How to Experience an Unforgettable Family Vacation in Arizona

Whether it’s the excitement of an off-road Jeep adventure through the desert or bonding over the fascinating history of a 1,500-year-old archaeological site, spending time together amidst Arizona’s breathtaking landscapes fosters connection. With unique experiences and dream destinations suitable for all ages, the Grand Canyon State is the ultimate family getaway. It offers some of the most distinctive outdoor activities in the country, from treasure hunts and ghost towns to dude ranches and llama treks.

Discover an underground cave system and witness the world’s longest stalactites. Equip yourself with a headlamp for a close-up exploration of a former mine. Seek out legendary gold in the Superstition Mountains. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter ample adventure, relaxation, and delicious food.

Venture Below Ground

Beneath the Sonoran Desert, the Kartchner Caverns cave system features chambers the size of football fields and 13,000 feet of winding passages. Formed millions of years ago, colossal stalagmites and the longest stalactites in existence emerge from ancient limestone. Gaze at Arizona’s tallest natural column, embark on a guided tour of this stunning underground ecosystem, meet some local bats, and stop by the Discovery Center to view fossils from earlier inhabitants.

Experience a Day as a Miner

To gain insight into Arizona’s mining history, make your way to Queen Mine in Bisbee, a historic copper mining town that thrived from 1877 to 1975. Put on a hard hat and headlamp, then board a train that takes you 1,500 feet underground to meet former miners who share stories about the techniques, hazards, and excitement of working in a late 19th-century mine. After your adventure, visit the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, for an interactive journey back in time to discover the town’s pivotal role in America’s industrialization.

Explore a Ghost Town

Once a thriving town in the 1890s, Goldfield Ghost Town was home to 3,000 residents and featured 28 buildings, including saloons, a boarding house, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a brewery, a meat market, and a schoolhouse at its height. Like many towns that emerged during the gold rush, it was eventually deserted. Today, visitors can step back into Wild West culture by panning for gold, riding Arizona’s only narrow-gauge train, watching a gunfight staged by the Goldfield Gunfighters, and exploring historic Main Street.

Get a Four-Legged Hiking Companion

In search of a unique hiking buddy? Join Arizona Backcountry Llamas for a two-hour, four-hour, or full-day trek through the beautiful Prescott area with these friendly camelids. As you lead your llama—an animal well-suited for hiking—you’ll uncover the natural and cultural history of the area while navigating granite boulders, shady pines, or one of the many local lakes, stopping for a snack or lunch along the way.

Explore a Desert Oasis

Stretching nearly three miles, Boyce Thompson Arboretum features trails that meander through vibrant gardens, lush woodlands, and native riparian areas. Home to 19,000 desert plants from across the globe—including species from Mexico, Madagascar, India, China, and Africa—it’s a botanical treasure. Be sure to check out the Cactus Garden for its uniquely shaped cacti and the Children’s Garden, which includes a human sundial and a fun maze.

Engage with Native Culture

Situated on a 1,500-year-old archaeological site once home to the Ancestral Sonoran Desert people, known as the Hohokam culture, the Pueblo Grande Museum is Phoenix's largest and most well-preserved archaeological site. Wander through a prehistoric Hohokam village featuring a partially excavated platform mound, a ballcourt, and replicas of ancient houses. The museum houses a hands-on gallery showcasing Hohokam artifacts alongside rotating exhibits and activities designed to engage kids in the wonders of archaeology.

Choose the road less taken

Embark on an off-road adventure with the Superior Jeep Tour, where you can discover the stunning natural landscapes surrounding Superior, a quaint town nestled at the base of the Apache Leap Mountains and embraced by Tonto National Forest. During your journey, take in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, with its towering saguaro cacti, as well as the valley, plateaus, and snow-capped mountains of Central Arizona, stopping at hidden treasures like the Historic Pinal Cemetery and Silver King Mine.

Search for gold

Spanning 160,000 acres, the rugged Superstition Mountain range in Tonto National Forest may hold a mystery—numerous legends speak of a Dutchman who emerged from these mountains nearly a century ago, his arms laden with a satchel full of gold. Today, adventurers flock to Lost Dutchman State Park in search of the elusive gold mine and to enjoy some of the best hiking, camping, and mountain biking in the state. Tackle one of six picturesque trails and keep an eye out for treasure along the way.

Dining options on your journey

Tortilla Flat Saloon

Nestled in a remnant of an old western town, Tortilla Flat Saloon is renowned not only for its vibrant atmosphere but also for its delicious chili and prickly pear gelato. Settle onto a barstool crafted from real saddles and take in the unique wallpaper made from actual dollar bills donated by visitors from around the globe.

Bisbee Breakfast Club

Since its inception in Bisbee, this Southern Arizona mini chain has built a reputation for hearty breakfasts. Highlights include the Durango Burro—a flour tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, mild chilies, ham, and cheddar-jack cheese, topped with green chili sauce—and blueberry buttermilk pancakes dusted with powdered sugar, served with house-made granola.

Hope’s Fry Bread

Savor authentic fry bread at this delightful restaurant in Mesa, operated by a husband-and-wife team with roots in the Navajo Nation. The menu features both sweet and savory options, including innovative dishes like the Asian Persuasion, topped with teriyaki chicken, grilled pineapple, fresh cabbage, and a kick of sriracha.

Where to stay along the way

Circle Z Ranch

Embrace the essence of the Old West at Circle Z Ranch, an all-inclusive getaway featuring seven adobe cottages nestled in the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy horseback riding across pristine landscapes, home-cooked meals, guided stargazing, and a host of other activities.

The Motor Lodge

Housed in a historic motor court that has welcomed guests in Prescott since 1937, The Motor Lodge has been transformed into a chic boutique hotel. With its quirky decor, comfortable beds, and warm hospitality, it’s an ideal choice for family road trips.

Rancho de los Caballeros

This sanctuary spans 13,300 rideable acres and offers more than just horseback riding—guests can indulge in the spa, play golf, and relax in spacious casitas. The longstanding kids' camp is packed with adventures, featuring activities like horseback riding, roping, outdoor movies, archery, and scavenger hunts.