Phoenix is home to a wealth of eateries
and educational establishments that are enjoyable for both
parents and kids. No matter your age, there
are places to encourage both discovery and creation.
In no particular order, here are some great
things to do with the entire family in
Phoenix Arizona.
First on our list at # 1 is
the Phoenix Zoo and Arizona Center for Nature
Conservation. One of the largest non-profit organizations of
its kind in the U.S the grounds are
home to African lions cheetahs orangutans zebras, Mexican
gray wolves and many other animals.
In an effort to protect Arizona's native wildlife
population, conservation scientists raise and breed certain species
at the zoo’s Arthur L. and Elaine V.
Johnson Conservation Center for release to the wild,
including black-footed ferrets and cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls. A
variety of animal encounters allow visitors to get
an up-close look at squirrel monkeys giraffes, and
stingrays.
At # 2 the Shemer Art Center offers
a unique and inviting atmosphere for residents and
visitors to learn about visual art through classes
lectures workshops, exhibits and events. In 19 84
Martha Shemer donated the historic home to the
city to provide its citizens with a community
center. Areas of instruction include drawing painting printmaking
ceramics, fused glass, mixed media, and photography.
The center also houses a boutique gift shop
and an outdoor sculpture garden, both featuring one-of-a-kind
works of art created locally. Children and adults
can learn pottery making and painting in a
variety of techniques. Exhibitions showcase contemporary pieces by
Arizona artists, while dedicated lectures cover the masters,
like Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt.
Next on our list at # 3 is
the Arizona Science Center, which provides hands-on exhibits
demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, and exciting science programs for
people of all ages. Attractions offered include the
Dorrance Planetarium, one of the largest and most
technologically advanced planetariums in the United States, and
the American Airlines Flight Zone, where guests can
climb into the fuselage of an actual airplane
and learn about the principles of flight.
Other permanent installations, such as All About Me
and Forces of Nature, allow visitors to discover
everything from the details of human anatomy to
the natural processes that shape the planet. Customized
field trips are available for an interactive educational
outing that supports classroom curriculum.
Coming in at # 4 Chompie's is a
New York style deli that has been serving
up freshly baked bread cakes pastries, sandwiches and
bagels since 19 79 Diners can enjoy East
Coast comfort food like traditional matzo ball soup,
smoked fish, potato pancakes, and other classic Jewish
dishes.
The selection of fish includes smoked nova lox
salmon and beer-battered cod from sustainable sources. Bagels
are crafted in-house daily and come in several
varieties like jalapeno garlic poppy onion spinach, classic
plain, or gluten-free.
Finishing things up at # 5 is the
Children's Museum of Phoenix. Designed for youngsters, the
facility encourages kids to gain knowledge and satisfy
their curiosity through their sense of touch and
natural desire to explore. There are hundreds of
child-led play experiences spread throughout three floors in
the historic Monroe School Building.
Little ones can discover an area called The
Market, where children can sort through produce or
measure and weigh peas while exercising physical cognitive,
and social skills within a role playing grocery
environment. The Noodle Forest uses a wide space
filled with suspended textured foam installations to teach
spacial awareness and direction in an exploratory way
For the youngest visitors, the museum designates a
section where infants and toddlers may crawl under
a tree, watch planes from a deck, or
complete puzzles.