How to Spend a Long Weekend Near Sedona, Arizona
The road to Sedona leads you to nothing but beauty!
What should you do when in the Sedona area? This ultimate guide will help you discover lots to do while spending a long weekend north of Phoenix in the beautiful city of Sedona, Arizona and several of it’s surrounding cities. There is so much to do in and around this picturesque town, so here are some recommendations to help narrow down your decision on how to spend your time.
Sedona is definitely one of those “must visit” locations of the Southwest. There is so much to do and so much to see in this part of the country. The actual town of Sedona is less than 20 square miles in size, so taking a trip north of Phoenix for a long weekend doesn’t mean you have to stay in the city the entire time. In fact, I recommend staying in one of the quaint towns outside of Sedona. Not staying in the middle of the red rocks will save you a lot of cash and the smaller towns are quieter with less traffic.
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If you are an RVer like us, I recommend the city of Cottonwood. It is only 15 miles southwest of the Sedona city center and the drive to and from the towns is scenic and has minimal traffic. Most people will recommend Dead Horse Ranch State Park for RVing or tent camping. We did take a drive through the state park and even though it was winter and there was no green, it is a very nice campground and had a variety of spacious lots for any size rig. There are also a lot of hiking trails and several fishable ponds within walking distance of the multiple clusters of campsites.
But I want to recommend the family owned Rio Verde RV Park. The gravel sites are level, the campground is clean, it is close to Sedona, and the staff is extremely friendly. If you aren’t an RVer, you can rent a tiny house for your time there and have your own kitchen, bathroom, fire pit, and picnic table. No matter your method of travel, this RV park will give you everything you need as a home base for exploring the surrounding towns.
There truly are an endless amount of things to do in and around Sedona, but I’ve put together an ultimate guide to help you know what is worth doing when your time is limited.
Head over to Viator and see what fun things there are to do in Sedona!
Experiencing snow in this desert town is rare, but it sure is amazing when Mother Nature throws some white on those beautiful red rocks.
Day One
Settle in to your campsite, hotel, or tiny house and then hop in the car to drive the scenic Dry Creek Road (Starting point GPS coordinates 34.86126, -111.81583). This road is less than five miles long and takes you through some of the stunning red rocks that Sedona is famous for. There are places to pull over and snap some pictures as well as a few small parking lots with hiking trails branching off of them. But you don’t need to venture far from your car to enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds you.
View of the stunning red rocks from the Dry Creek Road scenic drive.
Once your stomach starts to rumble, head over to Moon Dogs Pizza for a delicious dinner. While the inside isn’t fancy, the food more than makes up for the lack of atmosphere. The pizza crust is the perfect mix of crispy and soft and the owner is friendly and welcoming. Supporting small businesses like this are what make traveling so delicious.
Our favorite pizza joint in Sedona!
But don’t stuff yourself too much! Leave a little room for some ice cream just down the street at Rocky Road Ice Cream Co. Delicious and creamy, this ice cream is the perfect way to fill any tummy gaps and satisfy your sweet tooth.
I recommend their Peanut Butter Fudge in a waffle cone.
End your day by taking a short drive up to the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout (538 Airport Road) where you can get a panorama view of the Sedona valley. Parking is $3, but you can stay as long as you want and watch the sun set at the end of a perfect day.
Panoramic view of the Sedona valley and red rocks from Airport Scenic Lookout.
On your way back to your home base, swing into the grocery store and pick up provisions for lunch tomorrow and breakfasts on day three and four. This is also a good time to pick up anything else you need such as water and snacks. Don’t forget that if you are visiting during a warmer part of the year, you might need a small cooler if you want to pack your lunch or snacks. If you are staying at the Rio Verde RV Park, there is a Safeway about a mile from the park.
I like to get some shots of the scenery from a slightly higher vantage point. Don’t worry, the car was in park! (I’m wearing the My Bloody Valentine Hat - pattern can be found here.)
Day Two
After you wake up from a restful night of sleep, pack a quick lunch and don’t waste too much time dilly dallying because there is lots to see and do today!
Head into Sedona and enjoy a hearty and savory breakfast at the home of the 101 omelets, also known as the Coffee Pot Restaurant. This family owned establishment has delicious food, but it can get busy on weekends and holidays. If you don’t need to sit at a table, you can order ahead on their website and skip the wait by picking up your food to go. I recommend omelet number 33, which has avocado, bacon, tomato, onion and cheese (I prefer to hold off on the onions!). They also have waffles and pancakes and a variety of other delicious options.
Which of the 101 omelets will you try?
