Sedona - May 2025 Trip

Question

Thanks for all the great information on this site. Sharing our itinerary for our trip to Sedona - May 17 - 24. Family of 5- my husband, myself and 3 adult children. One person has celiac so I’ll add comments on our ability to find gluten free meals,etc.

Arrived in Phoenix at 4:30pm. Picked up our luggage and rental car and drove to the Drury Inn in Happy Valley. Can’t say enough about this hotel — dinner, breakfast, clean, and not expensive. Had dinner at Forks & Boards — fun place with gluten free food options.

On Sunday we drove to Sedona stopping at Montezuma’s Castle — very interesting and enjoyed by all. Used our National Parks pass which covered 4 people, paid $10 for the 5th person. Had lunch at Brewha in Cornville - cute place, yummy nachos! Did our grocery shopping at Safeway (downloaded the app in the store to get the sale prices — definitely worth it) and arrived at our Airbnb.

Monday. we drove around Sedona admiring the beautiful scenery. We stopped at Schnebly Hill Vista Outlook and paid the 1 day access fee of $5. Attempted to go to Cathedral Rock but parking lot was full. Drove to Bell Rock and did a short hike. Lunch at Hideaway House was great. GF pizza at Hideaway House was delicious. Stopped at Son Silver West Galleries and looked at all the interesting southwestern art and decor. Bought a couple of souvenirs. Wandered through Tlaquepaque Village next. Very pretty shopping plaza, pricy shops, and several restaurants that we didn’t visit. Spent the evening on the deck of our Airbnb looking at the stars.

Tuesday - Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour at 9am — so fun! We were able to reschedule when we noticed that the weather looked iffy for Monday without a problem. Afterwards we checked out the shops in the area and got an ice cream at Black Cow Cafe where they offered to change gloves and get an ice cream from an unopened carton to ensure that it would be gluten free. We drove down the Red Rocks Scenic Byway to the Coconino National Forest building, enjoyed the view, got some maps and info, etc. then we went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross! Wow, what a view. Parking was easy on the lower lot and a few of us took a golf cart ride to the top. The Chapel was smaller inside than I thought, but beautiful. Back to the Airbnb for the night.

Wednesday - left for the Grand Canyon at 7:30 and arrived at the South Rim entrance around 9:30. We had a few cars in front of us, but the wait wasn’t long. Easily parked the car and went to the visitors center. I wish we had a better plan for our day. I felt like we spent a lot of time on the shuttle. Quick visit to the visitors center. We walked to Mathers Point for 1st view of the GC. Since we were splitting into 2 groups, one group walked quickly along the rim trail to the South Kaibab Trailhead to walk down to Ooh Aah Point. The other group walked more slowly then went back to the shuttle area and took the shuttle out to Hermits Rest, getting off at some of the stops to view the canyon. Met around 2 pm at visitor center to watch one of the 2 movies.

Thursday - went to Slide Rock State Park! Very beautiful and fun water area, but get there early because there are limited shaded spots. The water is COLD and I grew up going to the ocean in NH. I think the fee was around $30 to park. There are a couple concession stands that had snacks/food and rest rooms are available.

Went to Picazzo’s for dinner. Great service and we loved the food— including the gluten free pizza enjoyed by my non- gluten free son! Everything (almost) is GF, we shared all meals and my daughter who has celiac could enjoy all of them.

Friday - checked out of our Airbnb and headed for Tuzigoot National Monument. Very interesting and worth the stop. Again used the National Park Pass for 4 people, paid for 1 person. Next we stopped in Cottonwood — what a cute downtown. Lots of small shops to check out. Had lunch at Colt Grill - yum!! We all loved our meals especially the brisket! The pulled pork was gluten free and a GF bun was available which my daughter said was really good. Spent the night at the Drury Inn in Happy Valley (again) and flew out Saturday morning.

Special shout outs to Alamo Rental Car at Phoenix Sky Airport— we registered in advance and the pick up and drop offs were so easy!

Answer

Your May 2025 Sedona itinerary for a family of 5 looks well-balanced and thoughtfully planned, especially considering the dietary needs for gluten-free meals. You have a good mix of sightseeing, hiking, scenic drives, and local experiences, with time built in for rest and flexibility.

Here’s a detailed breakdown and feedback:

Arrival & Happy Valley: Drury Inn is a solid choice with included meals and clean rooms. Dinner at Forks & Boards was a great start for gluten-free options.
Sunday – Sedona Arrival: Stopping at Montezuma’s Castle is an excellent introductory historic site. Brewha in Cornville is a good casual lunch stop. Grocery shopping at Safeway with the app was smart to save money.
Monday – Scenic Drives & Light Hiking: Schnebly Hill Vista Outlook and Bell Rock are ideal for short hikes and scenic views. Attempted Cathedral Rock shows you’re flexible with parking limits. Lunch at Hideaway House with gluten-free pizza works well. Tlaquepaque Village is a beautiful shopping stop, though pricey, as noted.
Tuesday – Pink Jeep Tour & Local Exploration: Rescheduling the tour due to weather was wise. Shops like Black Cow Cafe catering to gluten-free needs show good planning. The drive down Red Rocks Scenic Byway and visit to Chapel of the Holy Cross adds a mix of natural beauty and architecture.
Wednesday – Grand Canyon Day Trip: Early departure from Sedona and arrival by 9:30 am is ideal. You noticed some inefficiency with shuttles and split hiking groups; for future visits, planning a defined shuttle schedule and picking 1–2 viewpoints may save time and energy. Visiting both Mather Point and Ooh Aah Point gives a good overview, and Hermits Rest shuttle stops are scenic highlights.
Thursday – Slide Rock State Park: Arriving early is key due to limited shaded areas. The water is cold but fun. Dinner at Picazzo’s is highly accommodating for gluten-free dining.
Friday – Tuzigoot & Cottonwood: National Park Pass usage saves time and money. Cottonwood’s downtown is charming, and Colt Grill was a great pick for varied diets. Returning to Drury Inn simplifies departure logistics.

Additional tips & considerations:

Keep early starts for popular sites like Cathedral Rock, Slide Rock, and Chapel of the Holy Cross to avoid crowds.
Consider making lunch reservations or checking peak times for restaurants to accommodate a larger group and dietary needs.
If anyone wants additional light hikes, Devil’s Bridge or Boynton Canyon Trail are accessible and scenic options.
For stargazing, the evening deck time at your Airbnb is excellent, but Sedona also has designated Dark Sky areas if you want a more immersive experience.
Ensure everyone stays hydrated and sun-protected, especially during late morning hikes and drives.

Overall, your itinerary combines natural wonders, local culture, and practical planning for dietary needs. You’ve balanced activity with relaxation, and your choices for scenic drives, hikes, and cultural stops give the family a comprehensive Sedona experience.

Sedona - May 2025 Trip

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