire fine art, and eat good food. My 2 days in Sedona itinerary is therefore balanced to give you a taste of Sedona and keep you coming back for more.
This Sedona guide covers all the top attractions and best things to do in Sedona. You’ll get the lowdown on what to see, eat, and do in Sedona.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll see in two days in Sedona:
Day 1: Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Devi’s Bridge, Airport Mesa, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Stargazing
Day 2: Pink Jeep Tour, Cathedral Rock, Uptown Sedona, wellness activity or wine tasting
Best Sedona Tours & Experiences
Here are some of the top experiences in Matera. Be sure to book ahead in high season!
- 5 hour Sedona sightseeing tour
- Sedona wine tour
- Sedona vortexes tour
- UFO & stargazing tour
- Oak Creek Canyon jeep tour
- Red Rock jeep tour
Day 1 Of Your 2 Days in Sedona Itinerary
Here’s how to spend a weekend in Sedona.
Morning of Day 1 In Sedona
Breakfast/Brunch
On day 1 of your 2 days in Sedona, have a Southwestern-themed brunch at SaltRock Kitchen in the Amara Resort.
Or, indulge in coffee and treats at Chocolatree. At Chocolatree, the organic dishes are unique and prepared with farm to table ingredients.
Tlaquepaque
Then head to the high end market, Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. It will blow you away with its galleries, fine arts, and stunning jewelry and ceramics.
The village is designed along the architectural lines of a Colonial Mexican village, with vintage adobe buildings and quaint courtyards. It’s been a Sedona landmark since 1970.
The village is home to dozens of exclusive shops, restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. You’ll find jewelry, basketry, pottery, weavings, Navajo rugs, wine, etc. One of my favorite galleries was Azadi.
You’ll likely want to spend 2-3 hours wandering around and inspecting (and maybe buying) the goods.
Lunch
I would just stay at the village for lunch. You can grab lunch in the village at El Rincon, the Secret Garden Cafe, or the Pump House. Wine lovers should head to Rene Restaurant.
The Secret Garden Cafe is the most quaint. The restaurant serves up farm to table food. It has a beautiful patio. You’ll feel wrapped in a lush garden with colorful flowers.
Afternoon of Day 1 In Sedona
Hiking
In the afternoon of day 1 of 2 days in Sedona, take on one of Sedona’s famous hikes. Chose between either Devil’s Bridge or Airport Mesa.
Both of them are beautiful around sunset. If you’d rather catch the sunrise in the morning, flip flop the order of events for day 1 in Sedona.
Note that you’re going to need a Red Rock Pass if you’re planning on doing any hiking in Sedona. It’s required to park at certain trailheads. You can figure out where to buy one here.
Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s feels like a wonder of the world. That makes it the most iconic and popular hike in Sedona. But it’s worth braving the crowds to see the bridge itself.
Most people arrive bright and early in the morning. That’s why I have it planned for the late afternoon.
Devi’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. Don’t let its name fool you. It’s heavenly, not devil-y.
From a trailhead elevation of 4,600 feet, there’s a mere 400 foot climb in altitude during this moderately difficult, 4.4 roundtrip trek. It may take 2-3 hours for the hike.
The journey to reach the top won’t leave you breathless. But you may well be breathless when you look out on the views from your perch.
How To Get There:
To get to the trail, drive down Dry Creek Road for a short distance and park in the paved parking lot. Then, walk along the trail until you get to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can access the trail from the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead and it’s a shorter hike.
Airport Mesa
Airport Mesa is the most visited trail in Sedona, likely because it’s close to the town center and is a vortex site. The Airport Loop trail is a rocky 3.5 mile moderate hike. There’s also an outlook where you can park.
If you hike to the top, Airport Mesa offers outstanding sunset views, though it may be crowded. The sun paints everything around you in a fierce red.
You can sit on the sandstone and stare out across the dizzying grandeur of the high desert landscape. The reward is a panoramic view of Cathedral Rock.
You’ll also see twisted juniper trees. Some people have claimed to see colored orbs. At night, the stars seem close enough to touch.
How To Get There:
From the intersection of State Routes 89A and 179, go 1.1 miles west on 89A. Turn left when you reach Airport Road. It’s about a half mile to the parking lot, which will be on your left.
Chapel of The Holy Cross
If you love architecture, you’ll should next drive out to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It’s an unmissable attraction in Sedona that’s super easy to find and close to Uptown.
