The Bucket List for a Family Friendly Vacation through Arizona

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 1 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Road trips are one of the best ways to vacation, especially when you’re towing along a couple kids. Whether you’re flying cross country and picking up an RV for a week, or just venturing out your backdoor in the minivan for a long weekend of local adventure, seeing what this country has to offer out the windows of a vehicle is a satisfying experience, for both young and old. We recently road tripped through the state of Arizona, from top to bottom, and along the way found great bucket list stops, everything from nature and landmark viewing to museums and aquariums, all kid-friendly, yet still fascinating and fun for adults. So whether Arizona is hundreds of miles away or right in your backyard, load up the car and the kids and get road trippin’. Leave the to-do list to us!

Daily Mom Travel Tip

If Arizona is a plane ride away, and you’re bringing along kids who still require car seats, don’t stress! It’s not as bad as you might think. Using a rental car carseat is one option, but we’ve found that those are outdated, have held many a child’s rear end which can be disturbing, and half the time are a nightmare to install and aren’t near as comfortable – for both kids and adults – as their well-loved, broken-in carseat used at home. Face it, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the car while you drive through this amazing state, so do your little ones a comfortable favor and pack up their own carseat.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 2 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

We at Daily Mom have our favorite carseats, and Diono is one of our go-to brands, so when we travel with our Diono seat, we make it extra easy on ourselves by tucking it inside the Diono Car Seat Bag, a durable, waterproof bag that easily can be used as a backpack or as a duffle with the side handle. With a couple zippered pockets for odds and ends, an ID tag included, and tough enough to withstand being baggage checked, this carseat bag makes bringing along your carseat easier than packing your suitcases!

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 3 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

We’ve sectioned out our Arizona Bucket List by major cities, so if you’re traveling to one specific city on your trip, then click on that city to see that city’s activities. If you want to see what all of Arizona has to offer, then click on more than one city and see it all… we did!

Tucson | Flagstaff | Williams | Page | Scottsdale

Tucson, Arizona

Kartchner Caverns State Park


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 4 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

In 1974, a massive cave was discovered by explorers Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, right inside the Whetstone Mountains, and after some research into how best to preserve the beauty of this magnificent cavern, Arizona State Parks was approached to protect it. Today, you can visit this state park and actually step inside the caverns, seeing what the two explorers from years ago discovered for the first time. As you tour through the humid, warm cave tunnels, you’ll be educated by the guides on the history of the cave and the many different formations you see all around you. It’s a stunning experience for all ages!

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 5 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Before your tour starts – and of course afterwards – roam around the museum to learn about all things cave-related, see exhibits on what structures are present in the caverns you are about to or already have seen, and watch a short video in the theater about the history and magnificent discovery that happened in the hills right outside.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 6 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Kartchner Caverns State Park also offers:

  • Camping – in cabins, RVs, and tents
  • Hiking trails
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Special programs and events
  • Weddings and group tours

Pima Air & Space Museum


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 7 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

For the plane lovers in the family, a stop at Pima Air & Space Museum is a must. This 80-acre museum is one of the largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world, featuring over 300 historical aircrafts. Since 1976, they have been allowing guests to take self-guided tours and Tram Tours through the indoor/outdoor museum, and a bus tour through the massive “Aircraft Boneyard”. As they keep growing and expanding, they continue to educate those who pass through their doors on the history of aviation and the armed forces. This is one museum where both kids and adults alike will be enthralled at every exhibit they pass.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 8 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Inside the museum are not only interactive hands-on exhibits for children (and adults!), but there is an outdoor playground for burning off some extra energy, and a cafe for an ice cream and snack break.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 9 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 10 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Pima Air & Space Museum also offers:

  • Private events
  • Soarin’ Saturdays for Kids – a STEM program
  • Special events

Flagstaff, Arizona

Oak Creek Canyon


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 11 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

This smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon is famous around the world for its amazing scenery. As you drive through the winding roadways between Flagstaff and Sedona, be sure to stop every now and then at one of the viewing points to take a moment and gaze at the beauty around you. You’ll see the colorful rocks and unique formations that Oak Creek Canyon is known for, and you’ll definitely want to pull over and start exploring.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 12 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 13 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Before you find a place to start hiking and relishing in the scenes, we suggest you grab a picnic lunch to take with you, as Oak Creek Canyon is teeming with picnic tables set against some of the most amazing backdrops you’ve only imagined eating a sandwich beside! Grab a salad and a wrap from Indian Gardens Cafe & Market and set up your lunch with a view. Then start hiking. Pick a trail and go. You never know what you might find. When you go off the beaten track in Oak Creek Canyon, you can stumble upon swimming holes, natural climbing walls, waterfalls, and overlooks, all just begging to be fully taken in.

