Ultimate Family Five Day in Phoenix

Before you make way to your hotel it is best to get a rental car for your stay in Phoenix. The trick is to not rent from the airports because they have a huge upcharge. It is best to just take a taxi to another car rental agency and from there tell them that you want a "local rent" this will save you a good amount of money. Now that you have either your convertible or your minivan it is time to check into the Scottsdale Villa Mirage & Sunterra Resorts, your...

Before you make way to your hotel it is best to get a rental car for your stay in Phoenix. The trick is to not rent from the airports because they have a huge upcharge. It is best to just take a taxi to another car rental agency and from there tell them that you want a "local rent" this will save you a good amount of money. Now that you have either your convertible or your minivan it is time to check into the Scottsdale Villa Mirage & Sunterra Resorts, your home for the next five days. And what a home it is, offering one and two bedroom condo style rooms for competitive prices. They also offer full kitchenettes as well as pool on site and barbeque areas, plenty to do while you are staying at the hotel. First stop Fleischer Museum, where you will enjoy over 300 paintings of Impressionist artists from all over the world. There is also a statue area if you prefer sculpture. This is a good way to start your trip because it is nice and low key, close to your hotel and free. Next stop Mondo's for some great Italian of Mexican food, make sure to try some of their delicious fresh baked bread. After you have filled up on some great food it is time to have some great fun at Crackerjax Family Fun and Sports Park, where you will have the options to do everything from miniature golf, to bumper cars as well as a driving range and even golf lessons for a fraction of the price of the resorts. Be sure to play the miniature golf course because it was voted best by the Phoenix New Times. When hunger comes calling you can either eat at Crackerjax or head over to the Capital Grille to enjoy some great steak or seafood. If you are wine lovers you will be sure to find the exact glass or bottle to accompany your dinner.

Day two of your stay in Phoenix will be about the nature all around you. After breakfast at the Scottsdale Villa Mirage, it is off to the the Desert Botanical Gardens where you will encounter over 20,000 species of endangered desert flora. Be sure to remember as many types of flowers and cacti that you can because the information can be useful for later in the day. Before we put that information to use it is probably a good idea to fill up at Rays' Pizza...

Day two of your stay in Phoenix will be about the nature all around you. After breakfast at the Scottsdale Villa Mirage, it is off to the the Desert Botanical Gardens where you will encounter over 20,000 species of endangered desert flora. Be sure to remember as many types of flowers and cacti that you can because the information can be useful for later in the day. Before we put that information to use it is probably a good idea to fill up at Rays' Pizza because the mind does not work well on and empty stomach. Again you will be eating at a great restaurant, actually it is the "Best Pizza In Town". Remember that information about the cactus and other flora, well now is the time to use it, when you are on a Desert Storm Hummer Tour. These all terrain vehicles will wheel you into the Sonoran Desert and the Tonto National Forest. You will make your way to over 4,000 feet while on your journey through the desert. Once you have returned to civilization you can either attend the Annual Dinner in the Desert at the Desert Botanical Gardens or head over to The Downside Risk Grill & Bar. Either way you will be in for a great time, the Downside offers an array of sandwiches burgers and steaks, and the Dinner in the Desert is a once yearly event that is as exciting itself at just having been there.

Today is a good opportunity to make use of the full kitchenette in your hotel room at the Scottsdale Villa Mirage, because today is the Phoenix Zoo. There are many great picnic areas available at the zoo so why not take the opportunity to dine with friends, family and a local giraffe. Remember to bring your comfortable walking shoes and some sunscreen - you're are in the desert of Africa, I mean Phoenix. It is the exhibits here at the zoo that will make...

Today is a good opportunity to make use of the full kitchenette in your hotel room at the Scottsdale Villa Mirage, because today is the Phoenix Zoo. There are many great picnic areas available at the zoo so why not take the opportunity to dine with friends, family and a local giraffe. Remember to bring your comfortable walking shoes and some sunscreen - you're are in the desert of Africa, I mean Phoenix. It is the exhibits here at the zoo that will make you feel like you are in Africa, the Forest of Uco and African Trail should both be visited to get the full effect of the zoo. When you have had your fill of the zoo it is time to slip off those walking shoes and slide on some rollerblades or skates at Great Skate. This establishment is an old fashioned roller rink that combines great family fun with snack bars and arcade to bring the whole family together. Roller skating will work up quite an appetite but have no fear, Rosario Ristorante is here to provide you with authentic and affordable Italian food. These big meals as sure to hit the spot without putting a big hole in your bank account. There are many night life opportunities for your in Phoenix and none better than the Celebrity Theatre, where you and your family could have the opportunity to see you favorite artist perform.

Today will encompass a wide breadth of art, the kinds that are hung on walls and also the kind in which people fall or jump off walls. First stop the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, where you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of artistic mediums, ranging from photos, paintings and sculptures. The exhibit is free on Thursdays so be sure to keep that in mind if you want to mix things up. Viewing art is hard work so be sure to stop in at Jewel of...

Today will encompass a wide breadth of art, the kinds that are hung on walls and also the kind in which people fall or jump off walls. First stop the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, where you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of artistic mediums, ranging from photos, paintings and sculptures. The exhibit is free on Thursdays so be sure to keep that in mind if you want to mix things up. Viewing art is hard work so be sure to stop in at Jewel of the Crown and enjoy their east Indian cuisine, which is not all spicy (although they can make it as spicy or as mild as you would like). They have something delicious for every individual. Rawhide 1880's Western Town is a totally different style of art , but art none the less. This is the recreation of an old western town that will be sure to delight the whole family, it has shopping, shows everywhere as well as rides and snack booths. It will be sure to make some other people happy being that admission is free. After your western adventure take a trip down south to dine at Jalapeno Inferno where you will be greeted with authentic Mexican food as well as one of the widest varieties of tequila. It has one of the rarest bottles of tequila making it quite the landmark itself. After your filling meal at Jalapeno Inferno it is time to settle down in a comfortable movie theatre seat and digest as you and your family enjoy the cool air conditioning at United Artists Theatres- Sonora Village.

Your last day here in beautiful Phoenix will take you to one of the most majestic places on earth, the Grand Canyon. Vaughn's Southwest Tours will be your guide as they take you through the Navajo Indian Reservation and to lunch at the famous Cameron Trading Post. This trip will begin around 8 am and send you home at around 8 pm. There will also be many opportunities to stop and shop at many of the gift stores and trading outposts. Remember all of those...

Your last day here in beautiful Phoenix will take you to one of the most majestic places on earth, the Grand Canyon. Vaughn's Southwest Tours will be your guide as they take you through the Navajo Indian Reservation and to lunch at the famous Cameron Trading Post. This trip will begin around 8 am and send you home at around 8 pm. There will also be many opportunities to stop and shop at many of the gift stores and trading outposts. Remember all of those flowers and cactus you saw at the Desert Botanical Gardens? Now is when you get to see them in their natural homes. After your trip to the Grand Canyon be sure to enjoy a filling meal or delightful flat bread pizza and artisan salads at Oregano's Pizza Bistro, or return to your hotel and enjoy their room service.