Are you looking for places to take the entire family this summer in the Phoenix Arizona area? There are attractions and adventures for the entire family and all interests. Here is a partial list. (Note  - there are also some family activities listed that take place later in the year.)

Educational & Nature Centers Arizona Doll & Toy Museum Seventh Street & Monroe Phoenix 602-253-9337 www.ci.phoenix.az.us/parks
One of many attractions in Heritage Square, this wonderful and intimate museum is convenient to the Arizona Science Center.

Arizona Science Center 600 E. Washington Street Phoenix 602-716-2000 www.azscience.org
More than 750 interactive exhibits combine with world-class traveling displays, a giant-screen theater, and a planetarium.

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting 6101 E. Van Buren Phoenix 602-275-3473 www.hallofflame.org
Steamers, hand and horse-drawn vehicles, motor-powered fire engines, and a "climb on it" 1916 fire engine combine with a hands-on fire safety exhibit for kids.

Mesa Southwest Museum 53 N. MacDonald Street Mesa 480-644-2169 www.ci.mesa.az.us
Displays showcase the history of the Southwest from dinosaurs to ancient civilizations and the settlement of the West.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park Fort McDowell Road Fountain Hills 480-837-7779 www.outofafricapark.com
Natural habitat zoo allows interaction with the world's most magnificent predators: lions, tigers, and leopards.

The Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix 602-273-1341 www.phoenixzoo.org
Explore five trails offering more than 1,300 animals from some of the world's most beautiful and fragile ecosystems.

Teen Central at Burton Barr Burton Barr Central Library 1221 N. Central Avenue Phoenix 602-262-4636 www.phoenixteencentral.org
Serving as a benchmark for libraries across the nation that are interested in creating dedicated "teen rooms," this private corner of the library offers music, lounge chairs, concessions, and activities. Young adults are also encouraged to participate in governing their "corner of the world."

Wildlife World Zoo 16501 W. Northern Avenue Litchfield Park 623-935-9453 www.wildlifeworld.com
Visit a veritable "Noah's Ark" that serves as home to Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals.

Amusements Big Surf 1500 N. Hayden Road Tempe 480-947-7873 www.golfland-sunsplash.com
Arizona's "ocean" is ideal for swimming, raft riding, surf and body sliding, or just enjoying the children's play area.

Castles and Coasters 9445 Metro Parkway East Phoenix 602-997-7575 www.castlesncoasters.com
Enjoy miniature golf courses, hundreds of video games, and major thrill rides.

Crackerjax Family Fun & Sports Park 16001 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale 480-998-2800 www.crackerjax.com
The park offers innovative new twists from traditional miniature golf courses and sporting activities.

Enchanted Island Encanto Park 12th Avenue & Encanto Boulevard Phoenix 602-254-2020 www.enchantedisland.com
Attractions include a renovated carousel, train ride, amusements, and play area.

Fiddlesticks & Funtasticks Tempe 480-961-0800 Scottsdale 480-951-6060 www.fiddlesticksaz.com
Laser tag, go-karts, batting cages, miniature golf, bumper boats, and video arcade appeal to kids of all ages.

Golfland/ Sunsplash 155 W. Hampton Road Mesa 480-834-8318 www.golfland-sunsplash.com
The entire family will enjoy miniature golf, a water park with wave pool, tubing river, exciting waterslides, and pools.

Jeepers! 2726 S. Alma School Road Mesa 480-820-8300 4961 Bell Road Phoenix 623-439-9200 www.jeepers.com
America's favorite indoor amusement park for kids from 2 to 12.

Kiwanis Recreation Center & Wave Pool 6111 S. All-American Way Tempe 480-350-5201 www.tempe.gov/pkrec
Enjoy an indoor heated wave pool with water slide and "float in" movies.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E. Indian Bend Road Scottsdale 480-312-2312 www.therailroadpark.com
Train and carousel rides showcase a pullman car used by Harry Truman.

Rawhide Wild West Town 23023 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale 480-502-1880 www.rawhide.com
Enjoy gunfights, entertainment, stagecoach rides, petting zoo, bull/ horseback riding, games, and attractions.

Salt River Recreation Area Power Road Mesa 480-984-3305 www.saltrivertubing.com
Visit the official headquarters for cooling off with an innertube ride down the Salt River from April through October.

Waterworld Safari 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road Glendale 623-581-1947 www.golfland-sunsplash.com
Water slides, Congo River Rapids, wave pool, and 6-1/ 2 story Kilimanjaro Slide.

Major Special Events APS Electric Light Parade Central Avenue Phoenix 602-534-FEST www.phoenix.gov
More than 90 dazzling floats and marching bands, illumined by millions of lights create a fairytale appearance.

