Four days · Sedona and the Verde Valley

Sedona for an anniversary: two spa days, a canyon train and a toast at Page Springs

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Four days in the red rocks for two: a couples treatment beside Oak Creek, a whole day at Mii amo in Boynton Canyon, the Verde Canyon Railroad out of Clarkdale and a last afternoon among the vines at Page Springs, with three nights in one quiet room.

Mountain getaways & ski Historic small towns & covered bridges Scenic train rides

4 days / 3 nights Mar–May or Sep–Nov Couples · car needed

Original illustration

Cathedral Rock, a tall red sandstone butte, above juniper scrub in Sedona — **Cathedral Rock** · the red butte above Oak Creek, south of Uptown

The trip in 60 seconds

Trip at a glance

Who it’s for: Couples marking an anniversary who want slow mornings, two spa sessions, one easy day out on a train and long dinners by the creek
Route: Oak Creek Canyon & Uptown → Mii amo in Boynton Canyon → Jerome & the Verde Canyon Railroad → the Sedona Arts Center, Tlaquepaque & Page Springs
Best timing: March to May or September to November, when Visit Sedona describes comfortable days; evenings turn cool from October, so pack a layer for dinner outside
Pace: Slow: one main plan a day, short drives, and no hike longer than a creekside stroll
Sleep: Three nights at Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon, since Mii amo spa services are for registered Mii amo and Enchantment guests only
Getting there: Fly into Phoenix and drive about 2 hours north on I-17 and AZ-179, or into Flagstaff, about 45 minutes away. A car is needed for every day
Rough budget: Rooms, spa treatments, the train and the anniversary dinner are the main costs. The Uptown creek walks and the galleries at Tlaquepaque are free; Arizona State Parks charge entry per car
Good to know: Mii amo is for ages 16 and up. Book both spa appointments and the train before you book flights; weekends sell out

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Illustration: route map of the four days, an illustrated bird’s-eye view of Sedona and the Verde Valley with north at the top, numbered pins in Oak Creek Canyon (Day 1), Boynton Canyon (Day 2), Clarkdale (Day 3) and Page Springs (Day 4) — Sedona and the Verde Valley in four days · one base, short drives

Postcards from the trip

The Chapel of the Holy Cross built into a red rock ridge near sunset — **Chapel of the Holy Cross** · Built into the red rock south of Uptown.

The arched entrance to Tlaquepaque in Sedona — **Tlaquepaque** · Galleries and courtyards for the last morning.

The forested walls of Oak Creek Canyon above the creek — **Oak Creek Canyon** · The drive north from Uptown on Day 1.

Red rock formations above the green trees of Red Rock State Park — **Red Rock State Park** · Creekside trails west of town.

The idea

Four days in Sedona for an anniversary: spa time, a canyon train and wine by the creek.

Sedona sits at about 4,350 feet among red sandstone buttes, a two-hour drive north of Phoenix. Oak Creek runs through town, Boynton Canyon opens to the north-west, and the Verde Valley’s old mining towns, river canyon and small wineries lie within 40 minutes.

Day 1 is the drive up, breakfast in Oak Creek Canyon and a couples treatment at Amara beside the creek. Day 2 is a whole day at Mii amo. Day 3 takes the Verde Canyon Railroad out of Clarkdale after a morning in Jerome. Day 4 is galleries in town and a long, slow afternoon at Page Springs Cellars.

Want a more active version for two? See Sedona Red Rocks for Couples, or bring the whole family with Sedona with Kids and Grandparents.

Day-by-day summary

Fall leaves in orange and gold along Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon

Day 1 · car from PhoenixOak Creek and UptownThe drive up, breakfast in the canyon, a couples treatment by the creek and a sunset dinner.

Enchantment Resort’s low buildings beneath the red cliffs of Boynton Canyon

Day 2 · spa day, short drivesMii amo, Boynton CanyonA whole spa day at Mii amo, lunch in West Sedona and the anniversary dinner on Oak Creek.

Verde Canyon Railroad engines waiting at the station in Clarkdale

Day 3 · car, then the trainJerome and the Verde CanyonA morning in Jerome, lunch at the depot and the Verde Canyon Railroad out of Clarkdale.

A stone courtyard and arches at Tlaquepaque in Sedona

Day 4 · car, home by nightTlaquepaque and Page SpringsGalleries in town, lunch at Tlaquepaque and a slow toast among the vines at Page Springs.

