11 Fun Things to Do in Phoenix with Your Family This Summer
Have you and your family ever considered visiting Phoenix, Arizona in the summer? It may be hot, but there is still so much to do! This week I share 11 fun things to do in Phoenix with your family in the summer!
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I have lived in Arizona almost my whole life, and I love it! The summers can be a bit rough, but if you know the right places to go, it can be tons of fun! Here are 11 of my top recommendations for family and summer-friendly activities in Phoenix.
1. Hall of Flame Museum
I have been to the Hall of Flame Museum many times, especially when my kids were younger. This is a great option for all families, but particularly those with kids who love fire trucks or anything related to firehouses! I recommend this museum to families with younger kids. This museum is huge and full of all things fire-related, going back decades!
This is a complex in Scottsdale full of lots of fun places to see! There is an Odysea museum, Butterfly Wonderland, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Land of Dinosaurs, and Museum of Illusions. They are all air-conditioned and so much fun! You can also get discounts when you buy tickets to multiple different buildings.
3. Stay at the Great Wolf Lodge
This hotel is fantastic because it includes an indoor water park! Even if you already live in Phoenix, this is a great place for a staycation. Even if you don’t want to stay at the hotel, you can buy a day pass to the indoor pools.
4. Water Parks
There are lots of fun water parks to visit throughout the Valley. Our family loves Sunsplash in the East Valley! One tip is to wear water shoes or flip flops!!! The ground gets very hot in Arizona, so having shoes will help protect your feet. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water!
5. Public pools and splash pads
If you’re wanting a cheaper option, there are lots of public pools and rec centers with pools! These won’t be as big as the water parks, but they still usually have water playgrounds and great shallow pool options for little kids. We raised our kids in Chandler, and they have awesome public pools! But no matter which city you stay in, you can look up that city’s public pools.
There are SO many splash pads in the Phoenix area! Go to google maps and type in “splash pads near me” and you will have tons of options! This is great for toddlers.
This museum is amazing and so interesting! Kids of all ages will love it, as it has lots to see and interact with. I think that kids in elementary school and older will appreciate it the most. We have gone here many times as a family and we can spend hours here!
Side note: one of our favorite pizza places EVER is right next to this museum! It’s called Pizzeria Bianco and it is amazing. Be aware that it’s pretty small and the wait can get long. I recommend the Rosa pizza!
7. Diamondbacks baseball game
The Diamondbacks are a MLB team right in Phoenix! Check out a D-backs game if there’s one while you’re in town. And guess what?! The stadium has a roof that closes when it’s hot, and they have AC! They have pretty cheap ticket options too.
The MIM is one of my favorite museums and I love telling people about it! It’s super unique as it has over 8,000 instruments from 200 countries. The museum is split into instruments based on different regions of the world. They even have a hands-on section! You could definitely spend a few hours here.
9. Catch a show at the Valley Youth Theater
The Valley Youth Theater provides great quality shows at a great price! There’s also Gammage where Broadway-type shows are performed on a larger scale, but the Valley Youth Theater is an awesome option that kids will love!
They also do summer camps if you’re going to be in Phoenix for an extended time!
10. Trampoline Park
There are lots of trampoline parks throughout Phoenix! And they’re not online for kids, parents can jump too! This is a great option if you want an air-conditioned place to get your kids’ energy out. We went to Urban Air and had a great time.
11. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
This is a unique experience where you get dinner and a show! The event is 2 hours and you get to watch medieval characters joust in front of you. You also get to eat all of your food with your hands, which can be fun for kids! They also have a torture museum that could be interesting to older kids. This experience requires a reservation.
12. Organ Stop Pizza
Bonus idea! I got excited sharing items on my list during the podcast, so you get an extra idea!
Organ Stop is such a fun place to take kids! It’s such a classic place that our family has visited many times over the years. The restaurant is a large room with organ pipes extending all around you! There is a large organ on a stage that comes up out of the ground, and the organist plays for you while you eat.
It gets even better! You can write down your requests for the organist to play!
I hope you and your family have the best time in Phoenix, Arizona!