We are heading the Grand Canyon this summer - flying into Phoenix and spending the night and then driving to GC the next day.
We land at 11am
Looking for something fun to do that day either in Phoenix, Sedona, or Flagstaff.
Kid are 7 and 9
We are heading the Grand Canyon this summer - flying into Phoenix and spending the night and then driving to GC the next day.
We land at 11am
Looking for something fun to do that day either in Phoenix, Sedona, or Flagstaff.
Kid are 7 and 9
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
Bearizona was supper fun, a little pricey but our kids loved it. If you like space the Lowell Obervatory is in Flagstaff.
pear / 1788 posts
The wild animal park near Camp Verde is fun, and you can pair it with lunch at the Haunted Hamburger in nearby Jerome. Just remember, it is going to be HOT, even up north of Phoenix!
pomegranate / 3595 posts
@Mamaof2: we are in a different part of the state but I just wanted to echo that Phoenix is really hot non stop during the summer. I moved there in the summer and didn’t really get what that meant until I realized the lows were in the 80s!
So if you stay in Phoenix you want indoor activities. There is a new aquarium in Scottsdale that is supposed to be good but is pricey. I haven’t been. It is called OdySea I think.
There is also a good science center and children’s museum in downtown Phoenix. Haven’t been in a while but I have heard good things.
nectarine / 2288 posts
@MamaCate: we went to odysea in may and it was not bad. I've been to the moneterey Bay aquarium several times and it doesn't compare but it was a fun visit.
The Phoenix childrens museum is great! As is the science center.
I'll echo above. Unless it's dark and you're used to heat phoenix is not a place for outside things in the summer. Even the water parks are really hot if you aren't used to 100+ temps
pomegranate / 3595 posts
@MamaBear87: ooh thanks for the feedback! When I looked at the website it felt a little more like going to a theme park than what I was expecting from an aquarium. We are a couple hours away and my kids have somewhat short attention spans so I think I am going to wait a bit before taking the plunge.
grapefruit / 4361 posts
I think your kids are a bit old for the Children's Museum, but the perfect age for the Science Center. It's great. We have memberships to both places.
Sedona is GORGEOUS and slightly cooler weather but I would personally be annoyed at driving the 4 hours round trip on one day, then 4 hours up to the Grand Canyon the next day. But any of the hiking would be cool, and they have Jeep Tours that I highly recommend.
squash / 13208 posts
@DesertDreams88: if we drive up to Sedona or flagstaff we would get a hotel there since it would be on the way to the GC
I’ll look at the Jeep tours!
grapefruit / 4361 posts
@Mamaof2: ohhhh then I DEFINITELY recommend doing that, specifically Sedona. I live in Phoenix and love it here but the heat is tough outside and it's not as "wow" of a destination as Sedona is. Even the pictures don't do it justice!! I haven't done a ton of hiking in Sedona so I don't have trails to recommend. Jeeps Tours, I already mentioned.
*IF* you have time, GO TO SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK. Google / Youtube it - it's awesome (though the water is SO cold). The issue is normally the parking lot fills up and they don't let in more people, and then everyone starts parking on the road. I don't know if they limit the # of people or if walk-ins are always accepted. You could take an Uber or go later in the day close to closing time, if parking is an issue.
cherry / 247 posts
My thoughts on all of the above:
The aquarium is super overpriced for a single visit. We have an annual pass, which is the only reason we go.
Science Museum is close to the airport so if you're tired of sitting you could go there.
My #1 recommendation is definitely slide rock state park, which is in Sedona (2 hours north of Phx). You should really do something in Sedona. It's almost better than the Grand Canyon. It's incredible.
A fun water activity in Phoenix would be tubing down the salt river. You often see wild horses drinking from the river, and the water isn't as cold as slide rock.
squash / 13208 posts
@DesertDreams88: @SteelerGirl:
Wanted to report back that we did the Pink Jeep Tour and Slide Rock State Park in Sedona - OMG, both were amazing! Thanks for the rec!
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