The route

Four days, one base, red rock all around

Oak Creek Canyon and Uptown, then Boynton Canyon, then Jerome and Clarkdale, then Page Springs, with three nights in the same room and no drive longer than about 45 minutes once you arrive.

Illustration: two pairs of hands on a linen-covered table on an outdoor spa terrace beside Oak Creek, two cups of herbal tea, a dish of smooth dark massage stones and a sprig of juniper, cottonwoods and red cliffs soft behind, illustrated day card for Day 1

01Oak Creek · arrive

Base: Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon, all three nights. Drive about 115 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor, about 2 hours on I-17 and AZ-179. Walking the Uptown creek paths is free; Slide Rock State Park charges entry per car. Pace: slow and soft after the drive: one creek walk of under 1 mile, then a treatment and a long dinner.

North to the red rocks

Leave Phoenix by 7 a.m. and the city falls away into saguaro country, then high grassland on the long climb up I-17. Take exit 298 for AZ-179 and the first red buttes rise ahead of you, and somewhere around Bell Rock the car goes quiet and you both start pointing at the same thing. Drive straight through town and up into Oak Creek Canyon. Breakfast can wait ten more minutes.

Breakfast in Oak Creek Canyon

Where to eat: Indian Gardens Cafe & Market, a few minutes north of Uptown on AZ-89A, for coffee and breakfast at outdoor tables under the canyon walls.

The creek is close enough to hear from the patio, a low steady rush over stones, and the cottonwoods along the water turn gold in late October and early November. Order a second coffee. You have nowhere to be until the afternoon.

A creek walk at Slide Rock

Drive a few minutes farther up the canyon to Slide Rock State Park, an old apple homestead where Oak Creek runs down a long, smooth chute in the sandstone. In summer it is all splashing and inner tubes; in spring and fall it is quieter, and you can walk the orchard path and sit on the warm red rock above the water with your shoes off. The stone holds the morning sun, and the creek is colder than you expect. Expert tip: arrive before 10 a.m. on weekends; the lot fills and the park closes the gate when it is full.

Lunch above Uptown

Where to eat: Hideaway House, on AZ-179 just south of Uptown, for Italian plates and pizza on a deck that looks straight out at the red rocks.

A couples treatment by the creek

Amara Resort and Spa sits on Oak Creek in Uptown, and its spa is open to the public by appointment, so this first treatment does not need a room there. Book a couples massage for mid-afternoon. Afterward, sit on the terrace with a cup of tea while the light moves down the cliffs across the water. Neither of you will say much. That is the point.

Then drive about 20 minutes west to Enchantment and check in; the road into Boynton Canyon is quiet, and the canyon walls close in around the resort at the end of it.

A sunset dinner

Where to eat: Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, on a hill above AZ-89A in West Sedona, for wood-fired steaks and a terrace that faces the sunset; book a table for 30 minutes before sundown.

The rocks go from orange to red to deep rose while you order, and the air cools quickly once the sun drops. Bring the sweater. You will want to stay for dessert.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Indian Gardens Cafe & Market — coffee and breakfast at outdoor tables. Why here: In Oak Creek Canyon, breakfast under the canyon walls on the first morning.
Lunch · Hideaway House — Italian plates and pizza on a deck. Why here: A deck that looks out over the red rocks, an easy first lunch after the drive.
Dinner · Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill — wood-fired grill and a sunset terrace; book ahead. Why here: A sunset table above town for the first evening of the anniversary.
Quick stop (other): Slide Rock State Park — a creek chute in the sandstone and an orchard path; entry per car. Why here: A short creek walk up the canyon after breakfast.
Quick stop (other): Amara Resort and Spa — a spa on Oak Creek, open to the public by appointment. Why here: The first couples treatment, beside the creek in Uptown.

Book spa time before flights. Couples treatments at Amara and Mii amo sell out first on weekends and holidays; lock both appointments, then build the trip around them.

Phoenix Sky Harbor → Sedona: about 115 miles, roughly 2 hours by car on I-17 and AZ-179. Uptown → Slide Rock State Park: about 15 minutes north on AZ-89A. Uptown → Enchantment in Boynton Canyon: about 20 minutes.

Where to stay

Enchantment Resort, Boynton Canyon (Mii amo guests) — three nights in Boynton Canyon; Mii amo spa services are for registered Mii amo and Enchantment guests.

Dinner: Mariposa in West Sedona at sunset.

Tomorrow: a whole day at Mii amo.

