Arizona - Phoenix/Sedona Recommendations

[dancingirl21]

DH and I are planning a trip to Arizona in February. He's running a race on Saturday near Phoenix. We are planning to fly into Phoenix either Thursday night or Friday morning. We will have Friday available to do whatever in the Phoenix area, he will run early Saturday morning, then we plan to drive to Sedona after the race. We will have the afternoon on Saturday, all of Sunday, and Monday morning in Sedona.

Recommendations of things to do in both areas including hotels, restaurants, etc? We are considering doing a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Sedona - neither of us have been to the GC or Arizona. 

Anything we should stay away from or definitely do? Thanks!

[InBetweenDays]

We were just near Sedona over Labor Day. We stayed at a condo with another family so no hotel recommendations, but for restaurants definitely go to Elote Cafe. They don't take reservations and people start lining up before they open but it was worth it. It may not be as busy in February as it was Labor Day weekend.

If you're interested in any hikes we loved Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. It was HOT when we were there (over 100 each day) so we went early in the morning. The views from Cathedral Rock are stunning. But my favorite hike was the West Fork Trail of Oak Creek (fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55432). It's 7.5 miles out and back but flat and in the shade so if it's hot it's a great option. You cross Oak Creek multiple times and the maintained trail stops in the middle of the creek - so if you want you can continue walking up the creek canyon (you'll want some sort of water shoes). Absolutely gorgeous.

[sandipluschris]

When you say the race “near Phoenix”, can you be more specific? There are a ton of great hotels and restaurants all over the Phoenix metro area so i want to suggest something on the right side if town.

[dancingirl21]

Sept 12, 2019 14:12:17 GMT -5 sandipluschris said:

When you say the race “near Phoenix”, can you be more specific? There are a ton of great hotels and restaurants all over the Phoenix metro area so i want to suggest something on the right side if town.

The race is in Fort McDowell, so we are open to staying anywhere near Phoenix or closer to there.

[mrsd2006]

Pink Jeep tour in Sedona. If you haven't been to the GC, you HAVE to go. It's amazing.

[sandipluschris]

Sept 12, 2019 14:20:47 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

Sept 12, 2019 14:12:17 GMT -5 sandipluschris said:

When you say the race “near Phoenix”, can you be more specific? There are a ton of great hotels and restaurants all over the Phoenix metro area so i want to suggest something on the right side if town.

The race is in Fort McDowell, so we are open to staying anywhere near Phoenix or closer to there.

Any of these would be great - 

omni resort at montelucia - www.omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdale-montelucia

Boulders resort and spa - www.theboulders.com/

royal palm resort and spa - royalpalmshotel.com

hyatt regency at gainey ranch - www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/arizona/hyatt-regency-scottsdale-resort-and-spa/scott

restaurants - Blanco Tacos and Tequila www.blancotacostequila.com

Flemings - flemingssteakhouse.com

Roaring Fork - roaringfork.com

Culinary dropout - culinarydropout.com

Postino Highland - postinowinecafe.com.  

[cinderbella]

Get breakfast one morning at Coffee Pot restaurant - they're famous for their omelets and it's such a cute little place. I've heard Mariposa is delicious but I've never been there myself. There are incredible views of the red rocks if you have brunch at Enchantment Resort.

My all time favorite restaurant in the area is actually a few minutes south of Sedona in Cottonwood - it's called Crema and is amaaaaazing and quaint. The breakfast tacos are delicious but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The owners of Crema also own a cute little brick oven pizza place called Bocce that's right down the street.

If you have time, drive up to Jerome and spend a few hours walking around - it's an old mining town with super cute shops, fun restaurants (Haunted Hamburger is a must!) and beautiful views.

I hiked Devil's Bridge last month and it was my favorite hike I've done in the area. We got to the trailhead super early (5am) and we're to the top by 6:30ish - we wanted to avoid the heat and the crowds and we were successful with both.

I visit the area 4-5 times a year (my friend lives in Cornville) so let me know if you want more ideas or have questions!

[lindyanne]

following because I am trying to talk DH into AZ for spring break.

[anonymous]

Grand Canyon and a pink Jeep tour in Sedona are huge dos. Also eat at tamaliza. Delicious

[anonymous]

Also the botanical garden in Phoenix is beautiful

[anonymous]

Sept 12, 2019 20:20:25 GMT -5 lindyanne said:

following because I am trying to talk DH into AZ for spring break.

We did it for spring break and LOVED it

[lindyanne]

Sept 12, 2019 21:10:54 GMT -5 anonymous said:

Sept 12, 2019 20:20:25 GMT -5 lindyanne said:

following because I am trying to talk DH into AZ for spring break.

We did it for spring break and LOVED it

Two years ago we did LA, OC, and SD. While we loved what we did it was not relaxing and too much driving. Last year we went to the Caribbean and sat around the pool and did a few excursions. We go to the beach every summer and literally sit on our ass and drink and play card so I really don’t want that twice a year when we don’t travel a ton bc of school and sports. I’m looking for a mix of relaxing and outdoor stuff too without being all over the place. And also sun and warmth. Lol

[scorpio72]

We did Devil's Bridge and absolutely loved it!  It was hot but it was still well worth it.  We started around 9 and took about an hour to get to the top with 3 kids.  

I didn't really like downtown Sedona.  It seemed very touristy.  We stayed in Flagstaff since it was August and it was about 20 degrees cooler.  I really liked Flagstaff.  Such a cool town.  

Following this post since DH took a job in Tempe and is there M-F each week so we will be out there frequently and plan to go to Sedona a few more times.