Whether your kids have a full week off school, you’re trying to plan a fun fall weekend, hoping to catch some changing leaves, or just want to start a new family tradition, we’ve got you covered. From pumpkin patches and museum days to train rides, small-town festivals, leaf peeping and easy road trips, there’s no shortage of ways to make fall feel fun in Arizona.
So grab the kids, pick a spot and make a day of it. We rounded up fall fun from all over the state so you can find something close to home — or finally check out that place you’ve been meaning to visit for years.
Anthem
Anthem Community Park
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem, AZ 85086
Playgrounds, fishing lakes, walking paths, sports areas and plenty of grass for a picnic or low-key fall day.
onlineatanthem.com
Daisy Mountain Railroad
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem, AZ 85086
Hop aboard the miniature train for a ride around Anthem Community Park.
daisymountainrailroad.com
Apache Junction
Lost Dutchman State Park
6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Cooler fall temperatures make this a great time to explore the Superstitions, with trails ranging from easy nature walks to bigger adventures.
azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman
Paranormal Festival — Oct. 17 — FREE daytime festival
4087 E. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Family-friendly spooky fun and local lore at Superstition Mountain Museum. A separate family ghost tour is offered in the evening.
superstitionmountainlostdutchmanmuseum.org
Superstition Mountain Museum
4087 E. Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Old West history, mining exhibits, historic buildings and plenty of Lost Dutchman lore.
superstitionmountainlostdutchmanmuseum.org
Avondale
Alamar Park — FREE
4155 S. El Mirage Rd., Avondale, AZ 85323
A destination playground with a lake, sports courts and plenty of room to run.
avondaleaz.gov
Barks & Treats — Oct. 3
Avondale, AZ
A fall celebration where the four-legged members of the family get to join the fun, too.
avondaleaz.gov
Billy Moore Days — Oct. 22-25
Festival Fields Park, 101 E. Lower Buckeye Rd., Avondale, AZ 85323
A multi-day celebration with carnival rides, entertainment, food and community activities. The Billy Moore Days Parade takes place Oct. 24.
avondaleaz.gov
Festival Fields Park — FREE
101 E. Lower Buckeye Rd., Avondale, AZ 85323
Playgrounds, fishing, a skate park and pump track make this an easy free outing.
avondaleaz.gov
Friendship Park — FREE
12325 W. McDowell Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392
Playgrounds, walking paths, sports fields and lots of open space.
avondaleaz.gov
Benson
Kartchner Caverns State Park
2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602
Take a guided tour through a living limestone cave filled with incredible formations, then explore the Discovery Center and trails above ground. Reservations for cave tours are recommended.
azstateparks.com/kartchner
Bisbee
Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum
5 Copper Queen Plaza, Bisbee, AZ 85603
A Smithsonian-affiliated museum covering Bisbee’s mining history and the people who built the town.
bisbeemuseum.org
Explore Old Bisbee — FREE
Main St., Bisbee, AZ 85603
Walk the staircases and historic streets, hunt for murals and make an afternoon of exploring one of Arizona’s most unusual towns.
discoverbisbee.com
Queen Mine Tour
478 N. Dart Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603
Put on a hard hat and head underground on a former mining train to learn what it was like to work in Bisbee’s copper mines.
queenminetour.com
Buckeye
86th Annual Halloween Carnival — Oct. 24
Downtown Buckeye
Old-fashioned carnival games, food, activities and costume contests from 5-9 p.m.
buckeyeaz.gov
Movies in the Park — Oct. 3, 9 & 14 — FREE
Various Buckeye parks
Bring blankets and chairs for free outdoor movies, plus food trucks, activities and giveaways.
buckeyeaz.gov
Skyline Regional Park
2600 N. Watson Rd., Buckeye, AZ 85396
Fall is a great time to get back on the trails, including shorter options doable with kids.
buckeyeaz.gov
Bullhead City
Bullhead City Community Park
1251 AZ-95, Bullhead City, AZ 86429
Colorado River beach access plus playgrounds and plenty of space for a picnic by the water.
bullheadcityaz.gov
Rotary Park — FREE
2315 Balboa Dr., Bullhead City, AZ 86442
A huge Colorado River park with playgrounds, beaches, walking areas and sports facilities.
bullheadcityaz.gov
Scooter’s Family Fun Center
2750 Miracle Mile, Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Go-karts, mini golf, batting cages and an arcade for an easy mixed-age outing.
