By Isabel Prontes
Phoenix is both the biggest city and capital of the southwestern state of Arizona. Phoenix is a popular tourist destination because of its sunny and warm climate, as well as its museums, botanical gardens, cultural centers and historical landmarks. If you are planning to visit Phoenix with children, there are a lot of fun kids activities and attractions as well.
Castles 'n Coasters
Castles 'n Coasters is a family amusement park in Phoenix. With rides, a water park and miniature golf there is no shortage of exciting things for kids to enjoy at Castles 'n Coasters. It is home to some of the most exhilarating and thrilling roller coasters in Arizona, such as the Patriot and Desert Storm. Other fun rides include the scream machine Sky Diver, Freefall, bumper boats, carousel and Naskarts. There is also an arcade full of video games at Castles 'n Coasters.
Castles 'n Coasters
9445 Metro Parkway East
Phoenix, AZ 85051
Tel: (602) 997-7575
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a fun and fascinating way for kids to have fun while in the city. The zoo spans 125 acres and is the home of approximately 1,300 animals (and 200 endangered species as well). Whether you want to see squirrel monkeys, Palawan peacock pheasants, Hamadryas baboons, Spotted necked otters, Galapagos tortoises or White-faced sakis, there are many international creatures to see at the Phoenix Zoo.
Phoenix Zoo
455 North Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tel: (602) 273-1341
Children's Museum of Phoenix
The Children's Museum of Phoenix focuses on nurturing children's brains and imaginations. It's a fun and educational place to take kids while in Phoenix. In existence since 1998, this museum is full of exciting interactive, hands-on programs catered to young, growing minds. Kids can think, climb, crawl, feel, explore, create, question, build, draw and read while learning and experiencing at the Children's Museum of Phoenix.
The Children's Museum of Phoenix
215 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Tel: (602) 253-0501
Arcadia Ice Arena
The Arcadia Ice Arena is a fun place for kids and families to go ice skating while in Phoenix. It is the only full service skating rink in the city. Kids can take figure skating lessons here and even learn to play ice hockey. This ice skating rink has a fun, vibrant atmosphere and is extremely kid-friendly. There are also figure skating camps and day camps available at Arcadia Ice Arena.
Arcadia Ice Arena
3853 E Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Tel: (602) 957-9966
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting (as well as the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes) is in Phoenix and spans almost one acre of fascinating exhibits and displays regarding fires and firefighting history. There are almost ninety restored items on display, ranging from the years 1725 all the way up to 1969. The majority of the firefighting relics and artifacts are from the United States, but there are also many from Europe and Japan.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 East Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Tel: (602) 275-3473
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
