Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Explore, discover and learn at the Arizona Science Center. More than 300 hands-on exhibits and attractions in five themed galleries turn this museum into an all-out fun learning experience.
The Arizona Science Center opened in 1984 as a project by the Junior League of Phoenix, and has since blossomed into a $33 million facility that has reached more than 750,000 visitors since its inception.
The Arizona Science Center has hosted a large number of nationally traveling exhibits, stages daily demonstrations and provides a summer science camp and other fun events throughout the year.
The center's informal science education programs have stirred the imaginations of schoolchildren and adults alike, adding to the appeal and demand for more space.
Besides classrooms and gallery space, the facility recently added an IMAX Theatre that seats 285 people; more than 300 hands-on exhibits; a multimedia planetarium that seats 200; and a gift shop and lunchroom.
4925 E McDonald Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85018 Directions
Hike one of Arizona's most intriguing natural attractions, Camelback Mountain. Named for its resemblance to a reclining camel, the mountain features sheer red sandstone cliffs and attracts climbers and hikers of every skill level. Trail heads and trails are open from 7a.m. to sunset.
Camelback Mountain is a spectacular formation of red sandstone cliffs that attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. The mountain earned its name from its unusual silhouette, which looks like the head and body of camel with a distinctive hump in the middle.
The majestic beauty of the area can be appreciated from the many vantage points throughout the region. Hiking trails are especially challenging, but a few easy paths encourage visitors to visit and explore the mountain up close at a more leisurely pace.
The summit of Camelback Mountain is at 2,704 feet above sea level. Originally, it was under preservation by the federal government, but the mountain was eventually deeded to private investors. As development began to encroach on the natural beauty of the mountain, the state legislature took over part of the land for further protection.
Small wildlife inhabits the designated parkland of Camelback Mountain.
Two hiking trails lead to the mountain's peak, with an average round trip time of 2 hours.
The Praying Monk is a smaller sandstone formation that is used by rock climbers. Its silhouette resembles a man kneeling in prayer.
Castles N' Coasters
9445 N Metro Pkwy E
Phoenix, AZ 85051 Directions
Bring the family to Castles N' Coasters, where knights and princesses can ride roller coasters, splash around on the water rides, and play miniature golf. The rides and attractions here aren't all tame. You'll also find the Desert Storm coaster, with vertical drops, flips and spins on one wild ride.
Challenger Space Center
21170 N 83rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85382 Directions
Go on a mission to learn more about science and space at the Challenger Space Center. The attractions here allow you to fly simulated space flight missions, explore an Atlantis Space Shuttle model, or tour the Meteorite Exhibit.
Children's Museum of Phoenix
215 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85034 Directions
Kids play to learn at the Children's Museum of Phoenix, where every exhibit and attraction is meant to be touched, prodded, broken down and rebuilt. Learning centers include an art studio, a book loft, a noodle forest and a rock n' roll ballroom. Let the fun begin!
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85281 Directions
Experience an oasis of surprising bursts of color and expressive succulents at the Desert Botanical Garden. Perhaps you'll find your green-thumb inspiration in the garden's Berlin Agave Yucca Forest or the Desert Wildflower Loop Trail.
The Desert Botanical Garden has been wowing naturalists for more than 70 years, featuring more than 145 acres of stunning desert blooms, flora and fauna year-round.
The site is located within Papago Park in Phoenix and opened in 1939. Today, more than 21,000 plants fill the land, including outdoor exhibits and displays, specialty greenhouses and preservation of endangered and fragile species.
One-third of the plants are native to the area. The remainder come from all over the world. Special collections from Australia and Baja California are featured alongside specimens from South America. Ecosystems represented include mesquite bosque, semidesert grassland, and upland chaparral scrub.
The Desert Botanical Garden is especially noted for its agave and cacti collections. Educational demonstrations showcase the power of energy efficient ecosystems and their influence on technology, including a rainwater capture system and greywater irrigation.
It's every bit as whimsical as the name. Return to a simpler, more magical time at Enchanted Island Amusement Park, a specialty theme park attraction for children ages 1 to 10. Ride the Encanto Carousel or pedal-boat across fish-filled lagoons. Games and carnival food are also part of the fun.
Grand Canyon National Park
Village Loop Rd
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 Directions
Grand Canyon National Park is the must-see attraction in Arizona, no matter what part of the state you are visiting. Plan to hike, camp, backpack or ride the Colorado River. Enjoy spectacular scenery any time of year, but especially in the fall and sprin
Grand Canyon National Park is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, which should come as no surprise. The storied park covers 1,902 square miles, and includes the Grand Canyon itself, formed as a gorge of the Colorado River.
The South Rim by far is the most popular visiting point, with easy access from Route 64. Most of the Grand Canyon is remote and inaccessible, adding to the canyon's storied reputation.
Many appreciate the Grand Canyon for its colorful geography and its role in preservation history.
For adventurous explorers, the rim of the Grand Canyon provides multiple points of access to the parkland and everything else below the rim. Hikes, mule riders and river runners can be seen enjoying the Grand Canyon's natural beauty.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
302 W Latham St
Phoenix, AZ 85003 Directions
Watch favorite storybook characters come to life in the imaginative artistry of puppetry. At the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, you'll see classics like "Rumpelstiltskin" and "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," along with surprises like the adults-only Puppet Slam night.
10614 N 32nd St
Phoenix, AZ 85028 Directions
Let the little ones run wild at Imagination Avenue, the perfect attraction for a children's birthday party or a Saturday morning play date. Kids have the run of a huge play area that includes a kid-sized town with 9 different play houses.
