Arizona Fun!
Ideas for Kids
(Ahwatukee) Stay n Play or Drop Off for kiddos. See here:
https://www.whizkidzplayland.com/
Whiz Kidz Playland
3233 East Chandler Boulevard(Ahwatukee) Stay n Play or Drop Off for kiddos. See here:
https://www.whizkidzplayland.com/
(west Chandler) My kids loved being able to climb and tire themselves out here. They also have a toddler area and a restaurant.
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Makutu's Island
6919 W Ray Rd(west Chandler) My kids loved being able to climb and tire themselves out here. They also have a toddler area and a restaurant.
A fun water park & dog park that are very close by. Open seasonally (I believe starting in late May, but you can call and verify)
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Nozomi Aquatic Center
250 S Kyrene RdA fun water park & dog park that are very close by. Open seasonally (I believe starting in late May, but you can call and verify)
(north Ahwatukee) You can get a day pass to the water park and lazy river. You can also reserve a cabana if you like. They have a bar and food area as well (they don't allow food to be brought in). And they open mid-March. Check the website for specific hours, as they vary by season.
https://www.resortpass.com/hotels/arizona-grand-resort-spa
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Oasis Water Park
8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy(north Ahwatukee) You can get a day pass to the water park and lazy river. You can also reserve a cabana if you like. They have a bar and food area as well (they don't allow food to be brought in). And they open mid-March. Check the website for specific hours, as they vary by season.
https://www.resortpass.com/hotels/arizona-grand-resort-spa
(north Tempe) A nice walk around 1200 animals. :) Also has a splash pad in the summer, and zoo lights during the holidays.
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Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin Pkwy(north Tempe) A nice walk around 1200 animals. :) Also has a splash pad in the summer, and zoo lights during the holidays.
(Downtown PHX) A really fun place for kids. You will definitely spend hours there!
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Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington St(Downtown PHX) A really fun place for kids. You will definitely spend hours there!
(Downtown Phx)
A very fun place for kids. Plan on 3 or 4 hours here!
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Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N 7th St(Downtown Phx)
A very fun place for kids. Plan on 3 or 4 hours here!
(Tempe/Scottsdale) A surprisingly short and easy hike (more of a short walk), that leads to great photo ops! Free.
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Hole in the Rock
625 N Galvin Pkwy(Tempe/Scottsdale) A surprisingly short and easy hike (more of a short walk), that leads to great photo ops! Free.
(NE Tempe/NW Mesa) A great park with walking trails and a climbing structure that kids love.
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Riverview Park Kids Playground
2100 W Rio Salado Pkwy(NE Tempe/NW Mesa) A great park with walking trails and a climbing structure that kids love.
(Chandler Mall area) https://www.crayolaexperience.com/chandler
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Crayola Experience Chandler
3111 W Chandler Blvd(Chandler Mall area) https://www.crayolaexperience.com/chandler
(AZ Mills / I-10 & US60 in Tempe) Fun place to learn about sea creatures
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SEA LIFE Centre Arizona
5000 S Arizona Mills Cir(AZ Mills / I-10 & US60 in Tempe) Fun place to learn about sea creatures
(AZ Mills / I-10 & US60 in Tempe) Lots of Lego-themed fun.
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
5000 S Arizona Mills Cir(AZ Mills / I-10 & US60 in Tempe) Lots of Lego-themed fun.
Really interesting place with lots of firefighting history. The kids love it. Is in N Tempe / E Phoenix, close to the Botanical Gardens and the Zoo.
https://hallofflame.org/
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Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E Van Buren StReally interesting place with lots of firefighting history. The kids love it. Is in N Tempe / E Phoenix, close to the Botanical Gardens and the Zoo.
https://hallofflame.org/
(W Chandler) My kids love this place. Ropes courses and gravity jumps and other ways to wear out the whole family!
Gravity Extreme Zone Trampoline and Adventure Park
190 S Kyrene Rd(W Chandler) My kids love this place. Ropes courses and gravity jumps and other ways to wear out the whole family!
