Fun Family Attractions In Arizona

Are you looking for something to do with the kids this weekend – an opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy some family time together – maybe experience something new or going some place fun, educational or both that you haven’t been to before? Well, here you will find a whole plethora of fun adventures and activities to enjoy with the whole family. Use these ideas when boredom strikes or plan ahead for your next family excursion, vacation, weekend getaway or even a day trip in Arizona? There is definitely no shortage of things to do in this state that the whole family can enjoy together – whether you’re a local or just visiting. Lots of great outdoor activities to do when the weather is just right – as well as lots of air-conditioned indoor or water-related activities to do to cool off when the searing Arizona summer heat kicks into high gear.

This comprehensive guide to family oriented adventures, amusements and attractions feature those that are educational, fun, interactive, adventurous, competitive, sports-minded, exciting and/or relaxing.  Many of these promote curiosity, imagination, physical fitness and social interaction. The following listings focus on amusement parks, family fun centers, water parks, splash pads, wildlife parks, zoos, aquariums, guided tours, “hands-on” interactive children’s museums, kid activity centers, “family oriented” museums , exceptional parks, indoor playgrounds, go-karts, train rides, miniature golf, larger arcades, ticket/prize redemption centers, “soft-play” (bounce house type) play centers, laser tag arenas, exceptional paintball arenas, aquatic centers that feature waterslides or interactive water features, farm tours, caves and caverns that offer tours, and also unusual or unique attractions that may be geared towards kids or those that may appeal to all ages within the family or group. A number of lesser known places of interest have also been included here.

Now I’m also aware that there are bound to be additional attractions out there that I may not have included here – as there could really never be a “complete” list – but would appreciate your input in letting me know those favorites of yours that I haven’t included yet. None-the-less, this should still give you a decent selection of  places to check out.

I also strongly encourage you to check out the individual attraction’s websites before getting in the car and driving as a few of these are seasonal or subject to reduced hours  or days open – also there are a few requiring appointments or reservations in advance. Most will charge an admission or entrance fees – but not all – some are actually free of charge or accept donations. Some even offer reduced admission days or times. Also, due to the state of the economy as well as other factors, places do close down, go out of business, relocate, or switch over to an on-the-road type business.

So check out the endless possibilities below. There should be plenty of choices here for all ages.

Please Note:  All attractions are arranged and listed alphabetically by city:

• Aguila – Robson’s Mining World – An old-time gold mining town offering an impressive collection of antique mining equipment, gold panning, explore Native American artifacts and petroglyphs and see the Gold Mine.
• Anthem – Anthem Community Park – An incredible 63-acre park featuring Adventure Playground (large size highlighted by  a 3-tier castle), Daisy Mountain Railroad, Splash Pad, a half-pipe Skateboard Park, an In-Line Hockey Rink, Catch & Release Fishing Pond, Community Center, Big Splash Water Park (see next listing) and much more.
• Anthem – Big Splash Waterpark – Use limited to residents and guests
• Apache Junction – Superstition Mountain Museum –
• Benson – Kartchner Caverns State Park – Guided Cave Tour & Discovery Center
• Bisbee – Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
• Bisbee – Queen Mine Tours – Ride the mine train deep underground into the Queens Mine and learn it’s history from the miners-turned-tour-guides.
• Bullhead City – Colorado River Museum
• Bullhead City – Scooter’s Family Fun Center (no website found) Facebook Link – featuring 2 miniature golf courses, mini Indy raceway, batting cages and arcade
• Camp Verde – Fort Verde State Historic Park – featuring 3 historic museums on site.
• Camp Verde – Out of Africa Wildlife Park – Home to over 400 animals on a 104-acre preserve the Park features wild animals from all over the world, including Lions, Tigers, Giraffe, Rhinoceros, Black Bear, Camel, Jaguar, Ostrich, Cobras and more! The animals enjoy natural, spacious habitats and you can share in this one-of–a–kind wildlife experience.
• Casa Grande – Casa Grande Valley Historical Society & Museum – featuring vintage fire engines, a vintage schoolhouse, miniature agricultural display, mining exhibits, railroad exhibits
• Chandler – Arizona Railway Museum
• Chandler – Desert Breeze Park & Railroad – featuring the Desert Breeze Express Train Ride, Carousel, newer playgrounds, old time train station and lake
• Chandler – Makutu’s Island – Indoor Playground & Family Fun Center
• Chandler – Rawhide Western Town At Wild Horse Pass – featuring a Desert Train Ride, Butterfield Stagecoach Rides, Gold Panning, Burro Rides, Rock Climbing Wall, Six Gun Theater Stunt Shows, Spirit of the West Theater Stage Shows and Shootin’ Gallery
• Chandler – Tumbleweed Park/Playtopia – Playtopia is a FREE 2.5 acre playground and picnic section of Tumbleweed Park featuring several themed play zones (such as Farm Land, City Land, Critter Land) based on Chandler’s heritage — an ideal place for endless imaginative play and attracts families from all over town — Come out and play!
• Clarkdale – Verde Canyon Railroad
• Cottonwood – Blazin’ M Ranch – Featuring an all-you-can-eat Chuckwagon Dinner, a Live Western Stage Show and a wide variety of Western sights and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
• Dragoon – The Thing – (no website found) – story and details featured Here and Here
• Flagstaff – Lowell Observatory – The world’s largest private astronomical observatory – Explore interactive “hands-on” exhibits & experience cinematic, widescreen multimedia shows in the auditorium.
• Flagstaff – Museum of Northern Arizona – Opened June/2009 –
• Gilbert – Bounce U –
• Gilbert – Freestone Park & Railroad – featuring a Miniature Train Ride around the Park, Carousel, Mini Ferris Wheel, Wave Runner Kiddie Ride and Playgrounds and lake.
• Gilbert – Gilbert Historical Museum – “Explore the Past, Experience the Present, Imagine the Future” – 7 themed rooms to explore with tons of exhibits – some “hands-on”
  
