Home / Travel Guides - Phoenix / Phoenix Travel With Kids

pinstock/iStockphoto.com

Phoenix Travel with Kids

Under 13 Start the day with a fun-filled trip to the Arizona Science Center (600 E. Washington St.). Five themed galleries feature more than 300 hands-on exhibits, including a rock-climbing wall and the Evans Family SkyCycle, which allows riders to pedal along a 90-foot cable suspended in midair. There's also a giant screen theater and a planetarium, giving you enough choices to fill an entire afternoon with educational activities!

Fans of G.I. Joe and antique dolls alike should head to the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum (5847 W. Myrtle Ave.). There are figurines and even a classroom filled with porcelain students. Meanwhile, parents should get a kick out of seeing toys they recognize, such as a rare Vinyl Cape Jawa from “Star Wars.”

AAA
At the Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N. Central Ave.), kids can frame their art experiences easily; just ask for a children’s pack, which includes activities and other fun things to do that capture the imagination and explain a thing or two about art.

In the South Mountain foothills, the butte-top, cowboy-themed Rustler’s Rooste steakhouse (8383 S. 48th St.) offers an entertaining spot for a family night out. A live longhorn steer next to the front entrance? Check. An indoor waterfall and children’s slide? Check. Live country music nightly? Check. Fried rattlesnake appetizer? Naturally. Unabashedly touristy? Of course, but that’s part of the fun.

Teens Walk down Roosevelt Row (RoRo), the stretch of Roosevelt Street between 7th Street and Grand Avenue, which is the hip heart of the Downtown Arts District. Showcasing galleries, boutiques, restaurants and many additional fun places to go, it’s a walkable, artsy epicenter for gathering those hard-to-find objects you never knew you needed.

The renowned Heard Museum (2301 N. Central Ave.) highlights Native American culture and art. With audiovisual guides and interactive exhibits, you can develop a greater appreciation for the region’s culture. You can even step inside a traditional Navajo hogan and think about how different it is from your own home.

Continue time-traveling during your vacation by visiting the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve (3711 W. Deer Valley Rd.), a 30-minute drive to the Hedgpeth Hills, to see firsthand examples of Native American heritage. More than 1,500 petroglyphs, or carved symbols, cover the black basalt boulders. Walk the quarter-mile Petroglyph Trail, visit the museum to learn about the people and culture behind the petroglyphs or just enjoy the scenery. You may even see roadrunners and coyotes (not necessarily giving chase).

The nearby Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum (3901 W. Pioneer Rd.) adds to the state’s story with a pioneer village from the late 19th century. Costumed interpreters fill the old buildings—complete with an opera house, blacksmith shop and jail—with new life by reenacting historical events.

All Ages Closer to the airport, there’s Pueblo Grande Museum (4619 E. Washington St.) with its ruins of a 1,500-year-old Hohokam village. Along with an ancient ball court and platform mound, this destination sports an updated theater and galleries, including a hands-on children’s section.

iStockphoto.com/chuvipro
The Phoenix Zoo (455 N. Galvin Pkwy.) shows off more than 3,000 animals across 125 acres in the area known as Papago Park. With four trails—or themed areas—explaining the different zoo environments, it offers things to do for both adults and children. The Children’s Trail, for example, displays kid-friendly farming methods and a petting zoo.

Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.) features collections of the growing sort, including Australian, Baja California and South American areas—all artistically arranged. Kids may enjoy following the main trail’s discovery stations, while parents can enjoy the photo opportunities as they travel along the path.

Read More

Phoenix, AZ

Top AAA Diamond Hotels

AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.

Sponsored Listing

Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

5350 E Marriott Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85054

Book Now

Sponsored Listing

Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

The Camby, Autograph Collection

2401 E Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016

Book Now

Members save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North

3838 E Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85008

Book Now

Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

Renaissance Phoenix Downtown

100 N 1st St. Phoenix, AZ 85004

Book Now

Travel Information

City Population

1,445,632

Elevation

1,117 ft.

Sales Tax

The statewide sales tax is 5.6 percent; an additional 2.3 percent is added in Phoenix and an additional 0.7 percent is added in Maricopa County. There is a hotel/motel tax of 12.57 percent. Rental cars incur a 15.1 percent tax, plus an 11.11 percent concession fee. There is a stadium tax of 3.25 percent. Airport parking includes a daily surcharge of $4.50.

Emergency

911

Police (non-emergency)

(602) 262-6151

Hospitals

Banner Estrella Medical Center, (623) 327-4000; Banner—University Medical Center, (602) 839-2000; Maricopa Integrated Health System, (602) 344-5011; St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, (844) 369-5479.

Visitor Information

125 N. 2nd St., Suite 120 Phoenix, AZ 85004. Phone:(602)254-6500 or (877)225-5749

Air Travel

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Rental Cars

At the airport, Hertz, (602) 267-8822 or (800) 654-3131, offers discounts to AAA members.

Buses

Greyhound Lines Inc. has terminals at 2115 E. Buckeye Rd., (602) 389-4200, and 2647 W. Glendale Ave., (602) 246-0907 or (800) 231-2222.

Taxis

Taxi companies serving the greater Phoenix area include Yellow Cab, (480) 888-8888; Discount Cab, (602) 200-2000; and VIP Taxi, (602) 300-3000.

Public Transportation

Valley METRO Light Rail connects downtown Phoenix to the neighboring communities of Tempe and Mesa. To reach Sky Harbor International Airport, get off at the station at 44th and Washington streets. From there, the free PHX Sky Train connects to the East Economy parking area and Terminals 3 and 4. At Terminal 4, shuttle buses provide transportation to Terminals 2 and 3.

call or visit a AAA Travel Agent Today!

Find a AAA Office

As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.

Not a Member?

Join Now