Exciting Family Road Trips in Arizona

Arizona is a state that feels tailor-made for exploring by car. With breathtaking landscapes that invite you to stop and admire, Arizona offers enough diversity to keep every family member entertained. We've enjoyed numerous fun-filled family road trips across Arizona and are eager to share some of our top destinations with TPG Family.

Driving Guidelines

Before you leave your parking space, there are a few important considerations to ensure a smooth trip for your family. Firstly, ensure you have plenty of drinks and snacks on hand. You never know when someone might get a little hungry, and it's wise to have refreshments available to prevent any meltdowns. If you want to keep the kids engaged without screens and encourage family bonding, check out our list of screen-free activities for a road trip.

Above all, allow for extra travel time on the road. Arizona's highways are filled with stunning vistas and quirky stops, so you might discover delightful surprises en route to your destination. Embrace the journey and take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you (or the cactus flowers, as it may be)!

Exciting Family Road Trips in Arizona

Phoenix/Tempe

Whether you arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and pick up a rental car or drive in from a nearby state like we did, Phoenix is the ideal starting point. (Silvercar, a TPG favorite rental option featuring all-Audi vehicles, is available in Phoenix). On a recent visit, we enjoyed the convenience of staying in Tempe, a vibrant town just south of Phoenix that hosts Arizona State University. This college town has a lively atmosphere we really appreciated, along with fantastic dining options and excellent hiking trails. While we were in the area, we explored the Desert Botanical Garden, which was absolutely amazing. It features towering cactus gardens, butterfly enclosures, desert wildflowers, and so much more. Just down the street is the Phoenix Zoo, and nearby, you'll find a Legoland Discovery Center and the Sea Life Arizona Aquarium, both of which are huge hits with kids.

During our time in Tempe, we took a leisurely hike at The Buttes. As we ascended, we navigated some rocky paths for a panoramic view of Phoenix below. It was a delightful way to start the day before heading to breakfast at Snooze Eatery for some delicious cinnamon roll pancakes (and a refreshing mimosa for the adults).

Where to Stay: Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes (Category 5, 35k Marriott Rewards points per night)

For more family-friendly activities in Tempe, check out Tempe Tourism for fantastic itinerary suggestions.

Tucson

Tucson is a breathtaking city situated at a higher altitude and surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and fascinating rock formations. Growing up, these scenic views embodied my idea of the Old Southwest, where gunslingers galloped along dusty trails. Today, Tucson remains a blend of that rich history and contemporary vibrancy in this lively college town. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

With the kids, we explored several spots that we would happily revisit. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is an incredible fusion of zoo, botanical gardens, aquarium, aviary, and art museum. With so much to experience, we could have easily spent an entire day wandering its winding trails. We encountered a variety of desert wildlife, including javelinas, owls, prairie dogs, coyotes, and more. Just a short 30-minute drive away, we visited the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac. Founded in 1692, this site is one of the earliest Spanish establishments along the Mission Trail that led into California and up the coast. After our tour, we indulged in some Indian fry bread from vendors in the courtyard. This traditional delicacy, similar to a bready tortilla, can be enjoyed like a taco or flat with honey or sugar. (Our kids opted for honey and ended up spilling it all over the car seats — ugh.)

Where to Stay: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (Rooms starting at $169. Book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to redeem your UR points or via Hotels.com/Venture to charge it to your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and earn 10 miles for every dollar spent.)

For additional details, Visit Tucson provides numerous suggested itineraries for families.

Sedona

Sedona is one of those picture-perfect towns boasting stunning views of red rocks and vibrant canyons. With so many breathtaking sights, it’s challenging to create a short list. One of the best ways to experience it up close is through off-roading. Many local companies offer four-wheeling tours, and we had an incredible time with Pink Jeep Tours. The ride can be a bit bumpy, often feeling more like a roller coaster than a jeep ride. The kids giggled the entire way (safely buckled in, of course). The drivers are expert guides, and we were fascinated to discover that the entire region was once beneath an ocean!

Another fantastic family activity in Sedona is an early morning hike. We recommend setting out before the sun gets too intense, making just after breakfast the perfect time to begin. One of the most scenic trails is at the iconic Bell Rock, aptly named for its bell-like shape. Opting for one of the easier hiking paths, we delighted in spotting a variety of desert plants and wildlife along the way. Colorful birds, hawks, bunnies, lizards, and butterflies all greeted us on our adventure.

Where to Stay: Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock (Standard Room Rewards vary from 48,000 to 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night, depending on the season.)

For more details on family-friendly itineraries, Visit Sedona offers excellent suggestions.

Jerome

If your family enjoys a thrilling ghost story, Jerome is the ideal destination. Our two daughters are captivated by haunted houses, vampire tales, and other folklore. The abandoned Western mining town of Jerome was a jackpot for them, filled with eerie buildings and chilling tales. To familiarize ourselves with the area, we took a guided tour with Ghost Town Tours' Spirit Walk. We learned about the mining town during its peak in the late 1800s, complete with shoot-outs reminiscent of classic western films and mysterious murders at the town's only hotel. The kids were certainly spooked when we explored an old, deserted high school (and the parents were a bit uneasy too!). It was a haunting site featuring creepy locker rooms and an abandoned gymnasium.

Where to Stay: Jerome Grand Hotel (This hotel, with rates starting at $165, is rumored to be haunted! You can use flexible points from cards like the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card (which is no longer available) to cover your stay.)

For additional information on eerie activities in Jerome, check out the Jerome Chamber of Commerce.

Grand Canyon

Saving the best for last, the Grand Canyon truly lives up to its name — it's incredibly Grand. When planning your road trip, consider a couple of entry points. The drive from Tucson to the South Rim takes about five hours. Alternatively, you can ride the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona to reach the South Rim, adding a train adventure to your journey. If you’re coming from Sedona, the trip will take roughly two hours. No matter where you start, the drive will not disappoint with its stunning views of massive rock formations, deep ravines, and vibrant cliffs. Honestly, it's challenging to capture the scale of the Grand Canyon, and photos simply can’t convey its magnificence.

The Grand Canyon spans 1,902 square miles — that's larger than the entire state of Rhode Island! Regarded by many as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon reaches depths of over a mile in some areas. This geological marvel features rocks at the bottom that are over 1.2 billion years old. Kids, that's ancient (and here's how to visit it and other national parks for less).

Where to Stay: Camp at the Grand Canyon (perfect for those with a sense of adventure; campsites are available for $10 per day). Alternatively, check out the Yavapai Lodge (Rooms start at $169/night and can be booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points through its travel portal). You can also use 40,000 IHG points or an annual certificate available with the IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card.

Bottom Line

Arizona is packed with fantastic road trip options and must-see destinations for families on the move. Have you explored the state by car? What did your kids love the most? We’d love to hear your experiences.