If you’re like many people, Scottsdale is at the top of the list of potential family vacation destinations. With beautiful weather, world-renowned cuisine, and extensive shopping choices, the problem becomes figuring out what and what not to include on your Scottsdale itinerary.
To help with planning, keep reading as we dive into some of the most family-friendly attractions Scottsdale has to offer!
1. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 312-2312
This Scottsdale tourist staple is sure to be a hit with everyone in the travel party. Built on a 30-acre layout in the heart of Scottsdale, it is the most unique railroad park in the country.
Guests can take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad or a 1950’s-vintage Allen Herschell carousel. There are also multiple shops, museums, and playgrounds that provide a complete spectrum of things to do. It is easy to kill a day in what many people refer to as “Scottsdale’s most beautiful park.”
2. The Pavilions at Talking Stick Shopping Center
9180 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 834-8500
A family vacation is not complete without bringing home some mementos to cherish throughout the years, making The Pavilions at Talking Stick Shopping Center a premier stop for any family looking to purchase a piece of Scottsdale. With over 50 retailers, restaurants, and a multiplex movie theater, it has the answer for any family’s retail therapy needs.
The location also features a series of rotating events, with guests particularly loving the car shows on Saturdays that parade everything from 1920’s Model T’s to the futuristic Tesla Cybertruck throughout the day.
3. OdySea Aquarium
9500 E Vía De Ventura, Ste A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 291-8000
Home to some 30,000 animals, OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and is sure to be a hit with all members of the family. Visitors can follow the journey of a single drop of water as it falls from the sky and makes its way to the ocean.
With a vast assortment of educational and interactive activities, OdySea Aquarium offers an unprecedented glimpse into marine life.
4. Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
9500 E Via De Ventura C-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 362-3466
Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs offers an extensive collection of dinosaur exhibits, educational attractions, and daily events to help visitors take a step back to prehistoric times during their Scottsdale stay. Located next door to Butterfly Wonderland, it is a great activity for kids when trying to accomplish multiple to-do items in one day.
Families note that it has something for children of all ages. Hard-core dinosaur enthusiasts can spend all day digging deep into the exhibits, while a more fast-paced perusal can easily be completed in a couple of hours to keep the itinerary rolling.
5. Butterfly Wonderland
9500 E Via de Ventura # F100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 800-3000
Butterfly Wonderland offers a unique rainforest experience in the arid Scottsdale climate. A lush, tropical paradise alive with thousands of butterflies from all over the world, guests get the opportunity to get up close and personal with these colorful wonders of nature. Visitors love having butterflies come land on them, noting the unique photo-taking opportunities.
While Butterfly Wonderland makes its mark as the largest butterfly conservatory in North America, that is not all the experience has to offer. It is replete with beautiful flowers, colorful koi fish, and tropical finches, creating a true panoply of color that guests will not forget.
6. Museum of Illusions Scottsdale
9500 E Vía, Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 270-6640
A little sleight of hand is sure to generate “wows” from all members of the family, making a stop at Museum of Illusion Scottsdale a show-stopping kids activity. With a heap of eye-fooling fun from the moment you walk in the door, guests are immersed in classic illusions with a healthy assortment of the never-before-seen for a complete visual, sensory, and educational thrill ride.
Visitors particularly love the helpful guides and ceaseless photo opportunities the Museum of Illusions offers.
7. Scottsdale Stadium
7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-312-2173
With the year-round warm weather, Scottsdale has a unique climate that lends itself to America’s pastime. As such, Scottsdale Stadium is one of the premier non-MLB stadiums in the country.
Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, it is a short walk from the city’s many restaurants, clubs, and galleries. It hosts many big baseball events throughout the year, is home to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, and is the spring training location of MLB’s San Francisco Giants.
8. Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050
(480) 478-6000
It is said that music is the world’s common language. Therefore, immerse yourself in an experience the whole family can enjoy at the Musical Instrument Museum. With over 15,000 musical instruments and related objects from over 200 countries, it is the largest museum of its type in the world.
Visitors particularly love the Experience Exhibit, which offers the opportunity to play and interact with instruments seen throughout the museum.
9. Wandering Heart Adventures
8311 East Via De Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(928) 533-3734
Wandering Heart Adventures offers full-day sightseeing trips that allow guests to see the best historical and natural wonders that Arizona has to offer. The company offers pre-arranged tour patterns for a truly hands-free day trip, as well as customizable options that allow people to build-their-own sightseeing experience.
With expert guides that pace the tour based on the needs of the group, families are sure to leave Wandering Heart Adventures with hundreds of photos and heads full of memories.
10. Four Peaks Mining Co.
9500 E Via De Ventura Ste D110, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
(480) 434-6074
Who doesn’t love the mesmerizing beauty of natural minerals and gemstones? This is why a stop at the Four Peaks Mining Co. is the perfect itinerary item for a dose of dazzling beauty. With hundreds of rocks, minerals, and gemstones throughout the expertly-curated shop, there is sure to be something to match the glint in anyone’s eye. However, the store does more than just sell beauty.
