My husband and I are looking to get our 15 month old son out of the heat next month for a mini-vacation before his little sister is born. We have to keep it cheap and are thinking about heading up north to the Williams / Flagstaff area. However, the only thing we have thought for our young son to do is to visit the Deer Farm. I am hoping you guys will have suggestions of where you have been and how your children did with the experiences. Like I stated he is young and we want him to have a good time, but finding something age appropraite has been a challenge thus far.
Thank you in advance for your help,
T.
There is an Arboretum in flagstaff. they have raptor shows and a childrens garden area besides just taking a walk in the woods. the wildflowers bloom in July, so I've been told. My 2.5 year old loves it there and the 12 month old even got a kick out of the hawks and snake exhibit.
The Arboreteum has a great bug display this summer. the ski lift has great summer deals to ride the lift. Walnut Canyon, the Grand Canyon railroad trip, the Verde Valley Railroad, the Lowell Observatory has a great hands on museum for kids. There are loads of trails right in Flagstaff that are safe and easy walks for kids.
Hi T. - J. with Incredible Inflatables here. We took our grandchildren to Williams last year camping. Did the Deer Farm (it was great). Also, took them on the Grand Canyon Railway. It was a little bit boring for them but they did have a "train robbery" that they loved. I scrapbooked the whole trip and it is one of the best trips we've been on with them but they were slightly older than 15 months. Are you camping? If so, that's probably all you have to do to keep him entertained!
How wonderful! I LOVE Flagstaff! I lived there for a couple of years pre-children, so am not real up to date on kid friendly stuff, but you could take him on a little hike - do you have a backpack carrier? You could also take a train ride on the real train - I think there are a number of day excursions you can do on the train. Sometimes there are events at Buffalo Park. Other than that I'm not sure, but have a great time! I also suggest for restaurants Dara Tai, Oreganos Pizza, and the brewery -the name is escaping my mind right now (not Flagstaff brewery, but another with GREAT food).
We took our children to the deer farm a couple of years ago. The problem is that the deer like to jump up and get the food out of the kids hands. The deer also tried to eat my daughter's pony tail holder. Our little ones were scared of the deer. It was a waste of money since it terrified some of them. I think you can enjoy being up north by taking a picnic or a little hike. We usually like to go to the Rim area where it's a little cooler. I would check out the tourist info - even the Grand Canyon is fun to see, but kinda far. The Williams train is also a blast, but expensive.
Hello T.~
I live here in Flagstaff and if you let me know what weekend you plan to come up I can try to find some free things around town. Sometimes there are events in the parks that kids enjoy.
W.
That area is beautiful this time of year - take him fishing and hiking and spend time outside looking at nature - all the animals will be out and about - you may even see babies - take a picnic lunch and some chairs and blankets with you so you can all be comfortable where ever you end up and some outside toys like dump trucks and shovels/pails - there are so many choices up there you really can't go wrong - and if you get to Williams you could get on the train for a little trip - little boys LOVE trains/planes/tractors - just find the average things interesting and so will he - I have raised three sons who all love the outdoors and see the value of our beautiful places - so have fun and be safe - make sure he wears a hat and sturdy shoes (not sandals/flip flops) and although I don't recommend sunscreen because it causes cancer just moderate the exposure to midday sun and you all will be fine - may the forest be with you!
The Deer farm is wonderful and so great....but they are very agressive and very loose in the area that you go to see them. They walk all around the area just bagging for food and they will eat your clothes......so it could be a little too much for a 15th month old... you may need to hold him most of the time walking the trails.
Verde Canyon Railroad is a awesome train ride, more scenenic then the other train rides.
San Diego is the best if you can make it there.... 5 hour car ride, not too much further then going to Flagstaff.
Hi T.!
Williams is our family favorite! You've got great resposes already, so I'll have to check back to get some new ideas for myself. Here are some other suggestion:
Kaibab Lake and/or Dogtown Lake have wonderful camping & fishing. We bought an inflatable boat & Daddy took the kids out on the lake...They loved it!
