Arizona Girls Trip: weekend getaway guide

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. 

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.

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).