Winter is in full swing, which may have you thinking about warm weather destinations and vacation spots. Have you considered Arizona? Phoenix is a beautiful desert city surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. There are so many family-friendly things to see and do!
The first thing we did was look for a family-friendly hotel to stay at. Traveling with 4 children is no easy task. Many hotels limit the number of occupants per room which left us choosing between reserving 2 rooms or looking for another lodging option. Lucky for us, this time, our search did not last long. We read about the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak resort and fell in instant love.
The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort offers many room options to fit your family size and personal preference - from suites to casitas. The 26 acre resort includes a 4 acre water park (The River Ranch) and 5 additional pools - so there are plenty of opportunities to relax poolside or get wet & wild! My girls love the water - though they are not confident swimmers - so they had a blast splashing around the Tad Pool. The River Ranch also features a lazy river, waterslide, waterfalls, mini-gold course, dining options, and multiple pools.
Located within the River Ranch is the hotel's Coyote Camp - a fantastic amenity offering parents the opportunity to sign their children (4-12 years old) up for half- or full-day camps. The camps include Arizona-based lessons, crafts, and fun. Sign the kids up for camp so that mom & dad can enjoy a vacation day "alone" and know the kids are having a blast at the same time!
If you know me, I eat like a child... so having a kid-friendly menu is essential for my kids but also for myself. Our first night at the resort we were exhausted after a full day of travel so we ordered room service - it was phenomenal! There were plenty of options that appealed to all members of the family, service was quick, and the food was SO good. For breakfast, we highly recommend the breakfast buffet at Rico's (an onsite restaurant), kids under 5 eat free (nice!), and they had a wonderful selection of cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, pastries, sausage, bacon, pancakes, french toast, an omelet station, and more.
Want some "me" time? Book a service at their spa (the one thing I wish I had made time to do)! Read about their spa, fitness, golf, and more on their website.
The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak offers so many activities to keep you and the kids entertained - and Phoenix has so many other great tourist attractions as well. These are five of our top picks:
- Desert Botanical Garden: Nestled amid the landmark red rocks of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden allows you to experience the beauty that is the Sonoran Desert. The Desert Botanical Garden brings together the many wonders of the desert. Discover saguaros, prickly pears, agaves and desert wildflowers along the trails. Enjoy tours, workshops, concerts, seasonal exhibits, festivals and unique Garden gifts.
- Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The Great Arizona Puppet Theater (GAPT) is located in a historic building just north of downtown Phoenix and specializes in family oriented puppet shows. From classic fairy tales to original stories and educational shows, GAPT has received local, state & national awards for their shows. The mission of the Great Arizona Puppet Theater is to advance the art of puppetry, to celebrate the state of Arizona – it’s culture, heritage and ecology – through the art of puppetry; to educate children and their families while making a positive impact on the cultural climate of Arizona. GAPT also hosts craft activities, puppetry displays from around the world and a gift shop. Advance reservations are required and shows are presented 5 days a week.
- Idea Museum: Come visit the i.d.e.a. Museum this spring to experience the Underwater FantaSEA exhibition, where you can explore the depths of the underwater world and discover your own connection to the ocean. The exhibit, which runs Feb. 12 to May 29, features many activities and interactive displays aimed at helping kids of all ages learn about the importance of oceans, their impact on individuals and how to keep them healthy--even hundreds of miles away in Arizona. Underwater FantaSEA also features approximately 60 artworks by 14 artists who bring together a mix of fascinating sea life and imaginative beauty to take you on a fanciful journey under the sea. Cost: $8; free for museum members and children younger than 1.
- Children's Museum of Phoenix: The Children's Museum of Phoenix has been named one of the top three children's museums in the country by the Early Childhood Education Zone. The Museum is a hands-on, active play, learning center designed for children ages birth to 10. We have over 300 hands-on play experiences for children and adults to enjoy together. Our iconic exhibits include the three story tall Climber that spans the full three floors of the Museum (children can only enter and exit from the first floor though); our Noodle Forrest made up of 2,000 pool noodles; our child-sized Market and Texture Café; a trike wash; plus a room just for our littlest visitors - threes and younger - designed specifically for them and their development stage. Last but not least, our Art Studio is a budding artists dream come true and hums with creativity all day long. This is not your typical Museum….here, we want you to touch EVERYTHING! Plus, we have free on-site parking.
- Jambo! Park: Your adventure awaits at Jambo! Park's indoor amusement park. Enjoy unlimited rides on our 6 carnival style indoor rides (Himalaya Mini Roller Coaster, Monkey Mayhem Barrels, Spinning Tops, Flying Elephants, Jungle Swings, Safari Train). Play for hours in our huge 2 story indoor Playground with slides and tunnels. Zap your friends with unlimited pirate-themed Laser Tag or enjoy our unlimited 6-hole safari themed indoor miniature golf. Our $15.99 wristband gives you unlimited access to all these attractions. Jambo! Park is geared towards kids 2-10 years old but even adults can have tons of fun at Jambo! Park. Adult wristbands are available for $8 but there is no admission fees to enter Jambo! Park and just watch your kids have fun!
So as you plan your upcoming vacations, keep this desert destination in mind. Phoenix, Arizona is the perfect getaway for warm sunny weather and wild west desert fun! With so many unique tourist spots to explore while you are here, you can make it as relaxing, exciting and/or educational as you want!