After fueling up for the first part of your day, jump back in the car and head into downtown Sedona. Get ready to experience a roundabout . . . or two . . . or five! You can find free parking by following the signs along the main street. This short stretch of road is flanked on either side by quaint shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Spend the morning walking up one side and down the other where you will find all the souvenirs and trinkets that you need to bring home to your friends and family. I recommend looking out for some of the delicious prickly pear cactus products. If you like gummy bears (like my husband is addicted to!), the prickly pear cactus gummy bears are absolutely delicious! There is plenty to explore on this little stretch of shopping bliss.
So much shopping to be done in Downtown Sedona.
If shopping brings about an appetite, grab a scoop of deliciousness at PussyCat Gelato. I don’t remember seeing any rules about eating dessert after breakfast while you are on vacation! Their gelato is creamy and delicious and if you are visiting during a warmer season, it will be exactly what is needed to help you from dropping after all that shopping.
Have fun deciding which flavor to try!
Once you have done all your shopping, head back to your car and take a short drive over to Chapel of the Holy Cross (and enjoy some more roundabouts!). This stunning piece of architecture is worth a quick visit for two reasons. First, the way it is built into the mountain is really amazing to see firsthand. You can drive most of the way to the top or there is a small hike up to the church if you park at the bottom. But once you get to the top, the second reason to make this stop is the spectacular 360 degree view. The church is free to enter and small, but there is a little gift shop underneath the main floor. Even if you aren’t religious or don’t think churches are your thing, the view alone is worth the trip up the small mountain.
Chapel of the Holy Cross is an incredible piece of architecture that has been nestled into the red rocks.
But don’t use up all your spectacular views “oohs” and “aahs” quite yet because your next view point is only another short drive away. Head over to Bell Rock where there is a parking lot that faces the front of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Honestly, you don’t have to even leave the parking lot to enjoy the spectacular red rock formations. But there is a hiking trail off the parking lot that you can venture out on if you desire. This is also an excellent place to pull out those packed lunches and sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Bell Rock on the left and Courthouse Butte on the right.
After you enjoy your lunch, start thinking about making your way back through Sedona and towards Clarkdale. If you are a knitter like me, you have probably already looked up yarn shops in the area. The only yarn shop in town is Sedona Knit Wits and it just so happens to be exactly on your path as you head south out of Sedona. Owner Linda Kimberly stocks some Arizona dyers and has a nice selection of hand dyed yarns and some staples like Malabrigo and Noro.
And, hey, if you are a knitter and want to knit the Sedona Hat, you can (for free!) by clicking here to get the free pattern.
Sedona Knit Wits is tucked back into a shopping center next to PetSmart.
Near the city of Cottonwood is a small town called Clarkdale. A short drive on the opposite side of Cottonwood as Sedona is one of Arizona’s National Monuments known as Tuzigoot. This ancient pueblo is located on a hilltop and has a 360 degree view of the surrounding land. The village was erected by the Sinagua people between 1125 and 1400 AD and it is quite an experience to see their incredible ancient architecture. It will probably take you less than an hour to walk the pathway carved around this incredible structure on a hill. Be sure to take time to explore the gift shop, which houses some amazing artifacts and a couple of videos to watch. And take notice that you can see the town of Jerome from your vantage point on the hill because that’s where I recommend you head tomorrow.
Tuzigoot National Monument is an amazing look into Arizona’s rich native history.
As the day starts to come to an end, head back to Cottonwood and stop in the downtown Cottonwood area for another small street lined with antique shops, wine tasting rooms, and more souvenirs and trinkets to purchase. It won’t take you long to explore the stores, but be sure and watch the clock because most of the shops close at 5pm.
And the absolute best way to top off the end of another adventurous day is to have dinner at Bing’s Burger Station. You can’t miss this place! You probably noticed it as you passed through downtown Cottonwood on your way to Tuzigoot. I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed having a meal at this small cafe diner. If you like turkey burgers, theirs ranks in my top three favorites. Their fries and onion rings are hot and crispy and be sure and get some of their special house made sauce to dip in. And don't get me started talking about their milkshakes! They are the real deal. Seriously, if there is one place you MUST eat while in the Sedona area, it’s Bing’s Burger Station.
Bing’s Burger Station is an absolute must when near Sedona - the food is delicious! Like, seriously delicious!
And if ending your night with a cocktail is up your alley, walk off some of those grease calories to Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar for a nightcap. With an endless selection of beers, wines, and signature cocktails, this is the place to cap off the end of your day. (Please don’t drink and drive!)
Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar. Delicious drinks and a full menu (and of course the pizza is so good!)