Built in 1956, it’s a striking landmark designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The building looks like a concrete spaceship jutting out of craggy boulders. It blends a 90 foot cross, magnificent stained glass windows, and a modern design.
It’s perched on a red rock plateau and a sandstone ridge of varying shades. Inside, you can pray, meditate, or sit quietly.
Even if you’re short on time, stop by quickly to marvel at the structure. There’s parking along the road leading to the chapel, but it’s limited.
You have to hike up a walkway to get there. If it’s too steep, there are golf carts available to take you up.
The chapel is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is free of charge. The views from the top are mesmerizing. The “energy” of the vortex is supposedly strongest inside the chapel, which one might expect from a harmonious calming space.
How To Get There:
The chapel is super easy to get to. From Sedona, head south on 79 about 3 miles. Turn left on Chapel Road. Follow the winding road to the parking spaces.
Evening Of Day 1 in Sedona
Dinner
Then, have dinner with a sunset view. You can head to Elote.
It’s an intimate restaurant with great Mexican and Southwestern food. But you can’t make a reservation. As a result, it’s often hard to score a table.
Another good dinner option, which I really loved was Cucina Rustica in Oak Creek Canyon Village. The restaurant is Italian-themed, with daily specials, and indoor-outdoor seating. You should make reservations in advance.
Stargazing
When night falls in Sedona, you have a different kind of visual drama. So consider going stargazing.
In 2014, Sedona was designated an international Dark Sky Community, one of only 20+ in the world. This is an honor given to cities that are dedicated to preserving the night sky.
The Thunder Mountain Trailhead is a good place to watch the sun set and star gaze. There’s also an observation area, Two Trees, just off state route 89.
You might also consider going on a stargazing tour. Or go on a guided tour that combines stargazing and UFOs.
Day 2 Of Your 2 Days in Sedona Itinerary
Morning Of Day 2
Morning Hike or Pink Jeep Tour
The morning of day 2 in Sedona, choose whether you want to hike to Cathedral Rock or go on a Pink Jeep Tour.
It’s a tough choice. Cathedral Rock is the most photographed place in Sedona. The jeep tours are pure fun and an iconic thing to do in Sedona.
Option 1: Cathedral Rock Hike
Cathedral Rock has red spires lofting over Oak Creek. It’s almost impossible not to be drawn to this butte’s towering orange spires.
The approximately 1,200 foot high Cathedral Rock looms dramatically over almost every part of town.
The Cathedral Rock trail is easy to navigate. It’s a vigorous but non-technical 1.5 scramble up the rock.
After your climb, you’ll have a nearly 360 views of the red rock country. Rock piles called cairns mark the trail.
How To Get There
From the junction of State Route 89A ad 179, drive 4.5 miles west. When you reach the Upper Red Rock Loop Road, turn left.
Then, drive 1.8 miles to Chavez Ranch Road. Turn left and follow the road .8 miles. Turn left into Crescent Moon Park. Drive as afar as possible, then walk to the creek.
Option 2: Pink Jeep Tours
Don’t want to hike? No problem. Take a jeep tour.
It’s an iconic Sedona experience and there are SO many options. You can pick one that calls to you or revs up your adrenaline.
The jeep tours are a fun way to explore Sedona’s landscapes, especially for first timers. The 4WD takes you on off road adventures where you can get deep inside the luminous red landscapes.
There are so many options to choose from. I went on this Pink Jeeps tour, which goes into the red rocks range.
This tour takes you to the ancient ruins, including the Palatki Heritage site. This tour takes you to Diamondback Gultch for red rock views.
Another jeep tour takes you to beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. More adventurous types can do an off road jeep tour.
Want to check out the vortexes by jeep and see if you get their woo woo vibe? No problem.
You can take a regular organized jeep tour to explore the vortexes. If you don’t want to go in a group, you can book a private vortex tour.
You can also take a spiritual tour or chakra tour that includes mindfulness and/or mediation on the vortexes.
Alternatively, to see all the vortexes, take a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride.
Pro tip? The jeep tours book up fast so reserve a couple weeks in advance.
When you’re done hiking or jeeping, have lunch at 89Agave in Uptown, which is your next destination.
Day 2 Afternoon
Uptown
Start your day in Sedona’s funky Uptown. Wander around the strip of funky stores in Uptown Sedona. Cute shops and galleries sell crystals, fine art, ceramics, and new age paraphernalia.
Sedona Candle Magic is always packed. There are spiritual healers available for hire, from psychic mediums to reiki healers.