(Chandler) Large park with a kids train that you can ride around the park. And a splash pad and playground. And a big lake with fishing.
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Desert Breeze Park
660 North Desert Breeze Blvd E(Chandler) Large park with a kids train that you can ride around the park. And a splash pad and playground. And a big lake with fishing.
Fun place for kids. Has gold panning, dinosaur exhibits, a real pioneer-days jail, etc.
8 mins from Tempe property.
18 mins from Mesa property.
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Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N MacdonaldFun place for kids. Has gold panning, dinosaur exhibits, a real pioneer-days jail, etc.
8 mins from Tempe property.
18 mins from Mesa property.
Valley Sightseeing
Things to do in and around the Valley (Phoenix metro area).
My favorite hike in the Ahwatukee area. Leads to the top of South Mountain (near the radio & TV towers). Once you get to the top where the road is, take a left and continue up the hill until you see a small stone structure. It makes for great photos!
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Telegraph Pass Trailhead
14251 S Desert Foothills PkwyMy favorite hike in the Ahwatukee area. Leads to the top of South Mountain (near the radio & TV towers). Once you get to the top where the road is, take a left and continue up the hill until you see a small stone structure. It makes for great photos!
(N Phoenix/Scottsdale, near Mayo)
I haven't been here, but my guests rave about it!
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Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo Blvd(N Phoenix/Scottsdale, near Mayo)
I haven't been here, but my guests rave about it!
(Scottsdale) Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and desert lab.
https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/
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Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd(Scottsdale) Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and desert lab.
https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/
(Phoenix) Beautiful gardens with cool workshops on their calendar, about martial arts, gardening, matcha grinding, etc.
JapaneseFriendshipGarden (dot) org
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Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
1125 N 3rd Ave(Phoenix) Beautiful gardens with cool workshops on their calendar, about martial arts, gardening, matcha grinding, etc.
JapaneseFriendshipGarden (dot) org
(N Phoenix) Yes, built by the chewing gum magnate. Gorgeous mansion on the top of a hill. Take a tour or have a fancy dinner. They also have a nice bar. Go at sundown to watch the sunset from their patio. Be sure to go upstairs to see all the memorabilia afterwards.
www.wrigleymansion.com
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Wrigley Mansion/Geordie's Restaurant
2501 E Telawa Trail(N Phoenix) Yes, built by the chewing gum magnate. Gorgeous mansion on the top of a hill. Take a tour or have a fancy dinner. They also have a nice bar. Go at sundown to watch the sunset from their patio. Be sure to go upstairs to see all the memorabilia afterwards.
www.wrigleymansion.com
(Scottsdale) Go see the Native American dance demonstration on Fridays! My out of town visitors LOVE this. Held in the hotel's Center Bar Lounge at 5pm. Get there early to get a good seat and hear about the various items and history. They also have a birds of prey demonstration from 4-5 pm on Fridays. This resort also has gondola rides in the evenings.
Friday Afternoons at Gainey Ranch:
Join us every Friday in Fountain Court for Experiential Offering’s “Arizona Birds of Prey Take Flight.” From 4:00 to 5:00 p,m., Liberty Wildlife’s education team presents its rescued winged warriors. Pictures and selfies with each are welcome and encouraged! At 5:00 p.m., Native American dancers then take you on a cultural journey to the First Nations of Arizona and North America through music and dance—even more opportunities to experience and document the unique culture of Arizona. For more information please call 480-444-1234 Ext 5700. (Seasonally Scheduled)
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Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa At Gainey Ranch
7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd(Scottsdale) Go see the Native American dance demonstration on Fridays! My out of town visitors LOVE this. Held in the hotel's Center Bar Lounge at 5pm. Get there early to get a good seat and hear about the various items and history. They also have a birds of prey demonstration from 4-5 pm on Fridays. This resort also has gondola rides in the evenings.