• Gilbert – Mother Nature’s Farm –
• Glendale – Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park & Museum/Adobe Western Railroad – Train Ride Link – Ride the Train from the South end of the park to the Museum. Displays include a small, narrow-gauge 1884 locomotive plus model railroad layout.
• Glendale – Aquatic Playground Splash Pad – An 8,500-square-foot aquatic playground “featuring nearly 30 different nozzles and buckets, from cattails to ground geysers
• Glendale – Cerreta Candy Company – offering free factory tours – Staff-guided (30 minute tours) and self-guided tours are available. Television monitors through out the facility provide plenty of information while you watch chocolate sensations being created right before your eyes. The Cerreta family has been hand-crafting chocolates for nearly 70 years. This small factory is a great place to take the kids for a tour of a working candy factory as well as to sample the candies.
• Glendale – Speed Street Indoor Race Track – Kart Racing Facility
• Glendale – Tolmachoff Farms – An authentic working family -run farm featuring guided farm and field trip tours, farm animals, (corn mazes, bounce house  and train rides during selected events), as well as special events throughout the year.
• Glendale – Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix Water Park – (previously known as Waterworld Safari)
• Globe – Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park – Walk through a 700 year old Salado Culture pueblo, climb ladders to second story rooms and view the typical furnishings of the era. Numerous artifacts of this remarkably advanced culture are also displayed in the Besh-Ba-Gowah Museum
• Goldfield – Goldfield Ghost Town – “The Gateway to the Superstition Mountains” – Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine and visit the Goldfield Museum. Pan for gold then take a ride on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train.- Witness an old west gun fight performed by the famous Goldfield Gunfighters – Jeep Tours of the Superstition Mountains – Horseback, Wagons & Carriage Adventures await you – Spend a fun filled day, rich in wild west history!
• Grand Canyon – Grand Canyon National Park – Explore the North Rim or South Rim (most popular)
• Grand Canyon West – Grand Canyon Skywalk &  Hualapai Tribal Village – [This entire attraction is located on the tribal land of the Hualaipi  Indian Reservation] The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a unique glass-bottomed cantilever structure that spans 70 feet over the Grand Canyon’s rim and sits 4,000 feet above the Colorado River – Unveiled and opened to the public in March 2007 – Several varieties of tour packages available – Shuttlebus stops at Eagle Point, Guano Point and Hualapai Ranch featuring Native American Village, Amphitheater performances, Hualapai Craft & Jewelry Market, hiking, exploring ruins, cowboy entertainment, demonstrations, wagon rides, horseback tours, whitewater rafting, plane & helicopter tours with pontoon boat connection tour.
• Lake Havasu City – Havasu Hot Laps – Go Kart Racing (no website found) Info Link
• Lake Havasu City – Lake Havasu Aquatic Center – featuring a waterslide, kiddie lagoon, splash park
• Litchfield Park – Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium – Nearly 600 species of animals and 75 themed indoor exhibits – featuring an African Safari Train, Log Flume Ride, Australian Boat and Sky-Ride, all of which are integrated into the live animal exhibits.
• Marana – Breakers Water Park – Breakers Bay is Arizona’s Largest Wave Pool – 1.3 Million Gallons of wave pool excitement! Also featuring The Riptide, Bonzai Pipeline (5 “thrill” slides), Splash Canyon and Captain Kidd’s Surfari (the new Interactive play zone for the little ones)
• Mesa – Amazing Jake’s Food & Fun – An amazing 90,000 sq.ft. of air-conditioned indoor food, fun and games featuring an All-U-Can-Eat Buffet full of Pizzas, Pastas, Soups, a Potato and Salad Bar, Fountain Drinks and Desserts. The Fun Factory includes over 150 Interactive Redemption and Video Games along with the biggest and best prize counter in town. Enjoy an Indoor Go-Kart track, a Glow Bowling Alley (Galaxy Bowl), Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Rock Climbing Wall, a Mini Coaster and Surfside Miniature Golf plus four kiddie rides including the Rio Grande Train, Tea Cups, a Frog Hopper as well as a Carousel.
• Mesa – Arizona Museum For Youth
• Mesa – Arizona Museum of Natural History – This premier museum is THE  place for family fun. Where else can you see a flash flood cascading down a three-story mountain inside a museum? See Bubba the snapping turtle and a live Gila monster. Experience a real territorial jail, pan for gold in the History Courtyard, and wind your way through the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. Check out the new special exhibitions and experience hands-on adventure for all ages in the Exploration Station. Explore Arizona and the Southwest from the creation of the earth 4.5 billion years ago to the present. See the origins of life on earth, meteorites and minerals. In Dinosaur Hall, discover some of the biggest dinosaurs that ever lived, and on Dinosaur Mountain see how some appeared and sounded in a natural context. In a Walk through Time, explore ancient Arizona’s Paleozoic Seas, Triassic Petrified Forest, monsters of the Cretaceous Seas, and the first animals to fly.
  
