Phoenix and sedona

Question

My teenage grandsons and I will be flying into Phoenix for two nights then heading to Sedona for 2 (4/9-11) We don’t have a Sedona hotel yet or even much of a plan, except to see some beautiful scenery.

Any hotel recommendations (Less than $250 a night with free parking preferred)

We’d like to do a self guided Segway, e-bike or UTV tour.

We’re all in good shape so hikes are no problem.

Good restaurants? We’ll probably just do snacks and sandwiches except for dinner each day. Do we need reservations?

If anyone wants to design us an itinerary or point to some, I’d love that.

PS….driving to and from Phoenix any thing we need to know?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

For a short trip with your teenage grandsons, Sedona offers incredible scenery, active outdoor options, and good restaurants. Here’s a detailed plan and suggestions for your stay from April 9–11.

Hotel Recommendations (under $250/night with free parking)

Los Abrigados Resort & Spa – family-friendly, pool, good location near hiking trailheads.
Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel – comfortable, central, free parking and breakfast.
Sedona Real Inn & Suites – spacious rooms, good reviews, and convenient to restaurants and hiking areas.
Arabella Hotel Sedona – under $250 in spring, central location, free parking, pool.

Outdoor Activities / Tours

Self-guided Segway tours – Sedona has several operators; Red Rock Segway offers scenic routes and rental options.
E-bike rentals – companies like Sedona E-Bike Adventures provide trail maps and e-bikes suitable for varied terrain.
UTV/Jeep tours – Broken Arrow Jeep Tours or Pink Jeep Tours are popular; pre-booking recommended for popular time slots.
Hikes – Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil’s Bridge are iconic; all have good trails with varying difficulty.

Restaurant Recommendations

For casual lunches/snacks – The Hideaway House, Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, or Wildflower Bread Company.
Dinner options – Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Elote Café (highly recommended but reservations needed), Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano.
Reservations – Strongly recommended for Elote Café, Mariposa, and other popular dinner spots, especially in April (spring break and weekend traffic).

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1 (Arrival in Phoenix) – Arrive, pick up rental car, relax at hotel, explore nearby attractions if time permits.
Day 2 (Drive Phoenix → Sedona) – Drive (~2 hours), check into hotel, afternoon hike (Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock), casual dinner.
Day 3 (Sedona) – Morning UTV/Jeep tour or Segway/e-bike adventure, lunch, afternoon hike (Devil’s Bridge or West Fork Trail), dinner at recommended restaurant.
Day 4 (Sedona → Phoenix / Departure) – Optional morning short hike or scenic drive (Red Rock Scenic Byway), then drive back to Phoenix for departure.

Driving Tips Phoenix ↔ Sedona

Route – I-17 North is the main route; scenic with some elevation changes, drive carefully.
Traffic – Avoid Phoenix rush hours (morning/evening) if possible; otherwise ~2–2.5 hours drive.
Gas – Stations are available along I-17, but fill up before heading into Sedona’s more remote areas.
Weather – April is generally mild, but check for sudden weather changes, especially in higher elevations around Sedona.

With this plan, you can maximize scenic views, enjoy active outdoor adventures, and have some great dining experiences without being rushed. Booking popular tours and dinner reservations in advance is highly recommended for this time of year.