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Family Fun Guide - Updated Regularly
February 24 , 2005 by EditorFamily Fun Ideas
Submit your listing via email to Editor at EVLiving.com.
Water Fun
Kid Friendly fountains – Ahwatukee AMC 24 and Kierland Commons Plaza also see the SRP Waterworks at Chandler Fashion Mall
Fountain Hills Fountain – Every hour on the hour the largest man-made fountain erupts in this park setting.
City Pools – See our city links for information from each municipality.
Arizona's Salt River Tubing & Recreation
www.saltrivertubing.com
P.O. Box 6568; Mesa, AZ 85216
480 984-3305
Open daily, May 1–Oct. 1. Cost $12.00 for tube rental (includes shuttle bus service and free parking).
Desert Belle Paddleboat Cruises
http://saguarolake.net/
14011 N. Bush Hwy., (Saguaro Lake), Mesa, AZ 85215
480 984-2425
Looking for the perfect spot to bring out of town guests? Enjoy a relaxing 90 minute cruise aboard the DESERT BELLE PADDLEBOAT. You'll see towering canyon walls, exotic wildlife and dramatic desert vistas.
Dolly Steamboat
www.dollysteamboat.com
Located at Canyon Lake, P.O. Box 977, Apache Junction, AZ 85217-0977
480-827-9144
The Dolly Steamboat is a replica of the classic sternwheeler from America's riverboat era. The captain will share history of the Apache Trail and Canyon Lake, the flora and fauna of the lower Sonoran Desert and the legend and lore of the Superstition Mountains.
Kiwanis Park Recreation Center & Indoor Wave Pool
www.tempe.gov/pkrec/krc.htm
6111 S. All America Wy.; Tempe, AZ 85283
480 350-5201
Year-round family fun, featuring an indoor heated wave pool and water slide, state-of-the-art tennis complex, indoor gymnasium, batting range and year-round special events. MC, V.
Tempe Town Lake
www.tempe.gov/rio
Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
480-350-8625
Tempe Town Lake, located adjacent to Downtown Tempe, provides a two-mile recreational haven for kayaking, sailing, rowing, jogging, skating or picnicking.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
The Falls Water Village, 11111 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020
602-866-7500
Acres of shimmering pools, spectacular cascading waters, waterslide and a dramatic 40-foot waterfall, daily pricing available.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
The River Ranch, 7677 North 16th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020
602-997-2626
9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Monday through Sunday - Home of the River Ranch - a water wonderland of family fun activities, acres of cool pools, a lazy river for tubing, a winding waterslide, tennis, fitness and spa delights. Plus, our award-winning Coyote Camp - an interactive children's activities program and our new Kid's Koncierge centre.
Golfland/SunSplash
155 W. Hampton Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210
480 834-8319
The Thunder Bay Wave Pool cools off hot bodies while the spine-tingling Master Blaster Water Coaster takes its passengers on a wet, wild adventure. The slides at Sunsplash come highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.
Cowboys
Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour
www.goldfieldghosttown.com
Highway 88, Apache Junction, AZ 85219
480 983-0333
Goldfield Ghost Town is an authentic 1890's ghost town (and the only authentic ghost town in the Phoenix Valley). Come explore the underground mine, take a helicopter or jeep tour in the Superstition Mountains, visit Goldfield's history museum or ride the only narrow gauge railroad in operation in Arizona.
Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse
www.rawhide.com
23023 N. Scottsdale Rd.; Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480 502-5600
Arizona's largest Western-themed attraction. Rawhide's Western Town & Steakhouse features an authentic 1880's complete with Main Street. Enjoy over 15 rides and attractions including burro and camel rides, stagecoach and train rides, a haunted hotel, pettin' ranch, mechanical bull and climbing wall, rattlesnake exhibit and mine, gold panning,... World-famous Rawhide Steakhouse features mesquite-grilled steaks, juicy prime rib and mouth waterin' BBQ. A must-see attraction for every visitor. Perfect for any size group. Admission is free!
