By Peggy Epstein
A guarantee of sunshine is a great forecast for a
family vacation, which makes
Phoenix a perfect destination. Although the summers are scorching, the rest of the year will provide plenty of warm, sunny days to take advantage of outdoor activities kids---and parents---will enjoy. And for the hottest of days, there are plenty of indoor air-conditioned respites, such as a visit to the Heard Museum. Other popular Phoenix area tourist sites include the Mystery Castle, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, the Desert Botanical Gardens, along with fun-filled activity parks.
Mystery Castle
Delight the kids with a visit to this fantasy-like structure, a three-story "castle" made of all sorts of materials including parts of old cars, petroglyphs and stones. Children can wander throughout the building and take a tour to hear all of the details of how it was put together. Located in South Phoenix, you can look through a stone archway into downtown Phoenix.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Kids will get the opportunity to see an ancient Hohokam farming community along with what is called a "great house" when they visit Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, one of the countries first archeological reserve sites. Start at the visitors' center and pick up a guide for a self-directed tour. You might also want to give kids an opportunity to look through the "fun facts" (see Resources) about the monument before they go.
Desert Botanical Gardens
A morning walk through the Desert Botanical Gardens will give kids the opportunity to see thousands of desert plants and learn something about plant life in the desert. Always featuring some kind of special events, the Gardens site is a good place to do some research before you go (see Resources). The Gardens also offer children's and family activities.
Heard Museum
Take kids to the Heard Museum for an interesting look at Arizona native cultures and Native American Art. Among the many fascinating exhibits is a collection of hundreds of Kachina dolls. The museum features a special section for kids and includes lots of interactive displays throughout.
Activity Parks
At Crackerjax Family Fun and Sports Park, kids can take a ride in a bumper-boat lagoon, try out their skills in a batting cage, play endless rounds of miniature golf among many other kid-friendly activities. At the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, they can see full-size restored trains and ride on a smaller one around the park, which also features a carousel and an old-time store.
Resources
About the Author:
Peggy Epstein is a freelance writer specializing in education and parenting. She has authored two books, "Great Ideas for Grandkids" and "Family Writes," and published more than 100 articles for various print and online publications. Epstein is also a former public school teacher with 25 years' experience. She received a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri.
