Check the family into Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, an iconic resort minutes from downtown with great kid-friendly amenities. Enjoy a delicious American breakfast at Zuzu Café in the hotel before heading out to explore.

Your first stop is the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park nearby, a great opportunity to learn a bit about desert plant life, with over 50,000 species on display. 

For lunch, enjoy local and seasonal cuisine at its finest right in the park at Gertrude's Restaurant. 

And after lunch, there is plenty more to see beyond the desert garden, including the Phoenix Zoo, the Hole in the Rock and family-friendly hiking trails. Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Head back to Valley Ho to freshen up before enjoying a fusion of flavors ranging from Italian to Pan Asian to Mexican at Cowboy Ciao, not far from the hotel. 

After dinner, take a stroll down to the canal with stunning evening views of the Soleri Bridge.