Children's Museum of Phoenix

Housed inside the historic Monroe School in downtown Phoenix, this kid-centric museum is a must for parents trying to cure the summertime boredom blues. Of course, the Children's Museum on Phoenix is a great place to visit truly any time of year, with awesome exhibits like the infamous “noodle forest,” a waving, wiggling rainforest of lime green and orange polyethylene foam tubes. Other highlights for the little ones usually include the giant three-level play area when you first walk in; a fully set up grocery store where kiddos can shop, pay, and restock to their hearts' desires; and Pedal Power a tricycle track, complete with a “car wash.” For adults the building offers plenty to enjoy since the renovated structure features many of its original elements. For example the oak floors are the same ones laid down in 1913 and the north and south stairwells still boast their original banisters.