(ARIZONA, USA) — We experienced a few “firsts” in our February 2025 trip to Arizona.
First time traveling as a family of four. It was my first time ever visiting Arizona, and it was also Mattie’s first time flying in a plane.
We managed to do so much during our 5-night stay, everything mostly* based in Phoenix and Scottsdale! Before we dive in to everything there is to do and see (which I feel like we barely scratched the surface) – let me just say that February is the perfect time to visit. When we left St. Louis, we had been dealing with subzero Midwest winter temps and snow. When we landed in Phoenix, we were greeted by lows in the 50s and highs in the mid-80s. A ton of sunshine, no rain or snow in sight, it was absolutely amazing.
This trip is up there now as one of my all-time favorite trips. Now, let’s get into it!
Where to stay:
First things first, you’re going to need a place to rest your heads after a fun, long day in the desert. But one of the fascinating things about Phoenix & Scottsdale is the great amount of resorts in the area. It’s hard to choose there’s so many! Well, we stayed at two during our time, and we absolutely loved them both. The great thing about resorts, is if you’re really not looking to drive much, maybe you want a relaxing day at the pool, you don’t even need to leave where you’re at! Let’s start with where we started our resort stays.
#1: Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
This mountainside resort boasts 7 pools, 3 restaurants, a nearby golf course and spa. For breakfast, you can start your day at Pointe in Tyme, a buffet located near the main building.
I know we’ve been dealing with the Midwestern winter, where maybe the fruit isn’t that great up in Illinois. But the fresh fruit here was spectacular. And there was so much of it! When you’re a parent of a toddler like me, you know this is an amazing start. My kid loved the strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. And we wanted more! You can get a freshly-made omelet from the omelet station, as well as waffles, potatoes, eggs, sausage, bacon and more.
Located at the main building is Tocaloma Spa, a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. This is a great way to decompress after a travel day, get out of the sun for an hour, and just relax.
We stayed in the Signature Suite, which was extremely spacious and comfortable. With a king-sized bed and patio, the sleeping area also has its own bathroom, closets, chairs and shower attached. But what you don’t see is the foyer by the entrance, which has a fireplace, TV, two couches, multiple chairs and tables for sitting or working. There’s also a private bar attached to the front room, along with another bathroom and closet.
Dinner and drinks overlooking Phoenix? Sign me up! This was one of the coolest restaurant/bar experiences I’ve ever had. A very stylish, elegant restaurant inside is coupled with some of the best views of the City just outside. The perfect place to gather with friends or go on a date. And the drinks were amazing!
Finish your day with an evening swim in the family pool. Located in the center of the main Tapatio Cliffs building, this heated pool is a great place to take your kids (it’s a great way to wear them out, too!) This is just one of the many beautiful pools at the resort.
We miss Tapatio Cliffs already, and can’t wait to be back one day!
#2: The Scottsdale Resort and Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
Moving about 13 miles southeast lies the exquisite Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Located in the McCormick Ranch area, is a AAA Four-Diamond resort. The resort and grounds are stunning, the pool is a relaxing oasis, and there’s plenty to do on-site. This includes multiple restaurants, one being a hidden speakeasy, a spa, fitness center and more. There was live music playing as well as plenty of outdoor seating areas perfect for dining.
We loved the pool! Which had a poolside bar & restaurant, Barnaby’s. My kiddos loved it too, as you can see them taking a snooze in the shade.
The grounds at night are spectacular.
Let’s move on next to things to do for families in the area. We’ll go in chronological order of how our schedule went.
Where to play:
#1: Arizona Science Center (Phoenix)
The Arizona Science Center is a MASSIVE space. It’s packed with interactive exhibits, a movie theater, learning experiences, science labs and more on four stories!
Bennett was wearing his “dinosaur excavation team” shirt to ASC so of course he loved seeing this long neck in the lobby.
I can give credit to the Arizona Science Center for making Bennett fall in love with sand pits. Theirs is quite large compared to a few others I’ve seen, and it allows kids to run their hands through the sand while the land or sea moves with them. We have since purchased a sand kit to have at home with us.
The fourth floor might have been our favorite. There’s an outdoor area with musical instruments, grassy seats and beautiful views. We spent a lot of time up here. And it was the perfect day for it! Here’s Bennett playing on a xylophone.
If you’re more on the adventurous side, you can ride the SkyCycle!
Here I am on the second floor of the ASC. You get all harnessed in, and then you take a ride! So much fun.
This was a fantastic time for my toddler, but honestly it would be just as much fun with older kids. There was a lot of things geared towards grade-school-aged children, where I think they’d learn a lot of things and have a blast!
