Inside: Top fun things to do in phoenix with a teenager: ideas to make your next vaca more fun.
I think that one of the best things you can do for your teenager is travel with them. Let them see the world, go exploring, and show them what is out there. This is not only a great experience for them, but for you too. You get to bond over new experiences; how could you say no to that?
There are so many different places to go in the world; It can be hard to pick where to take them. You want somewhere with plenty to do that is well-known enough to cross off a bucket list, somewhere that you will have loads of fun.
I have just the place for you, and you may be surprised: Phoenix, Arizona! Phoenix has so many amazing things for you to do with the whole family you will never want to leave. With so many varieties of experiences, foods, and shops, you won’t have to! It has everything you could ever need. So take a look at this list of fun things to do in Phoenix with a teenager.
Top Fun Things to Do in Phoenix with a Teenager
First, I thought I would start with my top fun things to do in Phoenix with teenagers. I made sure to include links for each one, that way; you can follow them back and learn more about the experience. These are all so much fun and a wonderful way to start your trip. Check them out!
1. Arizona Museum of Natural History
4. Hike to the Hole in the Rock
Hikes and Trails
If you and your teens are into exercise and hiking, I think this list may be the one for you. I have filled it with the best Hikes and trails that you will find in Phoenix, Arizona. Careful though, It gets crazy hot, so please be sure to get plenty of water and sunscreen before you go. It will be worth it at the end of the day.
10. Camelback Mountain
11. Deem Hills Recreational Area
12. Lookout Mountain
13. South Mountain Park
14. Sonoran Preserve
15. Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
16. Reach 11
17. Papago Park
18. North Mountain
19. Shaw Butte
20. Shadow Mountain
Popular Things to Do
Here we have some of the most popular fun things to do in Phoenix with a teenager. Each of these is super cool and lots of fun to experience if you are going to Phoenix for the first time. Take a look, I have made sure to include links that way you can learn more about them.
21. Heritage Square
22. Latino Institute
23. Pioneer Park
24. Phoenix Center for the Arts
28. Camp Colley
More Fun things to do in Phoenix with a Teenager
Here we have some more fun things you can do in Phoenix. I think that each of these is so fun in its own right that I would have a hard time choosing which one to go with. My trip would be so long, by the end of it I would say, “That’s it, I am just going to move here.” And that would be it.
30. Arizona State Fair
31. Salt River Rafting
32. Arizona Falls
33. Six Flags Phoenix
34. Phoenix Arizona Ghost Tours
35. Desert Ridge Marketplace
36. Go Rock Climbing
37. Go Kayaking
38. Go on an ATV Tour
Unique Things to Do in Phoenix
If you are looking for a unique experience, then look no further. This list is full of some of the more unique experiences that you can try your hand at while in Phoenix. Personally, if I only had to choose one, I would be stuck between the butterflies and the zipline; how does one choose?
39. Butterfly Wonderland
40. Velocity VR
41. Make Pottery
42. Try Axe Throwing
43. Go to a baseball Game
44. Segway Tour
45. Go to Fantastica Italia
46. Superstition Zipline
47. Enchanted Island Amusement Park
48. Go to MacDonald’s Ranch
49. Escape Westgate
Fun Things to Do In Phoenix with a Teenager
Here we have some of the lesser-known fun things to do in Phoenix with a teenager. I think you will find that these are all super fun and a great adventure. Pick as many as you like to add to your itinerary, but sadly depending on how long you are going to be there, you may not have enough time to see them all.
50. Apache Trail Scenic Byway
51. Dolly Steamboats
52. Great Skate
53. Apex Balloons
54. Ghost Town Tours
55. Street Eats Food Festival
56. Living History Museum
57. Zoolights
58. The Wedge Skatepark
59. Thunderbird Park
Food-Based Things to do in Phoenix
I don’t know about you, but I make it my mission anytime that I am traveling to find the best food in that area. Maybe that is just the crazy food fanatic in me, but I think it adds so much fun and excitement to a trip. After all, so much of our life is surrounded by food; of course, I’m going to want to get the best of the best on vacation.
60. Find the best Sushi – But only if your party enjoys sushi. It seems to be one of those foods that people either love or they hate.
61. Find the best Burger – Burgers are something that everyone can agree on.
62. Find the best Tacos
63. Find the best Pasta – Pasta is never a bad idea when you are on vacation.
64. Find the best Street food
65. Find the best Grilled Cheese – This one may seem simple, but it can be amazing when done right.
66. Find the best Thai Food
67. Find the best Pot Stickers – I like to pick specific foods as well as whole genres because then you can try different restaurants that make the same kind of food.
68. Find the best BBQ
69. Find the best Chinese Food
70. Find the best Dumplings – I am such a sucker for dumplings. I think the best thing you can look up for this one is a Dim Sum place. Those are dumping heaven.
71. Find the best Greek Food
So…are you convinced to go to Phoenix yet? Because I am, and I just recently went. So I can imagine how excited you much be. When you are there, I think you’ll find that there is even more to experience than what is on this list, and I am so excited for you.
Travelling is one of my greatest passions in life, and this passion started as a teenager. Be the spark that ignites that fire in your own teen; they will thank you forever. If you loved this travel idea lost, you have to check out some of our others, such as what to do in Maui?
If you use this trip as a jumping-off point and then continue to go around traveling, you will have quite an amazing tradition to remember when your teen becomes an adult. Plus, they will always associate you with their love of travel, and what better thing to bond over than something so wholesome and exciting?
I am Natalie, the eldest sister of two teens. I hope to bring not only a fresh outer perspective but an internal one as well when writing here.