Friday Afternoons at Gainey Ranch:
Join us every Friday in Fountain Court for Experiential Offering’s “Arizona Birds of Prey Take Flight.” From 4:00 to 5:00 p,m., Liberty Wildlife’s education team presents its rescued winged warriors. Pictures and selfies with each are welcome and encouraged! At 5:00 p.m., Native American dancers then take you on a cultural journey to the First Nations of Arizona and North America through music and dance—even more opportunities to experience and document the unique culture of Arizona. For more information please call 480-444-1234 Ext 5700. (Seasonally Scheduled)
[Temporarily Closed]
(S Phoenix) A crazy place that you can tour. Built on South Mountain by a dad for his daughter. Open from Oct - May.
mymysterycastle (dot) com
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Mystery Castle
800 E Mineral Rd[Temporarily Closed]
(S Phoenix) A crazy place that you can tour. Built on South Mountain by a dad for his daughter. Open from Oct - May.
mymysterycastle (dot) com
(Ahwatukee) There are tons of places to go horseback riding in the state, this one is just the closest to Ahwatukee.
https://koliequestrian.com/
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Koli Equestrian Center
6940 W BROKEN EAR RD(Ahwatukee) There are tons of places to go horseback riding in the state, this one is just the closest to Ahwatukee.
https://koliequestrian.com/
(downtown Phoenix) Great information and displays about Native American history in Arizona.
www.heard.org/
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Heard Museum
2301 N Central Ave(downtown Phoenix) Great information and displays about Native American history in Arizona.
www.heard.org/
(Scottsdale) Home of the Phoenix Open (held early February).
https://tpc.com/scottsdale/
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TPC Scottsdale - Champions Course
8243 E Bell Rd(Scottsdale) Home of the Phoenix Open (held early February).
https://tpc.com/scottsdale/
(Tempe) A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed performing arts center on ASU's campus. Broadway shows and more.
https://www.asugammage.com/
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ASU Gammage Auditorium
1200 S Forest Ave(Tempe) A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed performing arts center on ASU's campus. Broadway shows and more.
https://www.asugammage.com/
(Tempe) Enjoy water activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or just jogging or playing in Tempe Beach Park.
https://www.tempetourism.com/things-to-do/tempe-town-lake/
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Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill Ave(Tempe) Enjoy water activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or just jogging or playing in Tempe Beach Park.
https://www.tempetourism.com/things-to-do/tempe-town-lake/
(Phoenix/Tempe) Amazing place to view desert plants. The Chihuly exhibit is open until June 19, 2022.
I also love to have brunch at Gertrude's Restaurant, on their patio amongst the roadrunners and quail. You don't have to pay for the gardens to eat there, either. (Reservations required on the weekends, but I'd call ahead, regardless).
https://dbg.org/
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Desert Botanical Garden
(Phoenix/Tempe) Amazing place to view desert plants. The Chihuly exhibit is open until June 19, 2022.
I also love to have brunch at Gertrude's Restaurant, on their patio amongst the roadrunners and quail. You don't have to pay for the gardens to eat there, either. (Reservations required on the weekends, but I'd call ahead, regardless).
https://dbg.org/
Great place to fish or Stand-Up Paddleboard. You can rent one from Riverbound Sports and others.
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Canyon Lake
Great place to fish or Stand-Up Paddleboard. You can rent one from Riverbound Sports and others.
Food scene
(Awhatukee) Western-themed steak house with a small slide that kids obsess about. And you can order rattlesnake bites here. It's on the top of a hill and has nice views from the patio as well. A Valley institution since 1971.
https://www.rustlersrooste.com/
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Rustler’s Rooste
8383 S 48th St(Awhatukee) Western-themed steak house with a small slide that kids obsess about. And you can order rattlesnake bites here. It's on the top of a hill and has nice views from the patio as well. A Valley institution since 1971.
https://www.rustlersrooste.com/
(Ahwatukee) Their back patio on a nice evening is my FAVE place to be. Especially when the weather is nice and when they have live acoustic music (Fri & Sat eves). Locally owned and the menu changes often.
The Cellar | Wine & Tapas
5030 East Warner Road(Ahwatukee) Their back patio on a nice evening is my FAVE place to be. Especially when the weather is nice and when they have live acoustic music (Fri & Sat eves). Locally owned and the menu changes often.
