Phoenix Staycation Ideas For Families

Beth Wood said:  Papago Park is a municipal park to Phoenix and Tempe. It boasts wonderful hiking trails that interlace the area with smooth footing and low elevation. Perfect for hiking, running and mountain biking. The Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden are both located within the park. Guests will also find a fishing lagoon, Hall of Flame Museum, Hunt's Tomb, a baseball/softball complex, golf course, archery range and more. It's a wonderful park to spend time with the family exploring.

Katie G. said:  If you're looking for water fun, then you'll definitely want to visit Kiwanis Park. The lake sits at the center of the park offering fishing and paddle boat rentals. The newest attraction is the 5,000-sq foot, high tech splash pad called The Cloud, opened May-Oct. The Kiwanis Wave Pool is an indoor complex offering lap swimming, zero entry and of course waves.

Other amenities at the park include batting cages, ball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, two playgrounds, a recreations center, picnic tables and restrooms.

Katie G. said:  If your family is looking to relax, hang out and play on the water then spend the day at Tempe Beach Park. The large green space and picturesque views make this a perfect place for families. Located at Tempe Town Lake, visitors can relax on the greenspace, go for a walk or ride a bike or roller blade around the 2-mile man-made lake. Rent a paddle boat, kayak or SUP and enjoy the beautiful view of the Tempe skyline on the water. Bring your fishing poles to try and catch trout, bass or catfish. The park hosts several events and festivals throughout the year. See calendar for what's upcoming.

Beth Wood said:  The MIM features over 6,800 musical instruments from around the world. The museum houses special exhibits and six different galleries. The Experience Gallery lets guests play instruments and learn how they're made. The Artist Gallery features instruments from music icons like Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Johnny Cash and more. A Mechanical Music Gallery features instruments that play themselves. The STEM Gallery shows how science makes music happen.

Beth Wood said:  Over 3,000 different animals call The Phoenix Zoo home. From insects to elephants, you'll see animals in an up-close and personal environment as you explore their exhibits. The zoo features a safari train, discovery farm, monkey village, giraffe encounters, splash pad, stingray bay and much more! Behind the scenes and guided tours are also available. There are plenty of dining and shopping options to make your visit more enjoyable. Special events and programs are offered throughout the year.

Cost: $14.95-$16.95 Youth 3-13 years, $22.95-$24.95 Adult, FREE 2 years & under; Membership start at $69

Katie G. said:  Camelback Mountain is one of the most well-known mountain ranges in the Phoenix area. As the name would suggest, the shadow of the mountain on the valley skyline looks like the humps of a camel. While there are a few challenging hikes located at the park, families can enjoy Bobby's Rock Trail located at the Echo's Canyon Trailhead. This short hike loops around Bobby's Rock, a large cube-shaped sandstone rock. The 200 feet elevation gain will provide hikers with amazing views of the valley below. Locals will find the best time to hike is the early morning or before sunset to avoid crowds.

Beth Wood said:  SEA LIFE houses over 5,000 sea animals featuring 250 species including sharks, seahorses, fish, rays and more throughout their aquarium. Spend your visit interacting with different creatures in touch pools, checking out educational and interactive feeding and talk times held at different times throughout the day, going on the Dive Adventure Quiz Trail, walking through the 180-degree ocean tunnel, seeing who calls Critter Canyon home and exploring the numerous creature exhibits.

Cost: $10.95-$14.95 Youth 3-12 years, $14.95-$19.95 Adult 13+ years, FREE 0-2 years

Beth Wood said:  Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Rustler's Rooste is the perfect place to go for a western experience. Their live longhorn steer, Horney, greets you at the entrance. Inside you'll find an old mine shaft, a slide leading to the dining room, live country western music, and indoor waterfall, strolling magician and unbelievable views. Dine on a menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Sign up for the Slide Riders Club where kids eat free for a year with the purchase of an entree. With 7 different options on the kids menu, even the pickiest of eaters will find something they'll enjoy!

Beth Wood said:  The Pueblo Grande Museum is located on the largest preserved 1500-year-old archaeological site in Phoenix. There's an accessible 2/3 mile long trail that goes through a prehistoric Hohokam village site as well as three different galleries to visit at the museum. These galleries feature artifacts and lessons on archaeology, Arizona history and Southwest cultures. There is a hands-on children's gallery for the little ones to explore.

Beth Wood said:  The Desert Botanical Garden is the 140-acre botanical garden located in Papago Park that houses the world's largest collection of desert plants. Five different themed trails allow guests to explore the park while learning more about conservation, desert living, wildflowers, flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Special family-friendly events such as Electric Desert, Flashlight Tours, Concerts in the Gardens, plant sales and more occur throughout the year. On-site dining and shopping options are available.

Cost: Youth $12.95 3-17 years, $24.95 Adult, FREE 2 and under. Memberships start at $79

Beth Wood said:  Have a ball while grabbing a yummy bite to eat at Luci's at the Orchard. Their outdoor splash pad helps kids cool off and burn off some energy during their visit. Everyone can enjoy breakfast or lunch items from the cafe menu, a fresh pressed juice from the juice bar or shop among the gourmet market. The inviting family-friendly atmosphere makes Luci's a local favorite.

Beth Wood said:  The Children's Museum of Phoenix features three levels of hands-on exhibits and over 300 experiences that encourage children to learn through creative play. Exhibits include the Book Loft, Texture Cafe, Noodle Forest, Pedal Power and more. A Baby Zone and Preschool level are available for younger guests.

Beth Wood said:  Spend a day together at the Arizona Science Center exploring over 300 hands-on exhibits, the Dorrance Planetarium, a five-story IMAX theater, the Create Makerspace, a Cosmic Playground and much more.

Katie G. said:  If you're a baseball-loving family like mine, then you will love experiencing a behind the scenes look at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This 75-minute walking tour will take you all around the stadium where you'll get up close to the db TV, one of the largest high-def video scoreboard in baseball, learn about the retractable roof, check out the swimming pool in right field and see the locker rooms. Tours are offered year-round in both English and Spanish and space is limited.

Cost: Tickets are $7 - $3/person (children 3 and under are free)

Tours offered year round, Mon-Sat

Beth Wood said:  Featuring over 17,000 different works from around the world, the Phoenix Art Museum is the Southwest's largest art museum. Be sure to grab a Scavenger Hunt guide at the front desk so you can explore the museum's collection together. Family Sundays and other special events are held throughout the year and include free admission, storytime, crafts and activities.