Three Days with Kids

Our Local Expert Says:

Split a day between here and Saguaro National Park.

Description:

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of three or four not-to-be-missed attractions for anyone visiting Tucson. Spread across 21 acres in the drop-dead beautiful desert west of Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (locals refer to it simply as "the Desert museum") is a seamless mix of world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. The museum's outdoor trails offer an immersion into the Sonoran Desert that can't be beat. The desert museum is a wonderful complement to the neighboring Saguaro National Park.

Description:

The International Wildlife Museum is located on the west side near the Tucson Mountains, and makes a convenient stopover if you're heading to Old Tucson or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This museum, founded in 1988 and a member of the Safari Club International Foundation, showcases over 400 species of mammals, insects, and birds from around the world. Some animals in the collection are over 100 years old, donated to the Safari Club by captive breeding programs, wildlife rehabilitation centers, government agencies, zoos, and private individuals. Most of what you'll see here is reminiscent of a traditional natural history museum, with dioramas of stuffed animals shown in their natural settings. A fascinating, if sometimes eerie, place to see exotic animals up close.

Description:

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's quick-service cafe is a relaxing respite from your tour of this delightful desert habitat. The setting is peaceful and picturesque and the service is friendly. The restaurant features made-to-order sandwiches and salads, plus a few Southwestern entree specialties. Children's choices are also offered.

Description:

Concentrating on New York style and specialty pizzas and Calzones available for dine-in, take-out, delivery or take and bake, it's all true Italian fare here. Lighter, low fat options are also available. Both pizzas and Calzones are offered as 'build-your-owns' to let you customize your toppings and fillings to your own preference. Salads, bread sticks, soft drinks and desserts round out your meal.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is probably the best resort in Tucson for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding or tennis.

Description:

Although not the most posh resort in town, Westward Look is one of the oldest and most charming. Built on the site of a historic 1919 homestead, the hotel features antique furnishings and a lovely library/study in the area that used to be the original living room of this property. The resort earns high marks in fine dining and its on-site spa, The Sonoran Spa. With easy access to several great nature trails that lead into the surrounding wilderness, this is a great place to explore the natural beauty of the desert.

Description:

In 1939, workers built 50 buildings in 40 days in the desert west of Tucson for the movie Arizona. Since then, dozens of movies have been filmed at least partly at Old Tucson Studios - most of them during the heydays of Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s. John Wayne started in four movies shot at Old Tucson, including Rio Brava in 1959 and the 1967 flick El Dorado. In 1960, Old Tucson was open to the public and has operated as a theme park and film studio ever since. A fire in 1995 destroyed most of the original buildings, but after 20 months of reconstruction, Old Tucson reopened and remains a must-see for many visitors to Tucson. Old Tucson Studios is located in the same general area west of Tucson as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park.

Description:

The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is located on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, at the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue and University. This family-friendly center is open seven days a week, with planetarium shows available to school and youth groups on the weekdays, and to the general public on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. The family laser light show happens on Thursday nights, while Friday through Sundays is generally reserved for the very popular Pink Floyd laser music show. This is a great place to take the kids, or to spend an evening marveling at the night skies and learning the stories behind the constellations.

Our Local Expert Says:

The owner also owns a funky dive called Frank's that's a favorite among locals for its excellent breakfasts. So, you're in good hands if you go for the weekend-breakfasts at the Eclectic.

Description:

For more than two decades, this attractive and eclectic cafe has pleased Tucson palates with interesting, above-average preparations of Mexican and American fare. Decked out in contemporary and subtly Southwestern colors and accents, it's a friendly, mom-and-pop-type operation. On the menu are items like the house specialty Leo's Special Chicken Burro that comes with a roasted tomatillo or red chili sauce, Huevos Rancheros (eggs, refried beans and salsa on a warm corn tortilla) and a Vegetarian Torta of eggplant peppers, havarti cheese and vegetables. Coffee drinks, beer and wine are offered.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you’re traveling with kids and they’re not into shopping, Golf N’ Stuff, with its miniature golf course and other amusements, is just down the road and can keep the kids happy and busy while you shop.

Description:

This Old West replica town is a magnet for kids and families looking to soak up the Wild West ambiance of wooden sidewalks and 19th-century inspired architecture. Souvenir shops, restaurants, and galleries line the central plaza, which features a decorative gazebo. There are two popular restaurants on site, the Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse and the Dakota Cafe. You'll also find a custom leather store and western clothing boutiques, perfect for picking up that western belt and pair of boots to take back home. Trail Dust Days, a an annual cowboy show held here in late February, is one of the most popular events hosted here.

