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Arizona Girls Trip: weekend getaway guide

Arizona is a unique state that should be on everyone's bucket list! A 4-day Arizona girls trip is the perfect amount of time to explore the best of Arizona and all of its beauty.

  • Desert Botanical Gardens+ 3
  • The best Mexican in Phoenix!
  • Cactus plant at the Desert Botanical Gardens
  • Arizona Girls Trip: weekend getaway guide
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About Me:Four Broads Abroad is a blog created by four girls from Toronto, Canada, here to share inspiration and reveal unique travelling tips. Our goal is to provide you with the best travel tips and hacks. We love cheap travel, backpacking and uni... read more

North AmericaUnited States4 days / November 2019

Highs & Lows

Sedona, Arizona. It's a charming and must-see city!

Packing more clothes due to the fluctuation of temperature throughout the state.

Itinerary Overview

This was my first trip to the Southwest of the  United States and for our Arizona girls trip, this was the perfect pick. I was able to get in the scenic views along with some cultural touches in just a short amount of time. There is something here for everyone to see/do. This trip report will go into detail on how to spend an extended 4-day weekend in the beautiful state of Arizona.    

This Arizona guide will cover 3 major cities in Arizona. Start off your trip in sunny Phoenix and visit the Desert Botanical Gardens, Scottsdale and Hole in-the-Rock Hike. Head about 2 hours north and you'll arrive in Sedona city. Here you can explore the beautiful red rocks by visiting one of the many hiking trails. And finally, for your last stop, drive 2 hours north of Sedona and you'll reach the South Rim of the world's famous Grand Canyon. 

  • Day trip: Scottsdale
    Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale
  • 2 Nights: Sedona
    Hiking Trails, Shopping,
  • 2 Nights: Grand Canyon Village
    Hiking the Grand Canyon
Scottsdale - Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale
1

Scottsdale Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale

Scottsdale - Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale - The best Mexican in Phoenix!
The best Mexican in Phoenix!
Scottsdale - Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale - Desert Botanical Gardens
Desert Botanical Gardens
Scottsdale - Major Airport, Desert Botanical Gardens, Mexican Food and Scottsdale - Cactus plant at the Desert Botanical Gardens
Cactus plant at the Desert Botanical Gardens

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona. The charming city has tons to do for a girls trip!   I would suggest flying into Phoenix and starting off your trip here as it's the most accessible airport in the state. Additionally, you'll only need 1 full day to explore Phoenix. Here are the top things to see & do in Phoenix: 

  1. Botanical Desert Garden
  2. Scottsdale
  3. Hole-in-the- Rock Hike

1. Botanical Desert Garden: The gardens are a perfect spot to capture some beautiful Instagram pictures all while learning about the desert's ecosystem & vegetation. Tickets range from $25-30 USD depending on which day you visit. Phoenix can also get very hot! I would suggest visiting the gardens in the morning or an hour before sunset. Depending on the time of year, mid-day temperatures in Phoenix can even get above 100*F (37*C)!  

2. Scottsdale: This charming town is located in the eastern portion of Phoenix. It's known for its golf courses, resorts, shopping & restaurants. If you do want to spend some more time in Phoenix, it would be best to stay in one of the resorts in Scottsdale. 

3. Hole-in-the-Rock Hike: If you're looking to get some hiking done, I would suggest visiting the Hole in Rock. It's an easy 0.3-mile hike that can get busy on weekends. Best to visit an hour before sunset, to see incredible views of Phoenix. 

 

Sedona - Hiking Trails, Shopping,
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Sedona Hiking Trails, Shopping,

Sedona - Hiking Trails, Shopping, - Cathedral Rock Hike
Cathedral Rock Hike
Sedona - Hiking Trails, Shopping, - Sedona Redrocks
Sedona Redrocks

For an Arizona girls trip, this was by far my favorite city in Arizona! I would definitely suggest staying at least two nights here since there is so much to do. Sedona is around a 2 hour drive north from Phoenix. The best way to get here is by renting a car. The drive up is absolutely breathtaking and scenic. 

Top Hikes to do in Sedona: 

Sedona is located in the Red Rocks. There are a ton of hikes to do here all with extraordinary views and climbs. We chose to do the Cathedral Rock Hike for our first day here. Cathedral Rock Hike is a 1.2 mile moderate level hike that took us about an hour to reach the top. Make sure to wear a good pair of running/hiking shoes with a strong grip as the rocks can get quite steep and slippery.

Another hike worth doing in Sedona is Devils Bridge. Just note that this hike can get quite busy during peak travel times and weekends. This trail offers amazing views of the Red Rocks and is a great spot to take some cool Instagram photos! We’d suggest heading out early in the morning to avoid crowds. Additionally, if you arrive here during peak times there will be a line up to take your photo at the devil's bridge. If you’re not into the big crowds and just want to enjoy a peaceful time, I would definitely recommend skipping this hike. 

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village: 

This outdoor market features a bunch of art galleries, shops and decorative arches. The architecture of this building has a Spanish ambiance that is simply stunning. I traveled to Sedona during the first week of November and got to experience the Dia de los Muertos festival (Day of the Dead). This Mexican holiday is a celebration of life and death. This day commemorates the loved ones who have passed away and honours them. There are festivals happening in this area almost every weekend, check out their website for more information.

Grand Canyon Village - Hiking the Grand Canyon
3

Grand Canyon Village Hiking the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Village - Hiking the Grand Canyon - null

The Grand Canyon is an enormous phenomenon of geological history. The most popular way to visit the canyon is from the South Rim in the Grand Canyon Village. From Sedona it takes about 2 hours to get there. The cost to enter the park is $40 per vehicle and the pass is valid for 1 week. The National Park itself is massive and can take weeks to explore. If you're there to just see the canyon and a bit of moderate hiking, then 2 days is the perfect amount of time. Some popular viewpoints/trails to visit from the South Rim are Mather Point, Yavapai Point, Ooh Aah Point, Yaki Point, Bright Angel Trailhead and South Rim Trail.  

If you're planning to do some hiking please remember to plan your time accordingly! The sun sets early in the winter months, so give yourself enough time to hike up the canyon before sundown. Additionally, if you're planning to visit during the summer months, remember to pack lots of drinking water - temperatures in the canyon can reach above 40*C  (104*F). 

Q & A

  • Restaurant recommendations?

    If you're in the mood for some authentic Mexican food, Carolina's is the place to visit! They have been serving the Phoenix area for over 50 years. If you end up visiting, be aware that it is closed on Sundays. Also make sure to try the in-house tortillas - it's a fan favourite!
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    If you're looking to save some money on accommodations, I'd highly recommend staying in Valle while visiting the Grand Canyon. The town is about a 30 minute drive from the South Rim entrance. The hotel is around 50-60% cheaper than other accommodations in the Grand Canyon Village (around $70/night).
  • Packing tips?

    Depending on when and where you travel in Arizona, the temperature can vary due to the elevation. When I travelled to Phoenix in November, the days were warm and nights were cool. Remember to check the temperature in advance and pack accordingly.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Arizona is best accessible by car. I would highly suggest renting a vehicle upon arrival to get from city to city quickly and comfortably.
  • Booking details?

    When booking our hotel in Sedona, we scored an awesome deal at The Diamond Resorts with agoda.com. We paid $26/night for our stay! I'd highly recommend using agoda.com when booking accommodations in Arizona.

Lodging