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Oak Creek Canyon also offers:

  • Fishing
  • Wildlife watching
  • Well-known landmarks, such as Steam Boat Rock, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, and more
  • Oak Creek Canyon Vista
EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Oak Creek Canyon

Lowell Observatory


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Love star gazing? We mean, really… who doesn’t? Flagstaff, AZ is lucky to hold the Lowell Observatory in their town, an independent, non-profit research institution that was founded in 1894, with the mission to study astronomy, continue research, and educate the public on the phenomena of our solar system. Being one of the oldest observatories in the country, they have made some major discoveries over the years, including the planet Pluto, co-discovery of the rings of Uranus, and the three largest known stars.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 17 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

There is so much to explore here, including a small interactive exhibit hall with a theatre and loads of educational information. Once you start getting your brain tuned into the night sky, go outside and take a tour, look through larger than life telescopes, listen to presentations, view constellations, and more. Whether you visit during the day or at night, you’ll be enriched with some of the most interesting information about our galaxies and their history, all taking place right on the grounds of a Registered National Historic Landmark.

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Lowell Observatory also offers:

  • Camps for Kids
  • Navajo-Hopi Outreach
  • Private and group programs
  • Special events
EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Lowell Observatory | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Flickr | Google+

Sunset Crater Volcano


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 19 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, sitting on 3,040 acres, is Sunset Crater Volcano, a National Monument established in 1930 to protect its geologic formations. 900 years ago, this volcano erupted in a series of events, making it the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau. You can see where the lava had flowed those many years ago, evident by the black terrain that surrounds the crater. While traveling through Flagstaff, Arizona, taking a pit stop here is well worth it, making it an educational and interesting experience for the whole family.

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Sunset Crater Volcano also offers:

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Interpretive programs
  • Summer Night Sky Events
EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Sunset Crater Volcano | Facebook

Wupatki National Monument


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This desert landscape, the Wupatki National Monument, is home to 800 year old ancient pueblos, built by the native people who once inhabited this barren land. These ghost towns once were thriving communities where people lived everyday lives, which included farming, raising families, trading, hunting, and gathering, all in an area that seemed empty and impossible to live in. Exploring this area is fascinating as you soak in the dwellings of our long ago ancestors, and savor the prairie views that surround you for miles everywhere you turn.

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Wupatki National Monument also offers:

  • Guided tours
  • Interpretive programs
  • Ranger programs
  • Discovery hikes
EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Wupatki National Monument | Facebook

Arizona Snowbowl


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 23 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Northern Arizona isn’t all cacti, tumbleweeds, and cut-off shorts. At 9,500 feet above sea level lies the majestic Arizona Snowbowl, nestled in between the San Francisco Peaks, an outdoor playground for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts in the winter, and natural family fun in the summer, making this place a year-round bucket list adventure. Since 1938, the Snowbowl has been the best winter sports destination in the state, attracting those from far and wide to partake in all the activities that the park has to offer.

Arizona Snowbowl also offers:

  • Mountain Express shuttles
  • Season passes
  • Ski & Ride School
  • Rentals and Repair Service
  • Special events
  • Scenic Chairlift
  • Ranger Program
  • Disc Golf
  • Hiking
EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Arizona Snowbowl | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 24 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

For the adventurers in the family, those who aren’t scared of soaring above the trees, taking chances, and exploring new heights, you must add Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, located in the Historic Fort Tuthill County Park, to your bucket list while traveling through Flagstaff, Arizona. Being the only adventure and zip line course in the state, you can test your limits in an Adult Adventure Course, Kid’s Adventure Course (for ages 7-11), or Adventure Zip Lines. Cruise through the obstacle courses in this safely monitored environment, form stronger bonds with your family while encouraging trust, respect, and courage in each other, and simply have a great time playing in the trees!

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Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course also offers:

  • Special events
  • Group pricing and specials

Williams, Arizona

Grand Canyon Railway & National Park


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You can’t visit Arizona without seeing the Grand Canyon. This should be at the very top of your bucket list. And the best way to accomplish this is by taking a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway. This two hour train ride is all kinds of entertaining, and since 1901, guests have been hopping aboard and enjoying the festivities that grace these cars.

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 27 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 28 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Choose from six unique classes of service, each with a different experience, yet no bad seat on the train, and enjoy the passing scenery, wildlife, and unexpected surprises out your window. Play games, eat, drink, and be merry, listen to live western musicians cajole you with their voices and single instruments, partake in the cops and robbers game, or just rest, knowing that soon you will be privileged to experience the greatest landmark in our country.

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Grand Canyon Railway also offers:

  • Several package options for a one of a kind experience
  • Discounts and specials
  • The Polar Express Train Ride
  • Steam Saturdays
  • The Pumpkin Patch Train

Once you arrive, whether by train, bus, or car, step out and right away go to the lookout. Seriously… bypass the gift shops and start walking on the paved trail that runs adjacent to the canyon. Look out with awe at seeing what the power of water can do. At 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep, it’s like looking at a painting; it’s near impossible to fathom its greatness.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 31 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

As you walk the trail, the Grand Canyon looms to your left and a natural playground of rocks, low trees, and desert vegetation flanks your right, giving kids who can’t yet appreciate the beauty of the canyon a place to safely explore. Read the plaques that line the walk, educating you on the history and geology of the canyon, and of course, take photograph upon photograph.

