Activities in Phoenix-Scottsdale
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Address 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 Map, Tel 480-644-2230 Call, Cost $9 - Adults; $5 - Children 3-12 ; free - Children ages 2 & younger, Hours Closed Monday Website
This museum houses the dinosaur bones and exhibits that are a requisite for any natural history museum, but it's also a good place to learn about local native cultures from prehistoric times until recent history. Visitors can pan for gold in the courtyard. more
Arizona Railway Museum
Address 330 E. Ryan Road, Chandler, AZ 85224 Map, Tel (480) 821-1108 Call, Dates September 6, 2008 - May 24, 2009 (Closed during summer), Hours Saturday-Sunday: 12-4pm Website
The Arizona Railway museum's mission is to Acquire, restore and display railway equipment. Access to the display yard is free, and self guided tours cost $5 per family. more
Arizona Science Center
Address 600 East Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 Map, Tel 602-716-2000 Call, Website
Most of the hands-on exhibits at the Arizona Science Center require reading, making this a tough museum for very young children to get deeply engaged in. Still, building blocks throughout the museum and a small tot play area (with a play kitchen, blocks, and vegetable garden) might be a nice option on a hot day. Our favorite section of the museum was the "Forces of Nature" gallery on the third floor where an immersion theatre lets you experience a simulated earthquake, fire, hurricane and thunderstorm. more
Desert Botanical Garden
Address 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 Map, Tel 480-941-1225 Call, Website
The Desert Botanical Garden showcases rare and sometimes endangered desert plants in an easy to explore (and stroller friendly) garden. For older kids, a scavenger hunt (available at the entry) aspires to make the garden more fun. The walking path through the garden is reasonably short and can be completed quickly, but kids may enjoy searching for unique cacti (or birds) and linger more than you expect. Check the garden's website for information about special exhibitions. more
Heard Museum
Address 2301 N. Central Avenue (Central & Encanto), Phoenix, AZ 85004 Map, Tel 602.252.8848 Call, Cost $10 Adults; $3 Children (6-12); Children under 6 Free, Discount AAA discount available Website
The Heard museum is reputed to have the best collection of Native American crafts in the world. Our visit was a highlight of our trip to Phoenix. The museum has done a wonderful job of making the entire collection kid friendly (with spots for kids to stop and do an activity throughout the museum), and there is also a hands on area literally filled with crafts that let kids try their hand at making their own Native American inspired artwork. more
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Address 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 Map, Admission Free; Pay to ride trains or carousel, Hours Vary seasonally - check website for details Website
This well designed park includes a scale railroad you can ride, a carousel, and several shaded playgrounds. Inside the McCormick Ranch Bunkhouse, several railroad clubs build models. The park also includes old railroad cars to explore. Train and carousel rides are reasonably priced as are snacks, hot dogs, and PB&J sandwiches from the snack bar. Allow about 2 hours. more
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Address 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85034 Map, Tel (602) 495-0901 Call, Hours Vary seasonally, Cost Adults (18-54) $5.00; Children (6-17) $3.00; Children (under 6): Free Website
The Pueblo Grande Museum showcases a portion of the 1,500 year-old Hohokam village ruins and aims to educate visitors about Hohokam culture. Great effort and expense has been made to make this an interesting visit for children. A visitors center shows an educational video and houses a number of hands on exhibits that aim to teach children about Archeology and about the ruins. Unfortunately, they don't quite succeed for a variety of reasons, and the scorching direct sunlight makes the ruins themselves difficult for children to visit. Borrow an umbrella from the visitor's center to protect yourself from the sun, and consider bringing your stroller if you have one. more
Taliesin West
Address 12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85261 Map, Tel 680.860.2700 Call, Tours all visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Website
Taliesin West is considered to be one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces. It's one of the "must see" destinations in the area for adults, but very tricky to visit with kids because all visitors must be part of an organized tour, and the close quarters inside the buildings make talking or movement disruptive to the other guests. more
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Children's Museum of Phoenix- Downtown
Address 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Map, Tel 602.253.0501 Call, Website
The museum provides something for every age, including a 3rd floor crawlers and barely walking room for infants! They have a little cafe where you can grab a quick snack of hummus and pretzels and apple juice, or you can walk 2 blocks over to a find retail shops and restaurants. more
Jubeelieve Play Center
Address 965 E. Van Buren St., Ste. 114-115 Avondale, AZ 85323 Map, Tel 623-428-7529 Call, Website
West Valley's first indoor playground specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Ideally children under 5 years old. more
Phoenix Zoo
Address 455 North Galvin Parkway Phoenix, Arizona 85008 Map, Tel 602.273.1341 Call, Website
They have great animals of course :) A train, Lots of interactive activities with certain animals like sting rays, petting Zoo with goats and lambs, camel rides and my favorite Monkey Village! They also have youth camps and clubs. The Zoo was voted one of the nations top 5 Zoo's. My kids LOVE it!! But hot weather pays a toll some times down here in the heat! :S So go earlier in the day. more
PlayGrounds Funzone and Cafe
Address 8190 W Union Hills Drive, Ste 110 Glendale, AZ 85308 Map, Tel 602-761-9663 Call, Website
I adore this place! It's such a unique place for kids and moms/dads. more
Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium
Address 16501 W. Northern Ave. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 Map, Tel (623) 935-WILD (9453) Call, Website
Tons of animal exhibits to look at, as well as a few shows. Aquarium is new and has many exhibits as well as a place to pet and feed sting rays! more
