Planning a trip to Sedona? This 4 day Sedona Itinerary covers where to stay, places to eat & the best things to do in Sedona for your trip to the gorgeous red rocks. Whether you’re in Sedona for hiking and wellness, food, or epic red rock views, this 4 day guide will tell you everything you need to know!
TL;DR itinerary summary for busy readers:
4 Day Sedona Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Tlaquepaque Village, Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Day 2: Verde Canyon Railroad, Old Cottonwood, Wine Tasting
- Day 3: Shopping, Views and Wellness in Sedona
- Day 4: Jeep Tour, Scenic Drinks, and Sunset Views
Keep scrolling if you want the details or use the menu below to jump to the section that interests you most!
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When to Visit Sedona
Peak tourist season in Sedona is usually from March to May and September to mid-October.
High season
- March to May: Spring is the busiest time of year to visit Sedona.Temperatures are mid 60s to low 80s typically, and the desert is in full bloom.
- September to mid-October: Temperatures are typically high 80s to low 70s, and the hillsides are bursting with autumn colors.
Low season
- December to February: Temperatures average in the 40s to low 60s and lodging rates are the most affordable during these months.
I visited in February & there were no crowds during the week but a noticeable increase in crowds on the weekend. During the week, it took 15 minutes to get around. On the weekend, it took 45 minutes.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the USA’s stunning natural beauty, check out our post on Easy Dog-Friendly Hikes in Acadia National Park!
Where To Stay In Sedona
Sedona is divided into a few key areas, and like any other destination – choosing the right area to stay in based on your travel style is KEY to a successful trip.
Uptown Sedona
Pros: This is the heart of Sedona, packed with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and close to all of the best things to do in Sedona. If you want to be in the middle of the action and walkability is important, then this is for you.
Cons: Surprise, surprise – this location is crowded & pricey. This is the most touristy area, so expect higher hotel rates and limited parking.
West Sedona
Pros: Less touristy than Uptown Sedona but still close to restaurants, grocery stores, and hiking trails. More budget-friendly hotels and VRBOs compared to Uptown.
Cons: It lacks the postcard-perfect views of Uptown, and you’ll need a car to get around + it’s still kinda pricey but not as much as Uptown.
Village of Oak Creek
Pros: Located 15 minutes south of Uptown Sedona, this area still has stunning red rock views, hiking trailheads, and cheaper accommodations than Uptown and West Sedona. More of a local vibe.
Cons: Less nightlife + restaurants than Uptown and West Sedona, and you’ll need to drive into central Sedona for activities.
My family and I stayed at a gorgeous VRBO in Village of Oak Creek that was truly perfect for us – it has 3 bedrooms, a beautiful open kitchen, a living room with a record player and endless records to set the vibe (we played lots of fun 70s and 80s throwbacks), a hot tub, fire pit, and a game room.
Red Rock Loop / Boynton Canyon & Oak Creek Canyon
Pros: Home to luxury resorts, spas, and secluded vacation rentals. If you want peace, relaxation, and epic red rock scenery, this is your area.
Cons: Further from central Sedona (20+ min drive) and limited food options nearby if going off resort.
4 Day Sedona Itinerary
I’m sharing my real life 4 day Sedona itinerary with you to keep things authentic and realistic, but I’ll also note some additional options that would have fit in as well if you are looking for an even fuller schedule.
I was traveling with my family, so the pace was a touch slower than my norm and focused less on adventure and more on the food & drinks. I had a great time exploring the food and drink scene of Sedona – sometimes it’s really nice to slow down a bit.
Day 1: Shopping & Views
Depending on your interests, here are some ways you can kick off day 1 of your 4 day Sedona itinerary:
- Breakfast at The Secret Garden Cafe or Pump House Station
- Watch the sunrise at Yavapai Vista
- Start your day with one of the many Sedona hikes like Seven Sacred Pools via the Cibola Pass Trail
Head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village to explore the 50+ unique shops & art galleries. The shopping village is divided by north and south that is separated by the 4 lane road (don’t worry – there is an easy walking path to get to the other side!). So, don’t miss out on half the shops by not crossing the street.
Before you leave the village – have lunch at one of the conveniently located restaurants within the village such as Oak Creek Brewery & Grill (we ate here, and it was yummy, but nothing exciting), El Rincon or Rene.
Following lunch and shopping, stretch your legs by hiking Cathedral Rock. Hiking to the top is classified as a hard hike. We completed the half mile walk from the parking lot to the base of the mountain, took in the stunning views, then went back to the car (skipping the hard part of the hike). While in the area, stop by and visit Chapel of the Holy Cross before wrapping up.
If you love the rocky views in Sedona, you’ll really love the craggy coastline of Northern Ireland. Check out our 4 day itinerary for Northern Ireland for inspiration for your next trip!
Day 2: Guided Tour + Day Trip From Sedona
Grab breakfast at Red Rock Cafe – home to the famous 3lb cinnamon roll!
Following breakfast, start the 40 minute drive to Clarkdale for the Verde Canyon Railroad Tour. This is a 4 hour roundtrip train ride across 40 miles, winding through the Verde Canyon. This was HANDS DOWN one of our favorite activities on our trip.