203 W Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85003 Directions
The vibrant and popular Orpheum Theater is back, better than ever after a $14 million face lift. Take in the best public performances of the Phoenix Opera, the Phoenix Ballet and more.
The Orpheum Theatre is a palatial backdrop to grand performances in downtown Phoenix. It draws elements of Spanish Baroque Revival and Italian Renaissance architecture to create a unique ambiance for guests and performers alike.
The multi-purpose cultural facility was recently restored to its former glory, complete with full-range sound, theatrical lighting and other improvements to upgrade the quality of performances hosted at the theater.
The Orpheum Theatre is a historic landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The theater was originally built in 1929 to showcase vaudeville acts, then grew to accommodate the age of motion picture.
Eventually, the theater graduated to hosting Broadway shows, and after its recent $14 million renovations the Orpheum is once again ready to act as a central hub of spectacular entertainment in downtown Phoenix.
Concerts, Broadway productions, comedy shows and other events now fill the Orpheum Theatre to capacity once again
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 W SR-260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322 Directions
Interact with exotic animals at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. This truly otherworldly nature experience includes a snake show with giant anacondas and boas, a 45-minute African Bush Safari that includes personal encounters with giraffes, zebras and more, and a predator feed where you can watch carnivores devour 800 lbs. of raw meat.
625 N Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008 Directions
Explore all the outdoor activities and attractions at Papago Park, the 1,200-acre crown jewel in Phoenix's family of parks. Unusually shaped sandstone buttes are the hallmark of the terrain, and amenities along the trails include an archery range, exercise course, fishing lagoons, and orienteering course.
Papago Park echoes with history, from its designation as an Indian reservation in 1979, to its integration into the Phoenix park system in 1959. All the while Papago has been appreciated by casual hikers and families for its trail-friendly hiking and challenging mountain biking paths.
The park includes more than 1,200 acres of natural beauty. Certain sections accommodate modern camping with picnic areas, grills, water and electricity.
Fishing enthusiasts and bikers share the area. If you're looking for a break from the great outdoors, you'll find that here too.
Papago Park is home to a zoo, a botanical garden, fire museum and golf course.
Smaller animals like jackrabbits, ground squirrels and mice now inhabit the area, which is also an excellent location for birdwatching.
Fish species in approved fishing areas include rainbow trout, large-mouth bass, sunfish, catfish, tilapia and carp.
Explore a world of possibilities at the Phoenix Art Museum, where the exhibits and attractions are always provocative and thoughtful. Western art, fashion photography and modern art are elevated to new heights at this nationally renown museum.
Phoenix Art Museum holds the distinction of being the largest art museum in the Southwest, featuring more than 285,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Located in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum houses a collection of more than 18,000 works of art. Featured categories include American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.
Art lovers flock to the popular museum, which also hosts various community cultural events, such as festivals, live performances, art films and educational opportunities.
For the younger art crowd, the Phoenix Art Museum has created PhxArtKids. The area is an interactive learning environment, where fun and creativity is the name of the game.
To round out the offerings, the museum also stages photo exhibits with the Center for Creative Photography, a landscaped Sculpture Garden, an organic dining experience with Arcadia Farms, and The Museum Store.
The Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959. Since then, it has hosted more than 400 worldwide exhibitions.
455 N Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008 Directions
Enjoy special events and see spectacular species and attractions at the Phoenix Zoo, voted one of the nation's Top 5 zoos for kids. More than 1,300 animals call the zoo their home. Plus the facility is a leading participant in protecting endangered animals and houses more than 200 at-risk species.
Like many successful endeavors, the Phoenix Zoo started with one person's vision, then grew by leaps and bounds as the community embraced it.
The zoo began with the urging of Robert Maytag, of Maytag appliance fame, who wanted to preserve endangered species and give children the opportunity to learn about exotic animals up close from around the world.
Now known as the largest non-profit zoo in the U.S., the Phoenix Zoo has also been voted as one of the nation's Top 5 zoos for kids.
The zoo opened in 1962 with an on site conservation program, then grew quickly in later years. The Phoenix Zoo is known for its ultra-exotic species and the work it does to protect endangered animals like the Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, black-footed ferret, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, and many more.
Animal exhibits include the Giraffe Encounter, Camel Rides, Stingray Bay, "Wild About Animals" show, Monkey Village and a petting zoo. Fun attractions and games will keep the family entertained for hours, including the Safari Train, Safari Cart Tours, Endangered Species Carousel and Pedal Boat rentals
Pioneer Living History Village
3901 W Pioneer Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85086 Directions
Step back into the wild frontier days at the Pioneer Living History Village attraction. The living history museum is replete with old homes and a bustling downtown, where costumed tour guides will take you to the blacksmith's shop and the sheriff's office.
Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse
5700 W N Loop Rd
Chandler, AZ 85226 Directions
Keep them doggies movin' at the Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse. There's no time to sit still, because the western frontier town of Rawhide is open to cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. Go horseback riding on Main Street, then head to the steakhouse to enjoy a meal fit for a king.
Sea Life Aquarium Arizona
5000 S Arizona Mills Cir
Tempe, AZ 85282 Directions
Gaze at an amazing array of marine life at the Sea Life Aquarium, a 26,000-square-foot indoor aquarium at the Arizona Mills mall. The aquarium features more than 5,000 different species, and attractions like a touch tank for curious hands.
Stuffington Bear Factory
1717 E McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85006 Directions
Take a tour of one of the largest stuffed animal factories, the Stuffington Bear Factory. This is where those stuffable bears, their outfits and the various stuffings are made. There are also party rooms and, of course, you can stuff your own bear after the tour.