Rockin' R Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Theater
www.rockinr.net
6136 E. Baseline; Mesa, AZ 85206
480 832-1539
Wild West Town featuring wagon rides, medicine man show, gunfights, Western comedy and musical stage show. Delicious BBQ buffet. It's a fun-filled night back in the old west!
Tortilla Flat Saloon and Settlement
Highway 88, Tortilla Flat, AZ 85290
480 984-1776
Ice Rinks
Alltel Ice Den
9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-585-7465
Home of the Phoenix Coyotes - 2 NHL-sized rinks, 5,800 sq/ft. Italian restaurant and bar, meeting space, daily public skating, corporate outings, team building events and broomball.
Desert Schools Coyotes Center
www.polariceent.com
Polar Ice Entertainment is a premiere, state-of-the-art facility that is a destination spot for active people of all ages. We provide the best in recreational skating, ice hockey, figure skating, broomball, and other ice related activities in a safe, fun and exciting atmosphere. We offer fun and hassle free birthday packages, video arcade and group events. Private lessons in hockey and figure skating are available. There are facilities in Chandler and in Peoria.
Wild Animals
Phoenix Zoo
www.phoenixzoo.org
455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
602 273-1341
Opened in 1962, The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation's largest nonprofit zoological parks. Home to more than 1,300 animals, including 200 endangered or threatened birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world. Explore four unique and exciting trails: the Tropics Trail, Africa Trail, Discovery Trail and Arizona Trail.
Something Different
Besh-Ba-Gowah
Broad Street and Highway 60, Globe
928-425-0320
Besh-Ba-Gowah has one of the largest single site archaeological collections in the southwest, and is one of the most significant finds of Southwest archaeology. Visitors can 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 are also displayed.
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
20000 S. Maricopa Road, Gate 3, Chandler, AZ 85226 Toll-Free: 800-842-RACE
480-961-0143
The Bondurant School offers an exciting way to create new marketing, employee reward, and sales incentive programs utilizing Bondurant Prokarts and race prepared vehicles. Customized group programs range from hot laps & dinner, 2 hour or 1/2 day FUNdament Courses to our 4 day Grand Prix Road Racing Course. Group Prokart programs also offered at your own facility. Free tours available.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
ag.arizona.edu/BTA/
37615 US Highway 60, Superior
520-689-2723
Mining magnate Colonel William Boyce Thompson founded his arboretum near Superior in the 1920s, to instill in people an appreciation of plants. The arboretum brings together plants from the Earth's many and varied deserts, and displays them alongside unspoiled examples of the native Sonoran Desert vegetation.
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
www.broadwaypalmwest.com
5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, AZ
888-504-7256 or 480-325-6700
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre is a new 500-seat, year round theatre that presents professional, full-length Broadway musicals accompanied by a delicious buffet meal. Upcoming productions for the 2002 - 2003 season include Ragtime, White Christmas Revue and Fiddler on the Roof.
Cave Creek Mistress Mine
45402 North Seven Springs Road, Cave Creek
480 488-0842
Located about 10 miles northeast of Carefree, this old-fashioned 1883 gold mine is truly a landmark worthy of a stop if you're interested in local history; address is 45402 N. Seven Springs Rd. on the way to the Seven Springs Campgrounds. No admission fee to mine; includes old-style rock shop, specializing in local rocks; museum section ($1.00 admission) includes display of antique mining tools and equipment; working mine still done by hand, similar to how it was done in the 1880s; geology lessons offered. Open daily; groups are welcome for tours, dinners; student field trips, call (480) 488-0842.
Dugan's Dairy Farm
www.dugandairy.com
2471 S. Dobson Road, Chandler
480-899-8795
A tour of Dugan's will show you a piece of Chandler's history, and what life is like on a real, working farm. Visitors can milk a cow by hand, get up-close with many farm animals in the petting zoo, take a hayride around the dairy, learn about dairy vet techniques, check out the hay maze and graze the country store. Tours run October through mid-May only - so the cows may relax during the summer heat. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, last hay ride leaves at 1:30pm.