Bad-weather plan

Rain or a monsoon storm? Skip Slide Rock and move the treatment earlier, then spend an hour in the galleries at Tlaquepaque before dinner. Never wade Oak Creek when it is high or brown.

Stay: Enchantment base · Anchor: Oak Creek · book spa times first

Good to know: Slide Rock State Park closes its gate when the lot is full; on a busy weekend morning, the creek walks in Uptown are the easy swap.

Illustration: an outdoor spa pool with a smooth stone deck at the mouth of Boynton Canyon, towering red and cream sandstone cliffs behind, low adobe-style buildings and junipers, one small figure in a robe, illustrated day card for Day 2

02Mii amo · spa day

Base: the same room in Boynton Canyon. Mii amo is a short walk across the Enchantment grounds; spa services are for registered guests, ages 16 and up, with no day passes. Sitting out on the grounds for the sunset after the last treatment is free. Pace: the slowest day of the trip: one or two treatments, the pools and one short drive into town for lunch and dinner.

Breakfast at the overlook

Where to eat: Mesa Grill Sedona, at the Sedona Airport on top of Airport Mesa, for breakfast on a terrace with the whole town spread out below.

From up here you see the shape of the place for the first time: the buttes standing apart like islands, the green line of Oak Creek, the canyon you slept in. It is about 15 minutes back to Enchantment, and your first appointment is the only fixed time of the day.

A morning at Mii amo

Mii amo sits at the mouth of Boynton Canyon, with the red walls rising straight up behind the pool. Arrive 30 minutes before your first treatment, change into the robe, and sit in the quiet room with tea. Book the couples treatment you both chose ahead, and leave the rest of the morning open. Between sessions the pool deck is warm, the canyon is silent except for ravens, and the only decision is sun or shade. Expert tip: ask the spa desk to set your two treatments at least an hour apart, so there is time to float in between and nothing feels rushed.

Lunch in West Sedona

Where to eat: ChocolaTree Organic Eatery in West Sedona, about 15 minutes away, for plant-based plates in a garden and house-made chocolate to share for dessert.

An afternoon in the canyon

Back at Enchantment, take the afternoon slowly. Read on the terrace, go back to the pool, or walk the first flat stretch of the Boynton Canyon trail from the trailhead by the resort gate, where the path runs under junipers with the red walls on both sides. Turn around whenever you like. The canyon goes golden around 4 p.m. and it is hard to go inside.

The anniversary dinner

Where to eat: Cress on Oak Creek at L’Auberge de Sedona, in Uptown, for a long anniversary dinner at a table beside the creek; book well ahead and ask for a creekside table.

Candles on the tables, the sound of water just below, and Cathedral Rock going dark against the sky. Raise a glass to the years. Then drive back slowly under more stars than you remember.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Mesa Grill Sedona — breakfast on a terrace at the Sedona Airport. Why here: Breakfast at the Airport Mesa overlook before the spa appointment.
Lunch · ChocolaTree Organic Eatery — plant-based plates in a garden and house chocolate. Why here: In West Sedona, a light lunch between spa sessions.
Dinner · Cress on Oak Creek — a creekside dining room at L’Auberge de Sedona; book well ahead. Why here: The anniversary dinner, set beside Oak Creek in Uptown.
Quick stop (other): Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment — treatments, pools and a quiet room for registered guests, ages 16+. Why here: The spa day at the mouth of Boynton Canyon.
Quick stop (viewpoint): Airport Mesa overlook — the view across town from beside Mesa Grill. Why here: The whole town below you before breakfast.

Leave the phone in the room. The spa is a quiet place, and a whole day without screens is part of the gift; tell family before you go that you will call them after dinner.

Enchantment → Airport Mesa: about 15 minutes. Enchantment → West Sedona: about 15 minutes. Enchantment → Uptown Sedona: about 20 minutes.

Where to stay

Enchantment Resort, Boynton Canyon (Mii amo guests) — the same room; treatments are booked on the guest reservation.

Dinner: Cress on Oak Creek, the anniversary table.

Tomorrow: Jerome and the Verde Canyon Railroad.

Bad-weather plan

A cold or rainy day is a good spa day; stay inside Mii amo longer and move lunch to the resort. Skip the canyon trail if it is muddy or there is lightning.

Stay: same base · Anchor: Mii amo · book treatments ahead

Good to know: Mii amo is 16 and up, for registered guests only, with no day passes; book the stay and the treatments together.