(Ahwatukee & SW Mesa). Local Italian restaurant. Their house dressing is AMAZING -- I buy it by the bottle. Pizzas, sandwiches, etc... All good.
http://www.nellospizza.com/
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Nellos Ahwatukee
4710 Warner Rd(Ahwatukee & SW Mesa). Local Italian restaurant. Their house dressing is AMAZING -- I buy it by the bottle. Pizzas, sandwiches, etc... All good.
http://www.nellospizza.com/
(6 Valley locations) Very good local Italian restaurant. They are one of the few places that are celiac-friendly, as well! Amazing food. They also do take away and delivery pizza, etc.
The Tempe location is 5 mins from the Tempe property.
The Gilbert location is 12 mins from the Mesa home.
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Spinato's Pizzeria
5509 N 7th St(6 Valley locations) Very good local Italian restaurant. They are one of the few places that are celiac-friendly, as well! Amazing food. They also do take away and delivery pizza, etc.
The Tempe location is 5 mins from the Tempe property.
The Gilbert location is 12 mins from the Mesa home.
(W Chandler & Scottsdale Fashion Sq) This is where I take a lot of out-of-town guests. They have South-by-Southwest food. Great happy hours & a great brunch.
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Z'Tejas
7221 W Ray Rd(W Chandler & Scottsdale Fashion Sq) This is where I take a lot of out-of-town guests. They have South-by-Southwest food. Great happy hours & a great brunch.
(Chandler Mall area). Try the meatball ferris wheel or the 6 ft charcuterie board! And stop by the attached bakery on the way home. They have a huge patio, too.
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The Sicilian Baker - Chandler
3151 W Frye Rd(Chandler Mall area). Try the meatball ferris wheel or the 6 ft charcuterie board! And stop by the attached bakery on the way home. They have a huge patio, too.
(Chandler, and W Tempe). A local place with a fun menu.
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Perfect Pear Bistro
603 W University Dr(Chandler, and W Tempe). A local place with a fun menu.
(Chandler) Great food & tons of live music, both inside and on the patio.
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Good Time Charli's
6045 W Chandler Blvd(Chandler) Great food & tons of live music, both inside and on the patio.
(S Tempe). I haven't been here, but it looks interesting.
ghostranchaz (dot) com
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Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine
1006 E Warner Rd(S Tempe). I haven't been here, but it looks interesting.
ghostranchaz (dot) com
(5 locations) Unique menu and good happy hours. Indoor and outdoor seating.
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Postino South Tempe
8749 South Rural Road(5 locations) Unique menu and good happy hours. Indoor and outdoor seating.
(5 locations) Local Italian place with very good food. Have the Pizookie for dessert! Very often a wait, because their locations are quite small.
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Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University Drive(5 locations) Local Italian place with very good food. Have the Pizookie for dessert! Very often a wait, because their locations are quite small.
(5 locations). A local, very historic Mexican food place that claims to have invented the chimichanga.
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Macayo's Mexican Table
6012 W Bell Rd(5 locations). A local, very historic Mexican food place that claims to have invented the chimichanga.
Breakfast & Lunch spot with a HUGE Bloody Mary bar. And a DJ for weekend brunches. Great food. They also have locations in Scottsdale, Phx & Peoria. There will be a wait on weekends.
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Hash Kitchen Chandler
2855 W Ray RdBreakfast & Lunch spot with a HUGE Bloody Mary bar. And a DJ for weekend brunches. Great food. They also have locations in Scottsdale, Phx & Peoria. There will be a wait on weekends.
(S Tempe) If I had an Italian grandmother, this would be her house. Live music at times.
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Vincitorio's Restaurant
1835 E Elliot Rd(S Tempe) If I had an Italian grandmother, this would be her house. Live music at times.
(S Scottsdale) An Italian market with a restaurant inside. Featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.
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DeFalco's Italian Eatery, Grocery & Deli
2334 N Scottsdale Rd(S Scottsdale) An Italian market with a restaurant inside. Featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.
