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Family Vacation to Phoenix

Thinking of taking a family vacation to Phoenix? You definitely should! The Phoenix area has so much for families to do and lots of family friendly restaurants too. One of our absolute favorite things about vacationing in this area is the parks! Listed below are some of our favorite parks in the Phoenix area as well as other must do family attractions and restaurants.

Top 4 Parks 

Playtopia! in Tumbleweed Park

This park is in Chandler, Arizona. It is fun and unique because it has a few different themes throughout the park. The themes are farm land, city land, and critter land. Kids can really get their imaginations going while playing in each of these themed lands. It is really cute and lots of fun! We definitely recommend this one.

Desert Breeze Park

This park is also in Chandler, Arizona. One of our favorite things about this park is the train. The train ride goes all around the park and pond.

Note: Make sure you look up the train’s hours before you go.

It also has a carousel along with a couple of fun playgrounds and a splash pad. Additionally, Desert Breeze Park also has a beautiful pond with a trail that you can walk, run, or bike around.  

Riverview Park

This park is in Mesa, Arizona and is located next to the Cubs’ Spring Training facility. Personally, I think this is my favorite park. This park is so fun for kids of all ages. Even the older kids will really enjoy themselves here. There are a variety of unique climbing structures, a zipline, swings, and a super fun playground. Riverview Park also has a splash pad. It is just a really fun place to play and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park is also in Mesa. This park is also very unique and includes a tree house type play structure, tons of large slides, a huge suspension bridge, lots of climbing structures, and more. The playground structures were built with the purpose of looking like some of the different types of trees found in the park. Super cool!

Pioneer Park also has a splash pad.

Note: Some of these parks cannot adequately be described in words. You have to see them in person to understand how amazing and fun they are for kids and adults alike. 

Top Family Friendly Attractions

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 

Located in Scottsdale, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has so much to do and see for all ages. It has a train ride and carousel which both cost three dollars. Also, there is the Scottsdale Railroad Museum and Model Railroad building which are free. Both of these museums are super neat to see. 

Additionally, there are two different playgrounds for kids. One playground is railroad themed while the other is called Western town. My kids enjoy both but really love playing and pretending at the Western town playground. 

Between the playgrounds, rides, and museums, your family could easily spend a half a day here. They do have concessions here too if you need something to eat.

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

Located in Phoenix, Enchanted Island is such a fun little amusement park. Enchanted Island has eleven rides and attractions that are best suited towards kids aged 1-10. Some of the rides and attractions include a carousel, bumper boats, climbing wall, train ride, kiddie cars, red baron airplanes, parachute tower, and more. There is also a splash pad. 

Encanto Park which is where Enchanted Island is located is a great park in and of itself. At Encanto Park you can rent pedal boats too. So enjoy a few rides at Enchanted Island and then rent a pedal boat afterwards in Encanto Park.

Note: There is no admission to get into Enchanted Island. You simply purchase the number of rides you want to go on. There is also an option for an all day ride pass.

Phoenix Children’s Museum

The Phoenix Children’s Museum is a great place for all ages to learn and play. If your family enjoys children’s museums, I would definitely recommend checking out this one. Some of our favorite exhibits include the Climber which is a fun climbing structure, the Market role play area (great for younger kids), Noodle Forest, and Move It which is an outdoor exhibit. 

This is one of our favorite children’s museums that we have visited so I would recommend checking it out if you have younger kids.

Young boy pretending to scoop and sell ice cream at the Phoenix Children's Museum.

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is also a great place to visit. We are members at our local zoo so our membership card allows us to get 50% off admission at this zoo. This is quite a deal!

Besides seeing all of the animals at the zoo, my kids also always enjoy the playgrounds and water areas. The Phoenix zoo has some really fun play areas to check out. Make sure to bring a swimsuit or change of clothes in case your kids get wet!

Hole in the Rock Hike 

This is located in Papago Park in Phoenix. The Hole in the Rock is a really fun and short hike that you can easily do with small children. It is just .3 miles out and back. This can be a very busy spot but it’s a super fun little hike with a beautiful view and some good photo opportunities. 

Near Hole in the Rock in Papago Park there is also a small lagoon that is fun to walk around and see the ducks or geese. My kids enjoyed throwing little pebbles into the water. 

The zoo is also in Papago Park as well as the Desert Botanical Garden.

Young boy on the trail to the Hole in the Rock in Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Taking a hot air balloon ride in the desert at sunset is an absolutely breathtaking experience. My husband and I took a hot air balloon ride while grandma watched the kids. It was so fun and so memorable. This is something that I think that my older boys would love too, and I plan on taking them next time. I know many companies have an age limit of at least 5 so consider that when booking your ride. 

Colorful hot air balloon over the desert in Phoenix, Arizona.

