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What to do in Scotsdale?
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We are going to spend one day in Scottsdale, AZ next week and I need to find something to do all day to entertain the 3 and 4 year old kiddies. I won’t have a car after my hubby drops us off at our destination (he is working for several hours). I am thinking about the Phoenix Zoo but its still in the 90s all day there and this California girl is sweating just thinking about it. 😉 Anyone have any other suggestions?
We live in that area and I take my kids (preschooler and toddler) on field trips at least once a week. Here are some ideas that come to mind quickly:
SCOTTSDALE
– McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
– Walk and window shop in Old Town, ride the trolley
– Native American Dance near Civic Center Library (Thursdays, I believe – nice park, too)
– McDowell Mountain Preserve Nature Center & Trail
– There’s a nice greenway that runs for many miles, look on a map between Scottadale Road and Hayden Road, great for a stroll
PHOENIX
– Children’s Museum of Phoenix (one of the best in the country)
– Phoenix Zoo (go as soon as they open, lots of shade and misters, not awful in 90’s)
– Desert Botanical Garden (be mindful of weather)
– Hall of Flame Museum (has fire engine to climb on and play area)
– Arizona Science Center (has good stuff for littles, across street from Children’s Museum)
– Greater Arizona Puppet Theater (we go every month, nice garden and park across street)
– Phoenix Art Museum (free on Wed afternoons)
– Rio Salado Audubon Center
MESA
– Arizona Museum for Youth (a children’s museum)
– Natural History Museum (next to AMY, great for littles, has dinos, panning for gold, etc)
TEMPE
– Tempe Beach Park for an evening picnic and stroll, walk down Mill Avenue
– Hike up ‘A’ mountain to tire them out!
Best wishes for an awesome trip! 🙂
We also live in the area. If you have to stay in Scottsdale then McCormick Train park would probably be your best bet with the age of your littles. I think the zoo would be even better and since you have several hours. I know the temps sound hot but I agree with journey1000miles, there are lots of places to relax in the shade and let the kiddos run and play. Have fun!
Thanks for all the good ideas! The hard part is that hubby will take the car to work while we are out having fun, so I can’t just pack up and leave if it gets too hot. I love tagging alomg when hubby has a work trip where he is driving instead of flying, but having to entertain ourselves can get tough when we never really know how long he will be gone. Last time we tagged along to Pheonix in August he took longer than anticipated and we had gone to the Heard Museum. It was fun, but 2 preschoolers were done pretty quick! At least the courtyard was shady and I just let them run up and down to their hearts content. 😉
Looking at the zoo website it appears they have a water play area. I might be pursuaded to join in that fun. Do the kids just wear bathing suits at the zoo or how does that work?
Yeah, the Heard must have been interesting with 2 littles for that long.
The zoo does have water play areas. I would have my kiddos wear suits but I have boys and they would wear their swim trunks and a t-shirt. The mornings would be too cool for the water areas so plan for those after lunch. I would also bring dry clothes in case they don’t dry off in time. There are also a couple of other play areas. One is a tree house, also a farm area with a petting zoo and play things to climb on, and one other one that has a boat (I think). I hope that helps to clarify.
Just to clarify, you mean this coming week? We have zoo passes and would love to meet but this week is really busy.
The zoo will be great for an all-day visit! Personally, I would bring an extra set of clothes and plan to do Yukulla Caverns when you need a cool-down. There are private changing areas there. Riding on the zoo ‘train’ is another nice way to get some rest while you are there. My son loves the tree house and he also loves the rope spider web that is somewhat hidden by the Emu so it rarely has kids playing there. The playground next to Harmony Farm is often crowded.
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is also good for a long visit because there are multiple playgrounds, museums, a train to ride, and a carousel. There are restaurants across the street if you are looking to pick up a picnic lunch. Play outside then go in the train museums when you need a cool down. 🙂
Other nice all-day combos that are worth the extra drive would be:
A) Phoenix Children’s Museum (we certainly stay there almost all day!) combined with the Arizona Science Center across the street, if you need to spend more time. Between those two (or just Children’s Museum) you would definitely spend the whole day (indoors) learning and playing.
B) Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) and Natural History Museum are also next to each other and would make another fun all-day (indoors) combo.
The weather now is so different from August…it is hot in the sun at the peak of the day, but otherwise not bad at all! Happy traveling! 🙂
P.S., The Heard Museum is awesome but it is not the most interactive place for littles…you were a trooper for hanging out so long! You’re going to have a blast at some of the places that are better for their age. 🙂
Forgot to add to my list: Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale. My son loves music and we have stayed there all day. Each guest wears headphones and listens to an incredible variety of music from around the world, sorted by continents. There is a room where the kids get to play a variety of global instruments. 🙂
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