Things to do for teenagers

I will be staying at a condo in Scottsdale in April with my husband, my 13 year old daughter and her friend. Any must-sees for the teenage set? They wanted to do a water park, but they all seem closed for the season. We were also thinking of a dude ranch type experience -- and I would love them to experience some Native American culture.

Unfortunately, they are not big hikers and do not enjoy museums. (I take no responsibility for this!!!) We will be going to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, but I%26#39;m looking for some fun for them in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

Thanks!!

Things to do for teenagers

They might enjoy spending a few hours at Desert Ridge. It%26#39;s an outdoor mall with good shopping and restaurants and people watching for them to hang out. If there is any way that you can trick them into going to the Heard museum, they will experience the native American culture and may change their attitude about museums.

Here are a few other ideas: www.azcentral.com

Enjoy your visit.

Things to do for teenagers

If you are here in the first half of April try going to Native Trails for some native American culture. The Civic Center area is nice and would make a good outing for lunch.

scottsdalecvb.com/planning-tools/…

If you can coax them into visiting The Little Red School House for just a few minutes they%26#39;ll get a feel for life here 100 years ago.

http://www.scottsdalemuseum.com/

Ron%26#39;s suggestion of Desert Ridge is a good one. They will also like the trendy stores at Fashion Square Mall.

Visit Carefree/Cave Creek area for lunch and stop at Heard Museum North at El Pedregal. Reata Pass Steakhouse/Greasewood Flat is a historic stage coach stop with atmosphere and good sandwiches for lunch. Head out toward the Apache Trail and stop at Goldfield Ghost Town (although they are probably too old for that). Also, there%26#39;s horseback riding at MacDonald%26#39;s Farm in north Scottsdale.

Since the water parks are not open yet and you probably don%26#39;t have a big pool at your condo ... maybe you could book a service at one of the resort spas then spend the day using their pools and amenities. I do it myself for a bit of a vacation from daily life. Westin Kierland, The Phoenecian, Fairmont Princess, or either Marriot at Camelback or Desert Ridge would work.

Have a great trip!

Great suggestions! I will look into all of them...and I love the idea of booking a spa day - I hadn%26#39;t thought of that.

Thanks very much!!

So glad you like the spa idea. It is something the girls will never forget! Many are offering specials this time of year. Have fun!

These ideas may lengthen your Sedona part of the trip, but thought I would tell you anyway.

There is a cowboy chuckwagon dinner show called Blazin%26#39; M Ranch in Clarkdale, AZ, about 16 miles from Sedona (near Jerome and Cottonwood) with shows and a little town for shopping and dinner. Check out http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/

There is also listed on that page the Verde canyon railroad with a great train trip.

In Jerome there is the Haunted Hamburger with great views all the way to Sedona and a hamburger bar.

Then there are the Pink Jeep tours in Sedona not to be missed. Be sure to take the one with Devils staircase and she will never forget this trip!

Finally, back in Phoenix, I find that young people like the atmosphere at Alice Cooper%26#39;s Cooperstown sports bar/Hard Rock type place with great home cooking, and a lively loud crowd.

I would also take a young person to Peoria, AZ on the west side of Phoenix (only about a 30 minute drive at the most) to the Space Challenger Museum. It%26#39;s a tremendous place for kids to visit. www.azchallenger.org They even have ride simulators and a space camp.

Since she is a girl, she may like the Bead Museum in Glendale, very close to the Challenger Museum. It%26#39;s a cute museum with a store that sells beads from around the world.

If you do go to the west side to the two museums, there is a chocolate factory with free tastes in Glendale too! It%26#39;s called Cerreta.

Have fun!!

Wow! You guys are great! I really appreciate the ideas -- and they seem to be right on the money...now I%26#39;m thinking we don%26#39;t have enough time in Arizona!!!