scootersfamilyfuncenter.com
Camp Verde
Montezuma Castle National Monument
2800 Montezuma Castle Rd., Camp Verde, AZ 86322
See one of Arizona’s best-preserved cliff dwellings along an easy paved loop trail.
nps.gov/moca
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 W. State Route 260, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
A safari-style wildlife park with giraffes, zebras, big cats and other animals, plus presentations and an African Bush Safari.
outofafricapark.com
Carefree
Carefree Desert Gardens — FREE
101 Easy St., Carefree, AZ 85377
Stroll the desert gardens and check out the giant Carefree Sundial while you’re downtown.
carefree.org
Carefree Farmers Market — Fridays
101 Easy St., Carefree, AZ 85377
Browse local produce, foods and vendors while exploring downtown Carefree.
carefreecavecreek.org
Casa Grande
Casa Grande Neon Sign Park — FREE
408 N. Sacaton St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Go after dark to see restored vintage neon signs from Casa Grande’s roadside past.
cgmainstreet.org
Casa Grande Oktoberfest — Oct. 3 — FREE
Carr McNatt Park, 1115 N. Brown Ave., Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Live entertainment, carnival rides, a Kids Zone, food and fireworks.
explore.pinal.gov
Halloween Harvest Festival — Oct. 22 — FREE
Paul Mason Sports Complex, 2525 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Trick-or-Treat Village, costume contest, haunted hayride, inflatables, games and food trucks.
casagrandeaz.gov
Cave Creek
Cave Creek Museum
6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Learn about the area’s mining, ranching and pioneer history.
cavecreekmuseum.org
Cave Creek Regional Park
37900 E. Cave Creek Pkwy., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Nearly 3,000 acres of Sonoran Desert for hiking, biking, horseback riding and ranger programs.
maricopacountyparks.net
Chandler
Arizona Railway Museum
330 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286
Explore historic locomotives, passenger cars and railroad equipment.
azrymuseum.org
Chandler Museum — FREE
300 S. Chandler Village Dr., Chandler, AZ 85226
Local history, rotating exhibitions and family programming.
chandlermuseum.org
Chandler Contigo: Encanto Movie — Oct. 5 — FREE
Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85248
A free showing of Encanto with popcorn during fall break.
chandleraz.gov
Chandler Contigo Finale Fiesta — Oct. 17 — FREE
Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, AZ 85225
Ballet Folklórico, Lucha Libre personalities, lowriders, paper-flower making, art and DÃa de los Muertos-inspired activities.
chandleraz.gov
Desert Breeze Railroad
660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. E., Chandler, AZ 85226
Take a miniature train ride around Desert Breeze Park.
desertbreezerr.com
Makutu’s Island
6919 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, AZ 85226
Huge tropical-themed indoor play space packed with tunnels, slides and climbing structures.
makutusisland.com
Pumpkin Dunk — Oct. 24
Chandler, AZ
Swim for a pumpkin instead of picking one from a field during Chandler’s fall aquatic event.
chandleraz.gov
Clarkdale
Tuzigoot National Monument
25 Tuzigoot Rd., Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Explore the remains of a pueblo built high above the Verde Valley.
nps.gov/tuzi
Verde Canyon Railroad
300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Take a scenic train ride through Verde Canyon, with red-rock views and changing fall scenery.
verdecanyonrr.com
Coolidge
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
1100 W. Ruins Dr., Coolidge, AZ 85128
See the massive Great House and learn about the Ancestral Sonoran Desert people who built an extensive farming community here centuries ago.
nps.gov/cagr
Cottonwood
Arizona Wine Country Artists Village — Oct. 9-11 — FREE
Old Town Activity Park, 187 E. Pima St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326
A juried arts festival with a kids’ activity tent and scavenger hunt.
artists-village.com
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd., Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Fish the lagoons, hike or bike along the Verde River, picnic or turn it into an overnight camping trip.
azstateparks.com/dead-horse
Old Town Cottonwood — FREE
N. Main St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Walk historic Old Town, grab a treat and pair it with nearby Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
visitcottonwoodaz.org
Dewey
Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze — Sept. 25-Oct. 31
12907 E. State Route 169, Dewey, AZ 86327
Corn maze, pumpkins, farm animals and the Farm Park. Weekends add shows, hayrides, Grain Train rides, entertainment, food trucks and more.
mortimerfarmsaz.com
Flagstaff
Arizona Snowbowl Scenic Gondola
9300 N. Snow Bowl Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Ride to 11,500 feet for mountain views and, depending on timing, spectacular fall color.
snowbowl.ski
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86005
Trails, gardens and native plants on 200 acres surrounded by ponderosa forest.
thearb.org
The Arboretum at Flagstaff Pumpkin Walk — Oct. 24
4001 S. Woody Mountain Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86005
Hundreds of glowing pumpkins plus kids’ activities, music and food trucks.
thearb.org
Buffalo Park — FREE
2400 N. Gemini Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
An easy family walking loop with wide-open views of the San Francisco Peaks.
