5.Re: Phoenix or Palm Springs in August with the kids?
15 years ago
Live in SoCal about 45 minutes from Palm Springs and go there quite a bit. But we choose to vacation in Scottsdale/Phoenix. As far as the heat between the two, here's the deal. As far as actual temps go, Phoenix is going to be hotter. (The last two summers we have been in Scottsdale it has been 115+ several days in a row, and in all weekends we have gone to PS in the summer I don't think I ever remember it crossing 110) The difference is that in PS the heat is just flat out more oppresive. There have been times in PS that 105 will chase you indoors, on the other hand my son and I have played tennis mid-day in 115 in Scottsdale and not really been bothered by it.
If you spent two weeks in La Quinta, you may very well have tapped out what there is to do in PS. It's not really geared towards kids.
I would highly recommend actually staying in Scottsdale. You will experience the amazing resort real of the town and still be able to take advantage of what Phoenix has to offer.
As far as suggestions for your kids (our son is now 17, had enjoyed the last three years straight of vacationing in Scottsdale, and is highly anticipating going back again in July, so these suggestions are from his perspective)
F1 Race Factory- Indoor go-kart racing, plus an arcade.
Cinema Supper Club- A restaurant that also shows first run movies. So you can sit at your table and watch the movie on the big screen, and the food is excellent.
Gameworks- Arizona Mills Mall, a huge arcade with all of the newest games.
Alice Cooperstown- Downtown Phoenix, right by the stadium, so catch a ball game and then head over to Alice's own version of a Hard Rock Cafe. The difference it is a little more "Hard" and a lot more "Rock" than the more popular chain. Being downtown, it is a tad on the seedy side, but not in an offensive way. But on the other hand Alice has gathered one of the most amazing rock memorabilia collections around. If your kids like burgers and rock and if you enjoy a good sports bar/grill, you will get a kick out this place.
Salt River Tubing
Day trip to Sedona and Slide Rock
There are a couple of good waterparks in town.
I love PS, in fact we honeymooned there, and if was just a romantic get away, it would be a toss up. But with kids, for any length of time...choose Phoenix (Scottsdale).