Description:

This cafe and catering company can be found at Tanque Verde Road's western-themed Trail Dust Town. It offers an eclectic menu of regional and contemporary American specialties in a casually upscale setting. In sharp contrast to its cowboy surroundings, this restaurant affords diners an almost European-style elegance with burnished gold accents and cloths festooning from the ceiling, on top of showcasing artwork by local artists.

Description:

Tucked into the eastern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Sabino Canyon offers stunning beauty and something that is a rarity in the desert: flowing water. Sabino Creek generally runs year around, but is especially strong during the summer and winter rainy seasons. Sabino Canyon is also easily accessible. An open-aired shuttle service provides a 3.8-mile narrated tour into the heart of the canyon. Hikes range from easy strolls to brutally tough, so whether you're with young children or more hardcore outdoorsmen, there is something for everyone. Close to resorts, Sabino Canyon is an excellent introduction to the desert for any first time visitors.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is an excellent play site for kids, though the water boats seem to be a big favorite of adults as well. Trail Dust Town, an Old West-style shopping and dinning complex, is almost right next door and a good place for parents while the kids play.

Description:

A fun place for both locals and tourists, this big amusement park on Tucson's East Side offers something for everyone including bumper boats, go karts, batting cages, miniature golf (2 courses), rock climbing and, of course, penny arcades. There is a snack bar. Group rates are available.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is probably the best resort in Tucson for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding or tennis.

Description:

Although not the most posh resort in town, Westward Look is one of the oldest and most charming. Built on the site of a historic 1919 homestead, the hotel features antique furnishings and a lovely library/study in the area that used to be the original living room of this property. The resort earns high marks in fine dining and its on-site spa, The Sonoran Spa. With easy access to several great nature trails that lead into the surrounding wilderness, this is a great place to explore the natural beauty of the desert.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a popular late night hang out with cooks, chefs and servers from restaurants all over town. The owners/chefs cut their teeth on some of the best restaurants in Tucson before striking off on their own over a decade ago. They also recently opened the excellent Bluefin Seafood Bistro. Try the oysters at Kingfisher.

Description:

This popular Tucson mainstay serves up classic American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, expertly prepared seafood. Their fish and chips are a big hit, battered delicately and fried to perfection. If seafood is not your preference, the menu offers up steak, ribs, and other standard American fare, all prepared equally well. The restaurant features a late-night menu for those looking for quality grub after 10pm, and the dark, chic setting makes this a good place for a romantic date.

Description:

The Children's Museum of Tucson first opened its door in 1986, subsequently moving in 1991 to the building that once housed the old Carnegie public library. Today, the 17,000 square foot facility features twelve hands-on permanent interactive exhibits. These include the very popular Dinosaur World, Electric Power's Electri-City, the Música de las Americas music room, the Art Studio, the Ocean Discovery Center, the Public Safety Station, Mind Your Own Body, Build It, Whistle Stop, Pet Vet and others. Even adults may find themselves oohing and ahhing over the colorful, inventive, and thoroughly interactive displays.

Our Local Expert Says:

The public is allowed to feed the giraffes daily. Besides the polar bears, this may be the zoo’s biggest attraction.

Description:

Although small and overshadowed by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Reid Park Zoo makes a fun in-town destination if you have the kids along. The zoo has good Africa, Asia, and South America enclosures that include African and Asian elephants, white rhinoceroses, giraffes, anteaters, capybaras (the largest rodents in the world), and rheas (sort of like ostriches). Get here early, when the animals are more active and before the crowds hit. If you've got the kids along, there's a good playground in the adjacent park.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Pima Air and Space museum can be daunting, but taking the hour long tram tour first can help you get your bearings. Afterwards, you can go back and spend more time at the planes that interest you most.

Description:

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of flight, the Pima Air and Space Museum houses over 27 historic aircraft, including John F. Kennedy's Air Force One, once used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Also on display is the X-15 and Russian Migs, among many, many others. The museum is located next to the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, which also houses the Arizona Maintenance and Regeneration Center, also know as "the boneyard." Here, lined up neatly and surreally are hundreds of mothballed military aircraft.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is probably the best resort in Tucson for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding or tennis.

Description:

Although not the most posh resort in town, Westward Look is one of the oldest and most charming. Built on the site of a historic 1919 homestead, the hotel features antique furnishings and a lovely library/study in the area that used to be the original living room of this property. The resort earns high marks in fine dining and its on-site spa, The Sonoran Spa. With easy access to several great nature trails that lead into the surrounding wilderness, this is a great place to explore the natural beauty of the desert.