Sedona is just miles away from some of Arizona's most beloved towns, attractions and areas of interest. Explore the highest mountain reaching nearly 13,000 ft in elevation; the one and only Grand Canyon; a wild west, art ghost town precariously looming on the side of a old mining cliff; or the Verde Valley, wine country of the Southwest; Sedona is in no shortage of fantastic day trips.

Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff is Arizona's cool country in every sense. Not only is the temperature is typically 30°F cooler than Phoenix and about 15°F cooler than Sedona; but the outdoor, mountain lifestyle is in full effect here. The city sits at an elevation is 7,000 feet and features a ski resort, hundreds of miles of single track mountain biking trails, hiking trails and some of the best rock climbing in the Southwest. Flagstaff is home of Northern Arizona University and is also considered to be the Gateway City to the Grand Canyon, which in combination keeps the demographic of Flagstaff young, diverse, progressive and vibrant. Flagstaff is just 27 miles north of Sedona on 89A (possibly one of the most visually stunning scenic drives in Arizona) and features a geographic view Mt. Humphreys, a 12,633 ft extinct volcano that is surrounded by Ponderosa Pine trees that famously give off a vanilla aroma during the spring and summer seasons. Locals joke that Flagstaff is a "drinking town with a mountain problem." Craft beer, mindful food options, and outdoor adventure is their way of life. Even though this is a day trip, you may want to consider staying the night in one of the Flagstaff hotels so you can enjoy their vibrant nightlife.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World is just a two-hour drive from Sedona. Many people prefer to take a helicopter ride, guided shuttle tour or even a fun jeep tour to the Grand Canyon from Sedona, but you can also just drive yourself. It's an easy day trip to one of the most awe-inspiring sites on this planet. In fact, you probably shouldn't miss it if you haven't been there already. It is common for visitors to just spend a few hours at the Grand Canyon unless you are hiking or river rafting down the Colorado River. Three to six hours is plenty of time to park at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, walk the rim trail and even get to different viewpoints on the free hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus. There are free Ranger Talks throughout the day and more stunning photo opportunities than you'll know what to do with. This is the #1 Day Trip Recommendation for anyone visiting northern Arizona. For a really good day, plan on grabbing brunch or dinner in Flagstaff on your way to or back from the Grand Canyon. You can also check out some of our recommended Grand Canyon tours.

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