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ 86005
Treetop obstacles, climbing and zip lines for kids and adults ready for a bigger adventure.
flagstaffextreme.com
Flagstaff Festival of Science — Sept. 25-Oct. 4
Various Flagstaff locations
More than a week of science talks, demonstrations, hands-on activities, tours and family programs.
scifest.org
Flagstaff Oktoberfest — Oct. 3
Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Food, music, contests and festival fun in downtown Flagstaff.
flagstaffoktoberfest.com
Flagstaff Star Party — Oct. 1-3 — FREE
Buffalo Park, 2400 N. Gemini Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Telescope viewing, presentations and activities celebrating Flagstaff’s incredible dark skies.
flagstaffstarparty.org
Lowell Observatory
1400 W. Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Explore astronomy exhibits, look through telescopes and stay after dark for stargazing.
lowell.edu
Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 N. Fort Valley Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Dinosaurs, geology, Indigenous cultures, art and Colorado Plateau history.
musnaz.org
Florence
McFarland State Historic Park
24 W. Ruggles St., Florence, AZ 85132
Explore one of Arizona’s first courthouses and learn about territorial Arizona inside a preserved 1878 adobe building.
azstateparks.com/mcfarland
Fountain Hills
Fountain Park — FREE
12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Walk around the lake, picnic, hit the playground and catch the famous fountain.
fountainhillsaz.gov
Movie in the Park — Oct. 10 — FREE
Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Pack chairs and blankets for a free family movie outside.
fountainhillsaz.gov
Spooky Blast — Oct. 24 — FREE
Fountain Hills, AZ
Candy, inflatables, a DJ, magic, costume contest and games.
fountainhillsaz.gov
Gilbert
Concerts in the Park — Thursdays in October — FREE
Water Tower Plaza, 45 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85233
Bring chairs or a blanket and grab dinner downtown for free family-friendly live music.
gilbertaz.gov
Freestone Park — FREE
1045 E. Juniper Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234
Playgrounds, lake, sports courts and plenty of room for an inexpensive afternoon.
gilbertaz.gov
Mother Nature’s Farm Fall Festival
1663 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85233
Pick a pumpkin, visit the farm animals and enjoy classic fall farm activities.
mothernaturesfarm.com
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch — FREE
2757 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234
Walk the trails and ponds, look for wildlife and pair it with a library visit next door.
gilbertaz.gov
Glendale
Sahuaro Ranch Park — FREE
9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85302
Historic ranch grounds, peacocks, playgrounds and picnic areas.
glendaleaz.com
Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Days & Corn Maze — October
5726 N. 75th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85303
Pumpkins, corn maze and classic farm activities make this a longtime West Valley fall tradition.
tolmachoff-farms.com
Goodyear
Goodyear Fall Festival — Oct. 24 — FREE
Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Trick-or-treat on the field, entertainment and costume contests.
goodyearaz.gov
Goodyear Recreation Campus
420 S. Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear, AZ 85338
Aquatics, recreation spaces, sports areas and a large community park.
goodyearaz.gov
Movie in the Park: Toy Story 5 — Oct. 17 — FREE
Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Characters, face painting, crafts, yard games, food trucks and an outdoor showing of Toy Story 5.
goodyearaz.gov
Ritmos y RaÃces — Oct. 10 — FREE
Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Cumbia, Ballet Folklórico, mariachi, crafts and food.
goodyearaz.gov
White Mountains
Greer
Greer Lakes Recreation Area
Greer, AZ 85927
Pack a picnic, fish, walk near the water and look for fall color around River, Bunch and Tunnel Reservoirs.
Greer Village — FREE
Main St., Greer, AZ 85927
Make a simple fall day of wandering Greer, grabbing lunch or a treat and looking for changing leaves.
greeraz.com
Little Colorado River — FREE
Greer, AZ 85927
Take a walk along the river, look for wildlife and enjoy one of the prettiest fall settings in the White Mountains.
