Expert: Judy Hedding - 10/10/2007

Question
Hi, I will be staying in Scottsdale for a week in early November. It will be a large family vacation (grandparents, siblings, and 4 kids under the age of 6). Can you recommend some family fun day trips or places to explore? Also, I'm a big golfer. Can you recommend some courses I can check out? Thanks, Chris

Answer
Hi Chris,

I don't know how early in November you'll be here, but the Arizona State Fair is here until November 4th:
http://phoenix.about.com/cs/enter/a/statefair.htm

Arizona Fall League Baseball is in town--cheap tickets, nice small stadiums, very casual. The Scottsdale Scorpions plat at Scottsdale Stadium, which is one of my favorite ballparks here.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/sportsteams/tp/Arizona-Fall-League.htm


Up at Lake Pleasant your entire family could probably fill up one duck:
http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/ss/arizonaducks.htm

The Phoenix Zoo is always fun for everyone, and isn't far from Scottsdale. Both the Desert Botanical Garde and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, make a great day in November. If long distances walking aren't the best, do the garden. The Monarch Butterflies will be there through the 2nd week in November.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/gardensandzoos/ss/butterflies.htm

Those and a few other ideas are in my section for 'when out-of-towners' visit:
http://phoenix.about.com/od/entertainingguests/Entertaining_Visitors_and_Relativ...

During the 2nd weekend in November Fountain Hills will have their annual arts and crafts festival. Fun!

I don't know if the kids are really young and oblivious. I mean that in a good way. ;-) If they are old enough to enjoy it, a few hours at Rawhide Western Town near Chandler might make a nice stop. They can pan for gold, pet animals, see shootouts, and the restaurant is nice, too.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/a/rawhide.htm

To go out of town for a day with a large group, really little ones may be a limitation for a Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona unless someone stays behind in Sedona with them.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/daytriptosedona/ss/pinkjeep.htm

The Verde canyon Railroad makes a great trip for all ages, and doesn't require a lot of exertion--it's just pretty! Go first class if you can.

http://phoenix.about.com/cs/daytrips/a/verderr01.htm

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot are interesting if you want to delve into our Native American culture. It involves walking, and the kids might get bored if they aren't in the "oblivious" phase!
At Tuzigoot they can walk in and around the ruins, and they usually think that's cool.
http://phoenix.about.com/cs/daytrips/a/montezuma01.htm

As for golf--whew--that's a lot easier. Check here for my listings of my favorite courses in various categories:
http://phoenix.about.com/od/sportsgolf/tp/golfcourses.htm

Have fun!

Regards,
Judy Hedding
About.com Guide to Phoenix, AZ
http://phoenix.about.com

www.About.com
About.com is part of The New York Times Company