Fairytale Brownies Factory
www.brownies.com
4610 E. Cotton Center Blvd. Suite 100, Phoenix
(602) 489-5100
Childhood friends, Eileen Spitalny and David Kravetz have been baking their secret family brownie recipe for 15 years now, and invite you to visit their new facility in Phoenix. Watch a short video of the brownie making process, view the bakers making brownies through windowed wall and enjoy yummy brownie samples in the retail store. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call first to make sure the brownies are baking.
Firebird International Raceway
www.firebirdraceway.com
20000 Maricopa Road, Phoenix
602-268-0200
Firebird sits on 440 acres and is devoted entirely to the world of motor sports. This facility boasts an NHRA Winston Drag Racing national event, IHBA Drag Boat Racing, and four test courses including a CART-certified East Course, home of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and ProFormance Driving Events.
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation/Taliesin West
www.franklloydwright.org
12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale
480-860-2700
In late 1937, Wright purchased land in northeast Scottsdale, where he and his apprentices took on the task of building Taliesin West as a winter "camp." The complex of buildings included residential spaces, theaters, a shop and an architectural studio and drafting room. Visitors to Taliesin West will not see a museum, but rather a remarkably vital and active community of students and architects working together to maintain Wright's vision.
Hale Centre Theatre
www.haletheatrearizona.com
50 West Page Ave., Gilbert, AZ
480-497-1181
The Hale Centre Theatre with four venues located throughout the western U.S. has just opened their fifth venue in Gilbert, Arizona this summer. Known for presenting quality, value-oriented comedy and musical productions, the new Hale Centre Theatre will seat 380 guests in the round and will open with select live evening and weekend performances.
Mystery Castle
P.O. Box 8265, 800 E. Mineral Rd.Phoenix, AZ 85066-8264
(602) 268-1581
"Imagination is more important than knowledge," an Einstein quote proved by Boyce Gulley, the builder of Mystery Castle. This creative, innovative personal testament to one man’s vision has to be seen to be believed.
The Riparian Institute & Preserves
www.riparianinstitute.org
1025 S. Gilbert Rd, Gilbert
602-696-1195 or 4/80-503-6744
The Riparian Institute is a non-profit organization set up to educate visitors on Arizona's original riparian (wetlands) areas. More than 140 different species of birds have been recorded here, as well as numerous species of butterflies and other wildlife. The Water Ranch habitats, located at Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads, are open to the public, and offer free-use trails, playground, ethno-botanical garden and a recreational lake.
Schnepf Farms
www.schnepffarms.com
22601 E. Cloud Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85242
480 987-3100
A great place to bring out of town guests, or if you are wanting to enjoy a little country life. This family farm has it all including gift shops, bakery, train rides, petting barn and beautiful u-pick gardens and orchards. Open seasonally October through May. Visit our website for a list of exciting farm festivals throughout the year.
The Vision Gallery
www.visiongallery.org
80 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler
480-917-6859
The Vision Gallery is a non-profit art gallery in Chandler's Historic City Center, and is managed by the Chandler Cultural Foundation. Exhibits are rotated every six weeks and all artwork is for sale. The gallery features works on canvas, watercolors, glass, mixed media and sculpture.
Museums
Arizona Railway Museum
www.azrymuseum.org
399 N. Delaware Street, Chandler
480-821-1108
The Arizona Railway Museum features restored train cars from different time periods in our country's rail history. The main building is a re-creation of the original Chandler depot, and showcases original rail company china and glass, uniforms, and other pieces of railway history. Presidential rail cars, movie set rail cars and many others reside at this museum, and can be explored at your leisure. Rail cars can also accommodate meetings and small groups for events. The museum is open 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from Labor Day to Memorial Day and is one of Chandlers great metro Phoenix Arizona attractions.
Arizona Science Center
www.azscience.org
600 E. Washington, Phoenix
602-716-2000
The Arizona Science Center offers hands-on, eye opening fun with more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium, five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations and traveling exhibitions.
Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force
www.arizonawingcaf.com
2017 N. Greenfield Rd.; Mesa, AZ 85215
480-924-1940 or 480-981-1945
The Arizona Wing is the home of Sentimental Journey, the most authentically restored B-17 Flying today. Warbirds from WWII through Vietnam are also on display. Memorabilia from WWII can also be viewed. Warbird flights available, or shop at our gift shop. Open daily, admission fee. Visit us today or to plan your event at our meeting facility.
