Arizona, aptly known as the “Valley of the Sun”, has been high on our destination list for some time. We haven’t spent much time exploring the American Southwest and decided it was time to immerse ourselves in the desert climate and soak up those sun rays! The direct flight option from Kansas City to Phoenix may have also influenced our decision 🙂 Our daughter was 14 months old on this trip, and we found there was so much for all of us to do in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area!
Accomodations:
After doing some research, we decided to stay at The Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. There were so many features that we loved about this resort, and we would definitely recommend it to other individuals/families looking for a home base with fun things to do on the property! Not only is it a quick 10-minute drive from the Phoenix airport, but it is also close to many of the area’s big attractions.
The biggest factor that led us to this hotel was the Oasis Water Park, located on site. Hotel guests are granted access to the water park each day of their stay. Although we visited in the beginning of October, the weather was still quite hot, so we were grateful for a fun place to cool off! The water park includes a wave pool, a pool with a basketball hoop and volleyball net, a lazy river, two big water slides, and a baby pool with splash pad. In addition, guests can use the QR codes located on the lawn chairs to order food and drinks! (For those who wish to visit the water park but are staying at a different hotel, day passes can be bought from Resort Pass).
Another feature we appreciated about this resort was the coffee shop located in the main lobby. On-site coffee has become an important feature in our travel planning! In addition to coffee, the shop also carried fresh pastries, snacks, and bottled beverages. It was so nice to grab breakfast from the shop and enjoy it outside with the incredible view of the golf course. Although we didn’t participate in any golf during this trip, we did appreciate the beauty of the grounds. The resort’s website also makes it easy to grab a tee time and rent clubs (see here).
When booking our room, I was thrilled to see that the 1-bedroom suite included a living area separate from the bedroom. We love this set-up when traveling with a young child because she gets her own space! After going down for nap or bedtime, we were able to watch our shows without waking her. For those traveling with older kids, the couch included a pull-out bed. Also within the living area was a mini fridge, which was handy for milk storage. The resort property is expansive, so we were also delighted to discover that each building has its own swimming pool. It never felt crowded near the pools, and we always had our pick of lawn chairs!
Another feature about this resort worth mentioning is the hiking trail located on the property. Just past the beautiful workout facility is a trail head where guests can begin their hiking adventure. The trail goes on for miles and grants a gorgeous view of the city!
TIP!
Most (not all!) hotels have pack-n-plays or cribs available to use during your stay if you call ahead to reserve. However, we have come to find that often they either come with a regular flat sheet wrapped around the mattress (which can be a little too loose for my liking) or nothing at all! For this reason, we always bring a pack-n-play sheet with us.
Transportation:
Phoenix is definitely a “driving” city – you will need your own set of wheels in order to best see all the attractions it has to offer! We used Turo to rent a car and the process was seamless. If you aren’t familiar with Turo, it is basically an Airbnb for car rentals. You search through the app for cars available during your stay and book with an individual to rent it. Our experience was completely contactless – after we landed in Phoenix, we found our car in the lot and entered a code the owner gave us into the attached lockbox. Then we were off! We returned the car to the airport at the end of the week before boarding our plane. We brought our car seat with us on this trip, and it was nice to install one we were familiar with and have throughout the week.
Activities:
We found Phoenix (and Scottsdale) to be a great family vacation destination! We felt like we were able to strike a good balance between doing activities/seeing attractions and relaxing/enjoying real vacation vibes. Some of our favorite activities from the trip include:
Hiking at Papago Park
On our day exploring Papago Park, we headed out early in the morning to beat the heat. Papago Park has multiple well-marked trail options you can take, and for this reason I recommend bringing a baby carrier/hiking backpack so you can get off the pavement and really explore! When you arrive, the picnic area has several parking spaces as well as a restroom. We hiked the Double Butte loop trail, which was 2.2 miles.