(Ahwatukee + more) Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. I think it's OK.
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Los Taquitos
7000 N 16th St(Ahwatukee + more) Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. I think it's OK.
Niro's Gyros
10826 South 48th Street(Ahwatukee) Unassuming place, but my kids LOVE the gyro's here.
(S Phoenix)
An absolute dive of a place, but with the coolest Mexican fusion menu. Voted #1 restaurant in the US by Yelp in 2022. It's not traditional Sonoran Mexican like is so often found here, but it's amazing. The owner helped create the menu at Z'Tejas. Often has a wait. I hear they are about to open 2 more locations, too.
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Cocina Madrigal Tacos + Tequila
4044 S 16th St(S Phoenix)
An absolute dive of a place, but with the coolest Mexican fusion menu. Voted #1 restaurant in the US by Yelp in 2022. It's not traditional Sonoran Mexican like is so often found here, but it's amazing. The owner helped create the menu at Z'Tejas. Often has a wait. I hear they are about to open 2 more locations, too.
(Downtown Mesa)
Empanadas.
10 mins from Tempe property, 17 mins from Mesa home.
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República Empanada Restaurant
204 E 1st Ave(Downtown Mesa)
Empanadas.
10 mins from Tempe property, 17 mins from Mesa home.
(W Mesa) If you haven't tried Navajo Fry Bread, this is a great place to get it. It is also ALWAYS sold at festivals and other events, via food trucks and stands.
11 mins from Tempe property.
16 mins from Mesa property.
Hope's Frybread
(W Mesa) If you haven't tried Navajo Fry Bread, this is a great place to get it. It is also ALWAYS sold at festivals and other events, via food trucks and stands.
11 mins from Tempe property.
16 mins from Mesa property.
Day / Weekend Trips
(Southern AZ O/N trip) Underground cave tours that are very cool. The visitor's center is also really interesting. Nice views of the Dragoon Mountains out front. Kartchner is closest to the city of Benson, but you could also go to Tombstone the same day. I like to stay the night in Tucson and see Tucson on the same trip.
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Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90(Southern AZ O/N trip) Underground cave tours that are very cool. The visitor's center is also really interesting. Nice views of the Dragoon Mountains out front. Kartchner is closest to the city of Benson, but you could also go to Tombstone the same day. I like to stay the night in Tucson and see Tucson on the same trip.
(Canyon Lake day trip) A single-saloon town that has a lot of history. The drive up there, past Canyon Lake, is lovely, especially in March when the wildflowers are blooming. You can do the Dolly Steamboat the same day. About 45 mins from Mesa house, & 55 mins from Tempe.
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Tortilla Flat
(Canyon Lake day trip) A single-saloon town that has a lot of history. The drive up there, past Canyon Lake, is lovely, especially in March when the wildflowers are blooming. You can do the Dolly Steamboat the same day. About 45 mins from Mesa house, & 55 mins from Tempe.
(Canyon Lake day trip) A great place to view the Salt River Wild Horses. You can do it on the same trip as Tortilla Flat and Dolly Steamboat. About 40 minutes from Ahwatukee.
Read up on feeding times to plan your trip to see the most horses. Here's one article about them:
https://www.visitmesa.com/blog/wild-about-horses/
Coon Bluff Campground
Coon Bluff Road(Canyon Lake day trip) A great place to view the Salt River Wild Horses. You can do it on the same trip as Tortilla Flat and Dolly Steamboat. About 40 minutes from Ahwatukee.
Read up on feeding times to plan your trip to see the most horses. Here's one article about them:
https://www.visitmesa.com/blog/wild-about-horses/
(Canyon Lake day trip) There are 3 different steamboat tours available, through Canyon Lake. See Tortilla Flat and/or the Salt River Wild Horses on the same trip!
https://dollysteamboat.com/
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Dolly Steamboat
16802 e Apache Trail(Canyon Lake day trip) There are 3 different steamboat tours available, through Canyon Lake. See Tortilla Flat and/or the Salt River Wild Horses on the same trip!
https://dollysteamboat.com/
(Southern AZ O/N trip) Lots of history here, and the cemetery is interesting. They have reenactments about the shootout at OK Corral.
