Chandler, Arizona is a vibrant city just southeast of Phoenix. With its bright sun and beautiful landscapes, Chandler offers many fun activities for families to enjoy. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or interactive attractions, there is something for every member of the family in this Arizona city.
From museums and aquatic centers to nature preserves and amusement parks, Chandler truly has it all. This article will highlight 12 of the top things you can do with your family during a visit to Chandler. With this guide, you are sure to make lasting memories exploring all that this desert community has to offer.
Things To Do Outdoors in Chandler
Chandler has a sunny climate year-round, making it a great city to enjoy outdoor family activities. Some of the top outdoor attractions include:
Day Hiking at Veterans Oasis Park
Veterans Oasis Park spans over 100 acres and contains gorgeous natural landscapes to explore. The park features several hiking trails that vary in distance and difficulty, making them perfect for families. Tackle the short Eucalyptus Loop Trail, which is under a half mile and wheelchair accessible.
Or challenge yourself on the Mirage Trail, which stretches over two miles and includes some steep sections. As you walk through dense desert brush, keep an eye out for native animals like jackrabbits, lizards, and birds. Make sure to also visit Chandler’s Environmental Education Center within the park to learn more about the local ecosystems.
Biking the Paseo Trail
Chandler’s scenic Paseo Trail extends over 10 miles as it winds through the city’s downtown. Rent bikes for the whole family to pedal along this paved pathway lined with lush greenery.
Stop at one of the many parks that connect to the trail for a picnic lunch break. Or coast over to the trailside splash playground on a hot day to cool off in the fountains. Riding Chandler’s Paseo Trail lets your family enjoy sunshine and fresh air as you see sights around the city from an active perspective.
Kayaking at Veterans Oasis Lake
For a fun family water adventure, rent kayaks to paddle across Veterans Oasis Lake. This beautiful desert lake contains cool blue waters surrounded by towering palms and saguaros.
As you kayak across the smooth lake, keep your eyes peeled to spot great blue herons, mallard ducks, and other wetland critters.Pack a snack to enjoy a picnic on one of the small islands. Veterans Oasis Lake offers a peaceful scene to bond with family amidst Chandler’s scenic landscapes.
Horseback Riding in McQueen Park
Saddle up for a family horseback ride through McQueen Park’s desert wilderness. Sign up for a group trail ride that takes you meandering through the park’s rolling trails filled with cacti, wildflowers, and sweeping views. The friendly guides will match you with calm, gentle horses so even rookie riders can come along. Trotting through the desert vistas on horseback makes for a memorable shared experience that brings families closer together.
Interactive Attractions for Families
In addition to outdoor activities around Chandler, the city also boasts many fun indoor attractions perfect for family bonding and making memories. Top interactive attractions you won’t want to miss include:
Playing at Amazing Jakes
Amazing Jakes offers indoor fun across over 100,000 square feet of arcade games, rides, bowling, laser tag, and more. Take on family and friends in multi-level laser tag, soar on thrill rides like the Rockin’ Tug and Frog Hopper, and challenge each other to arcade games. You can also host a birthday bash in one of their private party rooms. With all the games, rides, and adventures under one roof, Amazing Jakes makes for an unbeatable family play destination.
Getting Hands-On at the Arizona Railway Museum
All aboard for interactive exhibits at the Arizona Railway Museum! This museum invites visitors to get hands-on and learn about train history spanning over a century. Climb aboard locomotive cabs to touch real controls, pump handcars down tracks, and even operate model train layouts. You can also hop in the caboose on their scenic railroad ride. With engaging exhibits for train lovers of all ages, families will have a memorable outing at the Railroad Museum.
Batting Practice at Big League Dreams Sports Park
Baseball fans will love Big League Dreams Sports Park’s batting cages and fields replicating iconic major league ballparks. The batting cages allow you to set the pitching machine to your desired speed so everyone from little leaguers to sluggers can take a swing. You can also rent out a field modeled after Fenway Park or Wrigley Field for the ultimate family baseball experience! With six replicated fields, concessions, and more, Big League Dreams lets your family enjoy America’s favorite pastime.
Learning Opportunities for Families
Chandler also contains several museums and cultural sites that make for enriching family activities. Learning together while having fun creates priceless memories. Top educational attractions to visit with your Chandler clan include:
Exploring Arizona History at the Chandler Museum
The Chandler Museum brings local history to life through engaging exhibits spanning cultures and eras. Get insight into the city’s indigenous roots, founding, and evolution through artifacts and displays. Kids can try on vintage clothing, push toy trolleys, and explore a historic schoolhouse. Special events like workshops, tours, and summer camps further immerse your family into Arizona’s rich history.
Discovering New Worlds at the Arizona SciTech Festival
Spark your family’s passion for science and innovation at the Arizona SciTech Festival. This annual event held at the Chandler Center for the Arts features exhilarating exhibits on space exploration, engineering, physics, and more. Let the kids dig for fossils, meet astronauts, build robots, watch science demos, and more! With many hands-on exhibits, your family will discover new worlds while getting immersed in STEAM fields.