Desert Botanical Garden
Also located in the Papago Park area is the Desert Botanical Garden, filled with dessert cacti, succulents, and wildflowers. This was a great activity to pair up with the Papago Park hike. We spent about 2 hours strolling through these gardens. One of our favorite parts was discovering the indoor butterfly garden where visitors can follow a path through a “rainforest” and see exotic butterflies up close! We found the stroller to be very helpful for this activity, but the gardens are also a great place for older kids to stretch their legs and explore.
Changing Hands Bookstore and First Draft Book Bar
This cute independent bookstore is one that I’m so grateful we took a moment to visit. The book and gift selection is wide, and also inside is First Draft Book Bar, a wine, beer, coffee, and pastry bar. Books and a bar is a pretty good pairing, I have to say!
Arizona Boardwalk
Located in nearby Scottsdale, the Arizona Boardwalk is an all-in-one destination for attractions, shopping, and yummy treats. While here, we visited the OdySea Aquarium, where we saw some unique sea life and enjoyed some air conditioning. Also at the Boardwalk are a Ripley’s Museum, Butterfly Wonderland, UFO Experience, a Mirror Maze, a Museum of Illusions, a Dinosaur exhibit, and a carousel.
Hole in the Rock
This unique rock formation is located in Phoenix’s Papago Park and is a must see! An easy 10-minute hike from the parking lot, the view at this formation is stunning. This is a great activity to pair with the Phoenix Zoo, located just across the street.
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a great place for kids to let out some energy and see some cool animals, and for everyone to get their steps in! I would recommend visiting at opening time as it can get quite hot!
Japanese Friendship Garden
If you are searching for a little serenity and fresh air, I recommend heading to the Japanese Friendship Garden. This garden was originally proposed by the mayor of Himeji, Japan, as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. As you walk the path, the new areas of the garden unfold itself. Benches are spaced throughout the space for visitors to enjoy the tranquil sounds of the water features.
Scottsdale Fashion Square
When the heat becomes too much, head to the nearby Scottsdale Fashion Square for some retail therapy. This mall is MASSIVE and is filled with luxury brands and top restaurants like Nobu. Even if just window shopping, it’s definitely worth stopping by!
Oasis Water Park
What better way to beat the Phoenix heat than by spending a day at a water resort?! There is something for everyone at the Oasis Water Park – a big pool area, waterslides, a wave pool, a kids splash pad and baby pool, and a lazy river. By scanning the QR code on the back of the pool chairs, guests can order food and drinks poolside. This water park is on property of the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa; however, if you are not a guest at the hotel, you can reserve a day pass here.
Eats:
Some of our favorite places where we ate during this trip include:
Frybread House
This is probably my biggest food recommendation. Frybread is a traditional Tohono O’odham food that is pillowy, fluffy, and delicious! It can be served with toppings such as chili, chorizo, and more. A small, causal eatery, Frybread House was named one of America’s Classics by the James Beard Foundation.
In-and-Out
Not unique to Phoenix, but a treat for us Kansas Citians!
Aunt Chiladas
A great Mexican restaurant within walking distance of the Arizona Grand Resort.
Cibo
A super cute, delicious Italian restaurant.
Rustler’s Rooste
A quirky, country-western style restaurant serving steak, chicken, ribs, and seafood, and located on the top of a mountain. Tip – come hungry!! The food just doesn’t stop coming. The meal concludes with complimentary cotton candy!
Sugar Bowl
Located in Scottsdale, Sugar Bowl is a very cute 50’s style dinner. It was the perfect casual place to grab something quick – and then, of course, polish it off with a milkshake.
We spent 4 full days in the Phoenix area, which we felt was an appropriate amount of time to see the sights and also build in some pool and relaxation time. That being said, there are still some things we’d like to see and do on our next visit!
Things we Missed:
Idea Children’s Museum
Heard Museum
Science Center
Diamondback Baseball Game
Musical Instrument Museum
Taliesin West Tour
Help us out for our next trip – what are your recommendations for spots to eat, places to stay, and things to do in the Phoenix area?