Holbrook
Navajo County Historical Society Museum — FREE
100 E. Arizona St., Holbrook, AZ 86025
Explore local history inside the historic Navajo County Courthouse, including Route 66 and Old West stories.
holbrookazmuseum.org
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028
Drive through colorful badlands and the Painted Desert, see enormous petrified logs and choose from several short family-friendly trails.
nps.gov/pefo
Wigwam Motel
811 W. Hopi Dr., Holbrook, AZ 86025
Even if you don’t spend the night in one of the famous concrete teepees, it’s a fun Route 66 photo stop with vintage cars out front.
sleepinawigwam.com
Pinetop-Lakeside
Big Springs Environmental Study Area — FREE
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
An easy forest outing with interpretive trails, wildlife habitat and plenty of room for kids to explore.
White Mountain Family Fun Park
4725 W. White Mountain Blvd., Lakeside, AZ 85929
Go-karts and family entertainment for a change of pace from hiking and leaf-peeping.
whitemountainfamilyfunpark.com
White Mountain Nature Center
425 S. Woodland Rd., Lakeside, AZ 85929
Nature exhibits, wildlife education and outdoor exploration, with raptor programs among the highlights.
wmnature.org
Woodland Lake Park — FREE
Woodland Lake Rd., Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85929
Walk the easy loop around the lake, fish, picnic, hit the playground and look for fall color.
pinetoplakesideaz.gov
Show Low
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
1500 N. Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low, AZ 85901
Fish, kayak, picnic, hike or spend an afternoon beside the lake surrounded by tall pines.
azstateparks.com/fool-hollow
Show Low City Park — FREE
1100 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, AZ 85901
Playgrounds, walking paths, sports areas and lots of grass for an easy picnic-and-play day.
showlowaz.gov
Show Low Historical Society Museum — FREE
561 E. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, AZ 85901
Local history exhibits covering Show Low and the surrounding White Mountains.
showlowmuseum.org
Springerville
Casa Malpais Archaeological Park & Museum
418 E. Main St., Springerville, AZ 85938
Learn about an ancient Mogollon community and the archaeological site overlooking Springerville.
springervilleaz.gov
Sunrise
Sunrise Park Resort
200 Highway 273, Greer, AZ 85927
Check the fall operating calendar for scenic mountain activities and special events before making the drive.
sunrise.ski
Winslow
Homolovi State Park
AZ-87, Winslow, AZ 86047
Explore archaeological sites, easy trails and high-desert scenery while learning about ancestral Hopi communities.
azstateparks.com/homolovi
Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum
Interstate 40, Exit 233, Winslow, AZ 86047
See one of the best-preserved meteorite impact sites on Earth and explore interactive space and meteor exhibits.
meteorcrater.com
Standin’ on the Corner Park — FREE
Kinsley Ave. & 2nd St., Winslow, AZ 86047
Take the classic Route 66 photo with the flatbed Ford and explore downtown Winslow.
standinonthecorner.org
Kingman
Arizona Route 66 Museum
120 W. Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401
Follow the history of Route 66 with historic vehicles, photographs and exhibits.
explorekingman.com
Historic Downtown Kingman & Route 66 Drive-Thru — FREE
Downtown Kingman
Hunt for murals, explore historic Route 66 and grab a family photo beneath the giant Route 66 shield.
explorekingman.com
Lake Havasu City
Havasu Riviera Marina Fall Festival — Oct. 17 — FREE
2067 Havasu Riviera Pkwy., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
Pumpkin patch on the beach plus inflatables, slides, petting zoo, pumpkin carving, food trucks, vendors and Dock or Treat.
golakehavasu.com
Lake Havasu State Park
699 London Bridge Rd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Explore the shoreline, picnic, hike, swim if conditions cooperate or camp.
azstateparks.com/lake-havasu
London Bridge — FREE
1340 McCulloch Blvd. N., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Yes, the actual London Bridge. Walk across it and explore the waterfront while you’re there.
golakehavasu.com
Litchfield Park
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park
16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
Plan for a full day with hundreds of animal species, aquarium buildings, safari areas and optional rides.
wildlifeworld.com
Marana
Marana Fall Festival — Oct. 17 — FREE
12375 N. Heritage Park Dr., Marana, AZ 85653
Carnival rides, Mutton Bustin’, live music, sunflower field, free crafts, spooky activities, family movie and food trucks.
maranaaz.gov
Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival
14901 N. Wentz Rd., Marana, AZ 85653
Pumpkin picking plus a corn maze, train rides, jumping pillows, pig races, petting zoo and plenty of farm activities.
maranapumpkinpatch.com
Mesa
Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201
Dinosaurs, fossils, ancient cultures, geology, gold panning and plenty for kids to explore.
