Weespxx

We're taking the kids (boys ages 8 and 10) out of school for a week in April and headed west! DH has conference in Scottsdale at a resort and we want to experience as much as we possibly can of the real culture. Resorts not our idea of a great time, but we should have time on either end to travel to other areas.

Have to confess that I know nothing about AZ - our boys are explorers and would love to really see something of the west as a precursor to a big trip in a few years.

Any ideas more than welcome, especially those that are based around the outdoors, exploring and eating great food!

Thanks!!

spirobulldog

Slide Rock State Park
Grand Canyon-helicopter ride, hike down the canyon a short bit
Saguaro National Park-Arizona Sonara Museum(ZOO)
Sabino Canyon
Maybe something around Sedona
Maybe a Hot Air Balloon ride somewhere

You are smack in the middle of things.

Maybe even Walnut Canyon.

How many Adventure days do you have. Don't try to do to much, just pick one or two and really do them right.

spirobulldog

If you go the Grand Canyon, I would spend a night there.

bigtyke

Visit Pueblo Grande. It's a HoHoKam ruin right on the Phoenix/Scottsdale border.

There are also some petroglyphs nearby - google petroglyphs phoenix

Goldfield ghost town near Apache Junction

Weespxx

Thanks so much - great ideas! Glad to see no shopping malls on the list! Love the native American ideas - the kids are history nuts. Off to research!

bigtyke

Verde Canyon Railroad

Tuzigoot National Monument

Montezuma's Castle and Well (2 different locations, I like the Well better)

Jerome (I prefer to approach it via Prescott - over Mingus Mtn.)

Judy24

If your kids are history nuts, I'd suggest a visit to the Heard museum in Phoenix with its focus on Indian history & artifacts. Especially good on rainy day when you might not want to do any outdoor activities.

DebitNM

The Musical Instruments Museum! Don't be put off by the sound of the name - everyone will love it, including the kids.

themim.org

odyssey04

Some great restaurant suggestions:

Near Scottsdale- Chelsea's Kitchen, Le Grande Orange (LGO), Lolo's Chicken & Waffles (fried chicken)

Gilbert, AZ (about 30 min away, but worth it) Joe's Real BBQ, Joe's Farm Grill (on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives), Liberty Market

Chandler, AZ (about 30 min away) San Tan Brewing Company

Also second the hiking suggestions and your boys might enjoy the Phoenix Zoo or Arizona Science Center. There are plenty of easy hiking trails- Piestewa Peak, South Mountain, Superstition Mountains. If you're here during Spring Training, catch a game? Lots of teams to watch.

Enjoy!

sf7307

Unfortunately, spring training ends the last weekend in March, but if you like baseball, the D'backs will be playing in Phoenix in April.

bigtyke

I'm not sure Piestawa Peak qualifies as an easy hike, especially with a child as young as 8.

Eat at the Sugar Bowl in downtown Scottsdale. If you ever read 'The Family Circus' comic, then you will have seen its name several times.

Weespxx

Thanks a bunch for the ideas. We're only staying in Phoenix/Scottsdale for 4 nights and probably somewhere like Sedona the other 3. Really looking forward to exploring a tiny bit of AZ!

GiuliaPiraino

I second the Musical Instrument Museum, kids would totally enjoy it~

Weespxx

Thanks for the ideas - finally had chance to do some research! Looking forward to 4 days in Scottsdale/Phoeniz and 3 in Sedona area.