Illustration: a vintage passenger train with an open-air car winding along the Verde Canyon, the green river and cottonwoods below, red cliffs above and a trestle ahead, two tiny figures at the rail, illustrated day card for Day 3

03Verde Canyon · train day

Base: the same room tonight. Clarkdale is about 40 minutes south-west of Sedona on AZ-89A, and Jerome is about 15 minutes above it. The classic train leaves Clarkdale at 1 p.m. and runs about 4 hours round trip; arrive at the depot about 1½ hours early. Jerome State Historic Park charges $10 per adult. Pace: easy: a hillside town on foot in the morning, then four hours of sitting and watching the canyon.

Breakfast on the way out

Where to eat: Coffee Pot Restaurant in West Sedona, open for breakfast, for a long menu of omelets and a booth by the window before the drive.

A morning in Jerome

AZ-89A climbs out of the Verde Valley in tight switchbacks to Jerome, a former copper-mining town stacked on the side of Cleopatra Hill. Park once and walk: the streets are steep, the old brick buildings hold galleries and wine rooms, and the view across the valley reaches back to the red rocks you left. At the bottom of town, Jerome State Historic Park fills the Douglas Mansion, built in 1916 for a mine owner, with the story of the copper boom. Expert tip: park at the top of town and walk downhill to the mansion first, then drive down to it if your legs say so.

Lunch at the depot

Drive down to Clarkdale and check in at the Verde Canyon Railroad depot well before the train.

Where to eat: Copper Spike Café at the depot, for a sit-down lunch while you wait; check the railroad’s site for the café’s current hours.

The Verde Canyon Railroad

The train pulls out at 1 p.m. and follows the Verde River north into a canyon you cannot reach by road. Sit inside or step out onto an open-air car and lean on the rail as the line crosses a trestle, runs through a tunnel and winds under red cliffs with the green river below. Watch the cottonwoods along the water and the ledges above for eagles in winter. The clatter of the wheels slows everything down, and four hours pass more quickly than you expect.

The train turns around at the old Perkinsville ranch and returns to Clarkdale around 5 p.m.

Dinner back in town

Where to eat: Dahl & DiLuca in West Sedona, for Italian dinners, low lights and live music some nights; book ahead.

Order something you will remember. Toast the canyon, then each other.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Coffee Pot Restaurant — omelets and a long breakfast menu. Why here: In West Sedona, on the road out toward the Verde Valley.
Lunch · Copper Spike Café — lunch at the Clarkdale depot on train days. Why here: At the Verde Canyon Railroad depot, lunch while you wait for the 1 p.m. train.
Dinner · Dahl & DiLuca — Italian dinners, low lights; book ahead. Why here: In West Sedona, a long dinner after the train day.
Quick stop (other): Jerome State Historic Park — the Douglas Mansion and the story of the copper boom; entry fee. Why here: The morning stop on the hill before the train.
Quick stop (other): Verde Canyon Railroad — the classic train out of Clarkdale, about 4 hours round trip. Why here: The canyon ride at the heart of the day.

Book first-class seats for an anniversary. The quieter car has more room, and the open-air car is a few steps away whenever you want the wind.

West Sedona → Jerome: about 35 minutes on AZ-89A through Cottonwood. Jerome → Clarkdale depot: about 15 minutes. Clarkdale → West Sedona: about 40 minutes.

Where to stay

Enchantment Resort, Boynton Canyon (Mii amo guests) — the same room; back by evening.

Dinner: Dahl & DiLuca in West Sedona.

Tomorrow: galleries in town, then Page Springs.

Bad-weather plan

Rain does not stop the train, and the canyon is moody and green after a storm. If AZ-89A to Jerome is icy in winter, skip the hill town and go straight to the depot.

Stay: same base · Anchor: Verde Canyon · arrive 1.5 h early

Good to know: The classic train leaves Clarkdale at 1 p.m. and the depot asks you to arrive about 1½ hours early; check the current schedule before you plan the morning.

Illustration: two glasses of red wine and a plate of bread and cheese on a rustic outdoor table at a creekside winery, vineyard rows sloping down to sycamores along Oak Creek and low red mesas beyond, illustrated day card for Day 4

04Page Springs · last day

Base: check out after breakfast and keep the bags in the car. Uptown and Tlaquepaque are about 20 minutes from Enchantment; Page Springs Cellars is about 25 minutes south-west of Sedona and on the way back toward I-17. Walking the galleries is free. Pace: gentle: a morning on foot in town, then sitting still with a glass in hand.

