School starts soon, but there’s still time for one more adventure. From caves and zoos to lakes and mountains, explore 13 family-friendly Arizona day trips.
Summer break is made for fun adventures with family and friends that become core memories. While overnight getaways are a natural inclination for summer vacation, day trips can be just as fun! Last-minute trips right before that first bell rings are a great way to make memories and let loose. As a general rule, day trips typically include up to six hours of round-trip driving, several short stops for snacks and scenery, and up to eight hours of exploring the destination.
Although school is nearly in session, the summer heat is still strong. These last-minute trips are either indoors, by the water, or simply worth braving the heat for. Just remember to bring those extra-large Stanleys filled with ice, some sunscreen, and snacks—plenty of snacks.
Each destination has several ideas and suggestions, ranging from free to on the pricy side, and some ideas don’t require the full eight hours of exploring. Because these destinations span the state, travel times are estimated from the nearest major city in Arizona.
Without further ado, here are 13 family-friendly, last-minute day trips to make before school is in session.
Northern Arizona day trips
Sure, we could tell you to go to Flagstaff or Sedona like every other travel guide, but where would be the fun in that? You already know what to do there. While these Northern Arizona options aren’t exactly off the beaten path, they are definite standout destinations for making memories.
Note: Travel time in this section is estimated from Flagstaff.
Lake Havasu
Travel time: 3 hours, or 200 miles
While there are many places throughout the state where you can play on the water, Lake Havasu has something special that rivals the rest: Lake Havasu Water Park is a sprawling inflatable jungle gym that floats on the lake, offering a cool reprieve from the bright sun. For $24 per person per hour, making a splash or “the floor is lava” becomes a tangible game. There are several other floating parks on the lake, too, if this one isn’t exactly what you were hoping for.
Once you’re done jumping around on the lake, head over to the London Bridge area for a bite to eat—Burgers by the Bridge is one kid-approved option. Brought over in 1968 from England, this is a real London Bridge, but don’t worry, it isn’t set to fall down. Walk off the extra fries by strolling across the bridge for pictures and bragging rights.
Williams
Travel time: 40 minutes, or 35 miles
Make a rumble and a RAWR in Williams that will appeal to kids of all ages—and that includes Grandpa (aren’t adults just giant children in aging bodies anyway?).
Whether you want to spend a lot or a little is totally up to you. For $12 per person five years or older, you can take a blast from the past and check out Bedrock City, a Flintstones theme park where you can yabba-dabba-do!
Next on the list is Bearizona, a sprawling drive-through wildlife park that spans over 160 acres. See animals in natural habitats as you drive through the cool, refreshing ponderosa pines. Tickets start at $25 per person, but it is an experience even little children tend to remember—my son remembers going when he was just 3 years old.
Finally, whether or not you choose to go to one of the nearby parks, there is a free finale that is an old stinker of a time. The Poozeum is the only place in the world dedicated to fossilized poop. Not actually smelly at all, this museum will have all the little kids laughing with their friends as they catch up about summer break.
Window Rock
Travel time: Under 3 hours, or 190 miles
Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation and is the perfect day trip to learn about indigenous history and culture, take in breathtaking scenery, and enjoy the only Native-run zoo in the U.S.
Start by taking in the natural 200-foot arch that gave the community its namesake, and consider visiting the nearby Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial. Next, enjoy the Navajo Nation Zoo & Botanical Park, which is right by the arch. Entry is free—though donations are accepted—yet the zoo is unlike any other. It is known as a “sanctuary for nature and the spirit,” and provides homes for injured or orphaned animals as well as a quiet reflection area for visitors, which you’ll likely need after the long drive with the kids.
Once you’ve walked the zoo and garden, consider exploring the Navajo Nation Museum, yet another free activity that accepts donations. Here you can learn a great deal about the area’s history, read books, see exhibits, and explore the various parks (tip: If you have the time, check out Canyon de Chelly!). Before leaving, fill your belly at Dine Restaurant, where you can choose between American and Navajo classics—such as roast beef or mutton stew.
Prescott
Travel time: Under 2 hours, or 95 miles
Even if you pronounce the name incorrectly, Prescott is a great family-friendly destination regardless of the time of year. Surrounded by nature, it is the perfect locale for The Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, a wildlife park home to rescued domestic and exotic animals. It houses critters from every continent except Antarctica and aims to be a fun, educational experience that is just as good for the visitors as it is for the animals. See leopards and lynxes here, as well as spiders aplenty in the Tarantula Grotto. If it gets too hot, hit the summer-only splash pad to cool down.
Once done seeing all the furry living things, head over to Courthouse Plaza. Enjoy a slice of sourdough crust pizza at Bill’s, then mosey over to Toyful and enjoy classic toys, magic tricks, and more. Pro tip: If you go here on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., you may get to see Toyful’s all-ages juggling club in action!
If you would prefer a one-stop destination for a Prescott day trip, head over to In The Game Prescott Valley, a family-fun arcade and mini golf utopia. There are tons of video games, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a toddler-sized play maze, and a pretty tasty restaurant. Bundle passes start at $25, but prices vary depending on what fun the family picks out for the day. There isn’t a wrong pass to choose, though.
