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Places to Take Visiting Relatives and Friends Who Are Not Active

By Judy Hedding, About.com Guide

When friends and relatives come to visit, you are going to need some ideas about where to go and things to see in the area. Here are some of the best places in the Phoenix area to take out-of-town visitors, with a focus on places that are uniquely Arizona.

While active people would enjoy these places, too, the following attractions are specifically geared toward those people who are not as active, won't be doing a great deal of walking, or need handicapped accessible attractions.

1. Heard Museum

Nothing says the Southwest like the renowned Heard Museum in central Phoenix. The Heard has stunning exhibits, focused on traditional and contemporary Native American art and artifacts. There might be a bit of walking, but you only have to do as much as you'd like, you can take it slow, and it is handicapped accessible.
Get more details about the Heard Museum and see pictures and watch the video.

2. Drive Apache Trail

If your relatives don't get nervous in the car, this is a great trip for the sedentary crowd, since they can just sit in the car and enjoy the scenery. You need a driver who doesn't become easily frightened....
Get more details about driving the Apache Trail. | See pictures of Apache Lake.

3. Mystery Castle

South of Phoenix is a castle. Well, not a castle, really. It's a house. Well, not just a house. It's simply...unusual and charming. There's some walking and some steps, but it doesn't require a great deal of energy.
See pictures and get more details about Mystery Castle.

4. Arizona Capitol Museum

There is some walking, but as much as you'd like, and it is handicapped accessible. If you live here, and you've never taken a tour of the Arizona Capitol Museum, your guests can be a great excuse for you to go! Take a seat in the gallery of either the State Senate or House of Representatives right next door to the museum. If you still have enough energy, walk among the memorials at Wesley Bolin Plaza, across the street. The museum is impressive and fun, and the plaza is inspiring.

5. Phoenix Zoo

Even if walking the zoo may be too much for your guests, the safari train at the zoo can take you on a narrated tour past most of the major attractions. It lasts about 25 minutes. After that, I recommend at least visiting the Arizona Trail exhibit for that unique Arizona experience. It only takes about 1/2 hour and it is very close to the zoo entrance.

To see the zoo in ultimate comfort and style, the Phoenix Zoo offers a private, customized one hour Safari Cart Tour of the Zoo for an additional charge. The Phoenix Zoo is handicapped accessible and wheelchairs are available to rent.
See pictures and get more details about Phoenix Zoo. | See a video about the Phoenix Zoo.

6. Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake

Dolly Steamboat Boat Ride on Canyon Lake

In the summer, this 90 minute slow cruise will be too hot for some, even though there's shade on the boat. For most of the year, however, this a beautiful, relaxing, lazy tour of Canyon Lake right near Tortilla Flat in Apache Junction, in the southeast part of the Valley.
Get more details about Dolly Steamboat. | See pictures of Dolly Steamboat.

7. Desert Belle at Saguaro Lake

The drive to Saguaro Lake is not at all as difficult as the drive to Canyon Lake for Dolly Steamboat. The Desert Belle is another 90-minute narrated tour. The two level paddle boat is air-conditioned on the first level, and the second level is outside but has a canopy cover. This boat trip near northeast Mesa is offered year-round.
Get more details about the Desert Belle. | See pictures of the Desert Belle.

8. Wrigley Mansion

William Wrigley, Jr. made his fortune selling chewing gum during the Great Depression. He purchased The Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix and built a "little" vacation home for his wife, Ada nearby. The Wrigley Mansion offers guided tours of this unusual and historic property. There is a charge for the tour.
See pictures and get more details about Wrigley Mansion.