A last breakfast above town

Where to eat: Mesa Grill Sedona again, for breakfast on the terrace on Airport Mesa and a last long look at the buttes.

The Sedona Arts Center and Tlaquepaque

Start at the Sedona Arts Center in Uptown, a gallery of local artists in an old packing barn, where a small print or a piece of pottery makes a better souvenir than anything on the main street. Then drive five minutes to Tlaquepaque, a village of galleries, fountains and stone courtyards under big sycamores beside Oak Creek. Wander with no plan. The light falls in patches through the leaves and the fountains are the only sound. Expert tip: pick one small piece of art together as the anniversary gift, and ask the gallery to ship it home.

Lunch in a courtyard

Where to eat: René at Tlaquepaque, for a sit-down lunch in the village; book ahead on a weekend.

Page Springs Cellars

Drive about 25 minutes south-west through Cornville to Page Springs Cellars, where vineyard rows slope down to the sycamores along Oak Creek. Taste a few of the Verde Valley wines on the deck, then take a glass down toward the water. The afternoon light goes gold on the vines and the creek runs on below, just as it did on the first morning.

Where to eat: stay on at Page Springs Cellars for an early dinner from its kitchen; check the hours on its site and book a table for late afternoon.

South to Phoenix

One of you skips the second glass and drives. From Page Springs it is about 15 minutes to I-17 and roughly 2 hours to Phoenix. Look back once at the red rocks in the mirror.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Mesa Grill Sedona — breakfast on the terrace at the Sedona Airport. Why here: A last look over town before checkout.
Lunch · René at Tlaquepaque — a sit-down lunch in the village; book ahead on weekends. Why here: In the Tlaquepaque courtyards, between the galleries.
Dinner · Page Springs Cellars — an early dinner from the winery kitchen; check hours on its site. Why here: Among the vines by Oak Creek, on the way back to I-17.
Quick stop (other): Sedona Arts Center — a gallery of local artists in Uptown. Why here: A small piece of art as the anniversary gift.
Quick stop (other): Page Springs Cellars tasting room — Verde Valley wines on a deck above Oak Creek. Why here: A slow tasting before the early dinner.

Plan the dinner around the drive. Eat at Page Springs around 4:30 p.m. and you are back in Phoenix by about 8 p.m.; for a late flight, add a fourth night instead.

Enchantment → Uptown Sedona: about 20 minutes. Uptown → Page Springs Cellars: about 25 minutes. Page Springs → Phoenix Sky Harbor: about 2 hours on I-17.

Where to stay

Enchantment Resort, Boynton Canyon (Mii amo guests) — check out this morning and keep bags in the car.

Dinner: early at Page Springs Cellars, then south to Phoenix.

Home: back in Phoenix by night.

Bad-weather plan

Rain or heat? Spend longer in the galleries and at lunch; the Page Springs tasting room has cover. Check AZ 511 for I-17 before you leave.

Stay: check out · Anchor: Page Springs · one designated driver

Good to know: I-17 south on a weekend afternoon can slow near Phoenix; check AZ 511 before you leave the vines.

Custom Edition

How we tailor your Sedona plan

A plan that knows how you travel.

3 full itineraries in every plan, Saver to Splurge, so you can pick or mix.

🌙 Your rhythm

Slow mornings? Your days start after a late breakfast, not at dawn.

🥾 Your needs

One of you hikes and one doesn't? Each day pairs a trail with an easy viewpoint.

🌄 Your kind of day

Celebrating something? We save a standout sunset spot for your last night.

3 full itineraries in every plan

Saver, Sweet spot and Splurge, each a complete day-by-day plan. Pick one or mix.

All 3 in your plan

$SaverSmart value

$$Sweet spotBest balance

$$$SplurgeTreat yourself

See it in a sample plan

Yours from $39.

Every plan is built around you, your pace and your must-dos.

Longer trip? Add days 15–21 for $8 a day.