• Mesa – Golfland Sunsplash – featuring 3 Miniature Golf Courses, Fastcar Raceway, Bumper Boat Lagoon, Putt’s Playland, Lazer Knights Laser Tag Arena, King Ben’s Castle Arcade, plus 18 Waterslides and Water Adventures!!
• Mesa – Jambo! Indoor Amusement Park – An indoor amusement park with rides & soft play (formerly called Jeepers Amusement Paradise) – A 28,000 square foot climate controlled indoor amusement park with your child’s favorite rides – mini roller coaster, carousel, bumper cars, monkey barrels, spinning cups, safari train, jet airplane ride. Add over 90 non-violent games, many with redemption tickets & prizes. Now add a giant soft play area with tunnels & slides for hours of fun.
• Mesa – Laser Quest
• Mesa – Rockin’ R Ranch – A working cattle and horse ranch for generations, the Rockin’ R Ranch is a real pioneer ranch with a history as intriguing as the West was Wild – Come and experience the spectacular scenery, the delicious BBQ beef and chicken dinners, the gunfights, gold panning and horse-drawn wagon rides, and the world-famous western stage shows that have drawn millions of people from all over the world to the Rockin’ R Ranch – Arizona’s Wild West Town.
• Mesa – Stratum Laser Tag & Entertainment Center – Billed as “The World’s Largest Laser Tag Arena”
• Mesa – Superstition Farm – Dairy Tour – Experience and learn from an actual working family-run farm offering tours, ‘hands-on’ demonstrations, a petting farm, hayrides, a hay maze, a ‘milk bar’ – hear ‘cow tales’ and see a ‘cow spa’
• Mesa – Xtreme Play – Inflatable Indoor Playground – CLOSED as of Apr/2010
• Oracle – Biosphere 2 – A One-of-a-kind facility – Experience the remarkable Biosphere 2 which Time Life Books recently named one of the 50 must see “Wonders of the World”. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the specially designed mini-world. Starting at the visitor center you will get a first look at the new  “Phoenix Mars Lander” exhibit which landed on Mars in the summer of 2008. The visitor center also houses numerous other exhibits and multi-media displays along with a Bookstore and Cafe. Check out the new feature movie showing in the main theater which describes the past, present and future of the project. Your entry into the Biosphere is led by a tour guide who takes you inside and under the glass. The beautiful trail system takes you on a once in a lifetime tour that lets you smell the ocean and see a tropical Rainforest up close. In addition to escorting you through the upper Biomes, your interpretive tour guide takes you through the basement “technosphere” and into the amazing lungs that help the Biosphere system breathe. Your tour will conclude in the custom-built underwater ocean viewing gallery where you can explore the million-gallon ocean and its real coral reef.
• Peach Springs – Grand Canyon Caverns (tours) Located directly off of the legendary Highway “Route 66” between Peach Springs & Seligman  – This is the largest “dry” caverns in the United States
• Peoria – Challenger Space Center – The Challenger Space Center provides an exciting space-based learning environment where schoolchildren, families, senior citizens, corporate teams and others fly simulated space flight missions where they become flight crews, mission controllers and scientists.
• Peoria – Cowtown – Be a Cowboy! Experience cowboy life adventures here – This Wild West location includes Old West Town, Team-Building Course, Horseback Riding, Paintball Combat Zone and Cowboy Games – Fun for the entire family – Cowtown, AZ is a Clio-award winning film location starring in more than 250 movies, commercials and television shows.
• Peoria – Cowtown Paintball
• Peoria – Pump It Up – The Inflatable Party Zone
• Peoria – Rio Vista Park
• Peoria – Wazee’s World Laser Zone – This 43,000 sq. ft. entertainment Mecca includes a 7500 sq. ft. multi-level Laser Tag arena, a nine-hole Cosmic “Glow-in-the-Dark” Golf course and an Inflatable Bounce Arena that includes two large bounce houses and an obstacle course plus a video game arcade and redemption center. The “Area 51” themed laser tag arena is unlike anything in the state. This is not your typical laser tag game, but rather an amazing adventure. Space Quest is the first of it’s kind in Arizona – Designed more as a movie set than your typical laser tag arena… that you’ll have to see to believe!
• Petrified Forest National Park/Painted Desert