Central Arizona day trips
Central Arizona may be where the capital is, but most people hightail it to higher elevations in the east during the summer months to enjoy some cooler summer fun. Consider yourself warned, though: Higher elevations can cause bright red sunburns, so remember to reapply SPF throughout the day—yes, this was a lesson I learned the hard way!
Note: Travel time in this section is estimated from Phoenix.
Payson
Travel time: 90 minutes or 88 miles
When going to Payson, wear layers. Even in the dead of summer, hail can fall from the sky. Thanks to the cooler weather, though, Payson is the best spot for outdoor activities in the summer.
Start at Diamond Point to hunt for quartz diamonds amid a pine forest. This is a free rockhounding locale that you will want to return to time and time again. After you’ve worked up a sweat, get ready for a short hike to Water Wheel Falls, where you can play in the water and enjoy the natural waterfalls. It is a popular hike because the water is shallow and inviting, but check the weather first, as it is in a flash-flood area.
Are you hungry yet? Head over to PIEbar just outside of Payson in Strawberry to enjoy sweet and savory empanadas. The artichoke, that mountain momma, and the loaded baked potato empanadas are delectable, savory treats, and the cherry, seasonal strawberry rhubarb, and panda empanadas are the perfect desserts. This place is seriously so good that my family and I once took a day trip just to eat here—and we plan to do so again.
If your rockhounding urges are still pulling you to do more, check out Indian Gardens, where you and the family could find fossils to enjoy and bring to the next show-and-tell.
Greer
Travel time: 3.5 hours or 225 miles
Sunrise Park Resort offers year-round fun, and in the summer, that includes much cooler weather. (Pro tip: wear a jacket—we learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.) This resort offers a menu of family fun, including a scenic lift, a rock wall, mountain biking, archery, tubing, disc golf, a bounce house, a zipline, and an alpine roller coaster spanning more than 3,200 feet and climbing through a significant elevation change. Fun and memorable, this may be both the most out-of-the-way and the most expensive day-trip activity on this list, but it can absolutely be worth it, even if you’re severely acrophobic like me!
The alpine coaster is the only tribal coaster in the country, and it includes a control feature in each cart to allow riders to take the ride in as slowly—or as fast up to 25 MPH—as they wish. Thrilling turns, drops, and breathtaking scenery make the $ 19.50-per-ride price (for the primary rider; secondary riders cost less) feel almost reasonable, and the control within the cart makes it manageable even for the less brave among us. Adventure passes include a lot more, and depending on the budget, can pack more punch. Youth day passes start at $70, and adults start at $90. These passes include three rides on the coaster, plus access to many other activities.
Once you get hungry, head on into the on-site cafe to enjoy a filling meal before heading back out.
Globe-Miami
Travel time: 90 minutes or 85 miles
Does your family appreciate history? The Globe-Miami area remains an active mining region, though the boomtown history is prominent in the architecture and local culture.
The drive in from Phoenix through Devil’s Canyon is known as “the other Grand Canyon,” making the trip itself a scenic adventure. Once in town, head over to Globe for free entry to Cobre Valley Center for the Arts and view paintings, photography, and more from artists from across the state. Connected to the museum—which was once an active courthouse—is the old jail. With histories come hauntings, so haunted jail tours are offered for just $5 per person.
If you’re not down with the spook, check out Besh Ba Gowah, an archaeological site where the remains of a large pueblo village have been partially restored. $5 per person entry, or free with a culture pass, this is interactive and fun even for the kids.
Finally, head back west into Miami for a bite from the region’s original Mexican food restaurant, Guayo’s El Ray, or pizza and axe-throwing at Miami Flats. Polish off the day with a phosphate soda or sundae from the Lyric Soda Fountain.
Mesa
Travel time: 30 minutes or 20 miles
“I didn’t know people went to Mesa to hang out,” shared a friend in need of some Arizona culture. Outside of housing the Mesa Fresh Foodie Trail—drool—there are countless other ways to have fun here. If you are planning a family-friendly day trip, though, there are two prime options.
First, enjoy the two-story, free-entry Mesa Arts Center. Exhibits shift here several times a year, and there are usually kid activities that encourage the young ones to carefully look at the art. Then head over to the Arizona Museum of Natural History, where kids can pan for pyrite and explore history through interactive displays—the dinosaur on the facade will have your kids calling this “the dinosaur museum.” Tickets start at $9 for youth, $16 for adults. Across from the dinosaur museum—literally walking distance—is a small brick alley with award-winning ice cream. Novel Ice Cream has unique (dare I say novel) flavors, is so creamy, and can even be ordered as a donut sandwich.
If you’re worn out just reading about these activities, opt instead to go to Jake’s Unlimited. For around $25 per person, a family can stay all day and play arcade games, bowl, dominate at laser tag, find thrills on amusement rides, and eat as many times as they’d like at the unlimited buffet while enjoying the cool temperatures of being indoors. The buffet alone is worth the entry price.
Regardless of what you choose, Mesa is a fun place to hang out.
