Most families who stay here spend more time at the house than they expect, which is usually the pool's doing. Here is what we suggest for the rest of the week, nearest first.
The pool and the game room
The pool is heated and never closed or covered, so it works outside high summer as well as in it. Indoors there is a themed game room with a PS5, an Xbox and a shelf of board games — which is what saves you between about one and four o'clock when it is too hot to be outside.
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park — about 18 miles
The biggest single day out in the area, and comfortably a full one. Combined zoo and aquarium, with a safari train. Go early; the animals and the children both fade in the afternoon heat.
Thunderbird Conservation Park — about 9 miles
Easy trails, ramadas and picnic tables. Good for a morning walk with children who will not manage a real hike, and free.
Historic Downtown Glendale — about 5 miles
Antique shops, sweet shops and a walkable few blocks. A gentle morning rather than a main event, and pleasant in cooler months.
A ballgame
Camelback Ranch is about nine miles away and hosts Cactus League spring training in February and March — an easy, cheap, genuinely fun outing with children. State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena are the same distance for football, concerts and events the rest of the year.
Practical notes
- Plan outdoor things before eleven and after four from May to September
- The house sleeps ten with a full kitchen, so a supermarket run beats eating out every night
- Sky Harbor is about 19 miles; Phoenix–Mesa Gateway is the other option