• Phoenix – Arizona Science Center – “Hands-On Eye-Opening Fun” – Located in Historic Heritage Square – Explore more than 300 hands-on exhibits in five themed galleries.
• Phoenix – Arizona Doll & Toy Museum – featuring a wide variety of dolls and toys from yesterday as well as contemporary playthings and furnished doll houses. One room has even been refurbished to reflect a turn of the century one room school house complete with antique dolls as “students.”
• Phoenix – Arizona Military Museum – located at Papago Park Military Reservation – There’s something here for everyone – kids to seniors. Visitors can view over twenty-five authentic displays of everything from uniforms to weapons to armored vehicles – Military exhibits include a large weapons display and an actual UH-1M Army Combat Helicopter (gunship) flown in Vietnam.
• Phoenix – Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum – Over 3,000 minerals, rocks, fossils and mining artifacts are on exhibit. Highlighting the collection are the colorful minerals from Arizona’s copper mines. Among the spectacular individual specimens on display are an eight-foot specimen of native copper, a large quartz geode – each half weighing 240 pounds, rocks from the first Moon landing, and a fragment of Meteor Crater’s meteorite weighing 206 pounds. Prominently displayed outside is the 43-foot tall Boras mine head frame, moved to Phoenix from Bisbee, Arizona – an 1882 baby-gauge steam train locomotive from Phelps Dodge’s Morenci mine. A mucker car and ore car have been set on rail in the front yard and a 19-foot tall 5-stamp mill has been added to the historic mining equipment. Contemporary open pit mining is represented by a 13 foot diameter tire from a 320 ton capacity mine haul truck and a 27 cubic yard bucket from an electric shovel. Don’t miss the mural of the 320-ton haul truck!
• Phoenix – AZ Mazes/Fear Farm – featuring an 8-acre corn maze with 5 miles of twists and turns – 5 incredible haunted attractions in September & October
• Phoenix – Castles-N-Coasters – “Arizona’s Finest Family Fun & Thrill Park” featuring 15 attractions, rides and activities – including 2 roller coasters (Desert Storm & The Patriot), Sky Diver (“the official scream machine”), Splashdown (log ride), Free Fall, Lil’ Indy Cars, Bumper Boats, Sea Dragon, Ram Rods, Magic Carpet At Aladin’s Castle, Carousel, 4 Miniature Golf Courses and an 18,000 sq- ft. Interactive Arcade packed with video, pinball, carnival and redemption games plus Shooting Gallery – also 3 kiddie rides
• Phoenix – Children’s Museum of Phoenix –
• Phoenix – Desert Botanical Garden – Nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. This one-of-a-kind museum showcases 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, the Garden offers interesting and inspiring experiences to more than 300,000 visitors each year.
• Phoenix – Enchanted Island Amusement Park – “Located right in the heart of Encanto Park” –  Enchanted Island is filled with charm and magic – offering nine kiddie rides and a variety of popular attractions geared especially toward children aged 1 to 10. Ride the historic Encanto Carousel, Kiddie Cars, Bumper Boats, Little ones can also get  soaked at the newly opened Splash Zone – Pedal-boat across fish-filled lagoons. Test your skill at the arcade games.
• Phoenix – F1 Race Factory Indoor Kart Racing – “America’s Largest Indoor Kart Racing & Entertainment Venue” – including Rock Climbing, Billiards & Video Arcade
• Phoenix – Hall of Flame Fire Museum & National Firefighting Hall of Heroes – featuring almost an acre of fire history exhibits, with over 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus, fire engines and fire fighting equipment on display dating from 1725 to 1969
• Phoenix – Imagination Avenue – Indoor play center for the younger set which features a Child size “pretend village” complete with 9 play houses that include a house, school, grocery store, hospital, home depot, fire station, jail, dress shop and a movie theater – Other features include a jungle gym, train station, puppet theater, birthday party room, and puzzle/color room.
• Phoenix – Laser Quest
• Phoenix – Jambo! Indoor Amusement Park – A jungle-themed indoor Miniature Golf facility  formerly called Mini Golf Paradise
• Phoenix – Oasis Water Park @ The Arizona Grand Resort
• Phoenix – Phoenix Trolley Museum/Arizona Street Railway Museum

