Camping in January? Sure! Cool in July? Yep!
Depending on a family's preference, there are many family campgrounds and RV parks in southern and central Arizona. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and private sites offer developed and dispersed camping sites. Arizona's mild weather makes it possible to camp under the stars any time of year. Just shift the campsite north in the summer and and south in the winter.
Shoot-outs, Stage coaches and Saparilla
The "Old West" is in every American's heart. Arizona features Tombstone, the town that wouldn't die and its real OK Corral. Kids will enjoy the reenactments, high noon gunfights and the historic town's setting. A little further north at Tucson, old western movies and television shows come to life at Old Tucson. Built as a movie studio in the 1930s, Old Tucson is still a movie studio in addition to western stunts, special theme attractions, and the Alamo. South of Phoenix, Rawhide presents a similar old west experience with actors, visiting kids and the old folks, too.
Old Tucson
201 S. Kinney Avenue
Tucson, AZ
(520) 883-0100
Rawhide
5700 W. North Loop Road
Chandler, AZ
(480) 502-5600
Hug a Lizard, Touch a Cactus
If sand and buzzards are the image of the desert, the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson and the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix offer much for children. Special docent-led events at both provide unique experiences. The Tucson museum focuses on wildlife of the desert and day and night life can be seen in the open exhibits. The Phoenix Gardens have desert vegetation from Arizona, Mexico, and other desert climes around the world. Special activities are scheduled for children.
Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 883-2702
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
The Boys of Summer Spring to Life
The boys of summer start their year in the Arizona Cactus League. The larger of the spring training leagues, the Cactus League boasts 15 teams from the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast. Kids love spring training. The players are more relaxed, it's easier to get autographs, and it's not unusual to see big stars standing by the side of the field talking with fans and posing for photos with kids. The teams start training in February, and games run the month of March. Ballparks are in Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Goodyear, Glendale, Peoria, Tucson and Surprise.
Ski and Swim on the Same Day--Outdoors
Kids like action, and Arizona--the only U.S. state with seven different climate zones--offers the potential of winter snow activities in the morning in and around Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, and outdoor swimming in the warm winter sun in central and southern Arizona. Tales to tell can come from the trips to the mountains and the pool in the same day.
