Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona and one of the largest cities in the U.S., is full of wonderful attractions for your kids. From theme parks to science experiments to fun-filled rides, this magical city has it all. In order to make your family vacation to Phoenix more meaningful and memorable, we’ve prepared a list of five of the most entertaining places and activities you should not miss.
But before moving on to that, we’d like you to know that this desert city has warm temperatures year round, and it gets extremely hot in the summer. Make the most of the weather with a great pool. Phoenix has a number of world-class hotels and resorts with swimming pools, water slides, and other fun activities. Depending upon your budget, you can also consider resorts with health spas and on-site golf courses. Now without further ado, here is our pick of top five fun places to visit in Phoenix.
1. Phoenix Zoo
Image via Flickr by neco
Sprawling over 125 acres, the Phoenix Zoo houses about 1,400 different animal species. The zoo has four trails in all, including the Arizona Trail, the Africa Trail, the Tropics Trail, and the Children’s Trail. The first three trails contain animals from the respective regions, whereas the Children’s Trail gives you the opportunity to get close to a variety of animals and birds. Other attractions include a petting zoo, camel rides, a farming demo, and a safari train.
2. Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Image via Flickr by klwebbiz
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is yet another popular place for kids and offers over 300 different fun opportunities for children. The Climber near the entrance allows kids to reach all the three floors of the museum. The Art Studio, Building Big, and Pedal Power areas on the second floor engage kids with creative activities like painting, building, and riding. The third floor boasts attractions like story books, car rides, and shopping games.
3. Desert Botanical Garden
Image via Flickr by Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale
At the Desert Botanical Garden, the world’s largest display of desert plants is a feast for the eyes. From tall saguaros to prickly cacti to colorful wildflowers, you will find over 50,000 plants spread over a 140-acre area. In addition to trails, exhibitions, and tours, the garden also conducts a variety of events like Music in the Garden, Dinner on the Desert, Agave on the Rocks, and Ballet Arizona. The garden also hosts a number of camps, classes, workshops, and learning programs for kids, teens, and families.
4. Arizona Science Center
Image via Flickr by Forgemind ArchiMedia
Let your kids learn, explore, and have fun all at the same time at the Arizona Science Center. Over 300 hands-on exhibits here give your little scientists the opportunity to experiment and discover all by themselves. This spot isn’t just for kids, though. Wouldn’t you be excited to see a live stomach in action or watch how surgeries are performed? Each of the exhibits is more interesting than you could ever imagine. The center also houses an impressive planetarium and an IMAX theater.
5. Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Image via Flickr by Show Appeal Realty
Last but not least, don’t miss out on the amusement rides and paddle boating at The Enchanted Island Amusement Park. The C.P. Huntington Train, Encanto Carousel, and The Splash Zone are the highlights of this park. Other attractions include Kiddie Cars, Bumper Boats, Dragon Wagon, Rock-N-Roll, Red Baron, Mini Enterprise, and Parachute Tower. However, note that kids under the height of 48 inches are not allowed to enter all the rides. Since there is something for all, nobody will be disappointed.
Which of these are your favorite attractions, and when are you planning to visit them? Do let us know through the comments section.