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Phoenix, Arizona is an amazing destination for family vacations. The weather is great most of the year. And there are tons of things to do for people of all ages. Whether you are there for a weekend or much longer, you will find plenty of fun things to do with your family. To get you started, here is our itinerary for a fun family weekend in Phoenix.
My husband and I spent some time in Phoenix years ago before we became parents. We recently went back for a weekend with our son. We loved it even better this time around!
Our Itinerary at a Glance
Friday
- Arrived in Phoenix after dark
- Checked into the hotel in downtown Phoenix
- Turned in for the night so we could get an early start in the morning
Saturday
- Savored a delicious breakfast at Matt’s Big Breakfast
- Got wild and crazy with the the animals at the Phoenix Zoo
- Grabbed lunch at Chik-Fil-A (our favorite!)
- Headed back to the hotel for swimming and relaxing
- Cheered on the Diamondbacks at a baseball game
- Grabbed a late dinner at Sonic
- Went back to the hotel and crashed
Sunday
- Checked out of the hotel
- Enjoyed an awesome breakfast at Snooze AM Eatery
- Stopped at Ikea for some shopping
- Headed home from a great weekend
Where We Stayed
The main focus of our weekend in Phoenix was attending a Diamondbacks baseball game. Because of this, we decided to stay within walking distance of the stadium. So, we chose the Best Western Downtown Phoenix.
The hotel itself wasn’t anything fancy, but it was clean, quiet, and felt safe. The beds were comfortable and the shower worked well.
This was the perfect hotel for this trip. Not only was it only a 15-minute walk to the stadium, but it is one of the few hotels in downtown Phoenix with its own parking lot. It served our needs perfectly! I would definitely stay here again.
What We Did During Our Weekend in Phoenix
The key to having a great time on a weekend getaway is to not try to do too much. Because you only have a couple days, you won’t be able to see and do everything. So, pick out a few must-do’s and focus on those. This is exactly what we did during our weekend in Phoenix.
Phoenix Zoo
We love visiting zoos and aquariums. They are such a fun activity for families! And the Phoenix Zoo is a good one. It is huge with lots of animals and entertainment options.
We headed to the zoo right after breakfast on Saturday and got there right at opening. This was great because it wasn’t super crowded. And because we bought our tickets online prior to arriving, we were able to skip the lines and go straight in.
The weather was perfect, but it did get a little warm by the time we left. While this zoo is an amazing way to spend the day with your kids, definitely think about how hot it will be before deciding to go. The zoo is short on shade and long on walking, so you don’t want to wear out your family.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Phoenix Zoo. We spent several hours viewing the animals and even went on a camel ride.
Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game
The main reason we took this trip when we did was to catch a Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game during opening weekend of the season. We are all big baseball fans. We take a lot of trips to see baseball games. My husband and son were both excited about this one.
We stayed close to the stadium so we could walk to the game and avoid the traffic and parking hassles. My son wanted to watch batting practice, so we got to the stadium really early. We went in as soon as it opened. Our first stop once inside was at the gift shop to get my son a Diamondbacks t-shirt.
Because we got there so early, we just snacked at the game for dinner. Sometimes, it’s fun to just eat popcorn, pretzels, and ice cream for dinner! That’s what vacation is all about!
We sat in the upper deck, but had a blast. My son loved every minute of it!
After the game, we walked back to the hotel. Chris, my husband, decided he was hungry, so we jumped in the car and found a Sonic for a quick late night dinner.
Shopping at Ikea
I love Ikea! It is one of my favorite stores. But I don’t live near one, so whenever we are close to one, I have to stop! During my trip research, I discovered that there is one in Phoenix and it was on our route into the city. So, I decided to stop on our way home.
My son had never been in an Ikea and was grumbling about going. But, once we were in the store, he changed his tune and decided it was a fun place to shop. We bought some trivets, spice jars, and a floor lamp. It was a great stop that made this mama happy!
Where We Ate
On this weekend in Phoenix, our schedule was definitely a little funky due to arriving late on Friday night and then going to the baseball game early on Saturday. So, unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time for checking out the local restaurants. But, we did find two great breakfast places.
Matt’s Big Breakfast
The first place we discovered was Matt’s Big Breakfast in downtown Phoenix. We ate here on Saturday morning. This is a laid back place where you feel comfortable hanging out with the family. Matt’s is very popular with the locals, which is always a good sign.
And this is a great value too because you get large portions without a large price tag. In fact, the portions are so large here that your kids could split a meal if they are small eaters.
Matt’s serves classic breakfast dishes, such as omelets, pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, and breakfast burritos. Check out their menu here.
Snooze AM Eatery
On Sunday morning, we ate at Snooze AM Eatery. This one was also located in downtown Phoenix. While this meal was equally as delicious as Matt’s Big Breakfast, it has a much different vibe. Matt’s feels like your favorite pair of jeans, while Snooze is more like a new dress that makes you feel young and energetic.
Snooze puts a modern, yet fun, twist on the classics. This is true of the food and the decorations. Inside the restaurant, it looks like a new interpretation of a 1970’s look.
Plus, they are firm believers that you can enjoy happy hour with your breakfast or brunch.
The food is yummy, but the portions aren’t quite as big as Matt’s and the prices are a little more than Matt’s. See their menu here.
Conclusion
Phoenix is a great city for family vacations, even if they are only weekend getaways. The weather is usually great. And there are tons of things for families to do. This itinerary was our perfect weekend in Phoenix. I hope it helps you plan your own family vacation to Phoenix.
Want more things to do in Arizona? Read the best places to eat with kids in Phoenix, Pima Air & Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo, and our weekend in Tucson.
And for some general travel tips, check out our ultimate guide for happy travel with kids and complete guide to road trips.
Happy travels!
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