Journey (4–8 days) · $69

Art & photos

8 original illustrations of your trip's highlights
14 destination photos to preview each stop1 cover · 6 daily · 7 postcards

Planning

Timed itinerary so every day runs at an easy pace
3 full itineraries Saver, Sweet spot and Splurge, so you can pick or mix
3 curated stays per stop to match your budget
Where to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus insider tips every day
Tap-to-go routes to every hotel, activity and restaurant, opening straight in your maps app
Booking timeline so you book the right things in the right order
Packing list made for every traveler coming
6 rainy-day backup plans so a wet day still feels like vacation

Your plan, your way

Digital trip page in your account, on any device
PDF to save, print or share
Trip playlist with song links for Spotify and Apple Music
Calendar file that drops every day into your calendar
Budget estimate so you know the cost before you go
1 free refinement to tweak anything after delivery

Get my custom plan

Journey · $69

How we build your plan

See sample plans

Emailed within 3 business days of your trip brief. Full refund before work starts, or if we can’t deliver. 1 free refinement after delivery (2 on Grand Journey); extra refinements after delivery, $19 each.

Our promise

Full refund before work starts, or if we can’t deliver. Change your mind before work starts and we’ll refund you in full. If we can’t deliver your plan, you’re refunded in full too.
One free refinement after delivery (two on Grand Journey). Tell us what to change and we’ll refine it. Extra refinements are $19 each.
Spotted an error? Tell us which fact on this page looks wrong and we’ll review it.

The people behind the plans

Who is Earth Adventure Travel?

We build routes for real life — wrangling kids, spanning generations, or heading out solo — and review key details regularly. Things change and we can miss some, so we link the official sources for you to confirm before you go.

Learn About Us

Before you go

Plan & pack

Pack for the trip

A warm layer for dinner. From October the desert air cools fast once the sun drops.
Swimwear. For the spa pools at Mii amo and the soaking between treatments.
Easy walking shoes. Jerome’s streets are steep and Slide Rock’s sandstone is slick when wet.
Sun hat and sunscreen. At about 4,350 feet the sun is strong even in spring.
A refillable water bottle. The air is dry; drink more than you think.
One dressier outfit. For the anniversary dinner at Cress.
A small gift or card. For the toast at Page Springs.
Booking numbers. Spa times, train seats and dinner tables, in one note on your phone.

Bell Rock, a rounded red butte, beside the road into Sedona — **Leave room in the morning for a stop: Bell Rock rises right beside AZ-179 on the way in.** **Bell Rock** · the first big butte on AZ-179 on the drive north into town

Red rock formations seen from Airport Mesa looking north over Sedona — **Pack a layer: the view from Airport Mesa is cool after sunset.** **From Airport Mesa** · the view north over town toward the canyon walls

Illustration: two white spa robes folded with slippers, a light sweater, sunglasses, a wide-brim sun hat, a water bottle, sunscreen and two small gift boxes tied with ribbon on a sandstone-coloured linen, original illustrated plan card for 4 days in Sedona — **Original illustration** · spa robes, a sun hat and two small gifts on sandstone-coloured linen

Sedona in one frame

The plan card lays the anniversary out on one table: robes for the spa, a hat for the desert sun, a sweater for dinners outside and two small gifts for the toast. Every stop and meal is in the day-by-day above.

Illustration: a candlelit dinner table for two beside Oak Creek at dusk under tall sycamores, the creek over rocks and Cathedral Rock red against a rose and violet sky, white linen, wine glasses and string lights, the couple seen from behind, original illustrated recap card — **Original illustration** · a candlelit table for two beside Oak Creek at dusk

Where the day ends

The recap card ends the anniversary where it began, by the creek: a table for two, candles, the water running over stones and Cathedral Rock going dark. The day-by-day has each stop and meal.

Postcards

Sedona, in frames.

Cathedral Rock reflected in Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing after sunset — **Red Rock Crossing** · Cathedral Rock after sunset, over Oak Creek

The Douglas Mansion at Jerome State Historic Park on the hillside — **Douglas Mansion** · Jerome State Historic Park, above Clarkdale

The Verde River running between cottonwoods upstream of Clarkdale — **The Verde River** · the river the train follows north from Clarkdale

Quick answers

Planning notes

How many days do you need in Sedona for an anniversary?

Plan four days and three nights for a Sedona anniversary trip: one day to arrive with a couples treatment, a whole spa day, a day on the Verde Canyon Railroad and a slow last day among the galleries and vines. Three nights in one room keep the drives short. See the four-day route.

When is the best time of year for a Sedona anniversary trip?

Go in spring, March to May, or fall, September to November, when Visit Sedona describes comfortable days for being outside. From October the evenings turn cool once the sun sets, so pack a layer for dinners on a terrace. Fall color reaches lower Oak Creek Canyon in early November.

Can you book a spa day without staying at the resort?

