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4 Phoenix Fun Spots for Kids

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

There weren’t nearly as many fun attractions for families to explore in Phoenix when I was growing up there as compared to what exists today. When I return with my two kids to visit family each year, I love discovering the newer child-friendly Phoenix-area attractions as well as revisiting old-school favorites. Here are four family-friendly spots that are sure to please kids.

My daughter, Karissa, putting her mind to work at the Arizona Science Center

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
I don’t know what it is, but most young children are down-right enthralled by trains of all sizes! My toddler son, Leo, is particularly loco for locomotives, so the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park was a must-see during our visit to Phoenix last fall.

This Scottsdale park is a great place to just let the kids get their wiggles out during a short visit. Or, you can make a day of it by grabbing hotdogs and hamburgers at the Snackstop or packing a lunch to enjoy at a picnic table while watching the choo-choo chug past.

That’s me with my boy at one of the playgrounds at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

The highlight of a visit here is climbing aboard the park’s miniature steam train for a winding ride through the grassy park. Afterwards, kids can frolic about at the park’s elaborate playgrounds before taking a spin on the Charros Carousel.

My kids loved Hartley’s General Store, which sells hand-dipped ice cream and an array of train toys. It houses a Thomas the Tank Engine table stocked with wooden trains and tracks for hands-on playing. A model train that encircles the store adds to the fun.

Kids love to sit in the enclosed train car for some odd reason…Don’t worry, there are plenty of open-air cars to choose from too!

Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum
The Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of vintage fire trucks, ranging from a 1725 English hand pumper to more modern engine-powered models. This attraction will probably take about one hour to explore with young children and up to two hours with older kids who have more patience for reading the displays. You could combine a visit here with a day at the Phoenix Zoo, which is located just across the street.

Here’s just one of the shiny, beautifully-restored fire trucks on display

My family made a game of our visit by having everyone select his or her very favorite fire truck from among the museum’s more than 90 vehicles. Most of the trucks are strictly hands-off, which made wrangling two curious youngsters a wee bit nerve-wracking. There is one climb-aboard fire engine for make-believe, albeit stationary, rescue missions.

Browse the display of wacky fire helmets from various countries and time periods, including some with fancy, unnecessary decorations

There is also a touching memorial to fallen fire rescue heroes, with a special display for those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Towers in New York.

Arizona Science Center
I have been to my fair share of science museums, and let me tell you, the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix rocks! With hands-on experiments complete with nobs to crank and buttons to push, children are too busy having fun to realize they’re learning something too! You definitely could (and should!) spend a whole day exploring the center.

Leo trying to figure out one of a multitude of the center’s interactive displays

The coolest part is the Forces of Nature exhibit, which simulates natural phenomena for those brave enough to step aboard the “stage” to experience the five-minute show (which repeats every 15 minutes). It was too scary for my toddler and preschooler, but I saw lots of school-aged kids, teenagers, and adults nervously laughing as they experienced a (mild) earthquake, wind storms, thunder, lightning, and more.

My friend, Erin, and her daughter, Hannah exploring another exhibit

Arizona Museum of Natural History
If pressed, I would say the Arizona Museum of Natural History is my favorite of these four attractions. This museum, located in Mesa, will probably take about half a day for your family to enjoy.

Kids and grown-ups alike are drawn to the museum’s Dinosaur Mountain

Most impressive is Dinosaur Mountain, a display of life-sized animated dinosaurs on a cliff with booming “flash floods” that send water gushing down the display every 23 minutes.

Be sure to head outside to participate in Karissa’s favorite activity at this museum – panning for gold

At this museum, you can wander through the Lost Dutchman Mine exhibit and “lock up” your family members in its jail cells. Then explore a Hohokam village, stopping to grind some maize with stone tools and put together giant puzzle pieces to form pictures of Native American pottery.

As you can see, Phoenix isn’t just about shopping and golf. There are plenty of fun, educational attractions for families to enjoy during a visit to the Valley of the Sun!

What is your favorite Phoenix-area family attraction? Leave a comment below!

Phoenix Restaurants Worthy of Craving

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

I lived in Arizona for most of my childhood and I’ve been going back once or twice most years since I moved away fourteen years ago. So, what’s on my must-do list when I return, beyond visiting family and long-time friends? Eating!

There are a handful of Phoenix-area restaurants that are not merely tasty; these places cause deep-rooted cravings. As a bonus, each is an affordable option for families with children.

Here’s a list of the eateries I try to squeeze in during any trip home.

Best Burgers and Dogs
Don’t let the name scare you! Chuckbox, located just across from Arizona State University in Tempe, is THE place to go for a grilled meaty treat before or after a Sun Devils game. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches are cooked as nature intended…over a huge flaming open fire. You might as well order some beer battered onion rings or deep fried zucchini while you’re at it. Portions are huge, prices are low. The atmosphere is rustic, with wooden plank benches and glass mugs of beer or root beer. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Best Pizza and Subs
With several locations throughout Arizona, Streets of New York makes the best pizza in Arizona as far as I’m concerned. It’s not fancy; it’s just cheesy, saucy, crispy, chewy pizza goodness. Not in the mood for pizza? Get a sub instead. My Scottsdale-resident parents are devotees of the Best of Everything hot sub, layered with Capocolla ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pepperocini, and tasty Italian dressing all served on a warm, chewy roll. Yum!

Best Ice Cream Parlor
Nothing beats an old-fashioned ice cream parlor for a special treat, especially when you have kids! Slide into a bubblegum pink booth in Old Scottsdale’s Sugar Bowl and order my favorite, a Blarney Dream – a tall layered sundae of green mint syrup, vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, and butter pecan ice cream, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. If that sounds too exotic, order a standard banana split, hot fudge sundae, or one of their many flavors of shakes. While you’re here, take a peek at the Family Circus drawings that adorn the walls. Artist and Sugar Bowl fan, Bil Keane, featured the Sugar Bowl in a bunch of his cartoons.

Best Coffee House
Back before Starbucks took over the world, Coffee Plantation was the forerunner of the coffee movement in the Phoenix area. My high school pals and I used to drive to Tempe on weekends to go to the original Coffee Plantation on the college town’s main street, Mill Avenue. The original location recently shut down despite its numerous loyal fans, but you can still grab a good cup of joe or an Italian soda (with cream or without) in one of two Scottsdale locations.

Best Mexican Food
While good Mexican food can be found in my adopted hometown of San Diego, for me, nothing beats Arizona’s Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine. I couldn’t narrow it down to just one, so here’s my top three picks.

Ajo Al’s has three locations in the Valley of the Sun and one in Arrowhead, Arizona. One of their house specialties, and my dish of choice, is the Pollo Con Queso – a fried chicken burrito topped with spicy cream cheese and melted cheese.

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen is a newer find for me. A unique dish, and my husband’s all-time favorite, is the Chicken Poblano. A fresh poblano chile is filled with seasoned chicken, then breaded, cooked until crunchy, and smothered with enchilada sauce and melting cheese. If you’re a tamale fan, you must try Macayo’s green chile tamale! There are numerous Macayo’s locations to choose from throughout Arizona and Nevada.

Rosita’s Fine Mexican Food offers kitschy décor and delectable dishes in Tempe. I used to wait tables here during college and I never tired of the extensive menu. Back then, I even stopped by on my days off to get my fix of chicken enchiladas with zesty red sauce, spinach enchiladas with creamy white cheese, or crispy flautas topped with guacamole.

Do you have a favorite Phoenix area restaurant that should be added to the list? Leave a comment below!