Arizona

Bisbee

What it is: Trailer and camping grounds in the historic copper-mining town of Bisbee, Arizona, located in the Mule Mountains.

The rooms: Eleven vintage trailers, from a 1949 Airstream to a turquoise Tiki Bus, let you and your family relive the golden age of mobile domesticity. Come armed with a sense of adventure and shower shoes—except for in the Airfloat trailer, all bathing takes place in the restroom facilities. Or you can bring your own RV; part of the park is equipped with full hookups for a modern vehicle.

Amenities: Experience authentic '50s cuisine at Dot's Diner, a greasy spoon transported to the grounds via flatbed truck in 1996. Some trailers include vintage black-and-white TVs and phonographs with vintage records. Barbecue grills are also available.

Activities: Recapture a simpler time in historic Bisbee, Arizona. Explore old buildings and museums or trek through the Chiricahua National forest and Ramsey Canyon Nature Conservancy.

Details: 1 Douglas Road, from $45 a night for the 10-foot Homemade trailer.

Grand Canyon National Park

What it is: A 78-room hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

The rooms: All rooms are decorated in a rustic Western style. Rooms facing the canyon can enjoy a spectacular view, and some suites have a porch or balcony. Some rooms and suites can accommodate a roll-away bed.

Amenities: Guests of El Tovar enjoy concierge, turndown, and room services. Dine on salmon tostadas or gourmet desserts in the hotel's fine-dining room, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Activities: Take a shuttle and explore the Grand Canyon from rim to rim. Or get closer to nature and experience biking, wildlife viewing, backpacking, fishing, ranger-led walks and talks, mule rides, and river rafting through the national park. Enroll budding environmentalists in the Junior Ranger program to give them hands-on experience in the canyon.

Details: 10 Albright Street, from $180 per night for a standard double with an extra person.

Greer

What it is: A 1900s homestead turned luxury guest ranch in Apache County.

The rooms: Twelve individual log cabins, all with sitting areas complete with wood-burning stone fireplaces. Each cabin also has a covered porch for the whole family to enjoy.

Amenities: An early dinner service at the gourmet restaurant is provided for families with young children, and there are three pet-friendly cabins available with attached dog runs, ensuring that all members of your family are taken care of.

Activities: There is an evening kids' camp with supervised arts and crafts and other activities in the Outfitter Barn. Your family can go horseback riding on ranch horses, or upon request can learn from artist on the property through their visiting-artist program. There are also horse-drawn wagon rides, sledding, ice fishing, and mountain biking available.

Details: 620 County Road; from $525 for a standard room, double occupancy, meals and ranch-sponsored activities included. Charges for guests 4 and older begin at $50 a night.

Phoenix

What it is: One of this "Jewel of the Desert's," claims to fame is that Frank Lloyd Wright was a consulting architect on the project.

The rooms: There are 738 guestrooms and suites, many with a patio or balcony. Each room is decorated with colors and fabrics that complement the desert surroundings.

Amenities: There are eight swimming pools, six tennis courts, a full-service resort spa, and five dining options.

Activities: From lifesize lawn chess to bocce ball, there are plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family. The hotel can also arrange tours of the Grand Canyon and hot-air-balloon trips.

Details: 2400 East Missouri Avenue; from $199 for a guestroom with two queen-size beds.

Scottsdale

What it is: A private tennis club turned condo and resort, it's a great spot for the tennis enthusiast.

The rooms: The 85 guestrooms are split into large variety of accommodations, from standard rooms to presidential villas.

Amenities: The property has 11 tennis courts, three pools, and a full-service spa. You can set up your child with lessons in the tennis clinic or enter yourself into one of the tennis matches offered each day.

Activities: When your family is finished with tennis, you can explore the nearby area and visit the McCormick-Stillman's Railroad Park or the Phoenix Zoo.

Details: 8235 E. Indian Bend Road, from $179 for a one-bedroom villa with king-size bed and pullout sofa.

Wickenburg

Rancho de los Caballeros

What it is: A luxurious ranch resort, spa, and golf club located in Arizona's open range.

The rooms: Each of the 79 guestrooms and suites is decorated in Southwestern style and has handcrafted furniture and a private sun patio.

Amenities: A classic dinner bell rings to let you know your meal is ready while you enjoy the swimming pool or golf course. The hotel is surrounded by 20,000 acres of desert for you to explore. The Los Caballeros kids' program serves children ages 5 to 12. The program begins with breakfast, and then the children split into groups for activities. Kids can learn how to horseback ride or create arts and crafts until lunchtime. After lunch, from 2 to 6 p.m., the children return to their families for family activities: maybe a jeep tour or just a dip in the pool. At 6 p.m., the children return to the program, where they eat dinner and then spend the rest of the evening (until 9 p.m.) on activities like roasting marshmallows or line dancing.

Activities: Guests can go horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, or swimming. Other activities include line dancing, roasting marshmallows by the campfire, sunset hayrides, and playing golf—there's even a putting green for kids.

Details: 1551 South Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg; from $405 for double room; children 4 and under stay free.