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Things to do in Pheonix/Scottsdale/Sedona area

S

Sportsamerica

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We will be traveling to Arizona in July for vacation with our children ages 7 & 10. I am trying to find things to do with the family. I have seen some horseback riding, jeep tours and hot air balloon things to do. Has anyone been on these tours that they would recommend a particular business? Other ideas would be helpful too. We will be there for 10 days and I would like to see the area and not just stay at the resort. Thanks.
 
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I'm assuming you know it may be 115 degrees while you are here, and for most people, that means any outdoor activities are done first thing in the morning and after 5:00. The middle of the day is generally for indoor-air conditioned activities.

Having said that, the Native American ruins around Sedona are fascinating, and the children should enjoy them.

If you are willing to travel farther afield, you might consider Karchner Caverns, about 40 miles from Tucson (and Tucson is about an hour and a half to two hours from Phoenix). Karchner is very different from most caves: 1. it is perfectly preserved, complete with airlocks and visitors are strictly controlled: access by park vehicles, small groups, etc. 2. it is a wet, growing cave 3. it has an active bat colony 4. it has an interesting history of discovery and preservation 5. it is a warm cave

Tucson also has the unique and wonderful Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson
Zoos - Game Park
520-883-1380
Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumThe Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more.

The first time we went, I thought it would be a quick stop to see a few cacti--I was sooooo wrong. It is a wonderful experience.

Another plus to Tucson is that it is (slightly, maybe 10 degrees) cooler than Phoenix.

Anyway, not knowing if you are committed to Phoenix or if there is room for a few nights in Tucson, I thought I'd include Tucson information.
 
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From Sedona, we took two day trips, one to the Grand Canyon and the other to the Petrified Forest. Long days but my husband, who had been to neither park, particularly enjoyed the Grand Canyon.

Sheila
 
sfwilshire said:
From Sedona, we took two day trips, one to the Grand Canyon and the other to the Petrified Forest. Long days but my husband, who had been to neither park, particularly enjoyed the Grand Canyon.

Sheila
Click to expand...

And it's much cooler there due to the elevation... (Grand Canyon), in October we went from around 85 F in Scottsdale to about 65 F at the Grand Canyon on the same day!
We've taken the train ride through Verde Canyon (leaves from Clarksdale near Sedona), Red Rock jeep tour (Sedona). The Jeep tour was done by an "actor" dressed up as a cowboy and the "script" they use during the tour is very interesting.
We also drove to Tombstone one day (south east corner of the state), they have actors in costume and do a recreation of the shoot-out at OK Corral amongst other stuff. The old buildings have been restored and it's quite interesting especially for kids.
 
Call the place you are staying at and ask for recommendations. They might have tours right from there.
 
Desert Botanical Gardens

Assuming you are Scottsdale/Phoenix we highly recomend the Gardens. For our visitors, we always start there even with kids, definitely in A.M. There are some great water parks in north Phoenix, Scottsdale/Tempe, and Mesa. Heard Museum in Central Phoenix a must. In July green fees are half off if golf is on the agenda. Also some great happy hours at Scottsdale this time of year. There are also some great stables in Carefree, N. Scottsdale, Saguaro Lake, and South Mountain in Phoenix. It is actually too hot for the horses this time of year so the rides will only go out in the AM. You may also experience one of our monsoons in July. It gets very dusty, windy and hopefully rain, which we greatly need. Summer is a great value if you like the heat.

Harry
 
How long will you be in Sedona? I can recommend enough activities for 2 weeks in/from Sedona alone...
 
The jist of the post is that you are staying in Phoenix and Sedona, I wouldn't consider Sedona a day trip from Phoenix
 
You still have time to register for "living social" and "group on" for Phoenix. You might find some pretty good deals; recently, there have been half off balloon rides and lake tours as well as some museums, and of course, there are always restaurant deals.

Sedona is a 2 hour drive from Phoenix, so as long as 4 hours driving fits into your planning for the day, you could do a day trip; the problem is Sedona is pretty wonderful, and you'll be sorry to leave.
 
Relax, enjoy doing nothing but sitting by the pool (in the shade). Go to the Talking Stick Casino for the lunch buffet. The ambiance/food are great and its a beautiful spot. Definitely go shopping at Scottsdale's Old Town, great art, jewelry and food. They have an art walk each week. The shops at Keirland are nice as well. Love Scottsdale.
 
If you and/or your kids are baseball fans, take in a Diamondbacks game in Phoenix. If they are out of town, you can schedule a tour of the stadium for about $8-10 each (not sure of pricing). We did a tour about 9 years ago because the team was out of town and really enjoyed it. They take you to places you can't go during a game- the dugout, the press box, a luxury box, etc. And it's an indoor stadium during the summer, so the heat won't be an issue. Not sure if the Arizona Cardinal football stadium does tours, but you could check with them if interested.
 
You and your kids would enjoy the Musical Instrument Museum and it is air conditioned! the museum is in north Scottsdale.
 
Rent_Share said:
The jist of the post is that you are staying in Phoenix and Sedona, I wouldn't consider Sedona a day trip from Phoenix
Click to expand...

It seemed longer on top of a drive from LA County to Phoenix
 
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