Day Three
It’s time to wake up early for another day filled with amazing things to do and see. Eat lunch at your hotel or in your RV and then hop in the car and drive to Prescott Valley for a Plum Creek Alpaca Tour. You can get discounted tickets on Groupon and be sure and check their website for tour times (they usually start the tours on the hour). These lovable creatures are fun to hang out with and you will learn so much about them. The owners are extremely knowledgable about the history of the alpaca as well as their personalities and character traits. I walked away with a lot of new knowledge about an animal that I already knew I loved! And be sure and visit their small shop to pick up some yarn or other alpaca goodies. You can even meet the alpaca that your skein of yarn was sheered from.
Diamond Jack and I having a little smooch!
After your tour and before you make your way back to the Sedona area, have a nice lunch at Oliva’s Mexican Restaurant. Delicious tacos and margaritas are waiting for you to enjoy! I recommend the chicken tortilla soup and the cheese crisp. They also have a grande taco that is seriously grande!
Delicious place to grab some lunch while in the Prescott area.
As you make your way back to your home base, stop and spend the rest of the day visiting the city of Jerome, known as the “Wickedest Town in the West.” This used to be a ghost town, but now it is bustling with unique shops, restaurants, museums, and a lot of history. In the 1920’s, there were more than 10,000 people that called Jerome home while the mines were active. But when the mines closed in 1953, the population dropped to less than 100. During the mining days, thousands of people died from mining accidents, infections, and disease. The tragic deaths of so many makes this town truly haunted. I don’t think we met a single resident that didn’t have a ghost story of their own to tell.
Once a ghost town, now a bustling place to grab some food and hunt for ghosts!
While you are shopping and exploring the town (it will only take you a few hours to see it all!) stop in at Coppertown Coffee and Gelato for some hot coffee in the colder months or cold gelato in the warmer months. They also have delicious sticky buns and cinnamon rolls that are fresh baked. I love supporting local businesses and sampling their goodies!
I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love a hot cup of cocoa!
As the shops start to close and the sun begins to set, grab some dinner and drinks where the locals do - The Bordello of Jerome. This small restaurant was once a real bordello and all of the burgers are named after ladies of the night. Their full bar offers some delicious spirits (before you head out on your ghost tour to see another kind of spirits!). If you like Long Island Iced Tea, try the Elixir of Death which I am drinking below. Rumor has it that this place is haunted, so keep your eyes peeled for anything supernatural going on while you dine! When we were there, we heard a pile of dishes crash in the kitchen and our waitress told us that they fell over on their own. I don’t know what I believe, but I like to spook myself by imagining that to be true!
Elixir of Death drink was delicious and so was the food!
The last event of the day is a guided tour by Ghost Town Tours. Jump in a van and be driven around and enjoy learning about the history of Jerome. You will also hear about all of the deaths that happened in this copper mining town that makes this place one of the most haunted little cities in the US. Stop by one of the insanely dangerous copper mines and learn about how dangerous mining really was. Don’t worry, it’s safe to visit now, but you definitely didn’t want to go into one of those mines back in the late 1800’s while it was active.
End your tour at the Jerome Cemetery. Ghost Town Tours provides you with a spirit box and an EMF detector to use on your spirit walk. We had some interesting experiences while there, but nothing that was concrete supernatural. I’m still a skeptic, but it was a lot of fun trying to talk to the dead! And even if you aren’t into hunting for ghosts, the view of Jerome from the cemetery is something worth seeing. The dead truly have the best view in the city!
My hubby made a little video of our time talking to the spirits. You decide if we made any real contact!
So there you have a lot of ideas that can help you decide what you want to do while visiting Sedona. There is a lot of hiking in and around the Sedona area, which we would normally take advantage of exploring. But during our time there, a few feet of fresh snow fell and the nights had below freezing temps. Hiking will have to happen on our next trip to Sedona when it is a bit warmer.
We absolutely love Sedona and can’t wait to head back there sometime in the near future to explore even more!
Garner, Phinny, and I loved our time in Sedona - doesn’t her face say it all!
If you have more time, here are some other activities I recommend!
Verde Canyon Railroad Train Ride (Clarkdale)
About four hours in total, the train ride through the mountains is really relaxing and you learn a lot about the train and the land you are passing through while sipping on drinks and eating snacks.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park (Camp Verde)
Look at that beautiful face!
Montezuma’s Castle (Camp Verde)
Incredible piece of architecture from Arizona’s native past.
Montezuma’s Well (Rimrock)
Montezuma’s Well - this water stays 74 degrees Fahrenheit no matter the outside temperature.
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