At Mii amo, no: spa services are for registered Mii amo and Enchantment guests only, ages 16 and up, with no day passes. Amara Resort and Spa in Uptown is open to the public by appointment, which is why this plan puts the first couples treatment there. See the Mii amo day for the Mii amo plan.

Where should we go for an anniversary dinner in Sedona?

Book Cress on Oak Creek at L’Auberge de Sedona for the main anniversary dinner, at a table beside the creek with Cathedral Rock above; reserve well ahead. For a sunset table on the first night, Mariposa in West Sedona faces the evening light. The day-by-day lists every dinner.

What is there for couples to do besides the spa?

Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarkdale into a canyon with no road, walk the steep streets of Jerome, browse the galleries at Tlaquepaque and the Sedona Arts Center, and taste wine at Page Springs Cellars beside Oak Creek. See the train day for the train plan.

How far ahead should we reserve couples treatments?

Reserve couples treatments before you book flights, especially for weekends and holidays, since they sell out first. At Mii amo, book the stay and the treatments together and ask for the two appointments to sit at least an hour apart. Book the train and the anniversary dinner at the same time.

Are there adults-only spa resorts in Sedona?

Mii amo, at Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon, limits its spa services to guests 16 and up, which keeps it quiet for couples. For a more active red-rock trip for two, see Sedona Red Rocks for Couples; for the family version, see Sedona with Kids and Grandparents.

Before you set off — the official checks

Spa rules, train times and park hours change. Confirm current details on the sites listed under official links.

Mii amo — Guests only, 16 and up, no day passes; book treatments with the stay. Mii amo ↗
Verde Canyon Railroad — Check the day’s departure time and arrive about 1½ hours early. Verde Canyon Railroad ↗
Jerome State Historic Park — Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; adult entry $10. Jerome State Historic Park ↗
Weather — Check storms, heat and winter ice before you go. National Weather Service ↗

Plan with confidence

Official Links

Official sites to plan and verify the details in this guide.

Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment ↗Spa rules and treatments

Amara Resort and Spa ↗Spa FAQ and booking

Verde Canyon Railroad ↗Schedules and seats

Jerome State Historic Park ↗Hours and fees

Slide Rock State Park ↗Hours, fees and creek conditions

Visit Sedona ↗Trip planning FAQ

National Weather Service Flagstaff ↗Forecasts and alerts

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Conditions and prices can change.

References

Research behind this guide

The reporting and research that shaped this itinerary.

Sedona things-to-do FAQ ↗Visit Sedona

At the depot ↗Verde Canyon Railroad

Photo credits

Photos via Wikimedia Commons, resized and converted to WebP. The illustrated cover, day cards, plan card and recap card are this guide’s original itinerary artwork, illustrated from the credited photos listed here.

Cathedral Rock — photo by Tomas Castelazo, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0); it is also the basis of the Cover and Cover web illustrations, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Oak Creek Canyon — photo by Ray Redstone, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0); it is also the basis of the Day 1 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Enchantment Resort — photo by John Menard, CC BY-SA 2.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0); it is also the basis of the Day 2 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Verde Canyon Railroad — photo by Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0); it is also the basis of the Day 3 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tlaquepaque — photo by Norton Gusky, CC BY 2.0; it is also the basis of the Day 4 card illustration
Bell Rock — photo by Tomascastelazo, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0); it is also the basis of the Packing card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Airport Mesa view — photo by Nicholas Hartmann, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Red Rock Crossing — photo by Adam Baker, CC BY 2.0
Douglas Mansion — photo by Benjamin Cody, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Verde River — photo by Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Chapel of the Holy Cross — photo by Matthew P. Del Buono, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tlaquepaque entrance — photo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/designsbykari/, CC BY 2.0
Oak Creek Canyon — photo by Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Red Rock State Park — photo by Wendy, CC BY-SA 2.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Route map — original illustrated route artwork for this guide; stop locations from OpenStreetMap

The trip index

Choose the landscape. Then choose the pace.

Every guide on the site, filtered the same way everywhere: region, season, who is going, style, trip type and length.

Every guide is listed on All trips (the filters here need JavaScript).

Browse by Where · Who's going · When · Trip type · How long.