The highly-trained staff gives expert insight into the history of each of the specimens, while a walk through the replicated mine shaft allows guests of all ages to see minerals in their natural setting.
11. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre
7014 E Camelback Rd Ste 0586, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 483-1664
Located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Desert Stages Theater gives guests the opportunity to experience some professional stage production amid a day of shopping, dining, and mingling in one of Scottsdale’s most trendy districts. Guests love the intimate, interactive theater environment, noting how their children are thrilled with the up-close-and-personal opportunity to see their favorite characters.
With expert acting and mind-blowing sets, Desert Stages Theater is a must-visit attraction for families who still appreciate in-person entertainment in a digital world.
12. MacDonald’s Ranch
26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(385) 835-3705
MacDonald’s Ranch is the premier horseback riding stable in Arizona. A ride on horseback gives families a tranquil passage through the breathtaking landscape of the Sonoran Desert.
Guests highly recommend a sunset ride, noting that the amazing view is not describable in words. Although all horses are gentle and broken to accommodate the most novice riders and are led by an experienced guide, the site offers cowboy cookouts, pumpkin patches, and stagecoach rides for those not comfortable with their equestrian skills.
13. Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 286-3800
The Phoenix Zoo is the largest, privately-owned non-profit zoo in the United States. Its mission as a charitable organization is to inspire care for the natural world in each of its visitors. With 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix that hosts nearly every animal species imaginable, a trip to the Phoenix Zoo is sure to fill a day for families.
Pro tip: rent one of the scooters located throughout the zoo to help the animal lovers in your family take in as much as possible.
14. Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
The Desert Botanical Garden is the ideal location for experiencing vibrant Arizona plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Sonoran Desert. The expertly-curated exhibits and friendly, knowledgeable staff make the experience as informative as it is visually scintillating.
Although there is no bad time to visit this breathtaking wonder of nature, guests highly recommend going in spring, when the thousands of blooming cacti create a panoply of color that will result in dozens of postcard-worthy photographs.
15. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 312-7013
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a premier location for soaking in the breathtaking desert scenery of Scottsdale. It is a large, permanently protected sustainable desert habitat. It includes an interconnected network of non-motorized, multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback rides that can be accessed from multiple trailheads.
With the option for free or guided hikes, it is a must-visit location for the family to enjoy stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and pristine trails.
16. Rainbow Ryders
715 E Covey Ln Ste 100, Phoenix, AZ 85024
(800) 725-2477
There is something about hot air balloons that inspire wonder in people of all ages. Therefore, fulfill the lifelong dream to go up in one yourself and book a trip with Rainbow Ryders when visiting Scottsdale. Soar above the serene Sonoran Desert to witness the native wildlife, breathtaking sunrises/sunsets, majestic mountains, and iconic saguaro cactus from a birds-eye view.
For those in the family afraid of heights, the professional pilots are true experts at instilling confidence in all of their guests, helping the entire party remain at ease as they share their vast knowledge of the landscape below.
17. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
27026 N 156th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262-9524
(385) 835-3705
Every family has its animal lovers, so book a tour with the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. The organization provides life-saving rescues, rehabs, and releases of native wild animals, giving visitors an educational, up-close look at the various life forms in the Scottsdale area.
The happy faces of the animals will make any Scottsdale visit truly memorable. Be sure to book early, as the facility is only accessible via guided tour.
18. Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 686-9539
Voted the #1 Western museum in the United States, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a favorite cultural experience of guests visiting Old Town Scottsdale. Located on the historic ground of the Loloma Transit Station, the museum features the art, culture and rich history of the American West, Mexico, and Western Canada.
Visitors can feel the mission of the museum to illuminate the past to better shape the future, noting the seamless blend of old and new throughout the experience.
19. Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 513-4377
The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and preserving reptiles. The facility offers both public and private tours, curating and revising content to educate guests of all ages.
Children will love feeding and petting the animals, while parents will smile at seeing many common reptile phobias debunked. The sanctuary also hosts birthday party events for children who are particular reptile enthusiasts.
20. Octane Raceway
9119 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(602) 302-7223
A family vacation is not complete without some spirited competition, making a stop at the Octane Raceway a great itinerary item. The facility offers the best high-speed kart racing in Arizona and is the only full-time indoor/outdoor track in the United States. Its zero-emissions European electric race karts go up to 45 MPH, creating an exhilarating experience that will put a charge in the family fun.
21. Enchanted Island
1202 W Encanto Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 254-1200
Enchanted Island is at the center of Encanto Park, a 222-acre city park in the heart of Phoenix. Filled with charm and magic, it offers 11 fanciful rides geared to children between the ages of 1 and 10. Guests have described it as “as good as Disneyland for children under 6,” with none of the sticker shock. It is free to enter, with pay-to-ride options available for the thrills that your little ones particularly enjoy.
Make the Most of Your Family Vacation in Scottsdale
With beautiful weather and dozens of captivating activities, Scottsdale is a premier destination for your next family vacation. For more insight on how to maximize your time in the Valley of the Sun, explore the resources on our Ultimate Scottsdale Visitor’s Guide for ideas and insight on all this vibrant city has to offer!