From sky-high excursions to musical interludes and cowboy culture, Scottsdale, Arizona, delivers big time on family fun. And no matter what time of year your road trip is, you’re almost certain to enjoy sunny weather thanks to its desert climate. In fact, Scottsdale is one of the sunniest places in America with an average of 314 sunny days each year.
Those conditions make outdoor experiences a natural choice for visitors, but when it gets too toasty, especially in the summer, you’ll find abundant indoor opportunities indoors to keep everyone in your travel party entertained. Plus there’s a slew of family-friendly resorts, like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, with oodles of activities for kids.
Let the travel planning begin! But first, here’s six suggestions for what to include in your vacay itinerary.
Musical Instrument Museum
Photo courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
It’s refreshing for kids to go to a museum where they are encouraged to make noise. Opened in 2010, the Musical Instrument Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the world. It’s truly impressive, with more than 15,000 musical instruments and related objects gathered from 200 countries and territories.
Adults and children will find something that captivates their imagination, perhaps observing a live demo of a vintage organ or Taylor Swift’s boots and concert gear? Then there’s the Experience Gallery, where you can bang on a gong or strum on a harm (alongside plenty of other instruments). You could also catch a live performance or see restorers working to bring old musical instruments and artifacts back to life. There’s always something lively going on in this popular, highly rated museum.
Hot Air Expeditions
Photo courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
Viewing the desert from a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. Along with unobstructed 360-degree vistas, Hot Air Expeditions offers you a real understanding of the beauty and sheer size of the desert that surrounds Scottsdale. The experience starts early in the morning, beginning with the inflation of the balloon before you climb onboard.
It’s magical to float up into air, as high as 3,000 feet, for a bird’s-eye view of the cacti dotted across the landscape and the Sonoran Mountains in the distance. The golden glow of the dawn adds to the magic as you glide effortlessly for up to an hour. Once you land, it’s time for a hearty breakfast and a toast to mark the occasion. Guests must be at least 5 years old and 48 inches tall to participate. Before you leave, you’ll receive a personalized certificate, proving that you’ve been there and done that!
Taliesin West
Photo courtesy of
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright loved the desert environment of Arizona — so much so that he built his winter residence and laboratory to train apprentices there. Taliesin West is a testament to the talents of Wright, a visionary who shaped the evolution of design and architecture. Tours of the facility highlight his genius and passion for organic architecture, a philosophy focused on harmony between buildings and their natural surroundings.
Sitting in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, Taliesin West earned a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kids will think it looks cool, but they can explore the “why” behind it with family tours teaching youngsters to appreciate art, architecture, and history. There’s also hands-on activities for youth to encourage creativity and inspire new ways of thinking.
Desert Botanical Garden
Photo courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden
In nearby Phoenix, nature lovers of all ages will be enchanted by this incredible space, which covers more than 140 acres. Since 1939, the Desert Botanical Garden has dedicated its efforts to the preservation of a fragile desert environment. Over that time, it has amassed more than 50,000 plants — many native to the area.
A variety of themed trails are perfect for leisurely strolls with kids. They’ll find new discoveries around every corner, from colorful butterflies to hummingbirds who nest in the holes found in tall saguaro cacti. Wander through the gardens as you like or book a tour. Consider a special flashlight tour held in the evening when temperatures are cooler. It’s a very different experience at night under star-filled skies.
Western Spirit
Photo courtesy of Western Spirit
Children seem to have an endless fascination for cowboys. Old Town Scottsdale, which dates back to the 1880s, is a perfect place to indulge that passion. Western Spirit highlights the area’s deep ties to the American West, explored through artifacts, art, and exhibits featuring Arizona’s gold mining history, ranch life, and Native American tribes. An array of interactive experiences make it all come alive.
Admission is free for children under 17 when accompanied by an adult. Be prepared to spend extra time in the museum gift shop before you leave. Watch for cowboy teddy bears, mini sheriff badges and cute-as-a-button Western gear. Keep the Old West theme going with food and drink at the Rusty Spur Saloon where you can catch live country music performances daily.
Butterfly Wonderland
Photo courtesy of Butterfly Wonderland
Here in this tropical paradise, visitors find more than 60 species of butterflies and can watch them emerge from live chrysalis. The Butterfly Wonderland conservatory is the largest of its kind in North America. Kids adore the rainforest reptile exhibit, featuring amphibians and reptiles that co-exist with butterflies.
But the biggest ooh’s and ah’s come at the edible insects station. Youngsters can sample chocolate-covered ants, scorpion lollipops, and chips made from cricket protein. Stay for the gorgeous 3D film chronicling the migration of monarch butterflies, and watch for art workshops as well.
A Scottsdale Stay to Remember
Your road trip to Scottsdale can be as action-packed or as chill as you like. There are plenty of attractions and nice resorts for relaxing. But make sure you spend
time in nature, too. The city’s location, set amid mountains and desert, means unique flora and fauna and fun opportunities to explore the environment, from hikes and bikes, to botanical gardens.
—
About the Author: Michele Sponagle is a prolific Canadian travel journalist who has visited more than 70 countries. Based in a small town near Toronto, she has fished for piranha in the Amazon, tracked polar bears on foot in Canada’s far north and traveled over the Maasai Mara in Kenya in a hot air balloon. She’s always up for an adventure. Her work has appeared in many major media outlets, from Washington Post to Good Housekeeping and The Globe and Mail.