Trip types: Festivals & events · Anniversaries & milestones · Cultural festivals & parades · National parks & wild places · State park getaways · Waterfalls & gorges · Volcanoes & geothermal wonders · Stargazing & northern lights · Camping & cabins · Wildlife watching & birding · Desert & canyon parks · Mountain & alpine parks · Coastal & island parks · Forests, rainforests, caves & wetlands · Road trip · Historic route · Route 66 · Natchez Trace Parkway · Mountain & scenic byways · Blue Ridge Parkway · National park road trip · Road trip abroad · Coastal drives · Pacific Coast Highway · Desert & canyon drives · Ferry & island road trip · Active & adventure trip · Paddling, kayaking & rafting · Snowshoeing, dog sledding & winter sports · Hiking & backpacking · Biking & rail-trails · Multi-sport adventure trip · City trip & culture · Live music & nightlife · Theme parks & family attractions · Museums: art, science & history · Film, TV & literary trip · Architecture & design · Theater & performing arts · Big cities · Smaller cities · Cities near the outdoors · Scenic train rides · Heritage & excursion railroads · Long-distance rail journeys · Car-free trip by train · Rail journeys abroad · Mountain getaways & ski · Ski trip · Snowy escapes without skiing · Summer mountain towns · Red rock & desert mountain towns · Alps, highlands & big ranges abroad · Spa, cruise & splurge trip · Wellness retreats & yoga · Spas & hot springs · Cruises, river & canal boats · Ocean cruises · Alaska Inside Passage cruise · Splurge trip · Slow, restful trip · History & culture · Lighthouses, forts & sea history · Castles & old towns · Mansions & grand estates · Ancient sites & ruins · Civil War sites · Historic small towns & covered bridges · Presidential & military history · Pilgrimages & sacred sites · Old West, ghost & mining towns · Civil rights & Black history · Colonial & Revolutionary history · Native American & Indigenous heritage · Beach vacations & islands · Snorkeling & diving · Beach towns · Island hopping · Tropical islands & the Caribbean · Mediterranean coasts & islands · Rugged coastlines · Surf towns · Food & wine trip · Markets, street food & food halls · Breweries & distilleries · Seafood & coastal eating · Fine-dining splurges · Wine country · Farm-to-table, orchards & cider · Coffee, cheese & sweet treats · Food cities (US & Canada) · Regional American food · Barbecue trails · Tex-Mex & Southwest flavors · Southern, Cajun & Creole cooking · Eating your way abroad · Japanese food · Italian food · Mexican food · French food · Spanish & Portuguese food · Southeast Asian food · Korean food · Central European food · Irish & British food · Bucket-list trip · Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail · Camino de Santiago · Iceland Ring Road · By departure city · From New York City · From Los Angeles · From Chicago · From Washington, DC · From Boston · From San Francisco Bay Area · By travel time · Under 2 hours by car · 2 to 4 hours by car.

The trip in 60 seconds

Postcards from the trip

Four days in Sedona for an anniversary: spa time, a canyon train and wine by the creek.

Day-by-day summary

Four days, one base, red rock all around

Day 1 · Oak Creek and Uptown—Up from Phoenix early, breakfast under the canyon walls at Indian Gardens, a creek walk at Slide Rock, lunch on a deck above Uptown, a couples treatment at Amara and a sunset dinner at Mariposa.

Day 2 · Mii amo, Boynton Canyon—Breakfast at the Airport Mesa overlook, a morning treatment and the pools at Mii amo, a plant-based lunch in West Sedona, a quiet afternoon in Boynton Canyon and the anniversary dinner at Cress on Oak Creek.

Day 3 · Jerome and the Verde Canyon—Breakfast in West Sedona, a morning on the hill in Jerome, lunch at the Clarkdale depot, the 1 p.m. Verde Canyon Railroad and an Italian dinner back in town.

Day 4 · Tlaquepaque and Page Springs—A last breakfast above town, the Sedona Arts Center and the galleries of Tlaquepaque, lunch in a courtyard, then a long afternoon and an early dinner among the vines at Page Springs Cellars before the drive south.

A plan that knows how you travel.

3 full itineraries in every plan

Art & photos

Planning

Your plan, your way

Art & photos

Planning

Your plan, your way

Art & photos

Planning

Your plan, your way

Our promise

Who is Earth Adventure Travel?

Plan & pack

Pack for the trip

Sedona in one frame

Where the day ends

Sedona, in frames.

Planning notes

Before you set off — the official checks

More red rock, spa time and wine country.

Sedona Red Rocks for Couples

Sedona with Kids and Grandparents

Napa Valley Babymoon

Santa Fe Solo

Official Links

Research behind this guide

Photo credits

Choose the landscape. Then choose the pace.

No exact match—yet.