azmnh.org
Celebrate Mesa — Oct. 10 — FREE
Red Mountain Multiuse Fields South, 905 N. Sunvalley Blvd., Mesa, AZ 85207
Free carnival rides, bounce houses, petting zoo, face painting and family activities.
mesaaz.gov
i.d.e.a. Museum
150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa, AZ 85201
Hands-on art, creativity and play designed especially for kids.
ideamuseum.org
Mesa Feastival — Oct. 3 & 17 — FREE admission
Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85203
Food trucks, live music and local vendors — easy to pair with Pioneer Park’s huge playground.
visitmesa.com
Mesa Music Festival — Oct. 15-17 — FREE
Downtown Mesa
A multi-day music festival throughout downtown featuring emerging artists and live performances.
mesamusicfest.com
Pumpkin Splash — Oct. 24
Stapley Aquatic Complex, 3250 E. Hermosa Vista Dr., Mesa, AZ 85213
Pick your pumpkin from a floating pumpkin patch, then stick around for carnival games and prizes.
mesaaz.gov
Riverview Park — FREE
2100 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Mesa, AZ 85201
Huge playground, climbing structures and lots of room to burn energy.
mesaaz.gov
Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival — Oct. 2-31
4011 S. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
Corn maze, pumpkins and a long list of included farm activities give this one a mini-fair feel.
vertucciofarms.com
Oatman
Oatman & the Wild Burros — FREE
Historic Route 66, Oatman, AZ 86433
Walk the old mining town while wild burros wander the streets, browse the shops and catch an Old West gunfight reenactment.
visitarizona.com
Oro Valley
Catalina State Park
11570 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85737
Easy nature trails, mountain views, wildlife and picnic areas make this one of Southern Arizona’s best fall outdoor days.
azstateparks.com/catalina
Children’s Museum Oro Valley
11015 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Hands-on play geared toward younger kids.
childrensmuseumtucson.org
Naranja Park — FREE
810 W. Naranja Dr., Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Playgrounds, skate/pump track, sports areas and trails with mountain views.
orovalleyaz.gov
Patagonia
Patagonia Lake State Park
400 Patagonia Lake Rd., Patagonia, AZ 85624
Walk the trails, look for birds, fish, kayak or spend a fall afternoon beside the lake.
azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake
Payson
Green Valley Park — FREE
1000 W. Country Club Dr., Payson, AZ 85541
Three lakes, fishing, playgrounds, lawns and mature trees make this an especially pretty fall picnic spot.
Rim Country Museum + Zane Grey Cabin
700 S. Green Valley Pkwy., Payson, AZ 85541
Explore Rim Country history and the replica cabin of Western author Zane Grey.
rimcountrymuseum.org
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
N. State Route 87, Pine, AZ 85544
See the enormous natural travertine bridge from above or hike underneath it for a bigger adventure.
azstateparks.com/tonto
Phoenix
Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hundreds of hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, a planetarium and giant-screen theater make this an easy indoor fall-break day.
azscience.org
Arizona State Fair — Oct. 1-Nov. 1
1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Rides, fair food, agriculture, exhibits and entertainment. The 2026 fair runs Thursdays through Sundays.
azstatefair.com
Castles N’ Coasters
9445 N. Metro Pkwy. E., Phoenix, AZ 85051
Roller coasters, rides, mini golf and a huge arcade give you options for lots of different ages.
castlesncoasters.com
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Three floors of hands-on play, especially good for younger kids.
childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Walk the desert trails, explore the gardens and look for butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
dbg.org
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
1202 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Kid-sized rides, a train and family attractions inside Encanto Park.
enchantedisland.com
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Historic fire engines, firefighting equipment and exhibits for the kid who never passes a fire truck without pointing it out.
hallofflame.org
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050
Explore instruments and music from around the world, then let kids make some noise themselves in the Experience Gallery.
mim.org
Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
More than 3,000 animals plus trails, play areas and daily experiences make this an easy full-day outing.
phoenixzoo.org
Phoenix Zoo Family Night Camp — Oct. 10
455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
A dinosaur-themed evening with guided trail hikes, activities and animal encounters, with twilight and overnight options.
phoenixzoo.org
PHXPlays Fall Break Camps
Various Phoenix community centers
Full-day supervised camps through Phoenix Parks and Recreation during school breaks. Locations and schedules vary.
phoenix.gov
Prescott
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
1403 Heritage Park Rd., Prescott, AZ 86301
A smaller wildlife sanctuary that’s manageable when you don’t necessarily want an enormous zoo day.