Party Jungle

Party Jungle is another fun little amusement park indoors in Phoenix. It is best suited for ages 2-10. We came here a few years ago when the boys were 3 and 5. Personally I think ages 3-7 hits the sweet spot for this indoor amusement park.

Party Jungle has 5 rides plus a miniature golf course and arcade. It also has laser tag and a climbing/play structure. Party Jungle is a great option for fun if you are looking to get inside for a bit. 

Shamrock Farms

Located in Maricopa which is about an hour from the Phoenix area, Shamrock Farms is a fun and educational dairy farm. We took the kids here a few years ago, and they had a blast. It is not every day you get the opportunity to visit a dairy farm.

If you want to take a tour you do have to book a reservation ahead of time. Here is the link to the tour information. On the tour you ride on a tram around the dairy farm and see how it works. It is so interesting and the kids loved it! There is a fun little play area on the tour as well as a museum. 

Shamrock Farms also has an ice cream parlor so your family can get an ice cream treat too!

Young boy feeding a calf at Shamrock Dairy Farm in Maricopa, Arizona.

Goldfield Ghost Town

We have also taken the kids to Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction a few times, and it is a super fun experience too. Goldfield Ghost Town has lots of historic buildings to check out. You really get to feel what it was like to live back in the Old West. They also have an Old West gunfight to see. 

Additionally, Goldfield Ghost Town has a zipline, narrow gauge railroad, mine tour, and other museums and tours. You can definitely spend a good half day here. They have a saloon you can eat at as well as a bakery and ice cream shop. I recommend visiting Goldfield Ghost Town. You will not be disappointed!

People walking amongst the historical buildings and saloon in Goldfield Ghost Town.

These are just a few of the many attractions you can visit with your family. The Phoenix area has so much to do for all ages. There are even more museums, parks, and other super fun places to visit. It is a fantastic family vacation destination.

I also wanted to provide a few recommendations of our favorite restaurants in the area. These are all restaurants we take our kids to as well so all are very family friendly.

Family Friendly Restaurants

Organ Stop Pizza

Located in Mesa, Organ Stop Pizza is a fun and memorable place to eat with your family. The highlight of this restaurant is the music from the gigantic pipe piano. 

Organ Stop Pizza is an interesting place in that you order your food at the counter and then have to walk around to find a place to sit. It is dining hall type seating. Sometimes it does get quite busy and seating can be a bit challenging.

The organ is just massive and there is so much to look at. Also, the music adds a special touch to your dinner. The organist plays both a mix of songs they choose as well as takes requests. They play really fun music that the whole family will recognize. If you get a chance to eat here, you will not be disappointed. It is definitely a unique and memorable restaurant that you won’t find anywhere else.

Joe’s Farm Grill

Joe’s Farm Grill is located in Gilbert. This is another unique and family friendly place to eat. You can eat inside or outside at one of their picnic tables. All of their fresh ingredients are grown right on the property at the Agritopia Farm. Their food is phenomenal, and the atmosphere is fun and great for kids.

Side note: The restrooms have a couple of fun surprises to see in them too.

Usually after our meal, we walk over to enjoy the community garden. It is a very peaceful spot and nice place to walk around and talk about gardening with the kids. 

Oregano’s Pizza

Oregano’s Pizza has many different locations throughout the area. We enjoy pizza so we really like this restaurant. They always give the kids some pizza dough to play with while we are waiting for our dinner. Oregano’s has a fun atmosphere and yummy pizza. We definitely recommend it if you are looking for some good pizza.

Floridino’s Pizza and Pasta

Another one of our favorite pizza spots is in Chandler and is locally owned. When you go inside it will definitely have a small town pizza joint feel. I personally love it!

Floridino’s is known for its pizza muffins which are so delicious. You definitely need to order some. 

This restaurant will definitely feel less touristy and more local.

Sugar Bowl

You need to go check out Old Town Scottsdale which has tons of fun shops, bars, and restaurants. Our favorite place is the Sugar Bowl for ice cream. It is an ice cream parlor plus restaurant. It has a fun atmosphere and great ice cream. 

ComicX 

This last restaurant I personally have not been to yet but found it interesting and one I want to check out sometime with my family. 

This restaurant has comic book and superhero memorabilia lining the walls. You can also take pictures with life-sized comic book characters. 

The menu has your typical American food plus a kids menu. I am excited to try this restaurant on my next visit to the area. I think my kids will love it!

I hope all of these recommendations will help you plan your next family vacation to Phoenix. There is so much to do and see. We traveled to this area annually for many years and every year there was something new and exciting that we found to do with our family. Plus, we always love visiting our old favorites too. 

Let me know if there is anything you would add to this list and Pin this post for future reference. May you love your adventure. KW

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