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The Whimsical Playground In Arizona That’s Straight Out Of A Storybook

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers a whimsical playground with train rides, a carousel, and themed play areas for children.

Published Jun 27, 2023

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

There are so many family-friendly attractions throughout the Grand Canyon State. And, in the Phoenix Metro area alone, we have museums, an aquarium, miniature golf courses, amusement and water parks, and so much more. It's great to have so many options of places to take the kids including our vast number of playgrounds. One whimsical playground in Arizona that's a must for families with young children is located at a train park, and it's one my kids and their friends absolutely love.

Located in Scottsdale, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is an incredible attraction that offers train rides, a carousel, a model train exhibit, and two awesome playground areas.

Historic train station with tracks, surrounded by greenery and trees under a clear blue sky.
Josep Cors/Google Local

While this is a great place to learn about trains and rail transportation, it's also a great place to bring the kids for some picnicking and playtime!

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Two vintage steam locomotives parked on tracks, illuminated by their front lights, surrounded by tall pine trees.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

One playground is shaded and has a railroad theme. Kids love the straight and twisty slides, the swings, the climbing structures, and the trains. There's also a water feature that sprays mists on hot days.

A playground with slides and climbing structures, shaded by large canopies, surrounded by trees and grass.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

A portion of this playground is built for children 2-5 years old while the other part is geared towards children between the ages of 5 and 12.

A playground with large shaded canopies, featuring slides and climbing structures, with children playing.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

The second play area is Western-themed. Kids can really let their imaginations run as wild as the wild, wild West here!

A colorful, western-themed play structure with a train and buildings, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

Best of all, it's built right along the tracks, giving it a true Western town feel. Kids can watch the train go by as they play in this whimsical structure.

A southwestern-style building with "LIVERY" sign, surrounded by trees and a grassy area, featuring a fence and lamppost.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park/Facebook

While you're here, you may as well take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, a reproduction of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad. And then take a spin on the Scottsdale Charros Carousel which was built in 1950.

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A colorful carousel with white horses, surrounded by a fence and blooming flowers, under a shaded pavilion.
Martha Dullaghan/Google Local

This antique carousel is listed with the National Carousel Association and has 30 horses as well as two accessible chariots.

Have you ever taken your kids or grandkids to this whimsical playground in Arizona? Let us know along with your favorite family-friendly attractions around the state! To learn more about this playground, visit the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park website. You can also give McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park's Facebook page a follow.

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Experiences|Attractions

The Man-Made Wonder in Arizona Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

Visiting the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, a serene and unique man-made wonder in Arizona, is quite an extraordinary experience.

Published Oct 7, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

While we have covered natural wonders aplenty throughout Arizona, there are numerous man-made wonders here that are just as jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. Sure, there's no place quite like the Grand Canyon, our most famous natural wonder that also happens to be one of the world's seven natural wonders. However, visiting some of our man-made wonders including the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, a serene attraction in Sedona and a unique man-made wonder in Arizona, is quite an extraordinary experience.

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Surrounded by Sedona's red rocks is one of the most unique man-made wonders in Arizona located in the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. This park is a place of peace and serenity where visitors can spend time praying or meditating and taking in the unbelievable views Sedona is known for.

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Amitabha Stupa and Prayer Flags with Distant Red Rock Landscape in Peace Park, Sedona Arizona
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Prayer Flags at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
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ARIZONA-Sedona-Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park

Have you ever spent time at Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, a unique man-made wonder in Arizona? Let us know. For location information, visit the official website of the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park.

Whether you're visiting Sedona for the first or the hundredth time, taking a tour is a fantastic way to get better acquainted with all the town has to offer. Take a look at the Half-day Sedona Sightseeing Tour which will take you to the Chapel of the Holy Cross (one of my favorite spots), Tlaquepaque Arts Center, and the Peace Park, and make a reservation today.

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Experiences|Attractions

This Roadside Stop Along Route 66 in Arizona Is the Epitome of Americana

For those traveling along Route 66, Jack Rabbit Trading Post is a must-stop roadside attraction.

Published Sep 20, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

There are many things that are strictly American. There’s music like country, bluegrass, and folk, attending baseball and football games, foods such as hot dogs and apple pie, and cowboys, all of which are deeply rooted in our culture. And then there are road trips. The Great American Road Trip on which we travel great distances in search of adventure and to explore our gorgeous landscapes, states, and National and State parks. While one Great American Road Trip may involve driving cross-country, coast-to-coast like I did in my early 20s when I moved from Rhode Island to California, there’s one iconic route that also falls under that category.

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If you haven’t yet guessed which iconic road I’m talking about, it’s Route 66. This route first opened to car traffic in 1926. The road began in Chicago, Illinois, and ended in Santa Monica, California, routing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona along the way.

jack rabbit trading post arizona
Owaki/Kulla/The Image Bank via Getty Images

While once a major highway, Route 66 is now a road less traveled. It’s also quite nostalgic given the vast number of retro diners, motels, and roadside attractions along the way.

I’ve traveled along portions of Route 66 in Arizona, and it never fails to amaze me. I thoroughly enjoy stopping at roadside attractions that are truly a piece of Americana like Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City.

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Bill Eichelberger/Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

For those traveling along this iconic highway-turned-byway, Jack Rabbit Trading Post is a must-stop roadside attraction. It was first opened in 1949 by Jim Taylor who had a huge black rabbit statue that became quite a hit to road trip adventurers. It was a perfect photo op that still remains today. Another photo op here? The iconic “HERE IT IS” sign is painted bright yellow with an image of the black rabbit on it.

When you pop inside this trading post, you’ll find a vast inventory of Arizona and Route 66 souvenirs including t-shirts, jewelry, novelty items, and treats like cactus lollipops that can only be found in Arizona.

For a dose of nostalgia, you can’t miss stopping at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Just look for the sign on Route 66 and you know you’ve arrived at a true piece of Americana.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post is located at 3386 U.S. Rt. 66 in Joseph City, Arizona. To learn more, visit the official Jack Rabbit Trading Post website along with its Facebook page.

Getting your kicks on Route 66 anytime soon? Take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the things you’ll need on the drive.

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