If the spirituality thing isn’t your jam, I’d recommend popping into a hidden gem called Blackbird Vintage, right off the main drag in Sedona.
Parking can be at a premium along here, especially on weekends. But there is a parking garage where you can usually find a spot.
Day 2 Later Afternoon
There are a couple options for late afternoon. You can either pamper yourself or indulge in a wine tasting.
Option 1: Wellness and Pampering
Sedona is a hub of wellness, spirituality, and healing, which is a perfect way to end your 2 days in Sedona. You’ll find all sorts of alternative medicines and practices in Sedona, from rejuvenating bodywork to past life workshops.
Sedona also boasts some of the nation’s best healers. You can get a Reiki treatment, Qigong healing, a custom spa treatment, or get Jin Shin Jyutsu acupressure.
Do outdoor yoga or a full moon meditation. Or, inhale the benefits of halotherapy in a salt room. Alternatively, head to Mii Amo Spa.
If you’re more metaphysical, get a psychic reading at the Center for the New Age next to Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village. It’s a serene little shop full of crystals, fountains, tarot cards, flute music, and dreamy-eyed patrons.
You can hire the services as a master clairvoyant, psychic healer, or shaman priestess. Appointments are 15, 30, or 60 minutes long.
Option 2: Wine Tasting Alternative
Alternatively, if you don’t want to be pampered, you could go on a wine tour. Did you know that the Verde Valley region is famous for its wines?
There are several tours you can book from Sedona:
- a 5-6 hour Verde Valley wine tour from Sedona
- take a wine + vortex tour
- take a private wine tour with Bliss Wine
You can also do a wine tasting at Vino Zona in Talaquepaqe. The folks are extremely knowledgeable. I bought a couple blends they recommended to bring home and they were delicious.
Day 2 in Sedona Evening
On your last evening in Sedona, splurge on dinner at Sedona’s best restaurant, the Mariposa Grill. Just don’t turn up in hiking gear or you’ll be turned away.
You’ve got to be organized to eat here. You should make reservations weeks in advance or you’ll be disappointed.
What About Those Vortexes In Sedona?
What are the Sedona vortexes exactly? And do you want to explore them? Vortex isn’t really a term of art. It’s just a nickname that stuck.
Vortexes are energy sites or meditative places. They are locations where a swirling condensed center of spiritual energy allegedly projects out of the earth.
Vortexes are thought to enhance energy and provide spiritual inspiration and well being to those who are near them.
But there’s really no hard science behind vortexes. No instrument has ever measured the force in these “power spots.” There’s no actual magnetism or energy at the vortexes.
In the 1960s, word started to spread in the United States among spiritual seekers to visit Sedona’s “high energy meditation sites.” In 1979, the psychic Page Bryant identified the four most popular and accessible vortexes.
Since then, seekers have descended on Sedona with the town’s transformative healing on their minds.
Here’s my complete guide to the vortexes of Sedona.
Tips For A 2 Days In Sedona Itinerary
1. How To Get To Sedona
I drove to Sedona from Tucson.
If you’re flying in, the best option is to fly into Phoenix (Sky Harbor–Phoenix). Then, make the two hour drive from there to Sedona. You can also book a private transfer to Phoenix.
Flying into Phoenix offers the most flight options and gives you the best rental car prices and options.
2. How To Get Around Sedona
It’s easiest to have a car in Sedona. You might even considered renting an off road vehicle. Some sites are only accessible with an ATV.
You can also get around with the Verde Shuttle bus. The routes travel through Uptown, Oak Creek canyon and West Sedona. You’ll need to check the schedule and might have to wait.
If you’re in one neighborhood (like Uptown or Oak Creek), it’s easy to walk everywhere.
There are also some other fun ways to explore Sedona too. You can:
- take a half day tour in an open air bus
- take a self-guided e-bike tour
- take a private 4 hour van tour of the best sites
- take a 2.5 hour highlights tour by van
- go on a nighttime UFO tour
- or take a ride on the Sedona trolley
3. When To Visit Sedona
The best time to visit Sedona is shoulder season in March through May. The desert is in full bloom. Hikers love this season, as desert flowers add a pop of color to the rust-colored trails.
September to November is another ideal time for outdoor activities like Jeep tours and biking thanks to mild weather.
That said, I just visited Sedona again in February. There were blue skies and a high of 60. To me, it seemed perfect.
