Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide

The Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale area is a place our family keeps coming back to.

With its sunny weather, which is the perfect escape from Midwest winters, and a mix of outdoor adventures, unique attractions, and great places to eat, this area has consistently been an easy and enjoyable destination for our family.

It’s also one of the places I feature in my roundup of favorite winter destinations for families.

Over the years, we have explored so many parts of the metro area, and after recently visiting again with all four of our boys, I was reminded just how much there is to love here.

This guide shares our favorite parks, attractions, and restaurants to help you plan a trip that actually feels doable and worth it for your family.

Understanding the Phoenix Area (Quick Planning Tip)

If you are new to the area, Phoenix is part of a large metro area made up of several cities including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and more.

It is very common to stay in one city and drive 20-30 minutes to attractions in others. That is exactly what we do.

Do not feel like you need to stay directly in Scottsdale to enjoy Scottsdale or Phoenix to enjoy Phoenix because you will for sure want to visit the other spots too!

Best Family-Friendly Parks in the Phoenix Area

One thing this area does exceptionally well is parks. There are so many creative, well-designed playgrounds across Phoenix and the surrounding cities, with options that work for toddlers through tweens.

We’ve found that destinations with great parks tend to make trips easier and more enjoyable for our whole family.

That’s been true here, and it’s also why we’ve loved exploring places like Vail, where the parks stood out just as much.

Some of our current favorites are listed below, and when our kids were younger, they especially loved Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park and Desert Breeze Park.

There are still several parks in the area on our radar for future visits, which tells you how much there is to explore here.

Riverview Park (Mesa)

Located next to Sloan Park, the Chicago Cubs Spring Training stadium, Riverview Park is one of our family’s favorites.

It features:

• Giant pyramid rope climber
• Multiple playgrounds
• Zipline
• Splash pad
• Swings
• Rock climbing features
• Walking paths and grassy areas
• Fishing pond

You can easily spend a few hours here. There are also tons of restaurants nearby, which makes it an easy place to pair with lunch.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Scottsdale)

This park is much more than a typical neighborhood playground, but it is still very easy and low-stress to visit.

It is the kind of place where you could easily spend half a day exploring, or just stop in to ride the train and play for a bit and still feel like it was worth your time.

It is especially great for younger kids and train lovers.

Most of the park is free and includes:

• Two playground areas
• Splash pad
• Scottsdale Railroad Museum
• Model Railroad Building
• Outdoor train displays
• Concession area
• Gift shop

One of the playgrounds looks like an Old Western Town, and our boys had the best time here.

They were completely in their own world pretending to put each other in “jail” and making up scenarios as they played.

That is always a good sign to me that a place is a winner!

They also always love the miniature railroad displays and could have stood there watching the tiny trains for much longer.

The train ride and carousel are three dollars each. My four-year-old absolutely loved this park, and my older boys had fun too!

Inspirian Peak Park (Mesa)

We stopped at Inspirian Peak Park on our way to the airport, and it ended up being such a great final stop before heading home.

It is only about 10-12 minutes from the Mesa Gateway Airport, which makes it an easy option if you have some time before your flight

The playground is built partly into the side of a hill, which gives it a really unique layout.

The play equipment sits on different levels, so it feels like there are multiple areas to explore instead of just one main play space.

Our kids especially loved the bridge that connects two of the play areas and the steep slides built right into the hillside.

The park also has a large open green space and plenty of picnic tables, which makes it a nice spot for lunch or a snack.

This is a great park to add to your list if you are staying in Mesa or flying out of the Mesa Gateway Airport.

Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park (Chandler)

Playtopia is a themed playground with three areas: Farm Land, City Land, and Critter Land.

It is especially great for younger kids because it naturally sparks imaginative play.

Kids love pretending to be a farmer, a firefighter, or even a school bus driver.

There is also a paved “street” in the City Land area where kids can ride bikes or scooters, which they love.

Desert Breeze Park (Chandler)

Along with Playtopia, Desert Breeze Park is another favorite from when our kids were younger.

It is another great park if you have a child who loves trains.

This park includes:

• A train ride that loops around the pond
• Carousel
• Playground
• Seasonal splashpad
• Walking trails around the pond
• Snack bar

Make sure you check the train’s operating hours before you go.

Fun Attractions and Experiences for Families

The Phoenix area offers such a wide range of things to do with kids of all ages.

