Any must-do's near Mesa, AZ

[abckid]

I'm only interested in cheap/free stuff that is very close to Mesa. We're driving there (23 hours) and only staying a couple of days before he head to San Diego for some fun, so we don't want to drive too much while we're in Mesa (I'd love to see the Grand Canyon ). We have 4 boys, ages 1, 2, 6, and 8, so I'm looking for something that they will enjoy. Like I said, we're only going to be there a couple of days. The first day will be spent with family, and the last day we are actually leaving after breakfast. I thought if we could get out of the hotel for a few hours on that middle day they might be less bored, although we will be spending a lot of time in the hotel pool too Thanks!

 

[Barbday62]

One of my favorite things to do for free is Hole in The rock. Its a small hike up a mountain (my Granddaughter did this at 2 1/2 years old with us) we did have to carry her a little. Heres the link
http://www.gemland.com/holeinrock.htm
Its in Phoenix

I also love to go on top of South Mountain to look out. Its free and can drive to the top. Bring a camera!! http://phoenix.gov/parks/hikesoth.html

In Tempe is a cool outlet style mall. It has wooden floors and also has a Disney outlet store, Rainforest Cafe and my favorite is JC Pennys outlet. Its all indoor too! Its called the Arizona Mills in Tempe. http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1226

Near there is Tempe Park. Its a man made lake with water craft you can rent or walk and run around the lake. http://www.aaatempeguide.com/Tempe-Beach-Park.asp

I have not been to Golf Land but they are in Mesa. Its water slides, amusement park and goofy golf. http://phoenix.about.com/od/famtheme/ss/mesasunsplash.htm

I know the East side has a train park somewhere. Ill try to find more info on it for you.

This train park is in Scottsdale but awesome place to play and worth the drive!! They have free play parks and then train rides and merry go round rides for about a buck or two each. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2808803-mccormick_stillman_railroad_park_scottsdale-i
My grand kids love the play park there!!


Also Rawhide is now near Chandler (Not far from Mesa) Raw Hide is a western town, admission and parking is free. They have shows you pay for and some gun fights in the streets, some shops, restaurants.
http://www.rawhide.com/

 

[BlueBayou]

I know the East side has a train park somewhere. Ill try to find more info on it for you.

Here is a link to the train park McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

You suggested a bunch of good ideas! We do like Golfland/Sunsplash for our kids (ages 5 and 7).

 

[abckid]

Thanks for the great ideas. I'm going to check them all out

Also, what about the science museum in Phoenix? Anyone been there? We can use our science center memberships from home to get into the one in Phoenix for free, but we're wondering if it's worth it.

Thanks again!

 

[Barbday62]

I did the Science Center this last Saturday for the First time. Funny you should ask about it lol. I moved here from Seattle in 2005 and Seattle had a GREAT! Science Center so I was a bit disappointed in it but all in all it was a cute place to visit.

My first complaint about Phoenix Science Center is they charge extra for everything. You pay $9 to get in and then extra for Narnia, Grossology, and Planitarium and maybe a couple other things. we only did the basic $9 things.

The first floor has a lot of interactive things doing with the building of a house. There are play things and then things you can see touch and do relating to making your house better place. Then the next section was about the body. They had a wheelchair race you could do and let me tell you Wheel chair racers work hard!! Its on rollers so you dont go anywhere but it measures your speed and such. There are other things relating to the body.

Then up next level was things like puzzles and music and radio. I cant remember all of it now. There was an awesome exibit about the earth and weather. You stand in the middle and experience weather like lightning, earthquakes, extreeme heat and rain and tornado.

The top floor had something to do with energy. It was small and looked like still building there.

We got in with a coupon from the entertainment book. Parking cost us about $10 too in the garage across the street.


I saw a Childrens museum that was across the street from the science center said opening 2008 so maybe soon? Its in an old School so looks big. Dont go to the Childrens museum in Mesa. It was a waste of money and time. I took my grand kids last year and they have a section to play but only if your child is under 4. My grand daughter was 5 and way to small to enjoy the big stuff and to old to join her brother in the play area so we didnt stay there long. (Maybe an hour or so?)

 

[buddydecat]

what about the science museum in Phoenix? Anyone been there?

I don't care for the Phoenix science museum. A great museum is the AZ Natural History Museum in downtown Mesa. My kids love this museum. It used to be called Mesa Southwest Museum. They have a website online if you'd like to check it out.