Each refurbished passenger car has assigned seats within living room style cabins where you are seated either at a 2 person bistro table or a 4 person lounge area with two loveseats. At the depot prior to boarding the train you can opt to have lunch, visit the museum, or have a few pre-boarding drinks on the patio.
Once on board your seat comes with it’s own full charcuterie tray – meats, cheese, crackers, brownie, fresh fruit and preserved fruit, and a small bottle of champagne to be shared with the group. The charcuterie tray is VERY filling, so you may find yourself skipping lunch or taking leftovers with you for snacks later.
Throughout the train ride you have access to the indoor cabin (where your assigned seats are) as well as a shared open air cabin where you can take in the fresh canyon air and view the gorgeous red rocks while learning about the history and various rock names from highly knowledgeable attendants, eager to share their knowledge.
Check the train schedule for specific timing details, special monthly events, and themed rides hosted by the railroad.
Following your train ride, stop and explore Old Cottonwood. They have a cute main street that’s worth a stroll with local shops like Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders, Old Town Rocks, and more!
Before heading back to Sedona, stop and enjoy a wine tasting at Arizona Stronghold, Merkin Vineyards or DA Vines. We spent a few hours at Arizona Stronghold, located on main street, and had a really great time!
End the night with a delicious dinner at Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen, located in West Sedona. This was the most gluten friendly/free and vegan + vegetarian friendly restaurant we went to during the entire trip.
Alternative Day Trip Options:
Jerome – Arizona’s coolest ghost town with wine tasting and haunted history. Multiple tour guides and waiters recommended going to Jerome if we had the time, but we sadly didn’t.
Grand Canyon – 2-hour drive for an epic day trip + bucket list check!
Flagstaff – only a 45 minute drive north & home to a top ski resort, big mountain hikes & Route 66 nostalgia!
If you’ll be driving to Sedona, consider listening to an audiobook from our list of 9 Audiobooks for Your Next Road Trip!
Day 3: Views, Food, & Shopping
Depending on if you want to be outdoorsy or not, you can start your day with:
- Breakfast at Creekside Sedona or Rascal Modern American Diner
- Hike Doe Mountain or Boynton Vista Vortex
Head to the Hillside Shopping Center in central Sedona where you can have lunch at The Hudson with breathtaking views. Explore the surrounding shops that range from clothing boutiques, gift shops, crystal and metaphysical shops, and more.
Before heading to dinner, grab drinks and an appetizer at Javelina Cantina.
End the night with dinner at Mole Mexican Kitchen. This was our absolute favorite meal from the entire trip!
You could also do lunch at Javelina Cantina & then sunset drinks at The Hudson for optimal views & vibes, but you’ll need to make reservations for sunset views!
Day 4: Drinks with Views & Off-Road Jeep Tour
Depending on your interests in wellness while in Sedona, you can start your day with:
A wellness activity, like an outdoor yoga class at a vortex site, followed by a visit to a local coffee shop.
Have lunch at Hideaway House – known for its stunning views and even better food & drink menu. I had the “Kat’s Way” pizza and was obsessed.
Get away from the crowds and head over to Redwall Lounge for drinks with truly the best views in all of Sedona. A local waitress recommended this as the best place to have a drink in Sedona, and it absolutely was our favorite spot!
The main activity of the day is a Private 2 Hour Off Road Jeep Tour through the red rock desert wilderness. Stops include Van Deren Cabin, where a few famous western films were created, and a stop at a vortex to take in the early sunset views. While this tour is bumpy, we think that Sedona Jeep Tours are totally worth it. They are a great way to get out in nature without hiking!
Sedona Trip Cost Breakdown
Budget Breakdown for a 4-Day Sedona Trip:
- Accommodations: $200–$525+/night (budget vs. luxury)
- Food & Drinks: $50–$100+/day per person
- Tours & Activities: averaged $150 per person, per tour
*If you aren’t driving to Sedona or are staying outside of central Sedona, you’ll want to rent a car to get around and do day trips. If flying into Sedona, the cheapest airport to fly into is typically Phoenix (PHX), which is only 1.5 hours drive from Sedona.
Save this itinerary for later and tag us on Instagram @thestickeredsuitcase if you visit!
Do you have anything you’d add to our 4 day Sedona itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
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This itinerary looks so much fun! The train ride seems very scenic, too. I’ve never been to Sedona, so I’m saving these activities for future trips.
What a fun post! I would LOVE to do that train journey, your description put me right there with you. It looks like Sedona is a great place to visit. I’m saving this for later to refer back to when I finally make it down there!
I love Sedona. Hiking through the red rock is so delightful. This was a great post to learn about other things to do around Sedona besides hiking. I definitely recommend a visit to Jerome, too.
Thanks for the recommendation! We hope to add that in as a day trip for our next visit!
This looks like so much fun! I’ve never been to Sedona but would love to go. thanks
Perfect timing! I am planning a trip to Sedona for October and am saving your post. Also- 3lb cinnamon roll?! Good thing there’s lots of hiking to walk that monster off!
We hope you have the BEST time! An elastic waistband + hiking are definitely needed after eating such a massive treat!