Arizona Renaissance Festival Highway 60 Gold Canyon 520-463-2600 www.royalfaires.com
Arizona recreates one of the nation's largest Renaissance villages, presenting a 16th century European "county faire" complete with live entertainment, food, crafts, and thousands of costumed characters.

Arizona State Fair Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1826 W. McDowell Phoenix 602-252-6771 www.azstatefair.com
The entire family will enjoy the top-billed live entertainment as well as thrilling rides, midway food booths, shows, and endless rows of displays and exhibits.

Boo at the Zoo Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix 602-273-1341 www.phoenixzoo.org
Parents who are looking for alternatives to trick-or-treating can share in the excitement of Halloween activities at the zoo! Many Valley malls also offer supervised fun on Halloween evening.

Chandler Ostrich Festival 2250 S. McQueen Road Chandler 480-963-4571 www.ostrichfestival.com
Rated among the "Top Ten Unique Festivals in the United States," this outrageous event encompasses everything from thrilling rides to live entertainment, petting zoo, arts and crafts, great food, and exotic animal races.

Chinese Week Culture & Cuisine Festival 668 North 44th Street Phoenix 602-534-3751 www.cofcochineseculturalcr.com
Enjoy Chinese food, crafts, music, martial art demonstrations, and live entertainment.

Fiesta Bowl Parade Central Avenue Phoenix 480-350-0900 www.tostitosfiestabowl.com
The whole family can enjoy this December 31 event kicking off the exciting Fiesta Bowl college football championship game.

 Fountain Hills Great Fair & Balloon Race Avenue of the Fountains Boulevard Fountain Hills 480-837-1654 www.fountainhillschamber.com
More than 500 artisans join food vendors and live musical entertainment over a three-day celebration.

Glendale Glitters Glendale & 58th Avenues Glendale 623-930-2299 www.glendaleaz.org
Half a million twinkling lights drape over 100 trees to create the festive background for live music, food, and arts and crafts.

Las Noches de Las Luminarias Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix 480-941-1225 www.DBG.org
More than 7,000 glowing luminarias light the beautiful garden pathways filled with live entertainment and refreshments.

Parada de los Cerros Fountain Hills 480-837-1654 www.fountainhillsguide.com

Enjoy Arizona's only Thanksgiving Day Parade while the turkey is cooking! Parada Del Sol Old Town Scottsdale Scottsdale 480-990-3179 www.scottsdalejaycees.com Events include the world's largest horse-drawn parade, "Trail's End" celebration in Old Town, and the PRCA rodeo at Rawhide Wild West Town.

San Gennaro Feast & Peoria Street Fair 16101 N. 83rd Avenue Peoria 623-487-7774 www.sangennarofeast.net
Ethnic food vendors, live national acts hourly on the main stage, and a carnival midway guarantee fun for the entire family.

 Tempe's Fantasy on Ice Mill Avenue & Rio Salado Parkway Tempe 480-968-7863 www.millavenue.org
Arizona's only outdoor ice rink creates an exciting novelty for "Arizona desert kids" from the end of November through the holiday season.

Tempe Festival of the Arts Mill Avenue Tempe 480-967-4877 www.millavenue.org
One of the largest and most popular arts and entertainment festivals in the entire Southwest offers everything from kiddie attractions and live entertainment to city blocks filled with artisan displays.

Thunderbird Balloon Classic WestWorld of Scottsdale 16601 N. Pima Road Scottsdale 602-978-7797
www.t-birdballoonclassic.com
Watch the desert night sky light up with 60 hot air balloons at one of the "Desert Glow" events or wake up before the sun rises to see the "Dawn Patrol."

Victorian Holiday Celebration & Craft Fair Heritage & Science Park 600 E. Washington Street Phoenix 602-262-5029 www.phoenix.gov
Entertainment, great food, children's activities, carriage rides, and crafts are all set in charming Heritage Square.

ZooLights The Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix 602-273-1341 www.phoenixzoo.org
Music and refreshments complement the dazzling lights that create a wonderland of zoo trails, including animated displays.

Arizona Museum for Youth 35 North Robson Mesa 480-644-2467 www.ci.mesa.az.us/amfy

Art Attack Gallery Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Avenue Phoenix 602-257-1222 www.phxart.org

Childsplay 132 East 6th Street Tempe 480-350-8101 www.childsplayaz.org

Cookie Company Theatre 100 E. McDowell Road Phoenix 602-254-2151 www.phoenixtheatre.net

Fountain Hills Youth Theater 17325 E. Rand Drive Fountain Hills 480-837-9661 www.fountainhillstheater.com

Great Arizona Puppet Theater 302 W. Latham Street Phoenix 602-262-2050 www.azpuppets.org

Mesa Youtheatre Performances: Mesa Arts Center Mesa 480-644-2560 www.cityofmesa.org