For this guide, I am highlighting a handful of attractions that we have personally enjoyed as a family over the years while traveling with kids of multiple ages, including Hole in the Rock, the Phoenix Zoo, Goldfield Ghost Town, and Old Town Scottsdale.

I am also including the Arizona Boardwalk as a spot on our list for a future visit, along with experiences like hot air balloon rides, which my husband and I have done here and would consider with older kids.

This list is just a starting point. There are many more hikes, museums, arcades, miniature golf courses, parks, and other activities throughout the area, and it is simply not possible to fit everything into one trip.

That variety is part of what makes the Phoenix area such a great destination for families.

Hole in the Rock (Papago Park)

This is a very short and easy hike that rewards you with beautiful views.

It is perfect for families who want an outdoor experience without committing to a long trail.

One reason our kids especially loved this spot is that they can do some light rock climbing along the way. It feels adventurous and exciting without feeling unsafe or overwhelming.

The trail is rocky in spots, with small gravel and loose rocks, so it can feel a little slippery on the way down. We found it totally manageable with regular athletic shoes, but its helpful to take your time and watch your footing.

Our kids also loved climbing the rocks in places like Joshua Tree National Park and Valley of Fire State Park, which both have tons of kid-friendly hikes and scramble spots.

Papago Park is also home to:

• Phoenix Zoo
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Walking paths around the lagoon

You could easily pair this with a day at the zoo!

Phoenix Zoo

We have visited the Phoenix Zoo on a previous trip, and it is a beautifully-designed zoo with a wide variety of animals and stunning desert scenery throughout the grounds.

The natural desert landscape makes it feel distinctly Arizona and adds to the overall experience.

There are multiple playgrounds and splash pads throughout the zoo, which gives kids breaks to play and cool off between exhibits.

Because we have already experienced the zoo, it is not always on the top of our list on repeat visits.

But for families who love visiting zoos, this is absolutely a worthwhile stop and a great way to spend part of the day in the Phoenix area.

Goldfield Ghost Town (Apache Junction)

We have visited Goldfield Ghost Town multiple times over the years, and it has always been a really fun experience for our family.

On our most recent visit, I especially noticed that our two older boys enjoyed it even more now that they are older.

One of their favorite parts was the Old West gunfight show, which runs on weekends. It is short, only about five minutes or so and happens right in the middle of town, so everyone just gathers around to watch.

We watched two different shows, and our boys got such a kick out of it. It was loud, exciting, and something they kept talking about afterward.

We also enjoyed exploring the shops, stopping at the bakery, visiting the Mystery Shack (better suited for older kids), and doing the gem mining experience.

There is plenty more to do throughout the town, including:

• A train ride
• Zip lining
• A mine tour
• Goldfield’s Historic Museum
• Other experiences

There are also several places to grab food while you’re there, including Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon for a sit-down meal, Coffee Cantina and Bakery for pastries and drinks, and Miner’s Grill and Ice Cream Parlor for simple food like hot dogs and ice cream.

The setting is beautiful, with desert and mountain views all around, and the whole experience feels very true to Arizona.

This is a place we genuinely enjoy and would absolutely recommend, especially for families with elementary-aged kids and older.

Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is a fun, easy place to visit and just walk around. It is filled with cute shops, souvenir stores, art galleries, and lots of restaurants, plus plenty of spots for photos along the way.

One thing that makes Old Town interesting is that it is made up of different districts.

• The Historic Old Town District gives you more of a classic “old town” or “western” feel.
• The Waterfront and Southbridge area has canals, bridges, and water features that make it a fantastic place to walk around.

It is about a mile from one end of Old Town to the other, so it is very doable to explore on foot.

Another big bonus is that parking in Old Town Scottsdale is free, which makes it easy to pop in for a short visit or stay longer without worrying about added cost.

We enjoy coming here for a relaxed afternoon or evening of wandering, shopping, and grabbing a bite to eat.

Arizona Boardwalk (Scottsdale) – On Our List

Arizona Boardwalk is a place we have not visited yet, but it is high on our list for a future trip because it looks like a place our kids would absolutely love.

This area is home to several kid-focused attractions, including the Museum of Illusion, laser tag, a mirror maze, kid-friendly escape room, a carousel, arcade, Butterfly World, and the OdySea Aquarium.

Our boys love interactive places like this.

There is also a central courtyard with green space, fountains, and room for events, which makes it feel like more than just a collection of attractions.

One place that especially caught my eye is Pangea Dinosaur Grill, a dinosaur-themed restaurant that looks like a fun way to keep kids entertained during a meal.

