The Rally House · Scottsdale
A Day in Scottsdale With Kids — from The Rally House
14241 N 54th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Built around heat, naps, and short drives — everything below is within 25 minutes of the house, with the middle of the day spent back at the pool.
The one-day family itinerary
Out early, home by noon, pool through the hot hours, then an easy evening. The plan that actually survives a toddler.
- 7:15 a.m.Slow breakfast at the housePancakes on the island, cartoons in the great room. Kids wake early on Mountain time — use it instead of fighting it.
- 8:15 a.m.Leave for the morning outingEverything worth doing outdoors in Scottsdale happens before 11 a.m. Load water bottles, hats, and sunscreen at the door.
- 8:45 a.m.Pick one: zoo, museum, or desert walkPhoenix Zoo (25 min) for the stroller-friendly loop and giraffe feeding; Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium (12 min) if it's already hot; McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (10 min) for train rides and a carousel with toddlers; or the flat, shaded Gateway Loop trailhead at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for a short hike with older kids.
- 11:00 a.m.Snack and a splash stopThe splash pad at Scottsdale Civic Center or the Kierland Commons lawn (7 min from the house) — free, shaded, and a good reset before the drive back.
- 12:00 p.m.Lunch back at the houseThis is the whole reason to base in North Scottsdale. Sandwiches at the kitchen island beat a 40-minute wait with hungry kids.
- 1:00 p.m.Pool, then quiet timeHeated pool, shaded lounge chairs, and the bunk room for naps. Younger kids sleep, older ones swim.
- 3:00 p.m.Backyard olympicsPickleball on the private court, ping pong, and the putting green. Run a family tournament — it buys you two hours.
- 5:00 p.m.Ice cream or an early dinner runKierland and Scottsdale Quarter are 7 minutes out with patios, gelato, and fountains kids can circle while you finish a drink.
- 6:30 p.m.Grill night at the houseBurgers on the grill, kids back in the pool, adults on the patio. No check, no shushing, no rush.
- 8:00 p.m.S'mores at the firepitThe one thing every kid remembers about the trip. Roast, then bed — they'll go down without a fight after a day like this.
If it's too hot, swap in
- OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland (12 min) — fully indoor, air-conditioned, easily two hours.
- i.d.e.a. Museum in Phoenix (25 min) — hands-on art and building for ages 2–10.
- Arizona Boardwalk complex — aquarium, butterflies, and a pirate-themed mini golf in one parking lot.
- Movie theater at Kierland or Scottsdale Quarter (7 min), then back for a late swim once the sun drops.
Bring these
- Reef-safe sunscreen and hats — the desert sun is stronger than the temperature suggests.
- Water bottles for everyone; hand them out before you leave the house, not at the trailhead.
- Pool floats and goggles are worth the suitcase space for a multi-day stay.
- Baby monitor if you're using the bunk room for naps while you're out back.
- Plan outdoor time before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. May through September.