Sedona is the epitome of desert beauty. It’s no wonder USA Weekend’s Annual Travel Report ranked it as one of the most beautiful places in America.
If you find yourself lucky enough to spend a weekend in this stunning location, then this guide will help you discover the best things to do in Sedona in 24 hours!
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*Updated May 2023
Weekend Getaway: Best Things to do in Sedona in 24 Hours
Table of Contents
Day 1:
Check into your hotel
I would suggest staying at the Amara Resort and Spa. This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of Sedona, only a few miles from several popular hikes and outdoor activities.
They offer many activities like complimentary yoga classes, lawn games, and free bike rentals. For more details, see our weekend review of Amara Resort and Spa.
After you check into your room, unwind, take a dip in the pool then head out for dinner.
A few more of the best places to stay in Sedona:
- Briar Patch Inn: Stay in one of the charming Bed & Breakfast cottages on the banks of Oak Creek.
- Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek: For a romantic getaway, stay at these cozy cabins. Full breakfast, afternoon tea, and an elegant four-course dinner for two are included.
- Tiny Camp: The cutest tiny home glamping retreat.
- Matterhorn Inn: Great location in uptown Sedona within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Offers beautiful red rock views in all directions. The hotel is a little older but has been kept up well. It is very reasonably priced and a great value for the location.
- Hyatt Residence Club at Pinon Pointe: Great location and amenities, perfect for families.
- Red Agave Resort: For a unique stay, reserve a private chalet at this scenic resort.
- L’Auberge de Sedona: This luxury hotel has been featured in Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and countless other publications.
- Enchantment Resort: An upscale resort sprawled across 70 spectacular acres.
Grab a bite to eat for dinner
Try El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano for savory Arizona-style Mexican food with a local Navajo influence.
Not only is the food delicious, but it has an inviting ambiance with outdoor patio seating and a live band that often plays in the courtyard. The restaurant often gets busy, so reservations are recommended.
El Rincon is located in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. After dinner, spend some time browsing the boutique shops.
A few more of the best places to eat in Sedona:
- Oaxaca: For traditional Mexican food from scratch. Served in a casual family-friendly atmosphere with reasonable prices.
- The Hudson: For sophisticated comfort food and beautiful views of the mountains from their outdoor patio.
- Dellepiane: For the best burgers in town! Their empanadas are divine as well.
- The Cowboy Club: Soak up the spirit of the Old West in this charming restaurant dating back to the original 1946 tavern. Serving up delicious food with generous portions. Try the House Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich with a side of onion rings.
If you have time after dinner, stroll along Main Street in Sedona where you can browse the shops and grab some gelato.
Day 2:
Breakfast at The Coffee Pot
Get an early start to your day and grab breakfast at The Coffee Pot for a good old-fashioned home-cooked meal.
Their pancakes are perfectly fluffy, but it is their 101 different types of omelets that steal the show!
A few more of the best breakfast places in Sedona:
- Red Rock Cafe: A local’s favorite for amazing food and reasonable prices. Try the Banana Blueberry Walnut French Toast!
- Desert Flower Bakery and Bistro: Grab some fresh baked goods to-go, or stay and try one of their breakfast plates. Their grilled cinnamon roll is to die for!
- Local Juicery: For something light and fresh to kick start your day, stop at this cute juice bar for organic cold-pressed juice, smoothies, or acai bowls. Check their menu for other delicious organic and locally sourced options for breakfast or lunch.
Morning Hike at Devil’s Bridge
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Sedona, and there are so many different trail options. One of the most popular hikes is Devil’s Bridge.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, be sure to head out early before it gets too hot.
The 4.2-mile round-trip trail to Devil’s Bridge offers beautiful views along the way.
The trail leads to a large natural sandstone arch that you can walk across. Use caution on the arch, especially with young children.
The trail can be accessed by two different ways, depending on if you have 4WD or not.
If you do have 4WD, then the hike is only about 2 miles round trip.
If you do not have 4WD, then you’ll park at the Dry Creek Vista Parking area and then follow the Chuck Wagon Trail until you reach the trail signs for Devils Bridge. The arch is about 1 mile past that point.
For more information and trail recommendations, see our guide 5 of the Best Hikes in Sedona.
*Update: the Sedona Shuttle now has a stop at the Dry Creek Vista parking so plan to use that if you are visiting Thursday through Sunday.
Lunch at Pump House Station
After working up an appetite while hiking, head to Pump House Station where you’ll find fresh and delicious dishes served in a cozy little cabin.
This property was once a family home and has since been turned into an eclectic restaurant.
Seating is available indoors around the hearth, or on the back porch overlooking the wooded lot.
The walls and shelves of the interior are lined with antiques collected from local vintage shops. It’s a feast for your eyes and your appetite.
Everything on the menu is delicious, but a few of our favorites include the Roasted Chicken Breast Sandwich,
Roasted Mushroom Soup with Truffle Drizzle,
Sage Roasted Turkey Club,
or the Breakfast Chilaquiles.
And if you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to order a mug of hot cocoa!
Afternoon shopping at Tlaquepaque Village
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is a beautiful shopping complex in the heart of Sedona.
It was built in the 1970s but is designed to look like a traditional Mexican Village.
You’ll find A hidden staircase leading up to a bookshop,
a little chapel perfect for weddings,
cobblestone courtyards with fountains and a musician strumming on a guitar,
tiled steps and creeping ivy,
bake shops, restaurants, boutique stores,
and beautiful details and vignettes everywhere you look. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported across the border.
It truly is a unique shopping experience, and the best place to find that one-of-a-kind gift.
Sunset Pink Jeep Tour
The Pink Jeep is an icon and their tours are one of the best things to do in Sedona.
From extreme off-roading to more scenic drives, there is something for everyone!
I can’t think of a better way to experience the beauty of the red rock mountains than in the back of an open-air jeep with a knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide.
I recommend the early evening tour. The way the sun illuminates the red rock at the golden hour is just breathtaking. It’s sure to be a highlight of your trip!
We did the Scenic Rim Tour at sunset and loved it, but there are plenty of tours to choose from.
The scenes were spectacular and the ride was adventurous but not too harrowing.
Other fun things to do in Sedona:
If you have extra time or are spending more than 24 hours in Sedona, here are a few more recommendations:
- Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive: Rand McNally ranked this stretch of road through the Oak Creek Canyon as one of the top five scenic drives in America.
- Sedona Trolley: A fun, unique, and informative tour! Tickets are $15 and you can choose between a 55-minute city or scenic tour.
- Swimming Holes: There are several scenic swimming holes in Sedona. See our guide 15 Fun things to Do in Sedona With Kids for more information.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross: This unique and beautiful chapel is built right into the mountain and offers incredible views. It is a spectacular spot to watch the sunset, definitely worth a visit!
- Red Rock State Park: Walt Disney had a vacation home here (take a drive on “Disney Drive”!) and it is rumored that the scenery and several locations, such as Thunder Mountain, were used for inspiration in the park. Whether it is true or not, it is still a gorgeous park to visit and offers a variety of hiking trails. Try the Eagle’s Nest Loop Trail, a 2.4-mile round-trip trail that leads to the highest point in the park.
- Visit the nearby towns of Cottonwood, Jerome, and Prescott, a few of the most charming small towns in Arizona.
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I hope that this guide helps you find the best things to do in Sedona! Enjoy your weekend, it’s not one you’ll soon forget!
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