We are doing Arizona for spring break the last week of March. Flying into Phoenix on a Friday night and staying downtown. We have all day Saturday in Phoenix before heading out to Goodyear for an Indians spring training game that evening. The next morning we head up to Sedona, and then on to the Grand Canyon. My question is what to do with the day in Phoenix? I have 2 boys, 10 and 12. People have recommended the Arizona Science Center, but I hesitate because I'd rather do something that is more "Phoenix," whatever that means. We have a science center membership at home, and while I'm sure the exhibits at ASC will be interesting and different from what we have here, at the end of the day it's still a science center. Would the Dessert Botanical Garden be a better option? Maybe something with an "old west" experience? Thanks!

check our Rawhide. It�s an old western town. A little cheesy by the boys will love it. (Panning for gold and other western activities).

Yes to an hour or so at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, but maybe paired with something more action-oriented, like:

• Octane Raceway in Scottsdale
• Horse rides at MacDonald's Ranch in Scottsdale
• Hike up Camelback in Paradise Valley
• Hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale (Gateway Loop)
• Rent bikes and ride the Camelback Greenway in Scottsdale
• Boating rentals on Tempe Town Lake
• Gilbert Riparian Preserve at the Gilbert Water Ranch

Don't forget to have them wear hats. Our winter visitors' kids will get badly sunburned on the tops of their ears out on a horse/bike/kayak/hike without a hat.

Thanks for the suggestions. Rawhide looks like it might be the type of thing I had in mind. Also would be open to suggestions for shopping - not outlet malls or things we can find anywhere - but more local crafts and quality souvenirs (aka not cheap crap).

The AZSC is fine, but nothing I�d go out of my way for.

Maybe hit up a dive AZ taco shop for lunch. Carolina�s at 12th St and Mohave is good. Or there�s one, I think it�s called Rito�s, at 14th St, just south of Roosevelt. Cash only for the latter, last I was there. Really good Mexican food at these places.

a few things to be aware of...look at the weather before your trip.

places I-40 and north can still be winter cold. Flagstaff and grand canyon are abouve 6500 feet elevation while Phoenix is about 2000 feet in elevation thus a contrast in temps.

For a day before the game you could do a drive out to Sonora desert national monument west of the city.

keep open the option of going down to Tucson and see airplane graves and Saguarro National Park.

I think the AZ Science Center recommendation is coming because you're already staying downtown and you could probably walk there. It is fine, but if you've been to other science centers, unless it is a rare rainy day, I'd probably take a miss.

Rawhide is ok, but it is out near the Gila River Casino now. You'd be backtracking to go there, then would have a long drive out to Goodyear. You could stay near Rawhide if you want to visit there (unless you're tied to staying in downtown Phoenix).

The Botanical Gardens and Zoo might be something worthwhile for the kids, and it isn't far from downtown. In theory, you could even take the light rail, then they have a bus that connects from the light rail to go to those locations. It is close to downtown Tempe, where you could do like Wilbur suggested, boat on Tempe Town Lake. You could grab something to eat on Mill Ave, hike up A Mountain, etc.

Old Town Scottsdale is the place you seek, particularly the east side between Scottsdale Road and the Civic Center Mall south of Indian School: Clickety

Looks like morning at the Dessert Botanical Garden and afternoon checking out Old Town Scottsdale might be just the thing. Thanks everyone!

I’ve not been myself, but a close friend frequently talks about Tlaquepaque in Sedona.

Also be aware that the average temperature at the Grand Canyon in March is typically 20� lower than Phoenix.

Hiking up Camelback, even if only part way, may be something unique to Phoenix.

The desert botanical garden is great. But it can also be great at nighttime if they have a light show on when you are there. Also, we did the drive from LAS to PHX a few years back in mid march. We got stuck at the grand canyon in about a foot of snow and never really got to experience the beauty. We arrived at 6pm, took some quick pics before losing the sun, stayed overnight at the Best Western and when we woke up in the morning there was a foot of snow. We left town early the next morning because they were telling us that they were going to be stopping all traffic except those vehicles which had chains on their tires. That's how bad it was!

What's so special about Camelback?

Get a good workout climbing up, see the glorious vista of the entire valley, get another good workout coming down, five minutes later you are sitting in Matt's Big Breakfast firing down ham and eggs / choose your optional Arcadia eatery of choice.

Not a great many other major metro areas have a lot of similar combinations of exercise / incredible views / immediate dining options.

The immediate dining options never occurred to me as something of interest.