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Grand Canyon National Park also offers:

  • Lodging and camping
  • Free shuttle buses
  • Restaurants
  • Biking
  • Guided tours
  • Special events
  • Mule trips
  • Backcountry hiking
  • River trips and rafting
  • Ranger programs
  • Virtual caching
  • Art exhibits
  • Religious Services

Bearizona Wildlife Park


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In this 160 acre park, you can drive through more than three miles of the incredible Ponderosa Pine Forest in a self-guided, go at your own pace tour, as you view northern Arizona wildlife in its natural state, safe in the confines of your car. After you drive through, stretch your legs and explore more animals at Fort Bearizona, while making sure to catch an animal feeding and show or two. In addition to seeing bears of course, you’ll be entertained by the other creatures you encounter, as well as birds of prey, which are always a crowd pleaser. This unique zoo-style experience is perfect for the whole family.

Page, Arizona

Antelope Canyon Tours


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This is one of the most breathtaking locations in all of Arizona, and going on a tour is a bucket list must while visiting here! The only way to access Antelope Canyon is by tour, so stop by Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, enjoy the pre-tour performance by local Native Americans, complete with drums, singing, and dancing, hop on one of the teal open air buses, and take the bumpy, dusty ride through the desert to the opening of the canyon, and be ready to experience natural beauty in its rawest form.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 36 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

With three different tour selections, you can choose one that fits exactly what experience you want to get out of your visit through the canyon, although there is definitely not a bad one! With the knowledgable and kind guides leading you through, pointing out the best photography angles and areas, and educating you on the history of the canyon, this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Antelope Slot Canyon Tours | Facebook | Instagram

Antelope Canyon Boat Tour


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After you tour Antelope Canyon by foot, take to the seas and see it in a different way on an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour. These tours depart from the Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell Resort, and as you cruise through the stunning waters of Lake Powell and the towering sandstone cliffs, slip on some headphones and listen to the audio tour that takes you through the history and gives you all the facts about this magnificent area.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 40 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Complimentary beverages are on board, and you can view the sights from the top, open-air area of the boat or through the windows in the main cabin, as well as stroll throughout the boat, seeing the views from every angle. You’ll pass by the Glen Canyon Dam, see about four miles of Antelope Canyon before it narrows, and savor the rainbow-like Navajo Sandstone formations.

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Horseshoe Bend


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 42 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Horseshoe Bend is another Arizona must-see! Accessible from a short, slightly challenging hike (although we’ve known two 5 year olds to hike it like a champ!) – right off the highway – you can view this unreal, natural masterpiece from the top. Looking down from the 1,000 foot drop, you will see the famous horseshoe, cut out from the powerful Colorado River.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 44 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Take a few moments to bask in its glory, gulp down your fears as you creep towards the edge to get that money shot, and spend some time hiking up the massive rocks and cliffs that line the viewpoint area. This is no barred off area though; you are literally standing at the top of the world with nothing holding you back. Please bring your kids, as this is something they should most definitely experience in their little minds, yet take caution and hold their hands with a death grip.

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EXPLORE AND CONNECT

Horseshoe Bend | Facebook

Scottsdale, Arizona

Butterfly Wonderland


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 46 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

Everyone loves butterflies; there’s something so gentle and peaceful about them. While traveling through Arizona, take some time to spend at the largest indoor butterfly pavilion in America, viewing thousands of butterflies from around the world fluttering in the state-of-the-art glass atrium. Watch the 3D movie, stroll through the interactive exhibits, see the new rainforest reptiles, bask in the buzziness of honey bees galore, and plan to spend some amazing family time in this unique award-winning rainforest wonderland.

OdySea Aquarium


The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 47 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

You may be visiting the desert, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun water time. Spend an afternoon at the OdySea Aquarium, exploring the exhibits, from the Aqua Lobby and Penguin Point to Reef Jewels and The Otter Banks. With new exhibits, behind the scenes tours, interactive programs, and SeaTREK Helmet Diving, this is one aquarium that will give you a unique experience, thrilling and educational for the whole family.

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The Bucket List For A Family Friendly Vacation Through Arizona 49 Daily Mom, Magazine For Families

EXPLORE AND CONNECT

OdySea Aquarium | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

For all things Arizona, including places to stay, events, things to see and do, and more, be sure to visit Visit Arizona to get the Visitor’s Guide and start planning your trip using the most up to date and exclusive information available!
You have your bucket list made, now you need to figure out where to stay during your trip. We’ve got you covered! Check out Kid Friendly Places to Stay & Dine while Road-Tripping Through Arizona.

Photo Credits: Dani Nicole Photography, EveryAvenueGirl, Bearizona, Pixabay, Flagstaff CVB

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Dani
Dani
Dani lives in North Carolina with her husband and two toddlers. She is a stay-at-home mom who loves to clean and organize anything and everything. Her happiness is found in Jesus, days at the spa, and dark chocolate peanut butter cups. She strives to live a simple life by being debt-free and limiting social-media.

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