Prescott, Arizona, is a perfect destination for a family vacation. With a wide range of family-friendly activities and attractions, there is something for all to enjoy. From outdoor adventures to historical landmarks, this city has it all. To make the most of your family vacation in Prescott, be sure to use the services of Arizona Shuttle for convenient and comfortable transportation. traveling from Phoenix to Prescott
Here is a guide to the best family-friendly activities and attractions in Prescott with Arizona Shuttle: Prescott travel guide
Heritage Park Zoo
The zoo is a must-visit for families with kids. The zoo has various animals, including tigers, bears, wolves, and more. You can also sign up for animal encounters, where you meet some animals up close.
Watson Lake
Watson Lake is great for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more. Families can rent kayaks and paddle boats for fun on the water.
Sharlot Hall Museum
The Sharlot Hall Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Prescott. The museum shows Prescott's early days and the pioneers who settled here. Kids can participate in hands-on activities and crafts. Prescott history museum
Goldwater Lake
Goldwater Lake is a great place for families to enjoy a picnic, go fishing, or take a hike on the trails in the area.
Prescott National Forest
The Prescott National Forest allows families to go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. family-friendly hiking trails There are several trails that are suitable for families with kids.
Smoki Museum
The Smoki Museum showcases the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. The museum features exhibits on the Hopi, Navajo, and Apache tribes, demonstrations, and events.
Prescott Public Library
The Prescott Public Library is an excellent place for families to visit. The library hosts various events and activities, including story time and craft sessions.
Phippen Museum
The Phippen Museum is excellent for families to learn about Western art and culture. The museum features exhibits of Western art and artifacts, workshops, and events for kids.
Prescott Skate Park
The Prescott Skate Park is famous for families with kids who love skateboarding, inline skating, or BMX biking.
Thumb Butte Park
Thumb Butte Park is great for families to enjoy a picnic or hike. The park features several trails, as well as picnic areas and playgrounds.
By using the services of Arizona Shuttle, families can enjoy the above-mentioned activities and attractions in Prescott without any hassle. So, plan your family vacation in Prescott and create unforgettable memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of animals can we see at Heritage Park Zoo?
You can see a variety of animals including tigers, bears, wolves, and more.
Are there any hands-on activities for kids at Sharlot Hall Museum?
Yes, kids can participate in hands-on activities and crafts at the museum.
What outdoor activities are available at Watson Lake?
Families can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more at Watson Lake.
Can we go horseback riding in Prescott National Forest?
Yes, families can go horseback riding along with hiking and mountain biking on family-friendly trails.
More Family Favorites in Prescott: Beyond the Basics
Prescott packs a surprising amount of family fun into a small mountain town. As the county seat of Yavapai County and the former capital of the Arizona Territory from 1877 to 1889, the downtown core alone can fill a full day with kid-friendly discoveries. Here are the additional stops, neighborhoods, and planning tips that round out your family itinerary.
Whiskey Row and the Downtown Historic Area (Daytime Edition)
Yes, it's called Whiskey Row — the block along N Montezuma Street earned its nickname from the many saloons that lined it in the town's frontier days — but by day it's one of the most walkable, family-friendly stretches in Arizona. Start at the Courthouse Plaza, where kids can run on the lawn beneath the historic Yavapai County Courthouse, then stop into a treat shop around the square for ice cream or candy before browsing the Western-themed shops.
For lunch or dinner, families often make the short walk to The Palace Restaurant and Saloon at 120 S Montezuma Street. Operating since 1877, it is widely recognized as the oldest bar and continuously operating business in Arizona, and it welcomes families for meals in its historic dining room — a fun, living-history lesson in itself. Per Family Destinations Guide, the saloon has become one of Prescott's most famous tourist stops.
Highlands Center for Natural History
Located at 1375 S Walker Road, the Highlands Center for Natural History was founded in 1996 to help kids and adults better understand and appreciate the natural world. Its peaceful trails, nature play areas, and guided family programs make it an ideal introduction to the wilderness of the Prescott Basins for children who might find a full forest hike too demanding. It's a quieter, more educational counterpoint to the bigger outdoor destinations on this list.
Lynx Lake Recreation Area
A short drive southeast of downtown in Prescott National Forest, the Lynx Lake Recreation Area offers an easy loop trail around the lake, a lakeside restaurant, and calm waters for paddling. It's one of the most family-friendly spots in the forest, with plenty of shaded picnic spots and a relaxed pace that works well for families with younger children.
