Phoenix Staycation Ideas For Families

Beth Wood said:  SEA LIFE houses over 5,000 sea animals featuring 250 species including sharks, seahorses, fish, rays and more throughout their aquarium. Spend your visit interacting with different creatures in touch pools, checking out educational and interactive feeding and talk times held at different times throughout the day, going on the Dive Adventure Quiz Trail, walking through the 180-degree ocean tunnel, seeing who calls Critter Canyon home and exploring the numerous creature exhibits.

Cost: $10.95-$14.95 Youth 3-12 years, $14.95-$19.95 Adult 13+ years, FREE 0-2 years

Beth Wood said:  South Mountain Park and Preserve is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. With over 16,000 acres to explore, you can spend the day hiking or biking over 51 miles of trails from 9 different trailheads, climb to Dobbins Lookout where you'll see unbelievable views of the city, take a guided horseback tour, visit the South Mountain Environmental Education Center and much more at this magnificent park.

Cost: Free

Beth Wood said:  Enjoy a fun day at Encanto Park's Enchanted Island Amusement Park. Enjoy a seven-minute tour of the island on the C.P. Huntington Train, scale the Giant Climbing Wall, battle it out at the Castle Clash, get wet at the Splash Zone and more. Amusement rides geared toward children up to 10 years old include bumper boats, kiddie cars, mini-coaster, Red Baron planes, the historic Encanto carousel and more. An onsite Snack Bar offers concessions too.

Cost: FREE admission, Each attraction cost 3-5 tickets. Pricing $1.25 per ticket, $22.50 book 20 tickets, $20.25 all day pass, $46 annual pass

Beth Wood said:  Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park houses Arizona's largest collection of endangered and exotic animals on its 15 acres. Over 600 separate species call Wildlife World home. You'll find a safari park, Dragon World, zoo with outdoor animal exhibits, Adventure Land and a four-building aquarium. Enjoy fun rides, a petting zoo, baby animal nursery, daily live shows, dining options, shopping and more at Wildlife World. Summer youth safari day camps are available for children ages 7-12 years old.

Cost: $19 Youth 3-12 years, $39 Adults, FREE 2 and under; Membership $60 Youth, $125 Adult

Beth Wood said:  A day of fun awaits at Golfland and Sunsplash with 30 rides and attractions in one location. Golfland features miniature golf, bumper boats, an arcade featuring over 200 games and laser tag. Sunsplash features waterslides, a lazy river, toddler play pool, rock slides, large wave pool and more. Enjoy a bite to eat at the on-site snack bars or ice cream parlor. Sunsplash operates seasonally May - September.

Cost: Starts at $3.99 per attraction. Packages available.

Golfland open year round, Sunsplash open seasonally May-September

Beth Wood said:  Go on an adventure at OdySea Mirror Maze. You'll find different mazes that make you feel like your in a Central American Rainforest and ancient Mayan Temple in the Mirror Maze. Try to master the Laser Maze Challenge in the Zaaaapp! and Beam Buster where you'll have to crawl your way through a web of lasers while hitting mission buttons without being hit by a laser beam. Whichever adventure you chose, you'll have loads of fun!

Cost: $3.95-$12.95 per person

Katie G. said:  If you're looking for water fun, then you'll definitely want to visit Kiwanis Park. The lake sits at the center of the park offering fishing and paddle boat rentals. The newest attraction is the 5,000-sq foot, high tech splash pad called The Cloud, opened May-Oct. The Kiwanis Wave Pool is an indoor complex offering lap swimming, zero entry and of course waves.

Other amenities at the park include batting cages, ball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, two playgrounds, a recreations center, picnic tables and restrooms.

Katie G. said:  Although mostly a tourist destination, there is plenty of fun to be had by local families at Old Town Scottsdale. Stop by the Scottsdale Civic Center Park to run around, see the ducks and climb on the "LOVE" statue. Take a free tour of the Scottsdale Historical Museum where you can learn a little about the history of the city. If shopping is your thing, head to 5th Ave where there are plenty of shops offering everything from Western wear to jewelry and art. End the day with a delicious ice cream sundae at the Sugar Bowl, a local favorite since 1958.

Beth Wood said:  Are your kids as obsessed with trains as mine are? Then plan a trip to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. This 30-acre park features a 10,000 square foot Model Railroad Building filled with model trains and other artifacts, shops, museums, two playground areas, a machine shop, grassy areas to explore and more. Guests can also ride around the park on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad or go round and round on the "1950-vintage" Allan Herschell carousel.

Cost: FREE park admission, $2 per person train and carousel rides

Beth Wood said:  Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Rustler's Rooste is the perfect place to go for a western experience. Their live longhorn steer, Horney, greets you at the entrance. Inside you'll find an old mine shaft, a slide leading to the dining room, live country western music, and indoor waterfall, strolling magician and unbelievable views. Dine on a menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Sign up for the Slide Riders Club where kids eat free for a year with the purchase of an entree. With 7 different options on the kids menu, even the pickiest of eaters will find something they'll enjoy!

Katie G. said:  Spend a day on the farm at Superstition Farm, a dairy farm located in Mesa. Hop aboard a tractor-pulled hayride for a 1-1.5 hour farm tour where you will learn about cows in the dairy barn and where milk comes from. Visit the petting zoo where you can pet and feed sheep, goats, chickens, horses, bunnies, turtles and pigs, which are all rescue animals. On your way out stop by the country store to sample a fresh glass of milk, grab a scoop of homemade ice cream or purchase dairy products produced on the farm to take home and enjoy.

Cost: $9.50 - $7.50/Farm Tours; $3.75 - $2.75/Petting Zoo

Open Tues - Sat

Beth Wood said:  Have a ball while grabbing a yummy bite to eat at Luci's at the Orchard. Their outdoor splash pad helps kids cool off and burn off some energy during their visit. Everyone can enjoy breakfast or lunch items from the cafe menu, a fresh pressed juice from the juice bar or shop among the gourmet market. The inviting family-friendly atmosphere makes Luci's a local favorite.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Crayola Experience offers only a few colorful U.S. locations to enjoy this attraction. They feature over 25 hands-on and interactive exhibits that engage the imagination and all the senses through art, design, technology, computers, play and more. They offer arts and crafts stations to design your own to take home using crayons in ways you never imagined! They also host special events throughout the year, shows on how crayons are made and cool photo opportunities! Your family will love it!

Katie G. said:  If your family is looking to relax, hang out and play on the water then spend the day at Tempe Beach Park. The large green space and picturesque views make this a perfect place for families. Located at Tempe Town Lake, visitors can relax on the greenspace, go for a walk or ride a bike or roller blade around the 2-mile man-made lake. Rent a paddle boat, kayak or SUP and enjoy the beautiful view of the Tempe skyline on the water. Bring your fishing poles to try and catch trout, bass or catfish. The park hosts several events and festivals throughout the year. See calendar for what's upcoming.

Katie G. said:  Enjoy the beauty of Arizona by horseback on a trail ride through South Mountain Park. Riders can enjoy the beauty and quietness of a scenic stroll on an actual working horse ranch. An experienced guide will lead the way pointing out interesting sights and talking about the history of the park. Choose the best ride that works for your family with rides ranging from one to eight hours. You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on the trail or a sunset ride.

Ages: 2-5 (must ride with an adult), 6+ (ride on their own horse)

Cost: $40 - $150/person