heritageparkzoo.org
Highlands Center for Natural History
1375 S. Walker Rd., Prescott, AZ 86303
Nature trails and discovery areas surrounded by Prescott’s forest.
highlandscenter.org
Lynx Lake Recreation Area
4505 E. Forest Service Rd. 611, Prescott, AZ 86303
Walk around the lake, picnic, fish or get out on the water.
fs.usda.gov
Sharlot Hall Museum
415 W. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ 86301
Historic buildings, gardens and Arizona territorial history.
sharlothallmuseum.org
Watson Lake Park
3101 Watson Lake Park Rd., Prescott, AZ 86301
Explore the Granite Dells, picnic beside the lake, hike or bring a kayak.
prescott-az.gov
Queen Creek
Mansel Carter Oasis Park — FREE
19535 E. Appleby Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Large playgrounds, fishing lake, skate plaza and plenty of space for a free afternoon.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
25062 S. Meridian Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Tour the mill, eat outside and wander the grounds. It’s an easy pairing with Schnepf Farms.
queencreekolivemill.com
San Tan Mountain Regional Park
6533 W. Phillips Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Hit the desert trails once temperatures drop; shorter options make it manageable with kids.
maricopacountyparks.net
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party — Oct. 1-31
24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142
More than 25 rides and attractions, a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, pig races, amusement rides, live entertainment, jumping pillows and fall photo ops.
schnepffarms.com
Sahuarita
ASARCO Mineral Discovery Center & Mine Tour
1421 W. Pima Mine Rd., Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Learn how copper is mined and processed, then see an enormous working open-pit mine.
asarco.com
Sahuarita Lake Park — FREE
15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd., Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Walk the lake loop, fish, look for birds and turtles or pack a picnic.
sahuaritaaz.gov
Titan Missile Museum
1580 W. Duval Mine Rd., Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Go underground inside a preserved Cold War-era missile site and see an actual Titan II missile.
titanmissilemuseum.org
Scottsdale
Arizona Boardwalk
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
A whole cluster of indoor family attractions in one spot.
azboardwalk.com
Arizona Boardwalk Bubble Fest — Oct. 3 — FREE
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
A bubble-filled family event at Arizona Boardwalk.
azboardwalk.com
Butterfly Wonderland
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite F-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Walk through a tropical conservatory filled with thousands of free-flying butterflies.
butterflywonderland.com
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Train rides, carousel, playgrounds and railroad exhibits make this an easy family outing.
therailroadpark.com
OdySea Aquarium
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Sharks, penguins, sea lions and interactive aquarium experiences, all indoors.
odyseaaquarium.com
Scottsdale Fall Festival — Oct. 17 — FREE
Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Trick-or-treating, carnival games, hands-on arts and crafts, live music, a DJ and food trucks.
scottsdaleaz.gov
Sedona
Bell Rock Pathway
6246 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86351
An approachable way to get kids among Sedona’s red rocks without committing to a huge hike.
Fest of Fall — Oct. 17 — FREE
Sedona, AZ
Kids area, cornhole, pickleball, vendors, entertainment, food trucks and live music.
sedonaaz.gov
Great Pumpkin Splash — Oct. 17
Sedona Community Pool, 570 Posse Ground Rd., Sedona, AZ 86336
Choose a floating pumpkin from the pool, decorate it and take home a goodie bag.
sedonaaz.gov
Red Rock State Park
4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., Sedona, AZ 86336
Easy trails, wildlife and beautiful red-rock scenery along Oak Creek.
azstateparks.com/red-rock
Slide Rock State Park
6871 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Explore Oak Creek and the historic apple orchard; whether it’s warm enough to actually slide is another question!
azstateparks.com/slide-rock
Sierra Vista
The Cove
2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Indoor aquatic center with a heated pool, zero-depth beach entry and family recreation swimming.
sierravistaaz.gov
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area — FREE
1763 Paseo San Luis, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Walk along the San Pedro River and look for birds and wildlife.
blm.gov
Surprise
Desert Fall Festival — Sept. 28-Nov. 1
Surprise, AZ
Thirteen acres of fall fun with a glowing pumpkin maze, interactive excavators, ziplines, apple cannons, roller rink, giant slide, entertainment and food.
exploresurprise.com
FatCats Surprise
13100 N. Prasada Pkwy., Surprise, AZ 85388
Movies, bowling, arcade games and glow-in-the-dark mini golf all under one roof.
fatcatsfun.com
Fiesta Grande — Oct. 10
Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374
A community celebration with entertainment, food and activities.