• Phoenix – Phoenix Zoo – “Voted one of the Nation’s Top 5 Zoos for Kids!” –
  
• Phoenix – Pioneer Arizona Living History Village & Museum – Featuring over 90 acres of an old 1800’s town – with no cars or smog – Just authentic buildings and historically accurate reproductions. Visit an Opera House, blacksmith shop, vintage cabins, sheriff’s office and jail, complete ranch complex, and costumed interpreters including cowboys, lawmen, and lovely Victorian ladies – All await you at Pioneer Living History Village – Arizona’s most authentic Old West town.
• Phoenix – Pueblo Grand Museum Archaeological Park
• Phoenix – Pump It Up – The Inflatable Party Zone
• Phoenix – Speedway Indoor Kart Racing Center
• Phoenix – Toy Town Play Center
• Picacho – Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
• Pomerene (near Benson) – Gammons Gulch – Old West Town & Mining Camp, Movie Set & Museum – Tours offered
• Prescott – Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary – One of the largest spider displays in the country can be found here at the Tarantula Grotto – A 2600 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Reptile House is currently under construction.
• Prescott – The Spot – A Child’s Museum – Opening Soon @ Prescott Gateway Mall
• Prescott Valley – Freedom Station Family Fun Center – featuring Wild West Mini-Golf, Bumper Cars, Playland, Rock Climbing Wall, Video Arcade & Redemption Center & Family Fun Train
• Queen Creek – Schnepf Farms – “The Southwest’s Premier Family Entertainment Farm” featuring U-Pick Organic Gardens and Orchards, Petting Barn, Giant Slide, Train Rides, Carousel, Play Yard, Farmhouse Museum, Country Store, Sweet Shoppe, Campground – Additional children’s rides (including a roller coaster and flying/swinging rides) available during special events throughout the year – The historic, family-run 600-acre working farm also offers a variety of seasonal activities such as concerts, festivals, birthday parties, company parties, picnics, cook-offs, dinner extravaganzas in the orchard as well as educational farm tours for various school, private and public groups and organizations.
  
• Roosevelt – Tonto National Monument – Discover the Ancient Cliff Dwellings – also featuring a Visitor Center, Museum,  Observation Deck, Video Presentation and Guided Tours
  
