075 The Best Things to Do with Your Family in Phoenix

Phoenix makes a fantastic family-friendly vacation destination. Yes, even in the summer when the heat is high, there are still many places to go and things to do. Jana Tingom from Phoenix with Kids joins Lisa to share her favorite wintertime and summertime activities along with a few great road trips from Phoenix that you won’t want to miss. Let us help you start planning your family vacation to Phoenix, AZ!

There are so many great places to explore in Phoenix with your kids. I hope you are inspired to visit my hometown after hearing about the cool museums, parks, lakes, playgrounds, and entertainment you can find in Phoenix.

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“There are great things to do in Phoenix year-round!”

— Jana Tingom

Jana wisely broke down the activities she recommends by season. In Phoenix, we really have two seasons: hot weather and cool & beautiful weather. Th hot weather can be fun too! You just have to know what to do.

November - April Activities

McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
Desert Botanical Gardens: These gardens showcase the beauty of the desert. If you are visiting in December, be sure to book tickets for their even luminaria display.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum: This is an hour drive to the east of Phoenix. Stunning desert scenes. This is where you should go to get photos with a beautiful desert backdrop.
Hiking (Hole in the Rock, Pinnacle Peak, White Tank Waterfall Trail.)
Playgrounds and bike riding
Tempe Town Lake: Head here to great walking/biking paths, paddle boating, kayaking. paddle boarding.) This is a place to visit year-round.
Pueblo Grande Museum: Great place to learn about the history of Phoenix.

May - October

Organ Stop Pizza: This restaurant is filled with a giant Wurlitzer theatre organ that was built in 1927. Amazingly talented organists play while you eat pizza and other Italian food offerings. The food is okay, but you really go for the show.
Midevil Times: A show + dinner that you eat with your hands!
Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale
Water Parks and Splash Pads (Check out Jana’s articles on great splash pads.)
Float on the Salt River
Museums: Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Musical Instrument Museum
Sugar Bowl: This is a classic place to get a delicious ice cream treat. They serve for too, but we always for the dessert. This is a great stop any time of year!

Road Trips from Phoenix

Grand Canyon. If you are in Arizona, make time to visit the Grand Canyon. You won’t be disappointed! This is a 4-hour drive from Phoenix so it technically could be done in a day. We recommend staying a night or two near the Grand Canyon so you are not rushed.
Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon. There are great hikes, restaurants, and beautiful red rocks to admire in Sedona. Stop by the state park for Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon. Jana recommends stopping at the Crescent Moon Picnic site.
Badger Springs. This is 1 hour north of Phoenix. Water hike + petroglyphs.

Be sure to stop by Jana’s Phoenix with Kids website or Instagram account for so much more inspiration on what to do with kids in Phoenix.

Did you know that we have a new shop on our site filled with travel tee’s, stickers, and a travel journal? Stop by and check it out!

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