You can see Kartchener Caverns in Benson, on the same trip. Tombstone is a real Old West town, without a lot of shade. So go outside the hottest part of the day, or go in cooler months. There are saloons there where you can stop in to cool off and have a meal. More info here:
https://tombstoneweb.com/
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Tombstone
300 N Sumner St(Southern AZ O/N trip) Lots of history here, and the cemetery is interesting. They have reenactments about the shootout at OK Corral.
You can see Kartchener Caverns in Benson, on the same trip. Tombstone is a real Old West town, without a lot of shade. So go outside the hottest part of the day, or go in cooler months. There are saloons there where you can stop in to cool off and have a meal. More info here:
https://tombstoneweb.com/
(Southern AZ trip)
The Spanish missionary Father Kino had a big impact on AZ (ever wonder why we have a PRIEST DRIVE in Tempe?!), and he founded this mission in 1692. Construction ended in 1797. It's the oldest European settlement in AZ.
https://sanxaviermission.org/history-2
St. Francis de Xavier Catholic Church. (White Dove In Desert)
1950 W San Xavier Rd(Southern AZ trip)
The Spanish missionary Father Kino had a big impact on AZ (ever wonder why we have a PRIEST DRIVE in Tempe?!), and he founded this mission in 1692. Construction ended in 1797. It's the oldest European settlement in AZ.
https://sanxaviermission.org/history-2
(Flagstaff trip) A very cool place for anyone interested in science. In Winslow, E of Flagstaff in northern AZ. About 3 hours from Ahwatukee.
https://meteorcrater.com/
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Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
233(Flagstaff trip) A very cool place for anyone interested in science. In Winslow, E of Flagstaff in northern AZ. About 3 hours from Ahwatukee.
https://meteorcrater.com/
I mean, obviously. If you haven't been, it's a must-see. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all.
My recommendation: An overnight trip.
1. Leave the Valley early on Day 1. Go to the Canyon and have lunch there (4 hrs from the Valley). You can sit along the edge on benches, or have lunch in a restaurant with a view.
2. The afternoon of Day 1, drive down to Sedona. You will go back through Flagstaff (via Route 66 in Williams), and down Oak Creek Canyon -- which is a gorgeous, very curvy drive. Stay in Sedona that night.
3. Morning of Day 2: Do a Pink Jeep Tour (reserve it ASAP, they sell out. Ask for the most popular one. There are other jeep offroad companies if they are sold out, BTW). Then spend the rest of the day exploring Sedona (hiking, shopping, lunch, etc). Tlaquepaque is a fun outdoor shopping/art/dining area that we like.
4. Then it's 2 hours from Sedona back to the Valley.
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Grand Canyon
I mean, obviously. If you haven't been, it's a must-see. It's one of the Seven Wonders of the World, after all.
My recommendation: An overnight trip.
1. Leave the Valley early on Day 1. Go to the Canyon and have lunch there (4 hrs from the Valley). You can sit along the edge on benches, or have lunch in a restaurant with a view.
2. The afternoon of Day 1, drive down to Sedona. You will go back through Flagstaff (via Route 66 in Williams), and down Oak Creek Canyon -- which is a gorgeous, very curvy drive. Stay in Sedona that night.
3. Morning of Day 2: Do a Pink Jeep Tour (reserve it ASAP, they sell out. Ask for the most popular one. There are other jeep offroad companies if they are sold out, BTW). Then spend the rest of the day exploring Sedona (hiking, shopping, lunch, etc). Tlaquepaque is a fun outdoor shopping/art/dining area that we like.
4. Then it's 2 hours from Sedona back to the Valley.
(Flagstaff / Northern AZ trip)
A very cool planetary place, which is where Pluto was discovered (poor Pluto! You were a planet when I was a kid anyway)!
