Top Attractions and Accommodation for Families in Yuma, Arizona
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Family Guide to Yuma Arizona
There are hundreds of tourist destinations for families in the U.S, but Yuma, Arizona, is for families who value dry, warm, and sunny climates and doesn’t observe daylight savings. Guinness World Records has it as the sunniest city on the earth with it being sunny for 91% of its daylight hours. Yuma is the 12th largest city and one of the most popular destinations in Arizona, with an estimated population of 213,787, according to the U.S Census Bureau. Beyond the pleasant weather – it is one of the driest, least humid and has the least rainfall (monsoon season is July and August) of any city in the US – Yuma, AZ, is home to historical attractions, national parks, and wildlife refuges.
Situated in the south west corner of Arizona, Yuma lies on the Colorado River close to the Mexican border. The city is adjacent to a border crossing with the Mexican state of Baja, California. Yuma is 9.9 miles or 16 km away from a small Mexican town, Los Algodones in Mexicali Municipality, Baja California. We’ve included this guide to Yuma, its attractions and accommodations as a boost to our Phoenix to San Diego road trip post, as Yuma is a great halfway stopover point along the road trip. If you’re flying in, the nearest airport to Yuma AZ is Yuma (YUM) Airport which is 4.2 miles away.
Family travel and vacations have evolved over the years and parents take time out of their busy schedules to unwind, reconnect, and relax with their kids on family vacations. A recent survey conducted by the Family Travel Association showed that over 77% of American parents preferred traveling with their kids in the last three years. Yuma, Arizona, is an ideal destination for year-round family travel and fun.
The town provides endless opportunities for kids to learn and grow and spend quality time together. Yuma is a modern city with a rich history. It is home to many recreation parks, museums, heritage areas, gaming, and outdoor venues in the desert and by the Colorado River, making it a family-friendly destination in Arizona. While there are numerous places to see in Yuma, these below attractions are a must-see for families…
Top Must-See Attractions for Families in Yuma, Arizona
Colorado River
Yuma is one of the few towns in Arizona endowed with the might Colorado River. It is a perfect and must-see destination for families and offers year-round recreation and enjoyment. Hundreds of families visit the Colorado River to enjoy the green shore, wildlife, and cool water.
Teenagers enjoy high-speed jet-skiing, boating, and other sports, including paddle-boarding and kayaking. There is nothing better than enjoying a delicious lunch with your family on the shore of the Colorado River.
We recommend visiting this place in winters to enjoy the warm and sunny climate and spend time paddling or boating. However, the summer season is perfect for tubing and waterskiing. The cool breeze near the shore will soothe your mind and tranquil your heart.
Yuma Territorial Prison
The Yuma Territorial Prison and Castle Dome Ghost Town are two of Arizona’s most intriguing historic sites, each offering a glimpse into the rugged past of the American Southwest. The Yuma Territorial Prison, which operated from 1876 to 1909, housed some of the Wild West’s most notorious outlaws and is now preserved as a museum where visitors can walk through original cells and imagine frontier justice at work. Not far away, Castle Dome Ghost Town, once a thriving silver mining community, stands frozen in time with restored buildings and artifacts that showcase what life was like for miners and their families in the late 1800s. Together, these sites provide a vivid journey into Arizona’s lawless, gritty, and resilient history. Book the Yuma Territorial Prison & Castle Dome Ghost Town – Private Tour here or click the link below.
Cocopah Museum
If you want your kids to learn the history of Yuma, Arizona, in an exciting manner, we recommend you to visit the Cocopah Museum (see Tripadvisor reviews here). Your family will love the serene and picturesque views in the Museum surroundings, full of beautiful Sonoran native trees and plants. Don’t forget to see the replica of the traditional Cocopah dwelling and Ramada.
Besides, the museum features a variety of historical tribal exhibits, showcasing the Cocopah family way of life, structures, clothing, beadwork, musical instruments, objects used, tribal tattoos, and traditional veteran displays. Your wife will love the traditional Cocopah crafts in the museum’s gift shop.
Wild River Family Entertainment Center
As the name indicates, this is the best place in Yuma to entertain your kids. For a Yuma attraction, Cocopah’s Wild River Entertainment Center (see Tripadvisor reviews here) offers a wide range of recreational activities, such as the advanced 24-lane bowling facility, a large arcade room, and laser tag.
While your kids enjoy these activities, you can enjoy playing billiard, dart games or sit in a comfortable lounge and watch your favorite show on a 42 inches LCD TV. The center also has rooms that you can rent for special occasions, such as birthday parties, sweet sixteen, etc. It is a perfect place to spend a few enjoyable hours with your kids.
Yuma Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are great for families to get involved in together and also a great way to get some exercise and to see the sights! Walk together around Yuma’s landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges, learning new facts and creating memorable experiences. Book the Yuma Scavenger Hunt: Desert Sun & Fun here or click the link below.
Robert J Moody Demonstration Garden
The Robert J Demonstration Garden is one of the two gardens in Yuma, Arizona, open for the public. Here, you and your family can learn about desert plants and landscaping practices, such as xeriscaping, that involves minimal water use to grow plants.
