Destination
Arizona, Family-Friendly Adventures
Arizona feels like an adventure from the moment you arrive. Desert cities in the Phoenix valley, the red rocks of Sedona, the blue water of Lake Havasu, and the Grand Canyon waiting at the top of the state — the scenery can change completely in the space of one drive.
Whether you are planning a Southwest road trip, a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a first visit to the canyon, this page is where I am collecting our favorite Arizona stops as we go.
Destinations
The Map
Places we have been On our list to visit
Tap a pin to jump to that stop. Pink marks the places we have been; teal is still on our list — including Saguaro and Petrified Forest, which do not have sections here yet.
Best Time to Visit
Arizona runs on two calendars, and the difference is elevation. Phoenix sits near 1,100 feet; the Grand Canyon's South Rim is around 7,000. On the same February day the valley can be in the 70s while the rim is under snow.
For the desert — Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, Lake Havasu — November through April is the season. June through September regularly runs past 105 degrees, and July into September brings monsoon storms that roll in hard in the late afternoon. If you do travel in summer, plan everything outdoors before ten in the morning.
For the high country — the Grand Canyon and Sedona — flip it. Summer is comfortable up there, spring and fall are ideal, and the South Rim stays open all year. The North Rim is the exception: it closes to vehicles from mid-October until mid-May.
One scheduling quirk worth knowing: Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so its offset from neighboring states shifts twice a year. Check your flight and tour times carefully.
What to Expect
Getting there: Phoenix Sky Harbor sits practically in the middle of the city, which makes it one of the easier airports to land at with kids. Tucson is the alternative for the southern half of the state.
Distances: Phoenix to Sedona is about two hours, to the Grand Canyon's South Rim roughly three and a half, and to Lake Havasu about the same. Plan on one long drive day per destination rather than trying to loop them all at once.
Getting around: a car, no question. Distances between towns are long and there is very little in between.
Heat and water: bring more water than seems reasonable and start outdoor plans early. Desert heat dehydrates kids faster than they will tell you.
Budget: the desert flips seasonally — Phoenix hotel rates climb through the winter high season and drop sharply in summer, exactly the opposite of most of the country.
Things to Do in Arizona With Kids
You can start the day in the Sonoran Desert, spend the afternoon in red-rock country, and end up at one of the natural wonders of the world. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.
Phoenix
Valley of the SunPhoenix is a good place to start an Arizona family adventure. You can easily get around the city by walking, renting an e-scooter, or even testing out a Waymo driverless car!
The Valley of the Sun mixes family-friendly attractions, outdoor activities, restaurants, shopping and museums with easy access to the Sonoran Desert — and its location makes it a practical jumping-off point for everywhere else in the state.
Coming soon: our Phoenix adventures, family-friendly things to do, and tips for making the most of your time in the area.
Chandler
East ValleySoutheast of Phoenix, Chandler is a more relaxed base that still sits close to everything in the metro area.
Parks, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and family activities make it a convenient place to stay or explore during an Arizona trip. One of my daughter's favorite AZ adventures is here! Find out more in the upcoming guide.
Coming soon: more Chandler family travel tips.
Tempe
Between Phoenix and ChandlerTempe is an easy addition to a Phoenix-area itinerary.
Home to Arizona State University and built around Tempe Town Lake, it offers outdoor recreation, restaurants, entertainment and family attractions — and it is central enough to pair with Phoenix, Chandler and the rest of the Valley in the same day.
Sign up for email alerts so you can be the first to learn about another one of our favorite AZ adventures in Tempe when the guide drops!
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Tempe and tips for working it into your Arizona itinerary.
Grand Canyon
Northern ArizonaNo Arizona travel guide would be complete without the Grand Canyon.
It is the kind of destination that leaves kids and adults equally speechless — the scale of the canyon walls, the colors shifting through the day, the sheer size of the thing.
And while a lot of people associate the canyon with hiking, you do not have to be a hiker to have an incredible time here.
Coming soon: visiting with kids, family-friendly viewpoints, what to know before you go, and tips for planning your visit.
Sedona
Red rock countrySedona is one of those places that feels almost impossible to believe is real.
The red-rock formations ringing the town make a stunning backdrop for a family adventure, with plenty of room for sightseeing, photography, and time outside. It is also a natural stop on a longer road trip between Phoenix and northern Arizona.
Coming soon: more Sedona family travel tips.
Lake Havasu
Western ArizonaArizona is known for its deserts, but Lake Havasu is something else entirely.
Blue water, sunshine, and a break from desert sightseeing — for families on a Southwest road trip, it makes a welcome change of scenery and an easy place to spend a few days outdoors.
Coming soon: Lake Havasu with kids, family-friendly activities, scenic stops, and tips for planning your visit.
Arizona Family Travel Guide — Coming Soon