4. Where To Stay In Sedona
On my last visit, I stayed in a beautiful Air Bnb in Oak Creek Canyon. I liked it since it was incredibly scenic and away from the crowds of Uptown.
But Sedona also has some wonderful resorts — Sky Ranch Lodge, Amara Resort, L’Auberge de Sedona, and Enchantment Resort.
Enchantment Resort is in Boynton Canyon. It has one of the area’s best spas Mii Amo, plus a yoga studio. There’s so many things to do in Sedona that you may need some R&R.
There’s a room called the Crystal Grotto to sit in and meditate. There are more types of cutting-edge massages, facials and yoga programs available here than you thought existed in the world.
Amara is a better choice if you want a central location. It’s a French country inn right in the heart of Uptown, just minutes from the galleries and restaurants.
L’Auberge is a luxury resort set on the banks of Oak Creek. The hotel has a special focus on wellness and rejuvenation.
5. Have Than 2 Days In Sedona?
There are plenty of destinations near Sedona.
1. Flagstaff
Take a day trip to Flagstaff. The town is just 50 miles north of Sedona.
Flagstaff is jam packed with beauty, history, and architecture. The town is an unusual alpine beauty 7000 feet high in the foothills.
This historic town is well worth a day trip, if you have time in your Southwest itinerary. It may be one of Arizona’s best kept secrets.
Flagstaff has pretty Victorian mansions to admire. If you want a dose of Southwest art, head to the Museum of Northern Arizona, Old Main Gallery, or the Beaver Street Gallery.
If you fancy a hike, take the low key Viet Springs loop.
2. Prescott
Prescott is a quaint and cool town in Arizona, just 1:20 from Sedona. Founded in 1864, Prescott has more than 800 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
In particular, the town is home to Arizona’s famous Whiskey Row. This stretch of road on south Montezuma Street once housed 40+ bars. The oldest whiskey bar is The Palace, which opened in 1877.
Nowadays, Prescott isn’t that wild. You’ll find plenty of ice cream and fudge shops, boutiques, and art galleries. If you wander down from the main plaza to Cortez Street, you’ll find Antique Row.
3. Jerome
The not quite “ghost town” of Jerome is a former copper mining town that thrived during the 1880s to the 1950s. You access the town via the twisty Mingus Mountain with (slightly hair raising) switchback roads.
The view out over the valley is gorgeous. There’s only one pull off though. Otherwise, if you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road!
Today’s Jerome is somewhat gentrified and a haven for artists. You’ll find art galleries, artisan shops, boutiques, and restaurants. My favorite gallery was Firefly.
Jerome is still a real town though with full time residents. You can take a ghost tour in Jerome.
Or, learn about the history of Jerome at the Jerome State Historic park. If you want to book a tour, click here for a tour exploring historic Jerome.
Here’s my complete guide to visiting Jerome.
4. Montezuma Castle National Monument
Established in 1906, Montezuma Castle is one of the top attractions near Sedona. It’s the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture.
It’s 20 room high rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff. The castle tells a story of ingenuity and survival in an unforgiving desert landscape.
Despite the name, there’s no connection between the monument and the famous Aztec leader.
A self-guided loop trail leads you past the incredible five story cliff dwelling, through the sycamore grove and along Beaver Creek. Another loop leads you past an oasis used by the Sinagua people over 600 years ago. You can also take a 25 minute ranger tour.
There’s wildlife in the park. Also, there’s a sign warning you to be careful of rattlesnakes.
You can see both Jerome and Montezuma’s Castle on a day tour from Sedona.
5. Grand Canyon
You can even go to the Grand Canyon on a day trip from Sedona, though it will be a long day. Sedona is only 100 miles south of the Grand Canyon.
You can can hike or drive to designated lookouts in the Grand Canyon.
If you want to sit back and enjoy the scenery, take a day tour from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. I recommend this 10 hour tour. You can also take a sunset + dinner Grand Canyon tour from Sedona.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 2 days in Sedona itinerary. You may enjoy these other U.S. itineraries:
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- 2 days in Washington D.C. itinerary
- 3 day itinerary for Boston
- 1 day in Hanover New Hampshire
- 35 Landmarks in Boston
- 1 day itinerary for Cambridge
- Guide to Salem Massachusetts
- Guide To Boulder Colorado
- 1 day itinerary for Denver
- 2 day itinerary for Cleveland Ohio
- Best Things To Do in Pittsburgh
If you need a two day itinerary for Sedona, pin it for later.