There are different kiosks, stalls, and huts throughout the Moody Garden, where you can see various demonstrations. Your children will love learning about plant species and native vegetation, such as cacti, that require xeriscaping with little water.
The Moody Garden has different gardens, including tropical, native plants, emblem, cultivate plants, and vegetables, displaying different plant species grown in Yuma. Robert J. Moody Garden offers a unique combination of recreational and educational activities for families.
The Gateway Park
Yuma has 35 public parks, offering unique opportunities for families to explore outdoors and have fun. However, the Getaway Park (see reviews on Tripadvisor here) is the most popular one for families. Located on the bank of Colorado River and at the end of Madison Avenue, Downtown, the Getaway Park offers a lot of amenities to people of all ages, including kids.
Your kids will enjoy the sandy river beach and love building sandcastles. The place is perfect for swimming in the summer. The river beach likewise has a playground for kids and two fishing docks. If you want to have some outdoor fun with your kids, this park is a perfect picnic spot where you can rest in restrooms, sit in shelters with picnic tables, three ramadas and relish delicious barbecues.
Waylon’s Water Park
Waylon’s Water Park offers 15 slides and attractions for family fun, allowing your kids to get wet in refreshingly cool water and enjoy themselves (see Tripadvisor reviews here). Adults can play golf in the beautiful and serene 36-hole mini-golf course. The on-site restaurant offers many delicious food options for people of all ages to enjoy on a warm, sunny day. We recommend eating pasta, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and salads.
All activities are under $6, making it an affordable, family-friendly entertainment place. Moreover, Waylon’s Water Park also has the best video game arcade, fastest go-carts and batting cages. Waylon’s Water Park has a state-of-the-art lounge with over 30 TV screens. The hall is perfect for birthday parties, family fun, and corporate events.
West Wetlands Park
West Wetlands Park (see Tripadvisor reviews here) is another family-friendly attraction in Yuma. It is located across the river and opposite the East Wetlands, offering a mind-soothing recreational area with picnic spots, playgrounds, walking trails, and fishing spots.
Besides these amenities, your kids will enjoy the scenic Centennial Beach, a perfect place to have a picnic and refresh in cool waters. West Wetlands Park is an ideal destination for families in Yuma where they can enjoy bird watching, kayaking, boating, and fishing.
The natural walks along the riverfront will help tranquil your mind and make you feel connected with nature. You will see gardens restored with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. If you want a perfect family gathering, don’t miss visiting West Wetlands Park.
The Camel Farm – CLOSED
All children love visiting zoos and enjoy seeing animals. The Camel Farm is a one-of-a-kind place in Yuma, a petting zoo that breeds one-humped camels. The Saihati Camel Farm also has over 40 different species and 200 exotic animals. Although these animals live in fenced cages, they have a lot of space to move around and interact with visitors. The Camel Farm is a must-see place for families, and your kids will enjoy meeting with miniature donkeys, huge ostriches, a giant tortoise, sheep, water buffalo, and funny-looking camels. Kids can also buy food for their favorite animals, making it a memorable experience for them in Yuma.
Top Accommodation for Families in Yuma, Arizona
We’ve included our top three picks for family accommodation in Yuma below, in a range of prices…
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Yuma
This is our first hotel and in the highest price bracket. But if you want somewhere nice – a suite with a kitchen, this is your place. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Yuma features an outdoor pool and hot tub and also a fitness centre to get some relaxation in after travelling.
Each suite has cable satellite TV, air-conditioning and also a work desk and a seating area, as well as ironing facilities. This hotel comes with a daily continental breakfast included. Vending machines featuring snacks and drinks are located on-site if you don’t want to cook a meal but fancy a snack instead.
As with all the hotels we’ve mentioned, this hotel is located off the I-8 for driving convenience. If you’re flying in, Yuma International Airport is only 3.1 miles away from this hotel.
Check up-to-date prices and reviews for the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Yuma.
Radisson Hotel Yuma
More mid-range price-wise than others, although the higher end of mid, is the Radisson Hotel in Yuma . It is one of the more expensive mid-range hotels but we think it’s worth it – look at the pool! Not forgetting they have an indoor one too! There is a restaurant on site and the Market Wine Bar Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features classic American food, with the lounge also offering a daily drinks happy hour.
If you are coming via road, the hotel is off I8 but also offers a free transfer service to Yuma International Airport. Rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities and some rooms are pet friendly, so great if you’re travelling with your pooch!
Check up-to-date prices and reviews for the Radisson Hotel Yuma.
Shilo Inn Yuma
More budget range, but still with great reviews and a lovely pool is the Shilo Inn Yuma. It’s also rated well for stays with kids. Again, if you are coming via road, the hotel is off I8 but is also only ten minutes from Yuma International Airport.
Rooms come with free toiletries, en-suite, towels, desk and seating area, also a TV and refrigerator. The pool is great for the kids and there’s also a fitness centre for parents to use. This hotel also has pet-friendly rooms should you be travelling with yours.
Check up-to-date prices and reviews for the Shilo Inn Yuma.
Adventures in Family Land work with affiliate advertising programs to provide a means for our site to earn an income. This article may contain affiliate links to products or websites. We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