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Lowell Observatory
1400 W Mars Hill Rd(Flagstaff / Northern AZ trip)
A very cool planetary place, which is where Pluto was discovered (poor Pluto! You were a planet when I was a kid anyway)!
(Northern AZ trip)
Founded in 1970 by architect Paolo Soleri, who envisioned people living in harmony with nature, it's an interesting place to see and tour. The residents make and sell wind chimes in their gift shop. They have a sister property in Paradise Valley called Cosanti.
Arcosanti is off the I-17, on the way to Prescott, Sedona or Flagstaff. About 1 hr 15 mins from Ahwatukee.
https://www.arcosanti.org/
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Arcosanti
(Northern AZ trip)
Founded in 1970 by architect Paolo Soleri, who envisioned people living in harmony with nature, it's an interesting place to see and tour. The residents make and sell wind chimes in their gift shop. They have a sister property in Paradise Valley called Cosanti.
Arcosanti is off the I-17, on the way to Prescott, Sedona or Flagstaff. About 1 hr 15 mins from Ahwatukee.
https://www.arcosanti.org/
(Prescott/Jerome / Northern AZ trip)
A cooler getaway in the summer, at 5600 ft, this historic town is a fun visit. Historical museums, saloons along Whiskey Row, festivals on the courthouse lawn, and TONS of camping, hiking & mountain biking in the area. Prescott was the territorial capital of AZ, and has some cool Victorian houses as a result.
BUT... you aren't allowed to visit this cute town unless you know how to pronounce it!! You must say "PRESSKIT". Or you will be run out of town by the locals. :)
https://www.visit-prescott.com/
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Prescott
(Prescott/Jerome / Northern AZ trip)
A cooler getaway in the summer, at 5600 ft, this historic town is a fun visit. Historical museums, saloons along Whiskey Row, festivals on the courthouse lawn, and TONS of camping, hiking & mountain biking in the area. Prescott was the territorial capital of AZ, and has some cool Victorian houses as a result.
BUT... you aren't allowed to visit this cute town unless you know how to pronounce it!! You must say "PRESSKIT". Or you will be run out of town by the locals. :)
https://www.visit-prescott.com/
(Prescott / Jerome / Northern AZ trip)
Jerome is a ghost town with real ghosts (most haunted town in AZ), and has become an artist's enclave on a hill. The Spaniards came here seeking gold, but found copper (one of the "5 C's" in Arizona's economy, that all AZ school kids learn about). The copper mine closed in the 1950s, but there's still a lot of history and interesting things to see here, in this town of about 450 people. Art galleries and small wineries dot the downtown area.
PSA: The drive between Jerome and Prescott is the curviest road I've EVER been on. Not recommended for people prone to carsickness! Go in from the north if you want a less curvy drive (from Flagstaff, Sedona, or Cottonwood). If you are OK with the curves, it's a beautiful drive!
Jerome is about 2 hours from the Valley.
jeromechamber(dot com)
476 persone del luogo consigliano
Jerome
(Prescott / Jerome / Northern AZ trip)
Jerome is a ghost town with real ghosts (most haunted town in AZ), and has become an artist's enclave on a hill. The Spaniards came here seeking gold, but found copper (one of the "5 C's" in Arizona's economy, that all AZ school kids learn about). The copper mine closed in the 1950s, but there's still a lot of history and interesting things to see here, in this town of about 450 people. Art galleries and small wineries dot the downtown area.
PSA: The drive between Jerome and Prescott is the curviest road I've EVER been on. Not recommended for people prone to carsickness! Go in from the north if you want a less curvy drive (from Flagstaff, Sedona, or Cottonwood). If you are OK with the curves, it's a beautiful drive!
Jerome is about 2 hours from the Valley.
jeromechamber(dot com)
(Sedona trip) Native American cliff dwellings dating back to 1100 AD. About 90 minutes from Phx, on the way to Sedona.
https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm
236 persone del luogo consigliano
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle Road(Sedona trip) Native American cliff dwellings dating back to 1100 AD. About 90 minutes from Phx, on the way to Sedona.
https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm