DH and I were in Pheonix for a Nascar race in Nov. We took a day to tour Sedona area. The area is very beautiful but after 8 hrs driving/looking all the red rocks and formation seem to start looking alike. Sedona has a lot of little expensive tourist stores that you can really spend hours going up/down street. That was not our thing and we do not golf.

We stayed in Pheonix I believe we took hwy 179 to 89A and stopped at the 1st information center enroute to Sedona. The gentleman there mapped us out a day trip so we could see the highlights. There are many parking area along the way. The best views are from the Sedona airport it seems. Great photo opt. There is also a church the guide pointed out on the map that is worth going to. We stopped at many of the trail head areas. DH would walk a little ways up the trail while I talked and walked around on even ground. Beautiful with sweeping red rock views. The rocks are breathe taking when the sun starts going down but it goes down so quick.

I do not know what different landscapes we would have seen if we had opted for 2-3 day trip in that area but we were in a situation we had to pick and choose. If you are hikers you will have lots of trails...watch out for the rattlesnakes. There seems to be a lot of wildlife in the area that one does not readily see that may be resting in the shade under brush or in the shadow of a mountain. At the visitor center they have a "dung" display that will tell you what animal it cames from so you will know when you see this on the ground what animal it came from and is in the area. The guides at the information centers are wonderful to talk with and give great advice.

Can't speak to night light or hotels. We stayed with some wonderful friends in Pheonix and were give out by the time we got home from our days events. I am so glad we day tripped to Sedona it was a wonderful day with sights we could never see anywhere else..been there..done that off the bucket list. Unless you guys are golfers or hikers I would only plan a couple of days in the immediate Sedona area.

Make a list of questions that you want to ask the guides at the information center as they have the best, up to date information about the area. Hope that you have a great time.