What to do in Phoenix area

[Tricia's mom]

Will be ther for just a few days. Staying with family.

Any suggestions of must do for myself and 8 yr old dd ??
It is her second trip to Az.
I have been a few times before.
Don't want to drive to Grand Canyon on this trip.
Would love to do a trail ride .

Any help ??

Thanks y'all.

 

[PHXscuba]

What part of town are you staying in and what month. Time of year really influences what I'd recommend (Heat!)

The Phoenix Children's Museum is excellent and the zoo is very good.

 

[Tricia's mom]

We are going in April.
Children's museum I don't think my daughter will enjoy.
I would like her too experience AZ....
Hiking ?
Sedona ?
Would love to do a trail ride...we both horseback ride.

Thanks.

 

[ahutton]

You might check at the Arizona Grand Resort to see if they are doing trail rides at that time; South Mountain is really beautiful.

For hiking I love the area around the zoo and botanical gardens. Papago Park has great trails and picnic areas. Tovrea Castle in close to Papago Park, as is the Mill Avenue Bridge in Tempe, Hayden Butte/A Mountain at the ASU campus, there is a ton of great stuff in that area.

Sedona is a favorite spot but the weather in April can be perfect or really cold. Closer to Phoenix Montezuma's Castle is awesome - my kids loved our visit there. Tuzigoot National Monument is also really interesting. Both are easy day trips, and could really be done in one day if you didn't linger and be a mix of hiking and learning about the history and cultures that made up Arizona. Montezuma's Well is also in that area and fascinating.

Heading to the south - Picacho Arizona is the only Civil War battlefield in Arizona. Also has great trails, picnic facilities and interesting history.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

I also second the zoo, although I would advise that you go there right when it opens. It is very big, and it can be quite hot, even this time of year. I've heard great things about the botanical gardens, which is right next to the zoo, but I've never been.

 

[minniebeth]

OP, You said you were travelling in April~ not sure if you've gone already? We recently got back from Phoenix and my kids did horseback riding on an easy trail ride at MacDonald Ranch in Scottsdale. It was reasonable, and they were great with all the folks in the group. They get good ratings from Trip Advisor. It was close for us, so it worked perfectly. Just a suggestion for you if you are still looking.