Seven of the Best Things To Do In Phoenix for Travelers with Limited Mobility + Active Travelers
From active explorers to senior travelers and travelers with limited mobility, Phoenix, Arizona is a great place to visit for a warm weather getaway.
At Wise Blue Yonder we often get asked for advice on activities and trips that include active travelers as well as travelers with limited mobility or specialized needs. Wise Blue Yonder scouted out Phoenix, Arizona for a long weekend and we can confidently state that Phoenix is a place where everyone in your group can enjoy a trip together, regardless of ability.
Here are seven fun things to do if you find yourself in Phoenix for a long weekend (or more)!
Dessert Botanical Garden
Price range: $24.95 adults, $14.95 children 2-17 for non-members
Advance ticket purchases highly recommended
Brimming with cacti, plants and wildlife native to Arizona, the winding paths of the Desert Botanical Garden spread over 55 acres of gorgeously manicured landscapes. Walkers can get in well over 6,000 steps and riders can rent scooters, manual wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs all new and in great condition. Scooter rentals are $40 for non-members and worth every penny to navigate the trails and exhibits. If you are a planner, you can sign up for night-time entertainment, special exhibits and activities such as sound baths and interactive tours.
Gertrude’s restaurant is a Diner’s Choice restaurant with farm-to-table fresh food experience. The Patio Café and the gift shop are also lovely with fresh salads and wraps, coffee and cold beverages, and a wide array of hand-crafted items from local artisans. Water fountains and restrooms are placed throughout the park so it’s easy to fill a water bottle or find a restroom without having to back track
PRO TIP It is much cooler and less crowded in the mornings, so we recommend getting there when the park opens at 8:00 am and wrapping up by early afternoon. 2-3 hours is plenty of time to enjoy the entire area.
Phoenix Zoo
Price range: general admission $37.95 adults 14+, $27.95 children 3-13
Calling all animal lovers! The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species. They do a fantastic job accommodating people of all abilities. Learn what is available on their website under the accessibility tab.
Our Wise Blue Yonder scouts sang high praises for parking availability, the trails, the availability of scooters and wheelchairs and the overall experience. Special bonus is the Scooter Pals, which are shaped like animals and super fun!
PRO TIP:
If you are a member of your local zoo, you receive a member discount! Our WBY team are big supporters of the Minnesota Zoo and we were offered the discount for tickets as well as gift shop discounts
You must be able to swing your leg up and into them (and out again) so they may not be for everyone. Normal scooter rentals are $45 for non-members and wheelchair rentals are $17, with discounts for zoo members.
Chicken N Pickle
Price range: $20 – $40 per person, depending on the activities and restaurant choices you make
Our Uber driver suggested we check out Chicken N Pickle in Glendale, AZ and I am so glad we did! If you have not yet experienced a Chicken N Pickle, I would describe it as an indoor/outdoor entertainment complex with something for everyone. “Pickle” refers to the multiple pickleball courts that line the perimeter of the complex and are available for rent for pickleball lovers. “Chicken” refers to their casual, quite delicious, restaurant where you can order sandwiches, salads, and of course, pickle-themed foods. Two bars serve up cocktails and local craft and domestic beers.
The middle of the complex is open air (highly coveted by us Northerners) and houses several seating areas as well as rows of corn hole games, life size Battleship, Connect Four and Jenga. These games are all free, and you simply sign out the bags and battleship pieces at the pickle-ball check-in counter and return them when you are finished. Within the complex, your party can be as active or inactive as you want, and everyone can still feel included. Winner-winner chicken dinner! (See what we did there? 😊 )
Hiking
Price range: free
Phoenix and the surrounding areas have several beautiful hiking trails that combine accessible trails with more challenging treks. Visit Phoenix has curated a list of trails that suit your travelers’ needs.
Team Wise Blue Yonder scoped out Reach 11 Recreation Area, a 1,500-acre district park. It is approximately seven miles long and less than one half mile wide, and runs east and west along the north side of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. There are 18 miles of multi-use trails available in this area.
We hiked/strolled along a 1.8 mile paved, mostly flat trail (with the exception of about 10 feet that had flat gravel). The trail is very easy to walk and would easily accommodate strollers, scooters or wheelchairs. It winds around a very pretty lake and signs highlight native flowers, grasses and wildlife. Our more active hikers went “off road” for a longer, but still very flat, hike while our hikers with limited mobility stuck to the main pathway.
On the downside there is only one picnic bench to sit at halfway through the path and there are no restrooms or facilities. Bring your own water and make sure you’ve used the restroom prior to arriving.
Shopping at Scottsdale’s Fashion Square
Price range: the sky’s the limit!
It’s quite apparent why people choose to Winter in Scottsdale. Its perfectly manicured, brimming with cute cafes, restaurants and shops, and very easy to get around.
For the luxury shoppers in your group, the Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping area is a must-visit. We easily parked in underground parking with plentiful handicap parking and clean, well-located elevators. However, they have valet parking for those who want an easy drop-off experience. Amenities are plentiful and scooter and wheelchair rentals are available at the Concierge Desk in the Mall. You’ll find everything from Jimmy Choo to Louis Vuitton, Apple Store and more.
Arizona Boardwalk
Price range: $50+ per person
Arizona Boardwalk had a lot to offer in a relatively manageable space. 8 attractions in 1 location, including Sea Odyssey, Butterfly Wonderland, UFO Experience, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Laser Mirror Maze, Cyber Quest Arcade, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs experience, Museum of Illusions, and Virtual Reality Extreme.
The dining options here are fairly limited as well with only two restaurants, a candy store and an ice cream shop. Our group went to Parlay Kitchen and Cocktails, about .3 miles from the Boardwalk and found the drinks and food to be pretty good (but not totally amazing).
PRO TIP: Warning: this has the potential to be a money pit! Each attraction costs $30+, so if you are on a budget, set expectations and plan accordingly.
Bonus stop: Swig!
YouTubers have made Swig! an overnight sensation so if you haven’t experienced one, you will find them in Phoenix. Swig! offers sodas with a multiude of syrups and flavors that make interesting concoctions. If you are a lover of all things Soda, you’ll love this concept. If you’re not a soda drinker, there’s literally nothing for you.
KEEP WANDERING!
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