surpriseaz.gov
Surprise Community Park — FREE
16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374
Playground, fishing lake, walking paths and plenty of picnic space.
surpriseaz.gov
Tempe
Arizona Heritage Center
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, AZ 85288
Arizona history covering everything from the state’s early days to more recent pop culture.
arizonahistoricalsociety.org
Four Peaks Oktoberfest — Oct. 9-11
Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281
A huge three-day Oktoberfest with food, music, carnival rides and family activities along Tempe Town Lake.
fourpeaksoktoberfest.com
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 135, Tempe, AZ 85282
Millions of LEGO bricks, rides, building areas, play spaces and 4D movies.
legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona
Movies in the Park — Oct. 2, 9 & 16 — FREE
Kiwanis Park, 6111 S. All-America Way, Tempe, AZ 85283
Free movies at dusk with Play Mobile activities beforehand.
tempe.gov
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 145, Tempe, AZ 85282
Sharks, rays, sea turtles and other marine life, including a 360-degree ocean tunnel.
visitsealife.com/arizona
Tempe History Museum — FREE
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282
Local history with hands-on elements and rotating exhibits.
tempe.gov
Tombstone
O.K. Corral
326 E. Allen St., Tombstone, AZ 85638
Learn the story of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and the famous 1881 gunfight, with reenactments and Old West exhibits.
ok-corral.com
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
223 E. Toughnut St., Tombstone, AZ 85638
Explore an 1882 courthouse filled with exhibits about Tombstone’s lawmen, outlaws and frontier life.
azstateparks.com/tombstone
Walk Allen Street — FREE
Allen St., Tombstone, AZ 85638
Stagecoaches, Old West characters and historic buildings make simply walking downtown part of the experience.
tombstonechamber.com
Tucson
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743
Part zoo, part botanical garden, part aquarium and part natural history museum. Don’t skip Packrat Playhouse with younger kids.
desertmuseum.org
Boo Bash — Oct. 17 — FREE
Lincoln Park Soccer Fields, Tucson, AZ
Tucson Parks and Recreation’s annual community Halloween celebration with family activities.
tucsonaz.gov
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
Hands-on exhibits let kids build, create, pretend, experiment and explore.
childrensmuseumtucson.org
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
1601 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721
Hands-on science exhibits, minerals and fossils, plus planetarium shows.
flandrau.org
Golf N’ Stuff
6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715
Mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, batting cages and an arcade.
golfnstuff.com
International Wildlife Museum
4800 W. Gates Pass Rd., Tucson, AZ 85745
A surprisingly big collection of wildlife exhibits from around the world, plus natural history and conservation displays.
thewildlifemuseum.org
Lava Island
3742 W. River Rd., Tucson, AZ 85741
A huge lava-themed indoor playground filled with climbing structures, slides and places to explore.
lavaisland.com
Main Event Tucson
4700 S. Landing Way, Tucson, AZ 85714
Bowling, laser tag, arcade games and other indoor activities make this an easy mixed-age option.
mainevent.com
Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr., Tucson, AZ 85712
Explore hundreds of miniature houses, tiny rooms and incredibly detailed little worlds.
theminitimemachine.org
Old Tucson
201 S. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85735
Explore the famous Western movie set with live entertainment, historic buildings and Old West fun.
oldtucson.com
Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E. Valencia Rd., Tucson, AZ 85756
More than 300 historic aircraft across indoor hangars and outdoor exhibits.
pimaair.org
Reid Park Zoo
3400 E. Zoo Ct., Tucson, AZ 85716
A manageable-sized zoo with elephants, giraffes, lions, jaguars and World of Play for kids.
reidparkzoo.org
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, AZ 85750
Hike, explore the canyon or use the shuttle to make seeing the scenery easier with kids.
fs.usda.gov
Saguaro National Park — East
3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730
Take a scenic drive through giant saguaros, stop at overlooks or choose a short family-friendly desert trail.
nps.gov/sagu
Trail Dust Town
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715
Step into an Old West town with rides, shops and family entertainment.
traildusttown.com
Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712
Explore garden paths, desert plants and seasonal exhibits in a compact garden that’s manageable with kids.
tucsonbotanical.org
Wild Katz Children’s Adventure Playground
4629 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712
Indoor climbing and active play designed specifically for kids.
wildkatzaz.com
Valentine
Keepers of the Wild
13441 E. Highway 66, Valentine, AZ 86437
A 175-acre wildlife sanctuary along Route 66 with more than 150 rescued animals, including big cats, plus guided safari tours.