Cave Creek Museum –
From horse soldiers to resort developments-- the foothills have been a spectacle of historic dimensions. Much of the spectacular history is yours to see and enjoy at the Cave Creek Museum. Open October through May 1pm to 4:30pm. Closed Monday, Tuesday, and holidays. Free admission (480) 488-2764
Chandler Museum
178 E. Commonwealth Avenue, Chandler
480-782-2717
The story of Chandler and Arizona comes to life at the Chandler Museum with artifacts, photographs and reconstructed period rooms. A few of the things you will see here include a replica of a tent house used by early settlers, artifacts of prehistoric southwestern Indians, and a scale model of Chandler's downtown plaza as it appeared in 1920. Special exhibits are featured in the changing exhibit gallery. Open Monday through Saturday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
Desert Botanical Garden
http://www.dbg.org
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
480 941-1225
Living museum featuring 20,000 desert-adapted plants on 145 acres. Tours, workshops, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and demonstrations held daily on five thematic trails.
Fighter Combat International
www.fightercombat.com
5865 S. Sossaman, Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa
866-FLY HARD or 480-945-4499
Fighter Combat International offers exciting aerial combat adventures for individuals, groups, events and businesses throughout North America. Introductory flights, no experience necessary. Bring a friend up in another plane and dogfight!
Gilbert Historical Museum
10 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85296
480 926-1577
Hall of Flame
http://www.hallofflame.org
6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008
602 275-3473
National Firefighting Hall of Heroes; museum with auditorium for 30 people available for rent. More than 90 classic pieces of firefighting apparatus on display in five air-conditioned galleries, dating from 1725 to 1960. 1951 American La France Fire Engine available for boarding. Fire Safety Exhibits, games and activities for kids, ages 3 and up. In Papago Park, across Van Buren from Phoenix Zoo.
Heard Museum
www.heard.org
2301 N. Central Ave, Phoenix
602-252-8848 or 602-252-8840
The internationally acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of Native Americans of the Southwest. The museum's ten spacious exhibit galleries and beautiful outdoor courtyards feature outstanding traditional and contemporary Native American art.
Mesa Historical Museum
2345 N. Horne, Mesa, AZ 85203
480 835-7358
Mesa Southwest Museum
www.mesasouthwestmuseum.com
53 N. McDonald Street, Mesa
480-644-2230
One of the premier museums in the state has recently doubled in size to 80,000 sq ft and established itself as "Arizona's Natural History Museum." The new "Dinosaur Mountain" is the largest dinosaur exhibit west of the Mississippi River. Also included is Arizona Highways photography gallery, Hohokam Indian dwellings and a recreation of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine.
Phoenix Art Museum
www.phxart.org
1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
602-257-1222
In 1996, the Phoenix Art Museum celebrated the conclusion of an extensive $25 million expansion and renovation which made it one of the largest general visual arts institutions in the Southwest. Their Collection of over 17,000 works spans the centuries and emphasizes American Art, Asian Art, and European Art of the 14th - 19th Centuries, Western American Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, Spanish Colonial and Latin American Art, 18th - 20th Century Fashion Design and the Thorne Miniature Rooms.
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
www.pueblogrande.com
4619 E. Washington St.
602-495-0900 or 602-495-0901
Pueblo Grande Museum is located at a 1,500 year-old Hohokam village ruins in modern day Phoenix. On the 102-acre park grounds, visitors can explore the ruin of an 800 year old platform mound possibly used by the Hohokam for ceremonies or as an administrative center. An excavated ballcourt, and two full-scale reproductions of prehistoric Hohokam homes can be viewed along the ruin trail.
Scottsdale Historical Society
7333 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251-4414
The Scottsdale Historical Museum, in the Little Red Schoolhouse (1909), chronicles the city's history with photographs, artifacts, and changing displays. Group tours, speakers available.
Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum
4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85219
480-983-4888
Tempe Historical Museum
809 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85282
480-350-5100
