A Sample 5 Day Itinerary

Although many of our guests would prefer to relax and do NOTHING, if you can only stay ONE night with us and have a limited amount of time, here are some favorite “must-see” attractions & activities:

Red Rock Crossing – The most photographed spot in Sedona. Incredible views of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek. Admission charges apply.
Chapel of the Holy Cross – Beautiful views. Open daily from 9 to 5.
Boynton Canyon – Hiker’s paradise/breathtaking views.
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village – Patterned after a Mexican shopping area in Guadalajara. Unusual shopping, art, and dining. Open 10 to 5 daily and later on weekends. Enter through Portal Lane entrance.
Airport Mesa – Incredible panoramic views of the Red Rocks at Sunset.

For a TWO-night stay, consider a Sedona adventure:

Jeep Tours – A very popular way to experience Sedona. A Day in the West started offering Sedona tours in the 1940’s and continues to this day. Whether by Jeep or by horseback, their western guides will give you a real feel for the west.

Horseback Riding – Here is a great way to experience views with a true “Old West” atmosphere. Riding can be arranged through Pink Jeep Tours, A Day in the West, Trail Horse Adventures, or Horsin Around Adventures.

Mountain Biking – Some of the best off-road biking trails are in our neighborhood. Bring your own bike or rent one just around the corner from the inn at either Absolute Bikes or Sedona Bike and Bean.

Hiking – Short and longer hikes are available on over 100 miles of beautiful trails from our premises and throughout the entire Sedona Red Rock area. A great resource for hiking is “Sedona Hikes,” considered by many to be the authority on Sedona trails. It is available in our gift shop.

For a THREE-night stay, consider a day trip to the Grand Canyon:

Grand Canyon Road Trip – We will gladly provide you with a printed one-day itinerary so that you can see the highlights in one day. We have maps and specific directions, which will bring you home by a different route through the Navajo reservation with views of the Painted Desert. Private tours are also available from Southwest Outside, our favorite private guide company.

Grand Canyon Air Tours – Plane tours are also available to the Grand Canyon from Sedona through several air tour companies such as Sedona Sky Treks.

OR – Here are some scenic alternatives right here in Sedona if you decide to forego the Grand Canyon:

Uptown Sedona – This merchant area offers shopping, restaurants, and even a museum featuring memorabilia from movies shot in Sedona. Visit the main visitor center of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce where you will find a wealth of local information from energetic volunteers. (FYI – Be wary of other “Tourist Information” booths. Virtually all of these Non-Chamber booths are “fronts” for high pressure Timeshare sales operations.)

Oak Creek Canyon – From the uptown area, keep heading north on State Route 89A. The terrain changes from Red Rocks to a beautiful Ponderosa pine forest as the highway winds its way north along Oak Creek to higher elevations in Flagstaff.

Slide Rock State Park – Just 5 miles north of the city limits on 89A, this nationally known State Park is known for its beauty and natural rock waterslide.

West Fork Hiking Trail – Located just 13 miles north of Uptown Sedona along 89A, you will find wonderful views in all seasons of the year. You will hike into the Secret Mountain Wilderness as the trail crisscrosses Oak Creek multiple times.

Schnebly Hill Road – Breathtaking views, but not recommended for the average family car. This can be very rough terrain but the memories will last a lifetime. If you have a leased auto, be certain that you have the permission of the leasing company to take their vehicle onto dirt roads.

If you have a FOURTH DAY, explore the Verde Valley:

Indian Ruins – (some by dirt roads). We have a very specific road map with excellent directions to Palatki, Honanki, and the rock art of V-Bar-V Heritage Site. View the ancient rock art and ruins from 1250 AD. (Caution – these sites are accessed over rugged but passable dirt roads) Admission charges apply at Palatki and reservations are required. Call 928-282-4119 for more information.

Indian Ruins – (by paved highway). Visit Montezuma Castle, one of the best restored cliff dwellings in the Southwest. Also nearby is Montezuma’s Well National Monument. Or, you can travel to the Tuzigoot National Monument, a Sinaguan ruin of 110 individual rooms.

Jerome, Arizona – This eclectic historic town offers great mountain top views, art galleries, and interesting gift shops and studios. A “must see” is the Jerome Historic State Park, a mansion home now serving as a museum including a short film about the town’s colorful past.

Golf – There are two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course just minutes from the inn: Sedona Golf Resort, Oak Creek Country Club, and Canyon Mesa.

For a FIFTH Day, don’t overlook Flagstaff, Arizona:

Head up Oak Creek Canyon on your way to Flagstaff – At 7,000 ft above sea level, this historic college town can keep you busy all day. Mt Humphreys is visible from Flagstaff, sitting at 12,000 feet and snow-covered most of the year. Stop at the scenic overlook at the top of the switchbacks for photo opportunities. The Native American Arts Co-op is located here in the Spring through October, selling authentic jewelry and art.

Lowell Observatory – Visit this historic observatory where Pluto was discovered!

Museum of Northern Arizona – Learn the history of Northern Arizona and view artifacts and art from Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni cultures.

Riordan Mansion State Historic Park – Tour this 1904 Arts & Crafts mansion and its 40-room collection of handcrafted items.

Walnut Creek National Monument – A canyon with 3,600 years of habitation history.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Explore lava fields from a 900-year-old eruption.

Wupatki National Monument – Discover the ruins of an 800-year-old pueblo village.

Meteor Crater – A 50,000-year-old impact site where NASA trained astronauts.

Other activities include:

• Picnic from Memories Bakery & Sandwiches
• Gallery hopping
• Blazin’M Ranch cowboy dinner
• Verde Canyon Railroad scenic train ride
• Vortex site visits
• Massage and spa treatments
• Or... just RELAX in our courtyard oasis!