keepersofthewild.org
Williams
Bearizona Wildlife Park
1500 E. Route 66, Williams, AZ 86046
Drive through animal habitats before exploring the walk-through portion of the park.
bearizona.com
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park
700 E. Route 66, Williams, AZ 86046
Ride an alpine-style mountain coaster through the trees.
canyoncoasteradventurepark.com
Grand Canyon Railway
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams, AZ 86046
Turn getting to the Grand Canyon into part of the adventure with a train ride from Williams to the South Rim.
thetrain.com
Poozeum — FREE
109 W. Railroad Ave., Williams, AZ 86046
A museum devoted entirely to coprolites — aka fossilized poop. Weird, free and exactly the kind of place kids will tell everyone about afterward.
poozeum.com
Willcox
Apple Annie’s Fall Pumpkin Celebration — Sept. 26-Oct. 31
6405 W. Williams Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643
Pick pumpkins straight from the vine, take a weekend hayride, wander through a 12.5-acre corn maze, visit the sunflower field and pick fall vegetables.
appleannies.com
Apple Annie’s Orchard
2081 W. Hardy Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643
Pick apples and seasonal fruit, grab apple cider donuts and pie, or visit on a weekend for the orchard’s pancake breakfast.
appleannies.com
TIP: The orchard and pumpkin farm are separate Apple Annie’s locations with different activities, so leave enough time to visit both.
Yuma
Children’s Museum of Yuma County
200 S. Main St., Yuma, AZ 85364
Hands-on pretend play, building, science and discovery spaces for younger kids.
yumaschildrensmuseum.com
Colorado River State Historic Park
201 N. 4th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364
Explore Yuma’s history along the Colorado River and the former Army Quartermaster Depot.
azstateparks.com/colorado-river
Tacos and Tunes — Oct. 3 — FREE
Desert Sun Stadium, 1280 W. Desert Sun Dr., Yuma, AZ 85365
Tacos and other food vendors, live music, a car show, kids zone, face painting and more.
yumaaz.gov
West Wetlands Park — FREE
282 N. 12th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364
Playgrounds, trails, riverfront nature areas and picnic spaces make this one of Yuma’s easiest free outings.
yumaaz.gov
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
220 Prison Hill Rd., Yuma, AZ 85364
Walk through the cells and learn about the prisoners and stories behind one of Arizona’s most famous historic sites.
yumaprison.org
Fall Color Road Trips
White Mountains: Show Low → Pinetop-Lakeside → Greer → Sunrise
Tall pines, aspens, lakes and mountain scenery make this one of Arizona’s best fall drives.
Mogollon Rim: Payson → Pine → Strawberry → Woods Canyon Lake
Stop for overlooks, short walks, a picnic or a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge.
Flagstaff: Downtown Flagstaff → Snowbowl → Aspen Corner
One of the easiest ways to build an entire day around Arizona’s changing aspens.
Verde Valley: Cottonwood → Jerome → Sedona → Oak Creek Canyon
Mix historic towns, red rocks and changing leaves.
Prescott: Downtown Prescott → Thumb Butte → Lynx Lake → Watson Lake
A good combination of fall color, lakes, trails and places to stop with kids.
Make It a Fall Break Road Trip
Route 66: Kingman → Oatman → Seligman → Williams → Flagstaff → Winslow → Holbrook
Find wild burros in Oatman, explore Route 66 history in Kingman, stop for Cars vibes in Seligman, visit Bearizona in Williams, stargaze in Flagstaff, stand on the corner in Winslow and finish among the petrified logs and Painted Desert near Holbrook.
Save Money on Fall Break
Act One Culture Pass
Check participating Arizona libraries for free passes to museums and cultural attractions. Availability varies by library and attraction.
act1az.org/culture-pass
Arizona State Parks
Turn fall break into a day trip to a lake, cave, historic site, desert trail or archaeological park.
azstateparks.com
Arizona Pumpkin Patch — FREE admission
Multiple Arizona locations
Several pumpkin lots around Arizona offer free admission — you pay for the pumpkins you choose. Check the site for 2026 locations and dates.
arizonapumpkinpatch.org
Maricopa County Parks
Once the weather cools down, fall break is a great excuse to explore one of the county’s regional parks.
maricopacountyparks.net
National Parks & Monuments
Petrified Forest, Saguaro, Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, Casa Grande Ruins and Arizona’s other National Park Service sites can turn a day off school into a mini road trip.
nps.gov/arizona