Prescott for Younger Kids vs. Older Kids and Teens
Not every attraction suits every age. Use this quick comparison to match your crew to the right activities.
| Age Group | Top Picks | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers and preschoolers | Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary playgrounds, Prescott Public Library story time, Courthouse Plaza lawn | Short attention spans, stroller-friendly spaces, and the zoo's two playgrounds let little ones burn energy after seeing the animals |
| Kids roughly 4–14 | Goldwater Lake, Highlands Center for Natural History, Sharlot Hall Museum hands-on crafts | Beginner-friendly hiking trails, boating, and interactive history keep this wide range engaged |
| Older kids and teens | Watson Lake kayaking among the Granite Dells, Prescott Skate Park, mountain biking in Prescott National Forest, Full Swing Sports Center in nearby Prescott Valley | Teens want action — paddling the boulder-studded shoreline, skating, and guided outdoor challenges deliver it |
| Families with kids 13 and up | A Haunting Experience Tours of historic downtown | Ghost-story walking tours explore the town's territorial past; the subject matter is best suited to teens rather than younger children |
What to Do in Prescott When the Weather Changes
Prescott's high-desert elevation means afternoons can turn cool or stormy, and summer monsoon showers roll through quickly. Build a backup list of indoor stops:
- Sharlot Hall Museum — Opened in 1928, the campus at 415 W Gurley Street includes 11 exhibit buildings and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971, giving families plenty to explore between raindrops.
- Smoki Museum — Built in 1935 at 147 N Arizona Avenue, this stone museum draws roughly 7,000 visitors a year and holds one of the country's finest collections of baskets, along with pottery and exhibits on Hopi, Navajo, and Apache cultures.
- Phippen Museum — Western art and artifacts, plus workshops and events geared to kids.
- Prescott Public Library — Story time, craft sessions, and a warm-up spot on chilly days.
- Full Swing Sports Center — At 2555 Crownpointe Drive in Prescott Valley, this entertainment hub is a good energy-burner for kids roughly 5 to 15 when outdoor plans wash out.
Where to Stay: Family-Friendly Prescott Hotels
Prescott offers a solid mix of chain comfort and historic character, most of it clustered along the Gurley Street and Highway 69 corridors:
- Hassayampa Inn (122 E Gurley St) — A historic gem with an old-fashioned lobby and southwestern decor, roughly a 15-minute drive from Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. It's generally best for families with kids six and up who will appreciate the vintage atmosphere.
- Prescott Resort & Conference Center — Convenient to Sharlot Hall Museum and downtown.
- Hampton Inn Prescott — A practical base near Watson Lake and the eastern side of town.
- Holiday Inn Express Prescott, an IHG Hotel — Central to both the Highlands Center and Prescott Valley attractions.
- Best Western Prescottonian and Quality Inn Prescott — Budget-friendly, family-standard options.
- Grand Highland Hotel — Steps from Whiskey Row for families who want to park the car and walk.
- Forest Villas Hotel (3645 Lee Cir) — A quiet, nature-adjacent option.
Note: rates vary by season, so confirm current pricing directly with each property before booking.
Getting to Prescott with Kids
Most families arrive from the Phoenix area, about a two-hour drive northwest. The most common route runs north on I-17, then west on State Route 69 through Cordes Lakes and Dewey-Humboldt into downtown Prescott; an alternative drops off I-17 at State Route 74 and continues through Wickenburg on US 93 and State Route 89. With kids in the back seat, having someone else handle the mountain driving makes the trip far easier — a shuttle service from Phoenix lets the whole family enjoy the scenery instead of watching the road. If you're extending the trip, continue north to Flagstaff or over to Sedona with the routes covered in our Phoenix to Flagstaff guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downtown Prescott walkable with kids?
Yes. The Downtown Historic Area around Courthouse Plaza is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with treat shops, restaurants like The Palace Restaurant and Saloon, and museums such as Sharlot Hall all within a few blocks.
Can families visit Whiskey Row with children?
During daytime hours, yes. While the block's saloon history gave it its name, families commonly stroll the plaza, shop, and dine at historic spots like The Palace, which has operated since 1877.
What is there to do in Prescott for teens?
Teens tend to enjoy kayaking at Watson Lake, skating at Prescott Skate Park, mountain biking in Prescott National Forest, Full Swing Sports Center in Prescott Valley, and ghost tours of historic downtown, which are best suited to ages 13 and up.
How many animals does Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary have?
The sanctuary, renamed from Heritage Park Zoo, houses more than 150 rescued animals across mammals, birds, and reptiles, and has protected and conserved animals since 1985. Kids can also enjoy the two on-site playgrounds.
Is Goldwater Lake good for young children?
Yes. The man-made reservoir off S Goldwater Lake Road is known for beginner-friendly hiking trails and boating, and it's generally considered best suited to kids roughly ages 4 to 14.
What are good rainy-day activities in Prescott with kids?
Sharlot Hall Museum's 11 exhibit buildings, the Smoki Museum's basket and pottery collections, the Phippen Museum's Western art, and the Prescott Public Library's story times and craft sessions all make excellent indoor backups.
Is Prescott a good family destination compared to Sedona or Scottsdale?
Prescott offers a smaller, more relaxed alternative to busy Scottsdale or Sedona trips — cooler temperatures, walkable history, and lakes and forest trails all within minutes of downtown, making it an easy add-on to any Arizona family itinerary.