Arcosanti
Travel time: 70 minutes or 68 miles
Most people have not heard of arcology, which is where architecture blends with nature—aka ecology. Arcosanti applies that principle in the experimental town, exploring how to bridge the gap between living comfortably and living sustainably.
With 45 year-round residents and up to 150 seasonal residents consisting of students, artists, and volunteers, this community offers tours to outsiders who are curious about the world of arcology. Tours are free for two with a culture pass, or $25 per person. Connected to the main site is a cafe as well as several hiking trails to explore what life is like in this reimagined urbanism.
Not far from Arcosanti is Montezuma Castle, a historic monument that preserves Indigenous Culture. Entry is $10 for each person 16 or older and free for those 15 and younger. Surprisingly, both attractions share a common theme—finding ways for people to live in balance with the land around them. This may be a good way to get the youngins thinking about building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Southern Arizona day trips
Very little rivals the southern scenery of the state. Fortunately, most towns and cities outside of Tucson have a fair mix of milder weather, varying elevation, and underground exploration to enjoy the views while beating the heat. While Tombstone is a solid day trip in the fall or winter, the high summer heat might have you sweating bullets instead of shooting them.
Note: Travel time in this section is estimated from Tucson.
Lake Patagonia
Travel time: 90 minutes or 79 miles
Take it easy with a lake day complete with mountain views, birdwatching, and some renowned pizza.
Lake Patagonia has a mellow shore for swimming, sunbathing, or light boating, and has been a family favorite for decades. Nearby is the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, where you can see over 200 different species of birds. Children can have fun spotting different wing colors, trying to draw their favorite flying friends, or getting into a contest with siblings to name the most varieties. End the day at a church-turned-pizza place called Velvet Elvis.
Although on the calmer side, a day trip to Patagonia is inexpensive: entry to Patagonia Lake State Park starts at $20 per vehicle, entry to the Paton Center is free/donation-based, and pizza is as pricey as you decide it to be. $100 can go a long way here, even with a family of four.
Bisbee
Travel time: Under 2 hours or 97 miles
Bisbee belongs on pretty much every travel listicle for good reason. Captivating views mixed with rich history, intricate architecture, and quirky locals make for an experience worth coming back for. While there are many things to do in Bisbee, there are a few standout family-friendly options.
Start with a chilly underground mine tour that explores the area’s original industry. The Copper Queen Mine Tour is suitable for those aged six and older, with tickets starting at $8. The tour begins on a mine cart before heading underground to explore the rich mineral deposits. Once complete, walk over to the Copper Queen Hotel and dare to experience the hauntings of each floor.
Next, head down the road to shop and taste James Beard-nominated pastries at Patisserie Jacqui. Even a simple croissant is noteworthy here with its flaky, buttery texture. Finally, end the evening at The Seance Room for a magic show that pays homage to the aesthetic of the area, as well as some guests from the past. Tickets begin at $15 for children and $30 for adults.
Summerhaven
Travel time: 90 minutes or 29 miles
Ascend 8,000 feet in elevation and enjoy cooler weather at Summerhaven for a day getaway. For less than $20 per person, enjoy a scenic chairlift ride with views that stretch for literal miles. Hike the easy Meadow Trail and forget what summer heat is as you watch little mountain critters enjoy the temperate forest setting. When the outdoor play makes the stomach grumble, head over to Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin to enjoy handmade cookies and pizzas.
If you can stay until it gets dark, be sure to check out the SkyNight program at the UofA Mt Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory. Tickets start at $62.50 each. If you need to leave before the sun goes down, consider a day tour, which starts at $6.25 per person and still offers insight into the cosmos.
Although it is on the pricier side, this is a great place to see all that the sky in our slice of the Southwest has to offer.
Benson
Travel time: 45 minutes or 41 miles
While Benson may have a bad rap for being a sleepy town above Tombstone, it has quite a unique setting for a day trip.
Locals and tourists alike enjoy a day exploring the Kartchner Caverns. Entry to these caverns starts at $15 for youth and $30 for adults, and includes an hour-long tour, information from a trained guide, and plenty of adventure in these fascinating caves. See stalactites and stalagmites, bats, and some fantastical structures that look like they belong in the sea rather than a cave. Once you’ve run out of “oohs and ahhs,” enjoy a simple slice at R&R Pizza Express. The day doesn’t end with the meal, though.
Head 15 minutes east of Benson to Dragoon, where you will see hoodoos, curious rock stacks, a settler’s cemetery, and the Amerind Museum & Texas Canyon Nature Preserve. Kids under 10 get free entry, and adults pay $12 per ticket. On the educational side, the kids will enjoy learning about Geronimo and other figures of the area if you promise to stop by The Thing on the way home. For $10 per family, The Thing is part of a roadside attraction that is reminiscent of an old-time circus sideshow. It is worth the nominal fee, and yes, you may, for a moment, feel like you have entered a Rob Zombie film.
If you’re not ready for the fun to end, check out the state parks, lakes, indoor amusement parks, or caves within the Grand Canyon State. There isn’t a shortage of things to do or places to see, regardless of what part of Arizona you live in. Enjoy the remainder of summer, and here’s to a great school year ahead!