#2: OdySea Aquarium (Scottsdale)
We visited Arizona’s largest aquarium, located in the Scottsdale AZ Boardwalk! OdySea has the absolute coolest bathroom I’ve ever seen. Where the mirror would be, you’re looking into a shark tank! We had so much fun at OdySea seeing the sharks, jellyfish, penguins, otters and more. Some of the best parts were the interactive activities available. There’s an “underground submarine” where you sit in chairs that rotate you through four different scenes. Each scene is a tank full of water and sea creatures. One tank has sharks, another has sea turtles, then there are sea lions! It’s super fun. There’s also an escalator you can ride down that goes underneath a fish tank. I even did a virtual reality deep sea dive seeing a digital squid. Very cool!
#3: Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix)
If you’re going to visit the desert, you have to immerse yourself a little, right? A controlled way to do that (especially with toddlers) is by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. With unique sculptures and a ton of cacti, there’s something new around every corner. Bennett absolutely loved pointing to EVERY cactus and saying “cactus a little pointy…” He cracks me up. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
#4: World Wildlife Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (Litchfield Park)
It’s not everyday you get to visit a place that has a zoo, aquarium and safari park all in one! Welcome to Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield, Arizona. It was roughly a 40-minute drive for us out of Phoenix to get here, and it was absolutely worth the drive. We got up close and personal with zebras and giraffes, even feeding a tall, hungry giraffe! Bennett loved it. Bennett also made friends with the albino alligator as you can see above. The area was so spacious and you felt very immersed in the environment at Wildlife World Zoo. In the bottom left photo, you see a lot of tall trees surrounded by water. There were a lot of these areas, which had different types of monkeys hanging around. So cool!
#5: The Little Play Avenue (Phoenix)
A place your kids can play while you enjoy a coffee? Sounds like the perfect recipe. You can experience this at the Little Play Avenue in Phoenix, an adorable play cafe that offers a clean, fun atmosphere for kids to enjoy. The staff was so kind to Bennett and played with him during our visit. We loved it here!
#6: Pangaea: Land of the Dinosaurs (Scottsdale)
Located in the AZ Boardwalk, the same area as OdySea Aquarium, lies Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs. Dinos are definitely “in” for Bennett right now. He’s obsessed. And he absolutely loved walking through Pangaea and seeing all the different dinosaur animatronics. There’s a really fun part towards the end where it lets you and your kids excavate for dinosaur fossils, and dig for dinos in the rocks. Such a fun time!
#7: Hike to Hole in the Rock! (Papago Park, Phoenix)
This free, somewhat easy hike is right by the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. If you’ve got toddlers, I’d recommend wearing them in a hiking carrier on your back, or taking your time going up and down the hill. It’s really not steep at all, but you are literally walking on a rocky surface the entire time. There are great views at the top, but there were a decent amount of people at the hole, which made my photos not as great as I expected. But that’s OK! The hike is very accessible. You can park right downhill from the Hole in the Rock and walk right up to it. You circle around the rock for a few minutes before heading up some man-made stairs. Then you walk up a little more and are at the hole!
#8: Redefine Wellness and Treatment
Located nearby the Scottsdale Resort & Spa is Redefine Wellness and Treatment. This recently-opened wellness center is a great opportunity for a parent to get away for just a little to decompress and become rejuvenated. I experienced red light therapy here, which was the first time I had ever done it! I really enjoyed it. The building was extremely clean, professional and welcoming. They offer things like group therapy, yoga, mental health healing and more. It’s really focused on improving your wellbeing, healing from trauma, and improving your overall health.
Where to eat:
#1: George and Dragon English Pub (Phoenix)
It’s not everyday you see a massive dragon mural! But at George and Dragon in Phoenix, you can!
The English Pub has award-winning fish and chips which were delicious. It also serves the Wrexham Lager from the Wales-based Wrexham AFC (owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney). Awesome vibes and a fun atmosphere! Perfect for watching a football (soccer) match.
#2: Pointe in Tyme (Tapatio Cliffs Resort breakfast buffet – Phoenix)
As mentioned earlier, delicious fruit, omelets, waffles and more headline this menu. It’s a super cool atmosphere inside the restaurant as well, with comfortable booths perfect for families or groups of friends.
#3: Better Buzz Coffee (Phoenix)
The place I first saw John Cena! Short story time here, I was living in San Diego, California in summer 2015. I was surfing one afternoon in Mission Beach when one of my friends told me John Cena was at Better Buzz filming a TV show he was currently in. I have always been a big WWE fan so I dropped my board by my friend (who was reading a book on the beach) and ran to Better Buzz. With my wetsuit not even covering my chest, I walked into the coffee shop to see what was going on. I probably looked crazy, but it was worth it! Anyways, we enjoyed going through the drive thru and getting our drinks on the way to our next activity.
#4: Someburros (Phoenix location)
Serving homemade Mexican food across Arizona, we really enjoyed our visit to Someburros. This location on 7th street was very conveniently located, nearby our resort and other activities we were going. I absolutely loved the mini chimis I got, while my wife enjoyed the pollo fundido. Someburros is “toddler approved,” with Bennett munching down on some quesadillas, rice and beans. He also tried horchata for the first time! Which he loved.