• Safford – Discovery Park Campus (Eastern Arizona College) – featuring an observatory and exhibit galleries dealing with astronomy, space and the Solar System. The Highlight…The Space Shuttle Polaris takes visitors on a virtual tour through the solar system. This high-tech motional simulator blasts off from the Discovery Park Campus, over the 10,720 foot Mt. Graham, to visit each of the planets in the solar system. The on-board “computer” describes the journey to make it a very educational and entertaining experience.
• Safford – Swings & Things Sports Park (no website found)  info link
• Sahuarita – ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center/Mission Mine Tour – Discover their award-winning exhibit center, video theater, cactus garden, and picnic area. Experience a tour of the ASARCO Mission Copper Mine. Learn about the history of the copper mining industry and how it’s used today. See the collection of mining equipment at several outdoor exhibits – also see up close 2 huge haul trucks, an Insley Shovel and a Galion Grader.
• Sahuarita – Titan Missile Museum – featuring the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the nation – Tour the underground missile site – See the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile in the launch duct – Visit the launch control center, experience a simulated launch and more!
• Scottsdale – CrackerJax Family Fun & Sports Park – featuring Can-Am Style Go-Karts, Jax Trax Indy-Style Kiddie Karts , Bumper Boat Lagoon, Miniature Golf (2 courses), Bungy Dome, Water Wars, Professional Putting Course, 300-yard Driving Range, Batting Cages, Volleyball Courts, Video Arcade & Redemption Center.
• Scottsdale – McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park – Take a ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad and the Antique Carousel – Visit the McCormick Historical Railroad Exhibit and Museum,Arboretum and let the kids enjoy two spacious themed playgrounds – Also a new Model Railroad Building opening later this year – This one-of-kind 10,000 square foot building will showcase the park’s four model railroad clubs along with surrounding railroad displays and artifacts.  This facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010.
• Scottsdale – Pump It Up – The Inflatable Party Zone
• Sierra Vista – Ball Fore Miniature Golf (no website found)
• Sierra Vista – Sierra Vista Aquatic Center/”The Cove” – featuring Kids Shipwreck (kiddie slide and waterplay features) & Lagoon, Diving well with two diving boards (1-one meter, 1-three meter), 150’ enclosed tube water slide and an underwater Observation area.
• Stanfield – Shamrock Farms – Dairy Farm Tour – More than 10,000 cows are standing by, ready to make this farm tour a real hands-on experience for kids of all ages. With interactive displays, games and a tram ride, it’s a cornucopia of family-focused and educational activities for the whole herd.
• Summerhaven – Mt. Lemmon Sky Center – An exceptional science learning facility located at Steward Observatory’s “sky island” observing site just north of Tucson. The SkyCenter builds upon the uniqueness of the 9157′ summit of Mt. Lemmon and on the extensive knowledge base at the University of Arizona to deliver educational adventures.
• Superior – Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park – Discover the intricate beauty and many faces of Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Featured are plants from the world’s deserts, towering trees, captivating cacti, sheer mountain cliffs, a streamside forest, panoramic vistas, many natural habitats with varied wildlife, a desert lake, a hidden canyon, specialty gardens highlighted by a Children’s Garden where kids can explore a maze, dig for buried treasure and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells. This garden has something for all ages – Lots of hiking trails and a Visitor’s Center – Guided tours available.
• Superior – World’s Smallest Museum – “One of Arizona’s Finest Roadside Attractions on Historic US 60!”
• Tempe – Big Surf Water Park – Featuring the Waikiki Wave Pool – the 3rd largest wave pool in the United States containing over 2 million gallons of water with waves reaching up to four feet. Other attractions include Hurricane Falls, Kiluea Cove Slides, Cyclone Slide, Tsunami Slide, Tornado Twisters, Abyss Black Hole (Dark) Slide) Avalanche (White Serpentine Tubing Ride), Tahitian Twister Slides, Captains Cook’s Landing (toddler play zone) & Bora Bora Bay & Slides (Kool Kid Zone).
  
