One day in Sedona -- need some advice, please!
 

Our family of three (me, husband and 9-year-old daughter) will be making a day trip from Phoenix to Sedona next week, and I could use a little help in organizing our day. We have reservations for the last Pink Jeep tour of the day (2-hour Broken Arrow tour at 5 p.m., so sunset will be setting in near the end), but I’m wondering if that timing is really the best choice. Would we be missing out on something by not doing it earlier in the day? (Some have told me it’s the best introduction to the area – so I’m worried about doing it at the end of our time there, rather than the beginning of the day.)

I’ve done some research on this board and others and while I’ve found wonderful ideas, I haven’t found a really solid one-day itinerary. We’d like to spend some time at Tlaquepaque and would be interested in seeing natural sites like Bell Rock, Oak Creek Canyon (Slide Rock looks fun, but it seems like it would be a madhouse), or others. Some lower-key hiking would be fun – we’ve never been to this part of the country and while we’re all healthy and in good shape, I want to be mindful of the temps, altitude, etc., that we may not be used to.

Could also use some recommendations for a nice lunch and/or dinner, as well as anything we should see/do between Phoenix and Sedona. Lunch at the Enchantment Resort has been highly recommended by folks in the know, but that might be a little too formal for a day that includes a Jeep Tour and hiking? We’d be up for nearly any kind of food – just something that’s authentically Sedona.

I feel very scattered about this day trip – I know one day isn’t enough to experience everything Sedona has to offer, but we’d love to get a nice taste of it (so we can plan a return trip!) Any recommendations for sites, activities and restaurants – as well as how to organize our time there – would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

First off, get a very early start and head straight to Sedona. You will be coming in on 179, so you can see a lot before even getting into Sedona.

Stop and get your Red Rock Pass as you are entering the Village of Oak Creek:
http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes...purchase.shtml

If you have a national parks pass, you won't need the Red Rock pass.

Then, around a circle, head west on Indian Valley School Road. Take this all the way to the end, then walk downhill to Red Rock Crossing. Soak your feet in the stream, then take an easy hike over to Cathedral Rock.

Back to 179, and heading toward Sedona, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte will be on your right. You can pull of into the parking lot and hike to / around / up Bell rock.

Just before getting into Sedona, take Chapel Road to the right and visit the amazing Chapel of the Holy Cross.

On into Sedona, right before the "Y", there is Red Rock BBQ on the left, a good place for lunch. For Dinner, definitely the Cowboy Club, right in uptown, after your PJ tour.

After lunch, head right at the "Y" and drive up Oak Creek Canyon. Try Slide Rock, it may not be all that crowded by next week. Or head back down 179 to Tlaquepaque after lunch. Another good lunch option would be the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, right in Tlaquepaque. But still try for Slide Rock sometime after lunch. Even if you don't go in, the drive is worthwhile.

Oops, that should have been VERDE valley School Road, NOT Indian valley.

Thanks so much, MikePinTucson -- it sounds like a plan! Other comments/thoughts welcome!