There is a nearby KOA which has a pool & other child related activities.
Williams always has festivities, parades, rodeo's, art shows, etc. Here is an address to check out events that might be happening: www.williamschamber.com
Don't forget to check out the cute little ice cream parlors!
There is a tiny, tiny park next to the skate park that you can also check out.
Maybe you can even check out slide park in Sadona, before or after your trip.
Have a great time! Watch your speed driving through Williams. It's a huge speed trap!
T.,
I can't blame you for wanting to get out of the heat! We lived in Flagstaff for one year and though my children are older, one place you might want to go is the Arboretum in Flagstaff. There are lots of walking trails and different plants and animals to look at. The road to get there is kinda bumpy though so keep that in mind as far as pre-labor issues.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is also nice, there's a small canyon hike located right next to the museum (I guess I'd just call it a nature trail) but it's really pretty.
Also, Walnut Canyon (just East of Flagstaff) is beautiful but strenuous.
I can't think of anything else, hope you have a safe trip.
We do this quite often... however.. it depends on how well you guys can do car trips... ;0)
Four hours north east and you hit the Showlow/ Pinetop/Lakeside area... pack some snacks and sandwhiches in the car and all you need is $$ for the gas..(of course).....In Pinetop... Rainbow Lake is really a fun place to go...when my little ones were younger, we would go and walk the paved path around the lake... throw rocks int he water, feed the ducks.. and enjoy being outside in such pretty weather and scenery.....We like to stay at the Sleep Inn down in SHowlow... its very affordable for overnight... clean rooms, heated pool and continental breakfast.... can make a nice weekend mini trip... or even a few days and not have to spend a lot of money.... WHatever you do have fun!! ;0)
There is a park perfect for toddlers downtown. It's on the west side. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name, but it's pretty obvious.
We have done the Deer Farm with our children and everytime we have loved it.
We also loved our drive to the Mormon Lake Lodge for a steak dinner. The atmosphere was fun and inviting and there was live music that the kids could dance to. On the drive we saw many elk and antelope and the children loved it! Their website is www.mormonlakelodge.com
We have also done a few hikes around the area and our favorite is Oak Creek Canyon. The water isn't very deep and the kids can play by the water while we have a relaxing picnic. There are other places around Sedona that are very nice for a day trip, like Red Rock State Park. You can find more information on this parks and others at: www.azstateparks.com Have fun and stay cool!
Does he like trains? The Grand Canyon Railway is at Williams. Good luck!
For a 15 month old, exploring the new "house" and "yard" is often enough. Pointing out different flora and fauna would be great. Remember, he is trying to learn a language and learn what is outside his home now - that's a lot!
He's so little.... Umm have you considered maybe going to one of the area lakes instead? There are many that you can camp at and then he can create his own fun playing in the sand or playing in the water with him. It costs less and it will definitely beat the heat a little. The one thing you can do if you decide to go further north is to just go on hikes for yourselves. There are plenty of beautiful trails. Near Flagstaff there is a National Park that is a volcano. There is also a beautiful set of ruins there to walk around. The thing is that your little one is only going to remember this vacation later in life through pictures so you are best to focus on what makes the trip memorable for you and your spouse.
Hi T.,
We did the same for our daughter before uor son was born. We just went to a hotel (the Holiday Inn on Jefferson with the indoor pool) and our daughter had so much fun! We got up and had breakfast in the hotel too. Then we went to the zoo. It was a weekend just for her =) and we stayed in town. There is a new place called ABQ jumps that is so fun! It is an indoor place full of those inflatable jumping things with slides and mazes. You can go to abqjump.com and print up coupons!!
I just realized you were in AZ and not NM. So with that being said I would see if you could find a local hotel with an indoor pool and have fun with it. Hotels are so exciting for little ones lol.
Take a day trip to the Grand Canyon.
there's a great playground in flag, as you come to town off 17 keep heading north, make a left when you go under the bridge, it dead ends into the park and the observatory...bring lunch, balls, frisbee, etc.