• Tempe – Fiddlesticks Family Fun Park – featuring Miniature Golf (2 courses), Go-Karts, Bumper Boats, 3 Kiddie Rides (Rookie Go-Karts, Flying Dragon, Miner Mike Roller Coaster), Batting Cages, Driving Range & Interactive Video Arcade
• Tempe – Gameworks – located in the Arizona Mills Mall
• Tempe – Halle Heart Children’s Museum – A one-of-a-kind museum designed completely around the heart. A visit to the museum will illuminate the function of the heart, its role in the body, and ways to keep it healthy. Discover the fascinating and prominent position the heart holds in the body. It’s free, it’s fun and it’s fantastic!
• Tempe – Kiwanis Park Recreation Center/Indoor Wave Pool – featuring a 127′ long and 15′ tall double spiral water slide – 3′ waves – raft and tube rentals available
• Tempe – Pump It Up – The Inflatable Party Zone
• Tempe – Sea Life Arizona Aquarium – Grand Opening May 14, 2010
• Tempe – Tempe History Museum
• Tempe – Tempe Splash Playground @ Tempe Beach Park – Experience a small storm, even when the weather is sunny and warm. Kids can cool off while having fun at this one-acre water playground. The entrance features a metal circle of clouds that rains a light mist of water onto visitors. Thunder claps and lightning flashes. Waterfalls turn into streams and water rushes into canals. Children can enjoy running through the “ocean”, shooting water cannons, standing under waterfalls, riding toy whales and going down the kiddie waterslide. Only about two inches of water will pool in parts of the park. The water is kept flowing across the playground, where it is eventually collected, filtered, cleaned, and re-circulated in a state-of-the-art system.
• Three Points – Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center & Museum – The world’s largest collection of optical telescopes is located high above the Sonoran Desert under some of the finest night skies in the world. Kitt Peak, on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, is home to twenty-four optical and two radio telescopes representing eight astronomical research institutions.
• Tombstone – Good Enough Mine Underground Tour – link to an interesting story about this attraction
• Tombstone – Tombstone Attractions & Tours – Billed as “The World’s Most Famous Western Town” – Lots to see and do here – starting with 7 museums including the O.K. Corral & Historama Multimedia Presentation, Western Heritage Museum plus Stunt Shows, Gunfights & Helldorado Town which features Fun for the whole family including a Free petting zoo, shooting gallery, 19-hole Miniature Golf course, entrance to Helldorado Mavericks comedy stunt gunfight and to Texas Kate’s Wild West Show! – Lots of Historic sites as well such as Boothill Graveyard and Fairbank Ghost Town – Also you can take a walking tour on the streets of Tombstone with real ghost hunters and learn of it’s amazing past. Then help investigate the O.K. Corral! The tour PREFERRED by Ghost Hunters and History Buffs!
• Tortilla Flat – Tortilla Flat Townsite – An authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, Superstition Mountain Range featuring a historic Restaurant, Saloon, Stage Stop, original Schoolhouse Museum, Post Office, Country Store, Gift Shop and more along the famous Apache Trail
  
• Tucson – Arcade-In-A-Box Gaming Center
• Tucson – Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place!
• Tucson – Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium – located on the University of Arizona campus – features include a Planetarium, Observatory, Mineral Museum, UA Science Center & Exhibit Hall – highlighted by the new “Mars, Up Close and Personal” exhibit – the world’s largest known three dimensional, scaled reproduction of the Martian surface.
• Tucson – Funtastics Family Fun Park – featuring Atlantis Laser Tag, Go-Karts, Rookie Go-Karts (for the lil’ ones), Bumper Boats, Miniature Golf (2 courses), Batting Cages, Kiddie Land, Air Bounce Jump Castle, Carousel, Miner Mike Roller Coaster, Video Arcade & Redemption Center including skee ball and air hockey
• Tucson – Gadsden-Pacific Toy Train Operating Museum – An interactive museum of operating toy train layouts and displays.
• Tucson – Golf N’ Stuff – featuring Miniature Golf (2 courses), Lit’l Indy Raceway Go Karts, Bumper Boats, Laser Tag, Batting Cages, “The Rock” Climber, Interactive Video Arcade & Redemption Center
• Tucson – International Wildlife Museum – This museum highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe – Some of the collections are more than 100 years old. All dioramas depicting wild animals in their natural settings, videos, interactive computers, and hands-on exhibits promote wildlife appreciation and conservation.
• Tucson – Old Tucson Studios – Western Frontier Village and Theme Park
• Tucson – Pima Air & Space Museum – Pima Air & Space Museum, where history takes flight, is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum. Within 80 acres you’ll see more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced, both from the United States and throughout the world.
• Tucson – Pump It Up – The Inflatable Party Zone
• Tucson – Reid Park Zoo – featuring Kenya Get Wet (an interactive wet play area), Wild Ideas hands-on exhibits in the Learning Center and the Reid Park Zoo Express Train
• Tucson – Tanque Verde Swap Meet – Aside from this large 30-acre swap meet and Farmer’s Market, there’s also a kid’s amusement area that features a vintage 1940’s merry-go-round, kiddie rides, jumping castle, little theater and Koi pond.
• Tucson – T-Rex Museum – a very cool, unique and award-winning interactive ‘hands-on’ dinosaur museum – check out the updated location information on their website
• Tucson – Trail Dust Town – originally constructed as a movie set with wooden boardwalks and red brick streets, they now feature several attractions suitable for adults and children of all ages. There is no better place in Tucson to enjoy a delicious meal and spend an evening with the family. Enjoy a miniature train ride on the CP Huntington Railroad, visit the Museum of the Horse Soldier (impressive collection of US Cavalry artifacts), enjoy the Wild West Stunt Show, take a spin on the Historic 1920’s Fiesta Del Presidio Carousel , test your marksmanship at the interactive Rifle Saloon Shooting Gallery, check out Diablo’s Gold Arcade or try your hand at Gold Panning at Pinnacle Peak
  
