Arizona Family Vacations

Arizona family vacations are about western culture and heritage. From the Ponderosa pine forests in the North. To the picturesque beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Arizona has it all.

Phoenix is the nation’s sixth largest city. Set against the foothills of the South Mountain, the exclusive Legacy Golf Resort will let you vacation in style.

Besides the 18-hole championship golf course, the family can enjoy the daily activities programs for children, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, nearby hiking and jogging trails and bicycle rentals.

Other Arizona family vacation ideas for Phoenix can include the nationally renowned collection of Native American artifacts and fine art at the Heard Museum.

For more culture visit the Desert Botanical Gardens where they bring to life the many wonders of the desert.

The Phoenix Zoo - home to over 1,200 animals and an exciting array of animal exhibits, unique special events, educational programs and outdoor family recreational activities; or theArizona Science Center with more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, and traveling exhibitions.

If your Arizona family vacations include shopping, Phoenix has much to offer. The Scottsdale Fashion Square is considered by many as the Southwest's finest destination for upscale shopping with it’s retractable roof and many unique Arizona specialty shops.

Jerome is promoted by the locals as the “ The Largest Ghost Town in America". Founded in 1876, this former copper mining town was once known as the wickedest town in the west. Most of the structures have been converted to hotels, gift shops, cafes and artists studios.

The Santa Catalina and the Chiricahua Mountains provide lots of family fun opportunities. Explore the many hiking trails, vista points, petroglyphs and picnic areas.

The Faraway Ranch was a pioneer homestead and is now a working cattle and guest ranch. The Chiricahua National Monument is a mecca for hikers and birders.

For some of the of the world’s most dramatic scenery and rare wildlife your Arizona family vacation ideas should include the Sonoran Desert.

Some places of interest are the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, with its extraordinary collection of plants of the Sonoran Desert, including the organ pipe cactus; dramatic Baboquivari Peak known for its excellent photography, sightseeing, and day hikes; Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge which offers the more adventurous visitor a chance to explore the rugged beauty of the desert.

Take a family trip to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park where the native Indian Navajo guides will show you the history and beauty of one of the most stunning and famous landscapes in the world. The sandstone buttes, mesas and spires have been used as a backdrop for Hollywood western movies. This is a Navajo Nation tribal park located in northeastern Arizona.

The best way to view the park is by auto-tour along the 17 mile long dirt road that winds through the park. The terrain is rough and a 4WD vehicle is a must. These can be hired, along with the Navajo guides, at the visitor center. The guides can also take you through the park by horseback. A visit to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a great way to experience the Southwest landscape and learn about the Navajo cultural both in the past and present day.