#5: Tavern Grille (Scottsdale)
Where rustic lodge meets the desert. Meet Tavern Grille Scottsdale. With a lineup of juicy burgers, chicken wings and lettuce wraps, we had a fantastic time here. I tried the Scottsdale Blonde by Huss Brewing, an Arizona brewery. It was amazing!
#6: Different Pointe of View (Tapatio Cliffs Resort)
These might be the best views of Phoenix. Different Pointe of View is at the top of the mountain overlooking the city, and it’s absolutely stunning. Delicious cocktails headline the drinks menu, along with exquisite food options and dessert. I came for late night drinks and took some dessert back to the room for Rachel and I. Make sure if you’re staying on property to get a shuttle to take you here! I walked up the mountain to get here and was definitely out of breath once I reached the top. But it was totally worth it. One of the coolest restaurant/bar experiences I’ve ever had.
#7: Prep & Pastry (Scottsdale)
I think I can confidently say Prep & Pastry is one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants I’ve ever been to. And their pastries? I need them delivered to my house ASAP. We got a red velvet “dossant” (donut/croissant crossover) and a Crème brûlée donut. I have dreams about these. Rachel got the chicken and waffles and I went with a Southwest Croissant Sammie. The signature coffees were also delicious. I think we need one of these in Illinois… like yesterday!
#8: Gertrude’s Restaurant (Desert Botanical Garden)
Luckily for us, the weather was literally perfect in late February during our visit. However, if it gets a little too warm for you, Gertrude’s at the Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to sit down and unwind. With signature cocktails, delicious appetizers and specialty desserts, you can relax in shaded, covered seating outside or enjoy a meal indoors. Highly recommend the cauliflower and shishito.
#9: Trolley Car Coffee Co. (Phoenix)
Is this the most unique coffee spot in Phoenix? I think it might be. Check out Trolley Car Coffee Co. A place you can grab caffeinated beverages like teas and coffees (including frappes!!) and the service is great. I got to see them make a few things inside the trolley. Head on over to my Instagram @themattsheehan to check out my reel with them!
#10: Dillon’s KC BBQ Zoo location (Litchfield Park)
Barbecue and a shark tank? What else could you possibly need? Maybe one thing…
Flamingos. You can either enjoy some BBQ ribs inside with the sharks, or on the outdoor patio with flamingos. We went with the sharks! I got the “brontosaurus beef ribs” which were fantastic. Bennett loved chowing down on his chicken tenders, fries and mac n cheese. The BBQ sauces are great as well!
#11: Crepes, Churros & More (Phoenix)
We love a good, trendy breakfast spot. And Phoenix has plenty of them! Introducing Crepes Churros and More. A great place for blended drinks and breakfast food. We got a sweet crepe, savory crepe and waffle that were all delicious. You can see my beautiful wife and kids taking advantage of the adorable backdrop located inside.
#12: Taqueria Obregon (Phoenix)
Taqueria Obregon is owned by the same people who run Crepes Churros and More. This spot takes Taco Tuesday to the next level! Delicious tacos, bacon-wrapped burritos and queso fundido are all on the menu. Plus there’s a great toppings bar located in the middle of the restaurant. Some of the best food I had on the trip!
#13: Barnaby’s Cafe (Scottsdale Resort & Spa)
We were too stuffed from lunch to even think about getting food, but Barnaby’s at the Scottsdale Resort & Spa pool had some amazing frozen drinks. The piña colada hit the spot!
#14: In-N-Out Burger (Scottsdale)
It’s a rarity for us Midwesterners to get In-N-Out, so we had to stop by for lunch!
#15: La Fogata (Scottsdale Resort & Spa)
In-room dining, especially when it’s fresh, is the best. And that’s what we got from La Fogata at Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Pancakes, sausage, fingerling potatoes and eggs hit the spot and gave us the energy we needed for the day!
#16: Birdcall (Scottsdale location)
On our final night of the trip, we enjoyed Birdcall restaurant near our resort. The food was great! Fries, tots and chicken were all on point. Oh and you can’t forget the cookies n cream milkshake. Yum. But I think the highlight was the kids’ activities they had in the store! A train track was in the “toddler area” while a few arcade games were near the soda fountains. Bennett was absolutely in love and was playing with the trains until we got our food, and then again after! Such a cool concept, and on behalf of toddler parents – we thank you!
It will always be hard to top two trips for me. First, Rachel and I’s honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico. Second, my trip to Ireland with my dad and brother.
However, this trip to Phoenix is absolutely at the top of both Rachel and I’s lists in terms of places we visited. I think a huge part of that is because all that we did! We are a very “go go go” family, and so I think visiting the different attractions, eating at a lot of local restaurants, and staying at two different resorts really worked for us. If you’re not that way, it would be easy to just relax at your resort and soak up the time there!
I hope this article helps give you some ideas for your next Phoenix/Scottsdale trip.
Did I miss any places? If so, let me know! Because I’m positive we’ll be coming back here soon.
Matt Sheehan Official 