Creating Artistic Connections at Vision Gallery
Vision Gallery in Chandler allows families to foster artistic connections while admiring works by acclaimed artists. Tour rotating exhibits across mediums like painting, ceramics, drawings, and sculpture.
Then put your own creative talents to work in the gallery’s interactive studio. Vision Gallery’s family art classes teach new techniques and let your family make masterpieces together. From admiring renowned works to crafting your own pieces, Vision Gallery makes for an artistic afternoon.
Fostering Animal Curiosity at the Chandler Zoo
The small but mighty Chandler Zoo offers intimate wildlife encounters your family will love. Get eye to eye with ring-tailed lemurs, watch the Lazy River paddleboat ride, and hand-feed gentle giraffes. With many species you can see up close in naturalistic habitats, kids and adults alike will gain new animal admiration.
Don’t miss visiting the Lorikeet Landing aviary to feed colorful lorikeet birds who may even land on you! With memorable wildlife interactions just steps apart, Chandler Zoo offers a family-friendly glimpse of exotic species.
Places to Shop and Dine Together
Of course, no family vacation is complete without good food and shopping excursions! Between meals and picking up souvenirs, here are top destinations to shop and dine as a Chandler clan:
Biting into Sweet Treats at Frost Gelato
What better way to beat an Arizona afternoon than by enjoying gelato together? Frost Gelato crafts Italian-style frozen desserts with unique local flavor inspirations. Their flavor fusion combinations range from standard chocolates to surprising infusions like Habanero Raspberry Sorbet. The bright, welcoming café even sells gelato-filled donuts! With options from tart sorbets to creamy gelatos, Frost Gelato offers something for every family member’s palate.
Chowing Down at Koi Poke Bar
For a fresh dining experience, head to Koi Poke Bar to indulge in Hawaiian-inspired bowls together. This urban eatery lets you fully customize tasty bowls by selecting bases like rice or greens, then mixing and matching ingredients like poke proteins, crunchy toppings, and zesty sauces.
The family-friendly menu also includes cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and hot dogs suiting young picky palates. With vivid flavors and build-your-own meal options, Koi Poke Bar makes for an interactive family dining adventure.
Finding Hidden Gems at Downstairs
Venture downstairs into this basement boutique packed with an eclectic array of antiques, crafts, gifts, and more hidden gems. Let every family member scout their own section of Downstairs in search of treasures, whether it’s vintage jewelry, pottery, toys, lamps, or other curiosities that catch your eye.
Have fun getting lost amidst the abundant relics before gathering upstairs at their Primavera Bistro for a Mediterranean lunch. From scouring through seashell windchimes to lava lamps and tie-dye tops, Downstairs offers discoveries for all interests and ages.
Browsing the Chandler Fashion Center
The expansive Chandler Fashion Center features over 180 shops, eateries, and entertainment perfect for family retail therapy. Peruse luxury brands at high-end shops, or hit youth-oriented stores like Justice for trendy picks. Grab a sweet treat from Cold Stone Creamery to fuel more shopping adventures.
And don’t miss visiting unique small businesses like fingerprint jewelers Bella Monella and Kactus Jock for local flair. With ample options for every budget and boredom buster, Chandler Fashion Center promises full afternoons of family retail adventures.
Family Entertainment in Chandler
When you need a fun evening activity the whole family will enjoy, Chandler delivers entertainment options from comedy nights to championship sports. Top family-friendly entertainment picks include:
Cheering on the Rattlers at Footprint Center
For exciting indoor football action, catch a game starring the Arizona Rattlers at downtown Phoenix’s Footprint Center. This beloved professional team plays arena football, meaning even more high-flying stunts and harder hits to cheer for. Take in the thrills alongside colorful crowds, blaring music, and Thunder the mascot to make beloved family memories. You can even meet players for autographs during open practices.
Laughing Together at Tempe Improv Comedy Theater
Head to Tempe Improv just over the Chandler border for evenings filled with chuckles. Nationally-touring comics perform hilarious improv and standup at this intimate comedy hub. Family-friendly shows take place most Sundays so you can take the kids to giggle together.
And the signature ordering system lets you nosh on wings, pizzas, and more right during the show. Belly laughs, tasty food, and quality family time…what could be better!
Conclusion
From sunny parks and trails to hands-on museums, Chandler truly offers an array of family-friendly things to do. Outdoor recreation lets your family bond amidst gorgeous desert vistas and lakes. Interactive indoor attractions range from arcade bonanzas to engaging historical exhibits suited for curious minds of all ages.
The city also boasts diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment for well-rounded family vacations. With this guide detailing 12 top things to do, you are prepared to explore Chandler attractions matching your family’s interests. Keep this list handy to fill your Arizona trip with memories bonding over new adventures that appeal to everyone!