Planning a quick trip to Sedona? Well here is the perfect 48-hour itinerary with all the best things to do in Sedona!
Sedona is unlike any other place you’ll visit. The red rocks are so unique and grand, it truly looks like a painting everywhere you look. With it’s beautiful landscape, plentiful hikes, and quaint little town, Sedona makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Below I’ve listed all the best hikes, restaurants, and miscellaneous activities that I’ve enjoyed doing in Sedona myself. Whether you are in Sedona for just 48-hours or maybe you’re lucky enough to be there a whole week, I hope this guide will help you plan a wonderful trip!
Best Sedona Hikes
You definitely will not run out of hiking options while in Sedona! The place is filled with hiking trails left and right. There are however a few hikes that you won’t want to miss out on! Read on to find out which hikes those are!
Devil’s Bridge
Length: 4.2 miles; Time: 1-3 hours; Difficulty: easy
Devil’s Bridge is probably the most popular hike in Sedona. It is where everyone gets their insta worthy Sedona picture and for good reason! The rock formation looks like a bridge and it is pretty incredible. It is a relatively flat hike until you get about 0.25 miles away from the bridge. Then the elevation spikes, but there are steps made from rocks to help you get up and the views are great all the way up. Since this is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, I recommend getting there around sunrise to avoid the crowds. Even if you don’t mind hiking with others, when you get to the actual bridge there can be a long wait to actually step foot on the bridge and take your picture, so you’ll want to beat the rush.
Aren’t the cactus plants so cute?
Boynton Canyon + Subway Cave
Length: 7.1 miles; Time: 4-6 hours; Difficulty: moderate
This was my favorite hike! I thought the subway cave was so neat! And it involved a little bit of rock climbing too, which I always like. The trail to Boyton Canyon is about 6 miles, but if you want to get to the subway cave you have to make a detour about 2 miles in. The detour to and from the cave adds about a mile to the hike making the total hike 7.1 miles. You can definitely just hike to the subway cave or just to the canyon if you want. There is no sign marking the detour to the cave, but there is a distinct tree that will help guide you there. Read THIS post for detailed directions on how to find the subway cave!
The hike is relatively flat until you get to the cave. Then you have to do a bit of climbing. If you are feeling adventurous you can rock climb up the sandstone incline as pictured above or if you keep hiking to the left you will see a more gradual incline with stepping stones up to the cave. Adjacent to the subway cave are other smaller caves and ancient ruins that are pretty cool to check out too.
Cathedral Rock
Length: 1.2 miles; Time: 1-2 hours; Difficulty: Moderate
Cathedral Rock is also one of the most popular hikes in Sedona! It is a short hike to the top, but you will have to do a bit of rock scrambling. There are some steep areas where you will need to use your hands and feet to help get you up. There were many kids on the trail, so don’t be too intimidated by the rock scrambling. The views at the top are worth it! I didn’t get to go at sunset, but I hear the views at that time are incredible.
The plateau areas up to Cathedral Rock have incredible views of the surrounding Sedona area too.
Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is a great place to go if you want to cool off! The park is filled with natural rock water slides. As you walk along the trail you can slide down the rocks into the shallow pools of water. Just be careful not to slip! Check out the park’s website for all the details. It is about $20 to park depending on the time of year and the hours vary. This would be a great spot to visit if you have kids with you!
Best Restaurants in Sedona
There are so many restaurants to choose from in Sedona! I can assure you, you won’t go hungry! Being that Arizona shares it’s southern border with Mexico, you will find a lot of Mexican influence in the cuisine. If you only have 48-hours in Sedona, be sure to check out these restaurants for some delicious food!
Berry Divine Açaí Bowls
First up, some delicious Açaí bowls! I highly recommend making a stop at Berry Divine Açaí Bowls for breakfast or after one of your hikes. These bowls will quench your thirst and give you some quick energy after a hot and sunny hike. The best part is they even have a drive-through, so you don’t have to get out of the car with your tired and wobbly hiking legs haha.
Hideaway House
Hideaway House is a great spot for lunch or dinner! It was actually my favorite spot we ate at all weekend. They have an adorable patio in the back with amazing views of the red rocks go while it is still light out. They serve pizza, pasta, and sandwiches and have happy hour M-F from 3-5. We got the roasted peach and caramelized pancetta pizza, and of course a couple rounds of happy hour margaritas. It was delicious!
Tortes de Fuego
We loved Tortes de Fuego for their authentic Mexican food and their jumbo margaritas! They have all your classic Mexican bites including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and tamales and the atmosphere was great!
Everyone seemed to have the same idea in Sedona… go for a hike, reward yourself with a Margarita. So you know there are a lot of good margaritas around town. Go to El Rincon and get their Cadillac margarita! Other great Mexican restaurants in Sedona include Elote Cafe, 89Agave Cantina, and for a more fine dining option try out Mariposa. You will probably need to make a reservation for Mariposa at least a couple of weeks out.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
If you don’t want to spend all day hiking, then here are some other great activities to do in the area too!
Tlaquepaque ARTS and Crafts Village
Visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village for a fun shopping experience. The village is lined with cobblestone streets and has beautiful arches and fountains throughout. The village is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day and includes art galleries, shops, and restaurants for everyone.
Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway and Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road
These beautiful roadways will give you a great view of the red rocks from the comfort of your car.
Sunset at Airport Mesa
If you have time to catch a sunset, head up the road to Airport Mesa for a spectacular view of the sun setting over the mountains. If you don’t go for sunset, it is still a great picnic spot with panoramic views of Sedona. There is a large flat parking area at the top of the hill you can park at for $3.
There you have it! All the best recommendations for a short 48-hour trip to Sedona! Whatever you end up doing, you will have a blast. I hope you enjoyed this quick guide on the best things to do in Sedona!
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