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Things To Do In Phoenix This Weekend

Phoenix offers an exciting blend of outdoor adventures and world-class attractions in America's fifth-largest city. Families can explore the renowned Phoenix Zoo and Musical Instrument Museum, hike scenic trails at South Mountain Park and Camelback Mountain, or discover Native American heritage at the Heard Museum. The city also features Arizona Diamondbacks baseball at Chase Field, interactive exhibits at the Arizona Science Center, and vibrant Roosevelt Row with its galleries and restaurants. Whether you're staying at Great Wolf Lodge or exploring the greater Phoenix area, the city provides year-round desert adventures and cultural experiences that perfectly complement your Arizona family vacation.

1. Global Musical Instrument Museum

Located in the neighboring city of Scottsdale, the Global Musical Instrument Museum was opened back in 2010. The founders were introduced to the idea after attending a similar museum in Brussels, Belgium. Today, the location has amassed a collection of over 13,600 instruments from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. The collections focus on five major global regions: Africa, and the Middle East, Asia and Oceania, Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean and the United States and Canada. The museum also has a series of hands-on kids' programs designed to teach your little ones about the wonders of music!

2. Phoenix Zoo

One of the largest privately-owned, non-profit zoos in the United States, featuring over 4,000 animals and the popular Arizona Wetlands Project.

3. Heard Museum

Premier museum of American Indian art and culture featuring extensive collections of contemporary and traditional Native American artifacts.

4. Arizona Science Center

Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and planetarium perfect for families and curious minds.

5. Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Home stadium of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, featuring a retractable roof and swimming pool for unique game-day experiences.

6. Roosevelt Row

Adults can explore Phoenix's arts and culture district featuring galleries, murals, trendy restaurants, craft breweries, and vibrant nightlife.

7. Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden in Scottsdale contains 140 acres of plant displays, hiking trails, educational programs and more. You can spend the whole day exploring the property! When it's time to grab a bite, head over to the garden's onsite eatery, Gertrude's. The restaurant is known for its seasonally inspired menus and is named after Mrs. Gertrude Divine Webster, an environmentalist and founder of the Desert Botanical Garden. Lunch and dinner options are available!

8. Penske Racing Museum

Car aficionados will love this next stop! The Penske Racing Museum boasts an amazing collection of cars, trophies and racing memorabilia. Check out some of the cars that helped the organization accomplish over 400 major wins, including a replica of the 1963 Pontiac Catalina which helped Roger Penske win the 1963 Riverside 250 and the 2009 Dallara Honda which Helio Castroneves drove to win the 2009 Indy 500.

Things To Do In Scottsdale

Scottsdale offers an incredible blend of outdoor adventures and cultural attractions, from hiking the iconic Camelback Mountain and exploring the Desert Botanical Garden to browsing art galleries in Old Town Scottsdale and experiencing Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece at Taliesin West. The city is also renowned for its world-class golf courses, luxury desert spas, and upscale shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square, providing endless entertainment for visitors of all ages. Families staying at Great Wolf Lodge can easily explore these Sonoran Desert attractions while enjoying the resort's indoor water park, creating the perfect combination of desert adventure and family fun.

Outdoor and Nature Activities

1. Camelback Mountain

This iconic red sandstone mountain offers challenging hiking trails with spectacular panoramic views of the Phoenix metropolitan area from its 2,704-foot summit. The Echo Canyon and Cholla trails provide different levels of difficulty, making it a must-do outdoor adventure for hiking enthusiasts.

2. McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Sprawling over 30,500 acres of land, there's certainly a lot to explore at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The desert area contains over 200 miles of trails. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, jogging or even horseback riding their way around the preserve. If you're looking for an easy and accessible path, head over to the Bajada Nature Trail. Young kids, older folks and individuals with physical challenges can navigate this low-intensity trail. The park also has a Conservancy Kids program designed to help teach kids about the value, significance and wonder of the Sonoran Desert through a series of outdoor activities. The whole family can participate in this educational and engaging experience!

3. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center rescues animals that have been lost, injured, orphaned or abandoned. Visitors can tour the facility and introduce themselves to some of the residents. There are bears, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves, jaguars, tortoises and more to see!

4. MacDonald's Ranch

MacDonald's Ranch offers guided horseback rides, stagecoach rides, a petting zoo, pony rides for small kids, hayrides, cowboy cookouts and more! You can also spend the day exploring the annual pumpkin patch!

Family & Attractions

1. Taliesin West

Ever wonder what it would be like to go through a musician's playlist? Or tear apart a fashion designer's closet? How about exploring the inside of an architect's house? Well, you can do exactly that at Taliesin West! The 83-year-old building was built by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and served as his winter home. Today, the structure has been made into a National Historic Landmark and operates as the School of Architecture in Taliesin. Visitors are invited to tour the home, located in the foothills of Scottsdale's McDowell Mountain. Make sure to check out the details listed on the official site before your visit- some tours are not open to small children.

2. Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts shines a spotlight on contemporary art, architecture and design. Audiences can enjoy cutting -edge performances from around the globe. The museum also offers interactive displays, sensory exhibits, hands-on activities and more. If you head into the outdoor sculpture courtyard, you'll find one James Turrell's famous "Skyspaces," Knight Rise, on display. The exhibit invites visitors to observe the sky through an elliptical opening in the ceiling. The effect is said to appear most dramatic at sunrise and sunset. Make sure to check out the event calendar on the official site for new exhibit openings!

3. Old Town Scottsdale

With around 300 days of annual sunshine, Scottsdale is a pretty nice place to walk around. Think about taking a walking tour through its historic Old Town. The self-guided excursion will introduce you to some of Scottsdale’s history, starting with its oldest buildings, from the Little Red Schoolhouse built back in 1909 to the Blacksmith Shop opened in 1910. There's also Sugar Bowl, a popular diner built back in the 50's and a trail of old Olive Trees planted back in the late 1800's to check out. If you need to get off your feet, hop on the Scottsdale trolley and take in the town while on the road!

4. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

The 30-acre McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park contains a 1950's vintage Allan Herschell carousel, a reproduction of the Colorado narrow gauge railroad, playground areas and an entire museum to explore. Get ready to take in all things railroad!

5. Odysea Mirror Maze

Ready for an adventure? Head over to the Odysea Mirror Maze. Walk into a different world and try to find your way out. Perhaps you'll stumble into the Central American rainforest, or even an ancient Mayan Temples! The Odysea Mirror Maze is located on the Arizona boardwalk alongside the Butterfly Wonderland, Odysea Aquarium, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs and tons of other attractions!

6. Rusty Spur Saloon

It might be best to leave the kids at home during a visit to this Arizona staple. Celebrities like Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston have all stopped by this special Scottsdale destination for a taste of the west. Expect to find traditional swinging doors, old country decor and tons of live country music!

7. Troon North

Welcome to one of Scottsdale's most popular golf clubs! This place features two 18-hole courses, both nestled in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak. Enjoy views of natural ravines, giant granite boulders and soak up some of the best of that desert landscape!

Source: Troon North Twitter

8. Scottsdale Ale Trail

Time for a parent's night out! Get a taste of the local nightlife at some of the most popular spots in town! The self-guided tour includes stops at Craft 64, known for its rotating selection of over 30 regional beers, Sip Coffee and Beer House, famous for it's live music scene, Goldwater Brewing and Bad Water Brewing.

9. Scottsdale Fashion Square

Need to do a little shopping? Look no further than the Scottsdale Fashion Square. As Arizona's largest collection of exclusive brands and stores, you can find almost anything you need! There are also tons of dining options on-site for when you need to take a break and refuel.

10. Octane Raceway

The 1/3-mile track serves as the only full time Indoor/Outdoor track in the entire United States. Begin the Go-Karting experience indoors, wind your way through the outdoor track and land back inside! We'll note that you have to be at least 16 to ride, so you might want to leave the little kids at home for this one.

11. Talking Stick Golf Course

Arizona is known for its golf courses, and the one at Talking Stick certainly lives up to expectations. The destination contains two 18-hole courses, both named for the area's Native American heritage. There's also a 17,000 square foot driving range, making it the largest public practice facility in the valley. The best part? Kids play for free!

Things To Do In Tempe

Tempe offers a vibrant college town atmosphere centered around Arizona State University, featuring the scenic Tempe Town Lake for water activities, the bustling Mill Avenue District with shops and restaurants, and easy desert hiking at Hayden Butte Preserve (The "A" Mountain).

1. Tempe Town Lake

This 2-mile-long recreational lake in the heart of the city offers paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and scenic walking paths perfect for families. The lake hosts festivals and events year-round, with beautiful views of downtown Tempe and surrounding mountains.

2. Mill Avenue District

Tempe's vibrant downtown features eclectic shops, restaurants, bars, and live music venues centered around Arizona State University. The pedestrian-friendly area offers everything from casual dining to upscale restaurants, plus unique local boutiques and college town atmosphere.

3. Arizona State University Campus

Take a self-guided tour of one of the largest universities in the United States, featuring impressive architecture, the ASU Art Museum, and beautiful desert landscaping. The historic Old Main building and modern facilities showcase the evolution of this major research university.

4. Hayden Butte Preserve ("A" Mountain)

This small desert mountain in central Tempe offers easy hiking trails and panoramic views of the Salt River Valley and Phoenix skyline. The iconic white "A" painted on the mountainside has been an Arizona State University symbol since 1918.

5. Salt River Tubing

Just east of Tempe, enjoy a relaxing float down the Salt River through the Sonoran Desert landscape with beautiful mountain views. This popular summer activity offers tube rentals, shuttle service, and a fun way to cool off while experiencing Arizona's natural beauty.