From what I can tell, this area may be especially appealing for elementary-aged kids and older, though younger kids would likely enjoy the carousel, butterflies, aquarium, and dinosaur themes as well.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

A hot air balloon ride over the desert is an unforgettable experience, especially at sunset.

My husband and I have done this in the Phoenix area on a previous trip, and it is something we would absolutely do again with our kids once they are all a bit older.

Most companies have a minimum age requirement of around five years old, so that is something to keep in mind when planning.

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants in the Phoenix Area

Organ Stop Pizza (Mesa)

Organ Stop Pizza is one of the most unique restaurants we have ever visited.

The whole experience centers around a giant pipe organ that plays music while you eat.

The organist plays a mix of songs during each set including lots of Disney songs, theme songs from popular movies, and audience requests, which makes dinner feel more like a show than just a meal.

Our kids quickly noticed fun little things like a quacking duck, dancing marionette cats, and the bubbles that fall from the ceiling during certain songs.

Our boys loved it so much the first time that they asked to go back again, and we actually did.

One of their favorite parts was putting in their own song requests and waiting to hear if the organist would play them.

It is counter service, and you find your own seat at the large banquet-style tables, so it feels more casual and lively than a typical sit-down restaurant. It can be very busy, but the experience is so worth it.

Joe’s Farm Grill (Gilbert)

Joe’s Farm Grill is a spot we’ve enjoyed on previous trips and one we still recommend, even though it didn’t work into our schedule this time around.

It’s a counter service restaurant with indoor seating and picnic tables outside, which makes it an easy, relaxed option with kids.

One of the things that makes Joe’s Farm Grill unique is that many of the ingredients are grown right on the property at the Agritopia Farm.

The food is fresh, the atmosphere is laid-back and it’s a place our family has enjoyed in the past.

There are also a couple of fun surprises in the restrooms (your kids will want to check them out), and after eating, we usually like to walk over to the nearby community garden.

It’s a peaceful spot and a nice way to slow down for a bit.

Oregano’s Pizza

Oregano’s Pizza has several locations throughout the Phoenix area and is a place we have enjoyed many times on past trips

We love pizza, and this is always a reliable option for our family.

One thing our kids especially enjoy is getting to play with the pizza dough while they wait for their food, which they always think is fun.

Floridino’s Pizza and Pasta (Chandler)

Another one of our favorite pizza spots is Floridino’s in Chandler, which is locally owned and feels more like a neighborhood favorite than a tourist stop.

When you walk inside, it has that classic small-town pizza joint vibe, which I personally love.

Floridino’s is best known for their pizza muffins, and they really are worth ordering if you go.

If you enjoy finding local spots when you travel, this is one to add to your list.

Sugar Bowl (Old Town Scottsdale)

Sugar Bowl is a classic ice cream shop in Old Town Scottsdale with a fun, retro feel.

It’s a great place to stop for a treat while you’re walking around the area, and we’ve enjoyed making this part of our Old Town visits.

They are best known for their ice cream, sundaes, and milkshakes, but they also serve lunch items like sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, burgers, and more.

Tips for Planning a Phoenix Trip with Kids

• Expect to drive 20-30 minutes between many attractions, depending on where you’re staying

• Be strategic about what you pair together to limit drive time (for example pair Old Town Scottsdale and grab ice cream at Sugar Bowl, or plan Hole in the Rock and the Phoenix Zoo on the same day)

• The same idea applies to food: try to choose restaurants near attractions you are already visiting so you’re not spending extra time in the car

• Build in pool time or rest time each day.

• Do not try to see everything in one trip.

• Choose a few highlights that match your kids’ ages and interests.

• Staying slightly outside the busiest areas can save money without sacrificing experience.

Phoenix works best when you keep things simple and leave room for flexibility.

Plan Your Family Vacation to Phoenix Today

The Phoenix area offers a great mix of outdoor adventures, unique attractions, and relaxed family experiences. Each time we visit, we find something new to enjoy.

With a little planning and realistic expectations, this can be a destination that feels both fun and manageable for families.

It’s also one of the places I included in my list of 26 doable places for families to visit in 2026, because it truly fits that balance of enjoyable and realistic for real families.

Make Your Next Family Adventure Stress-Free

Want to simplify your travel planning? My Travel Itinerary Planner and Packing List was created to help make trips feel more organized and less overwhelming.

May you LOVE your adventure! KW