Weekend itinerary

Cathedral Rock and two nights in Sedona

Arrive near Gallery Row Friday; hike Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock, or ride Broken Arrow, Saturday morning; cross Tlaquepaque after lunch; finish at Chapel of the Holy Cross or Airport Mesa Sunday.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Friday brings Gallery Row and a Creekside dinner; Saturday pairs Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Broken Arrow with Tlaquepaque; Sunday ends at Chapel of the Holy Cross or Airport Mesa.

Best length

2 nights

Two nights allow an early trail morning without turning arrival or departure day into a race.

Stay

Arabella Hotel Sedona

A Gallery Row hotel near Tlaquepaque with red-rock views, pools, and easier access to State Route 179 than…

Main activity

Saturday red-rock outing

Use Saturday morning for Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or a Broken Arrow jeep route, then return to town before the exposed midday heat.

Saturday plan

Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Broken Arrow

Cathedral Rock is the steep option, Bell Rock has lower paths, and Broken Arrow puts the rough road in a guide's vehicle. Tlaquepaque, Gallery Row, a spa, and the hotel pool are options after lunch.

Contextual watercolor of a shaded Sedona arts courtyard — Adobe arches and sycamore shade offer a midday alternative to exposed slickrock.

Contextual watercolor of breakfast on a West Sedona patio — An early West Sedona breakfast leaves time for one short final stop.

Watercolor of the scenic southern drive into Sedona — State Route 179 enters red-rock country past Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.

Friday

Gallery Row check-in and Creekside dinner

Check in near Gallery Row, see the red-rock walls in the remaining daylight, then eat at Creekside American Bistro near Tlaquepaque.

4:00 PM

Check in

Stay at Arabella Hotel Sedona.

A Gallery Row hotel near Tlaquepaque with red-rock views, pools, and easier access to State Route 179 than Uptown. Most trailheads and dinners still require a car.

Recommended stay

Arabella Hotel Sedona

A Gallery Row hotel near Tlaquepaque with red-rock views, pools, and easier access to State Route 179 than…

Check availability

Upgrade

L'Auberge de Sedona

A premium creekside stay below Uptown with cottages, spa treatments, and on-site dining. Choose it for Oak Creek…

Compare the upgrade

Compare more places to stay →

6:30 PM

First dinner

Start with Creekside American Bistro.

American comfort food, cocktails, covered decks, and red-rock views near Tlaquepaque. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., and reservations are available for later meals.

First-night pick

Creekside American Bistro

American comfort food, cocktails, covered decks, and red-rock views near Tlaquepaque. Breakfast begins at 7:30…

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Sedona restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Saturday

Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock, then Tlaquepaque

Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Broken Arrow offer three different mornings: steep slickrock, lower paths, or a guided rough-road ride. After lunch, choose Tlaquepaque, Gallery Row, a spa, or the hotel pool.

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Start with Coffee Pot Restaurant.

A West Sedona diner known for its long omelet menu, open daily from 6 a.m. for first-come, first-served breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast / coffee

Coffee Pot Restaurant

A West Sedona diner known for its long omelet menu, open daily from 6 a.m. for first-come, first-served…

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Sedona restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

7:30 AM

Main activity

Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Broken Arrow before noon

Cathedral Rock is steep and shuttle-dependent on service days. Bell Rock offers lower paths, while a Broken Arrow jeep tour covers rough roads without using a rental car.

Compare

Compare Sedona's red-rock choices

See route effort, current access, shuttle guidance, and alternatives for mixed-ability groups.

Compare

Browse more attractions and activities

See additional things to do around Sedona.

1:30 PM

Afternoon

Cool off at Tlaquepaque, Gallery Row, or the hotel

Browse shaded courtyards, take a long lunch, book a spa treatment, or return to the pool before going outside again near sunset.

7:00 PM

Dinner

Reserve dinner at Elote Cafe.

Mexican cooking inspired by regional markets, served as a reservation-focused dinner near Uptown. Reserve before the weekend because walk-in availability is limited.

Special dinner

Elote Cafe

Mexican cooking inspired by regional markets, served as a reservation-focused dinner near Uptown. Reserve before…

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Sedona restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Sunday

Coffee Pot breakfast before Chapel or Airport Mesa

Coffee Pot opens early in West Sedona. After breakfast, Chapel of the Holy Cross or Airport Mesa provides a final red-rock stop without beginning another full trail day.

7:30 AM

Sunday morning

Breakfast in West Sedona

Coffee Pot opens early and serves breakfast all day. Pump House begins breakfast later near Tlaquepaque; verify current hours before leaving.

Early breakfast

Coffee Pot Restaurant

A West Sedona diner known for its long omelet menu, open daily from 6 a.m. for first-come, first-served…

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Sedona restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

11:00 AM

One last stop

Chapel of the Holy Cross or Airport Mesa

Keep Sunday short enough for the drive. Check current access before choosing any Oak Creek or north-canyon stop.

Compare

Browse Sedona things to do

See short stops to consider before leaving Sedona.

More Sedona guides

Red Rock Weekend

Compare Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and guided jeep routes for a first visit.

Open Red Rock Weekend →

Things To Do

Hikes, jeep routes, vortex walks, art courtyards, stargazing, and shaded midday stops beyond this itinerary.

Open Things To Do →

Where To Stay

Compare Uptown walkability, West Sedona convenience, creekside luxury, and Airport Mesa views.

Open Where To Stay →

Restaurants

Find early breakfast, patio lunches, Mexican cooking, and dinners that require reservations.

Open Restaurants →

Getting Here

Compare Phoenix and Flagstaff flights, Interstate 17, State Route 179, traffic, and winter weather.

Open Getting Here →

Named meals

Creekside American Bistro

American comfort food, cocktails, covered decks, and red-rock views near Tlaquepaque. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., and…

Menu / info →

Elote Cafe

Mexican cooking inspired by regional markets, served as a reservation-focused dinner near Uptown. Reserve before the weekend…

Menu / info →

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill

Latin-inspired fine dining in West Sedona with broad red-rock views and premium prices. Reserve well ahead, especially for a table…

Menu / info →

The Hudson

New American plates, burgers, cocktails, and a red-rock patio near Gallery Row. It works for a polished lunch or dinner without…

Menu / info →

Coffee Pot Restaurant

A West Sedona diner known for its long omelet menu, open daily from 6 a.m. for first-come, first-served breakfast and lunch.

Menu / info →

Pump House Station

Breakfast from 8 a.m. near Tlaquepaque, with coffee, benedicts, sandwiches, salads, and a shaded patio; dinner service is limited…

Menu / info →

Hideaway House

Casual Italian food, sandwiches, and red-rock views near the Y junction, open from 11 a.m. Use it for lunch or a post-outing meal,…

Menu / info →

Before the trailhead

Check access before choosing the trailhead

Forest closures and shuttle service can change the available route. Confirm the Coconino National Forest alert and Sedona Shuttle pages, then use a confirmed-open alternative if needed.