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Question

We will be flying in and out of Phoenix for one week in March. We have 3 nights reserved in Sedona, then one night in one of the Grand Canyon lodges. We will hike a bit in the Grand Canyon on Friday, then start traveling back toward Phoenix. We are unsure where to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Is Prescott worth considering, maybe for one night? Flagstaff? Drive down to Tucson? We are in our 60’s, light hikers due to injuries (could do a few easy miles), love architecture, and aren’t really into museums - would rather be outdoors. We have already been to Page so don’t intend to travel north. Any suggestions on other towns to visit /stay in or things to do would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer

Given your plan of 3 nights in Sedona followed by a night in a Grand Canyon lodge, the next few nights can be planned to balance scenic drives, light hiking, and charming towns while gradually making your way back to Phoenix. Since you prefer outdoors and architecture over museums, I’ll focus on options that highlight natural beauty, historic towns, and pleasant drives.

Friday night – after your Grand Canyon hike:

Stay near the Grand Canyon South Rim if you want minimal driving after your hike. Lodges like Yavapai Lodge or Maswik Lodge offer convenient access and comfortable accommodations.
If you prefer a change of scenery, consider Tusayan, a small town just outside the park, which offers additional dining and lodging options.

Saturday night – options on your way back toward Phoenix:

Flagstaff: A logical stop with a charming downtown, historic architecture, and good dining. Easy access to low-elevation trails such as the Buffalo Park Loop or Arboretum trails for light hiking.
Prescott: About 2 hours south of Flagstaff and 90 minutes from Sedona if you take the scenic route, Prescott has a historic downtown, Whiskey Row, and several easy nature trails like the Prescott Circle Trail or Watson Lake for lakeside walks.
Cottonwood / Jerome: Cottonwood is quaint with wine tasting rooms, while Jerome, an old mining town, sits on a hillside with unique architecture and gallery-filled streets. Both are within an hour from Sedona and can make a charming stop.

Sunday night – before returning to Phoenix:

Consider spending the night in either Prescott or the outskirts of Phoenix (Scottsdale or Cave Creek) to be closer to the airport while still enjoying a scenic or small-town feel.
Alternatively, if you enjoy desert landscapes, the drive through the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix is pleasant, and you could explore short hikes in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve before your flight.

Additional tips:

Stick to light hikes or short scenic walks given your preference and mobility considerations. Sedona has many short trails like Bell Rock Pathway or Fay Canyon Loop.
If you enjoy architecture, Prescott’s historic courthouse square, Jerome’s hillside buildings, and Sedona’s mid-century modern homes are worth observing.
Try to plan drives during daylight hours to fully enjoy scenic routes, especially Red Rock Scenic Byway and the Oak Creek Canyon route between Sedona and Flagstaff.

Overall, a smooth route could be: Sedona → Grand Canyon lodge (Friday night) → Flagstaff or Tusayan (Saturday night) → Prescott or Cave Creek/Scottsdale (Sunday night) → Phoenix. This balances manageable driving, outdoor experiences, and interesting towns without overloading your itinerary.

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