15 Amazing Field Trips Every Arizonan Took As A Kid...And Should Retake Now
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Monica Spencer
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If there is any day kids look forward to most outside of a snow day, it’s field trip day. While they had educational purposes, field trips also meant a chance to socialize, eat lunch outside of the cafeteria, and even make new friends. If you grew up in Arizona, chances are you probably visited one of the places listed below at least once. If it’s been years (or decades) since you’ve stepped foot into any of these field trip favorites, you may want to set aside some time this weekend to pay one of these places a visit:
One of Arizona's many beautiful nature-centered places to visit, you may find this place to be a little more exciting as an adult than as a kid (unless you were a budding botanist, that is). The Arboretum hosts concerts in the summers, workshops, and festivals where you can enjoy a more mature drink than chocolate milk. Plus, I know most adults would love to experience just a few minutes of serenity in this environment.
Address: 4001 South Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff.
Address: 4001 South Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff.
An East Valley field trip favorite, every child big and small who visits absolutely loves the dinosaur exhibit. But the museum has many more exhibits—both permanent and traveling—that may pique your interests.
Address: 53 North MacDonald, Mesa.
Address: 53 North MacDonald, Mesa.
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Is your knowledge of state government and history a little rusty? A guided tour at the State Capitol might be in store. Plus, if you have an interest in architecture, you'll love taking a look at beautiful interiors.
Address: 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix.
Address: 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix.
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Located on the University of Arizona campus, this museum focuses on Arizona's Indigenous peoples and other cultures in an array of exhibits, presentations, and workshops. It's a great place if archeology has ever interested you.
Address: 1013 East University Boulevard, Tucson.
Address: 1013 East University Boulevard, Tucson.
If you went here as a kid, you probably did the short walk-through of the factory and got a piece of candy to sample. It's still pretty cool as an adult but if you pay for the VIP tour, you get to make your own chocolate. Plus, you get to walk home with as much candy as you want (after paying for it, of course.)
Address: 5345 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale.
Address: 5345 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale.
Shows aren't just for kids! On select nights, they have more mature themed shows, such as puppet slams the first weekend every month along with adult refreshments.
Address: 302 West Latham Street, Phoenix.
Address: 302 West Latham Street, Phoenix.
Sometimes you just can't really appreciate places until you're older. One place included is Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff which has some pretty amazing research and exhibits. Plus, adults may be a little more appreciative of the work that went into astronomy decades ago.
Address: 1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff.
Address: 1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff.
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If you haven't paid a visit to the symphony since elementary school, you're in for quite a surprise. The building is now a part of the convention center and, sadly, the cool fountain is gone. However, the interior and music are as brilliant as ever. Also, if standard classical music isn't your thing, check out the pops series which plays movie music and popular songs.
1 North 1st Street, Phoenix.
1 North 1st Street, Phoenix.
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Many of Arizona's universities and colleges look MUCH different today than they did even just five years ago. Tours are great for prospective students but many also give some interesting pieces of history and trivia as well.
A good portion of this museum is outdoors and, for all you military history buffs, has some great military aircraft specimens.
Address: 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson.
Address: 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson.
I remember visiting this place in the third grade and it is pretty cool to see the museum is still helping kids to learn about Arizona's frontier past all these years later.
Address: 3901 West Pioneer Road, Phoenix.
Address: 3901 West Pioneer Road, Phoenix.
This is actually a pretty cool little museum with stamp and history exhibits both in their main facility and in the Slusser Library. It's an interesting way to learn about the history of Arizona and the country.
Address: 920 North 1st Avenue, Tucson.
Address: 920 North 1st Avenue, Tucson.
If you were a kid who didn't like history, this sign was probably very telling of your field trip experiences. But with a new, more mature outlook you can probably appreciate museums such as this one in Prescott a little bit more.
Address: 415 West Gurley Street, Prescott.
Address: 415 West Gurley Street, Prescott.
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Farm tours are an insightful way for kids to learn about where food comes from and the effort that goes into growing a single vegetable. As an adult, you can also enjoy the delicious snacks to take home, fright nights in October, 5K races, and plenty of other events.
Address: 5726 North 75th Avenue, Glendale.
Address: 5726 North 75th Avenue, Glendale.
The Valley Youth Theatre is slowly producing some amazing alums that have gone to have careers in Hollywood and Broadway. Two of their most famous alumni include Emma Stone, of Spider-Man and The Help, and Kimiko Glenn, of Orange Is The New Black. Be sure to check out upcoming shows for amazing performances.
Address: 525 North 1st Street, Phoenix.
Address: 525 North 1st Street, Phoenix.
So, how many of these places have you visited? What was your favorite school field trip?
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