• Tucson – Tucson Botanical Gardens – 16 different themed gardens featuring a Children’s Discovery Garden, Butterfly Garden and Garden Railway highlighted by an operating model miniature train complete with town, waterfalls and luscious scenery – all spread out over well maintained meandering pathways.
• Tucson – Tucson Children’s Museum – Special features and exhibits include “Ocean Discovery Center”, “Dinosaur World”, “The Art Studio ” and “Farmers Market”.
• Vail – Colossal Cave Mountain Park – Cave Tours, Trail Rides, Riding Stables, 2 Museums
• Valentine – Keepers of The Wild Nature Park – Exotic Animal Sanctuary dedicated to the rescuing and rehabilitation of neglected or abused exotic animals offering tours and educational programs.
• Valle – Flintstones Bedrock City Theme Park – Here’s a 2nd info & review Link
• Valle – Planes of Fame Air Museum
• Willcox – Apple Annie’s Orchard – a family farm offering weekday field trips and weekend family events – enjoy a hayride to the U-Pick orchards
• Williams – Bearizona Drive-Thru Wildlife Park – Opens May 22, 2010 – Experience animal wildlife the way it was meant to be, in a natural environment, all from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle. Featuring a wide variety of wildlife that includes majestic Bison, Big Horn Sheep, Arctic & Gray Wolves, stealthy Mountain Lions, adorable bear cubs and much more.
  
• Williams – Grand Canyon Deer Farm – Roam among the deer and enjoy  this expansive petting zoo also featuring Reindeer, Wallabies, Mini Cattle, Coatimundis, Marmosets, Talking Birds and, new as of this year, a Baby Camel and two Baby Bison.
• Williams – Grand Canyon Railway – Enjoy historic train travel on one of four classes of service on vintage trains from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park . Be entertained by cowboy characters, enjoy the tunes of strolling musicians, and be part of a mock train robbery as train travel from the early 1900’s is recreated during the scenic 65-mile journey to the canyon. During the holidays, take a memorable family excursion to the “North Pole” to visit Santa on the Polar Express that your little ones won’t soon forget.
• Williams – Redlake Junction Railroad – 1.5″ scale trains you can actually ride on – pulled by a real Steam Locomotive – Fun for the whole family!
• Window Rock – The Navajo Nation Zoological & Botanical Park – Admission is FREE!
• Winslow – Meteor Crater – “The Most Well-Known, Best Preserved Meteorite Crater On Earth!” – Nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep. This is an international tourist venue with outdoor Observation Trails, air-conditioned indoor viewing, wide screen Movie Theater, interactive Discovery Center, unique gift and rock shop, and Astronaut Memorial Park at the modern Visitor Center located on the Crater Rim.
• Yuma – Roxaboxen Park – This unique Park memorializes the beloved and internationally known children’s story entitled “Roxaboxen” by author Alice McLerran (now published in 7 languages). This true story is based on the adventures of the author’s mother and fellow Roxaboxenites as they grew up in Yuma in the early part of the last century. These children created the make-believe town of “Roxaboxen” from rocks, boxes, and lots of imagination. Even today, you can find neighborhood children making little rock and box houses with imagination as their only mortar.
• Yuma – The Camel Farm – Visit a working farm specializing in the breeding of Arabian (one-humped) camels and other exotic and unusual animals and birds.
• Yuma – Yuma Fun Factory – featuring go-karts, bumper boats, 2 miniature-golf courses, large video arcade & redemption center – Enjoy console game systems on a huge 148″ HDTV. CLOSED as of Apr/2010 ….. UPDATED Oct/2011….. check out this Yuma Sun newspaper article dated 9/14/2011 ….. UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP & SOON TO REOPEN WITH A WATER PARK BEING ADDED ….. HERE’S THE NEWEST LINK
  
• Yuma – ZPS Miniature Golf – featuring Indoor Mini Golf plus “Cosmic” Glow-In-The-Dark Miniature Golf – Facebook Page link

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Aquatic Centers, Splash Parks, Spray Pads & Water Playgrounds

• Link #1 covering Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Metro Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale & Tempe

• Link #2 covering much of Maricopa County and surrounding communities

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Venues With Several Locations in Arizona

• Chuck E Cheese – Locations in Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa (2), Phoenix (3), Tucson & Yuma