February trip

Question

Hello, I just booked flights in and out of Phoenix on a whim. We were planning to go to Tucson for the week, but flying to Phoenix was significantly cheaper and a direct flight.

We are a group of 5. 2 adults in our early 40s, my mom in her late 60's and my kids (3 & 7).

We are looking for lots of natural beauty, easy hikes and great kids activities. We are not necessarily "city" people.

I am overwhelmed, anyone have any suggestions on areas I might concentrate our search? I am not opposed to staying 1-2 hours outside the area.

Answer

Flying into Phoenix gives you a lot of flexibility to explore both Central and Southern Arizona without the need for long drives to Tucson. Since your group includes young children and an older adult, focusing on areas with easy, scenic hikes and family-friendly attractions is ideal. Staying within 1-2 hours of Phoenix opens up several great options.

Areas to consider:

Scottsdale & Phoenix North Valley: Easy access to desert landscapes, short hikes, and kid-friendly activities. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers a variety of short, paved or gently graded trails. Papago Park is great for very easy walks and has the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo nearby.
Southwest: Tucson / Saguaro National Park (1.5-2 hours drive): Even though you’re not flying directly into Tucson, the drive from Phoenix is reasonable for a day trip or overnight stay. The eastern or western districts of Saguaro NP offer short hikes with stunning cactus landscapes. Tucson also has kid-friendly options like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Reid Park Zoo.
Superstition Mountains / Apache Junction: About an hour from Phoenix, the Lost Dutchman State Park has easy to moderate trails and beautiful desert vistas. Great for families wanting a quick nature escape without heavy hiking.
Prescott / Sedona vicinity (2 hours): Sedona might be slightly over your 1-2 hour preference, but if you stretch to 2 hours, the Red Rock area offers gentle walks such as Bell Rock Pathway or Chapel of the Holy Cross trail, which are short, scenic, and safe for kids. Prescott has easy walking trails around Watson Lake and Heritage Park Zoo.

Activities for young children:

Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix/Scottsdale) – interactive exhibits and short trails.
Papago Park & Hole-in-the-Rock – easy climbing, short hike, and great views.
Phoenix Zoo or Wildlife World Zoo (Glendale) – for animal encounters without strenuous activity.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior) – beautiful desert gardens with short, stroller-friendly paths.
Lake Pleasant (Peoria) – water activities and picnic areas, just under an hour from Phoenix.

Tips:

Focus on one or two areas each day to minimize long drives with kids.
February weather is generally mild and sunny, but mornings can be chilly, especially in northern areas.
Pack plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen, as desert sun can be strong even in winter.

In summary, concentrating on Phoenix/Scottsdale, the Superstition Mountains, and possibly a day trip to Saguaro NP or Sedona provides a balance of easy hikes, natural beauty, and kid-friendly activities without overwhelming travel.