Need Advice for Arizona Spring Training (Family Trip)

[Sharky]

Hi Junkies! We are planning a family trip to AZ this year to coincide with spring training (last week in March). This will include three generations of the family, with different needs and levels of interest in baseball (though most are big fans, a couple are not). Would really appreciate any suggestions that will enable us to make the most of the trip.

Specifically:

1) Location. We may stay at a hotel/resort, but may just rent a house (VRBO) for the week. Any ideas? Glendale? Scottsdale? Elsewhere? Any hotel/house recommendations? Prefer to minimize time in car.

2) Baseball. How to make the most of it? And I don't mean "how to see as many games as possible." I mean how to make it as much fun as possible for the games we do see. Do we need to buy tix in advance? How to get tix if sold out? Any other ideas? The kids are 10, 7, 3 (3 won't have much patience) and grandparents are late 70s.

3) Other activities? Anything fun for families?

Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!!

[revo]

Just keep in mind that the during the last week of spring training, many teams hold their final exhibition games in their home parks. Looks like that starts March 27th this year, so there will only be games Monday-Wednesday in Arizona.

[DMT]

Hi Junkies! We are planning a family trip to AZ this year to coincide with spring training (last week in March). This will include three generations of the family, with different needs and levels of interest in baseball (though most are big fans, a couple are not). Would really appreciate any suggestions that will enable us to make the most of the trip.

Specifically:

1) Location. We may stay at a hotel/resort, but may just rent a house (VRBO) for the week. Any ideas? Glendale? Scottsdale? Elsewhere? Any hotel/house recommendations? Prefer to minimize time in car.

2) Baseball. How to make the most of it? And I don't mean "how to see as many games as possible." I mean how to make it as much fun as possible for the games we do see. Do we need to buy tix in advance? How to get tix if sold out? Any other ideas? The kids are 10, 7, 3 (3 won't have much patience) and grandparents are late 70s.

3) Other activities? Anything fun for families?

Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!!

1-2. I'd stay at the Talking Stick in Scottsdale, where both the DBacks and Rockies play their home games. I've stayed there before and it's pretty nice, has a casino as well. Phoenix for the most part is not a public transport city so if you decide to stay anywhere else you'll be doing plenty of driving. You shouldn't have any problem getting tix unless it's a Cubs game.

3. Phoenix Children's Museum is very good.

http://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org

Also, if your kids like animals, there is a great animal park in Litchfield which is pretty far but worth it IMO.

http://www.wildlifeworld.com

Enjoy!

[Judge Jude]

There's no "there" in Phoenix. Scottsdale is where the action is.
about a 15-20 minute drive iirc.
Glendale is, too, but on the opposite side of Phoenix.

You can probably find something native American-related that everyone might like. anyone else on that?